car wax - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

gasti_ako · 09-10-2008, 04:50 AM

Guys, can you advise what is the car wax you are using? is there an eco-friendly wax?

BlackDeuceCoupe · 09-10-2008, 05:27 AM

I don't use any wax! I h-a-t-e wax!!!

I use a Cali Car Duster, doused with Pledge Clean & Shine, twice a day - every day...

California Car Duster Company - The Original California Car Duster

Pledge ® Clean & Shine

How does my mileage look?!?!?

Here's my ride - quick snappy, no prep - looks like this 24/7/365...

dcb · 09-10-2008, 10:48 AM

Car washing/polishing and eco-friendly might be contrary purposes.

metroschultz · 09-10-2008, 11:21 AM

close up those holes
you should be ashamed
your condenser core is showing
Just funnin,
looks good,
Schultz

BlackDeuceCoupe · 09-10-2008, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metroschultz

close up those holes
you should be ashamed
your condenser core is showing
Just funnin,
looks good,
Schultz

LoL! Thanks...

Yeah, it's not so much an ECO car as a babe magnet, but 'dusting' works better than wax, and it smells better too!

Don't know if you ever smelled Pledge Clean & Shine, but chicks dig it... go figure...

dremd · 09-10-2008, 11:17 PM

See what you have to do is attract females to carpool with so that your mpg/occupant doubles.

I have been using Meguires Paint Cleaner (on random orbital) then whatever polishes/ compounds/ wet sanding I need on orbital (grinder style) then the blue wax in a clear bottle that walmart sells with a German sounding name. Works well IMHO, some disagree . . . .

I'm looking for a chronicle of a guy who detailed the crap out of a MKIV jetta last year. It is unbelievable.

BlackDeuceCoupe · 09-11-2008, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dremd

See what you have to do is attract females to carpool with so that your mpg/occupant doubles.

I don't let chicks ride in my car - stinks for hours from their cheap spray cologne - I prefer Clean & Shine too!

Nice thought though...

I let them wear my shirt every once in a while - does that count?

Katana · 09-12-2008, 04:26 PM

You use Pledge on your car paint?! It's car paint not a kitchen table.
I frequent a car detailing forum and they'd cry into wash buckets hearing that.

Thread on eco washing/cleaning
Proper Washing Technique

You could easily adjust the washing technique to make it use less water

BlackDeuceCoupe · 09-12-2008, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katana

You use Pledge on your car paint?! It's car paint not a kitchen table.
I frequent a car detailing forum and they'd cry into wash buckets hearing that.

No... no... no...

Don't get me wrong! Maybe the word 'doused' confused you.

I put Pledge Clean & Shine on my duster, NOT my ride!!!

Cali car dusters are impregnated with wax, but it doesn't last very long - especially using it as much as I do. Plus, if your car is hot (I live in Arizona) the wax causes streaking, and so forth, and so on. Sooo...

What I do is spray the DUSTER liberally from time-to-time to replace the wax (wax doesn't work all that great). Then, I store the duster in my (hot) trunk, where it soaks into the cotton (kinda like the way a K&N air filter works). Dusters come with a zippered vinyl sleeve so the wax/polish doesn't stain your carpet.

Between 'dusting' my car twice a day, and storing the duster in my trunk, my whole ride smells like Clean & Shine - which, of course, adds a physiological component (your nose). Not only does my ride *look* clean & shiny - it *smells* clean & shiny too!

LoL!

OMG!!! I would NEVER spray Pledge on auto paint, e.g. clear coat - although it DOES work great on plastic body parts, like motorcycle/ATC fenders. You can make a 'dirt bike' look like it just came off the showroom floor using Pledge - but that's a different discussion...

BlackDeuceCoupe · 09-12-2008, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katana

You could easily adjust the washing technique to make it use less water

Um...

I only "wash" my ride about 2-3 times a year!

Hondas are given to 'body rot'.

Spraying Honda CiViCs with a garden hose only exacerbates the problem!

Pledge is MUCH better...

Ford Man · 09-12-2008, 06:16 PM

I use Mother's wax. Gives a great shine and is slick as a baby's bottom.

DifferentPointofView · 09-12-2008, 06:42 PM

I use synthetic polish... It lasts longer, goes on easy and keeps the bird poop from ruining the paint. It comes off there like its been covered in teflon.

I don't know if its eco friendly, but I use Simoniz waxes and polishes.

dremd · 09-12-2008, 10:10 PM

I just remembered it while watching concourse coverage on HD net ; Zymol!

metroschultz · 09-13-2008, 12:55 AM

Wax?
I washed my car last week for the upcoming gathering. (first time I ever washed this car)
Does that count?
S.

meemooer · 09-13-2008, 12:57 AM

well... as a professional detailer, i should probably chime in on this. I use Stevens Car Care, Automagic, and PDP supplies. You may not be able to get them publicly though.
I use 1 of 3 different compounds with 2 different buffing pads on a variable speed buffer[ body grinder]. Each compound has a specific purpose as well as the 2 different pads. then a quick color restore polish, with a 21lbs random orbital. use it to put it on and take it off. Then a sealant wax. My truck is swirl free, the paint has a deep shine/reflection. I do offroad it so there are some deeper scratches i haven't had a chance to fix, but i figure it'll happen again.
BTW Polish restores gloss, and you want a non silicone based polish, and wax is a "sealer" that helps keep the shine and makes the paint more resistant to fading, light scratches and environmental paint defects[acid rain, industrial fallout from pollution, "rail dust" or brake dust and bird droppings/insects]

BDC I read the pledge website. I don't see a single thing that can be "healthy" for your cars paint. Silver is easy to keep clean, and shiny. Doesn't mean that product is doing it right though. You could use a silicone based tire shine and get the same results. is it good for the paint/clearcoat, no. If you used a quality product once every 3-6 months you wouldn't have to wipe it down twice a day.

YAY!! A topic i am needed for

BlackDeuceCoupe · 09-13-2008, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meemooer

BDC I read the pledge website. I don't see a single thing that can be "healthy" for your cars paint. Silver is easy to keep clean, and shiny. Doesn't mean that product is doing it right though. You could use a silicone based tire shine and get the same results. is it good for the paint/clearcoat, no. If you used a quality product once every 3-6 months you wouldn't have to wipe it down twice a day.

The main reason I 'dust' my car twice a day is because...

I use a locking car cover to keep the thieves at bay, and protect it from the sun, bird droppings, vandals, et cetera!

The car cover, so called, also covers my car... with dust!

DifferentPointofView · 09-13-2008, 11:04 AM

I still don't see how pledge is good for car paint. just my 2 cents.

gasti_ako · 09-13-2008, 12:15 PM

since a wax is dry lubricant, would this improve aero dynamics?

Ford Man · 09-13-2008, 12:38 PM

[quote=gasti_ako;60982]since a wax is dry lubricant, would this improve aero dynamics?[/QUOTE

I've read discussion on this on other forums, some say yes and some say no. I always try to wax my car right before a road trip and it seems to help my FE. It seems that anything that makes the surface slicker will help aero dynamics by letting air pass over the surface easier.

meemooer · 09-14-2008, 02:08 AM

but the "slickness" to the paint is so microscopic. the small voids that the polish/wax fills can only be seen under a microscope.
Honda did release an article last month about how if "...Large vehicle owners wash and wax and keep their vehicles clean they can see an increase of 10%mpg hwy" Of course it said results may vary. Maybe they should just come out with "aero" packages like Dodge did w/the Daytona Superbird.