Non Daily Driver: Washing/Detailing.

[StaticCling]

Just a question out of curiosity...

How often do you detail/wash your non daily driver cars? I'm talking about cars that are generally 'fun' cars, don't get driven in bad weather, weekend rides etc.

After I sold my C3 and bought the 5.0 as a weekend fun car, I'm trying to keep the car relatively immaculate. So far it has been pretty easy. I have owned the car for about 1 year. Did a full detail when I bought it, and since I drive it only in good weather, I just use a detail spray and wipe it down once in a while, clean the wheels/windows etc. Maybe every few weeks if that.

Over the weekend I washed, clayed and waxed it again. LOL. So basically, after one year, I have washed and waxed the car twice. It still looks and smells new.

So, is that about right? Anything else I can do to keep it looking tip top?


BTW, I've got about 2000 miles on it, so it's not like I'm racking up the mileage.

[mrvette]

My vette goes out maybe 6x/week round trip maybe as high as 5 miles, mostly less than 2 miles.....recent junkyard trip an exception...~15 miles one way....yawn......so I not washed the vette in about 5 months, just toooooo effing HOT and HUMID.....even early AM,

At least when working on a car, I can set my own pace under a fan....in the shade....washing?? in the sunlight 110% humidity??

[simpleman68]

Depends on how much I drive it but with the C5 I'm guessing it's been washed once or twice in the last year.

Not much need to wash it when she sits in a garage until the occasional sunny day cruise.
Scott

[markids77]

The Miata sits under the carport in the back yard; I drive it a couple times a month. Mostly I rinse it off and dry using a cotton bath towel and Turtle Wax Wash and Dry spray wax. If there are stubborn water spots or some other crud I get a bucket of Mother's car wash liquid and the wash brush, followed by the Turtle wax. Hard water stains or swirl marks get Meguiar's Ultimate Polish on a wash cloth. I can rinse, wax and dry the car in 10 minutes.

Long story short... if you like how it looks it is all good.

[John Wiz]

My C5 (past) and the Camaro are fun cars, but I usually drive them a couple times during the week when the weather is decent. I try to wash them every week or two and throw a coat of Zaino (yea, I still use that) on when I have time. From Oct - April I rarely get a chance to clean them.

Seems everyone on the Camaro6 board is a big fan of ceramic coatings, but I've had good luck with this for a long time so not looking to change. Besides, I find it a little therapeutic to put a coat of polish on..

[Datawiz]

On the '09 Z06, I likely use nano-wax once a month, or as needed, but wash and "wax as you dry" weekly. The liquid approach is non-abrasive and my car continues to look pristine. Since it's garaged, it doesn't need the true waxing. The spray stuff gives no swirl and a very nice look.

[Jeff '79]

Originally Posted by John Wiz

My C5 (past) and the Camaro are fun cars, but I usually drive them a couple times during the week when the weather is decent. I try to wash them every week or two and throw a coat of Zaino (yea, I still use that) on when I have time. From Oct - April I rarely get a chance to clean them.

Seems everyone on the Camaro6 board is a big fan of ceramic coatings, but I've had good luck with this for a long time so not looking to change. Besides, I find it a little therapeutic to put a coat of polish on..

Uhhh, Wiz...

Can you make your avatar bigger ?

Puhleese !!

[John Wiz]

Originally Posted by Jeff '79

Uhhh, Wiz...

Can you make your avatar bigger ?

Puhleese !!

LOL, actually I was going to change it.....

I have better ones..

[Jeff '79]

Originally Posted by John Wiz

LOL, actually I was going to change it.....

I have better ones..

[John Wiz]

Originally Posted by Jeff '79

LOL...

[TripleBlack]

My '07 Vert is my "daily driver" though I don't really drive it daily. It's black, duh - TripleBack - but my last Zaino treatment was years ago. Since I'm retired, I don't take it out much if it's raining. It still looks nice enough for me. I wash it when it gets dirty and will Zaino again some day.

[Black94lt1]

My vette sees about 3000 miles a year but mostly from trips - just came back from a 1300 mike trip to Nashville, Bowling Green, etc. as a result it gets waxed each spring and washed as needed, generally about 6 times over the summer.

[GRN ENVY]

OP, keep up with the yearly maintenance of a good protective. Wax or coating. I'd advise against just wipe downs after a drive, without proper process. Depending on dust/dirt level. That can introduce swirls. Adam's has a nice combo product for your use. It's called waterless wash, they also have a woven towel to come with it. The key to not introduce swirls is to lift the dirt off the surface. Never use the same dirty side of the towel for each panel. A new side of the towel should be used. Should use 3 or 4 towels when doing a wipe down.

If you truly dont want to mess with it. Get it coated. With your use. You could easily have a layer of protection for several years. The waxes break down over time, which is why you have to build it back up a few times a year (depending on exposure to the elements could be less).

Depending on the product you use now, you could step up in product quality and get similar results to the coating set up. 2 waxes in my arsenal. Collinite 845, and Adam's buttery wax. Both provide great results and leave excellent protection. For detail spray, Kenotex is phenomenal, has hydrophobic and self cleaning properties. It leaves the car with that pop, everytime.

Let me k ow if you have questions, there are so many products. I could go on and on.

[Mike Mercury]

our last 5 Corvettes have all been garaged with top off/down... and covered.

Only detail once per year... unless something unexpected happens during a drive.

Washed about 2-3 times per season... unless something unexpected happens during a drive.

[04 commemorative]

Originally Posted by simpleman68

Depends on how much I drive it but with the C5 I'm guessing it's been washed once or twice in the last year.

Not much need to wash it when she sits in a garage until the occasional sunny day cruise.
Scott

That's one of the reasons why I sold mine....

[Mike Mercury]

Originally Posted by 04 commemorative

That's one of the reasons why I sold mine....

interesting.

For me, it's that reason to always have one of these sitting in the garage; for those few days of the month when I want to have a nice cruise in a cool & clean sports car.