I've been thinking of giving my HHR a semi-pro caliber cleaning soon, and have been doing some research on what supplies to use, which has taken me through the forums of a couple dozen car sites like this one. But I want to hear what you guys have to say.

(Apologies in advance to any sponsors)

Balerion is a fleet rescue 2011 2LT, black granite metallic, my daily driver.

So far I've just been going to the nearby DIY (but not using their brush). I've picked up a few things at local stores in the interim, and as it stands right now I'll probably order mitts and towels from Chemical Guys for long term use.

The water here is extremely hard, saturated with leeching from a rock called calichi, which is mostly calcium carbonate. One drop, if left to evaporate on its own, will leave a visible (especially on black paint) gray ring.

The weather here basically has three seasons: very hot, cold, and dust storm.

Wash: When I read that Meguiar's NXT had water softeners in it, I thought I'd found my answer. Then I found out about the high grade washes, such as Chemical Guys, Adam's, Zaino, and Griot's Garage. I wouldn't be opposed to using a separate water softener if such a thing exists.

Clay: Everything I've read says which clay you use doesn't matter, so I'm not terribly concerned about it. I'll clay with this first ultra wash, and do it all again in November.

Wax and polish: My paint is good, but not perfect... Hertz and the dealer have left some minor swirls. I'd like to do the wax and polish by hand this time, maybe I'll pick up a dual action polisher for the fall. I'd like to have a finish that is low maintenance between washings, especially something that wind-driven dust won't stick to. I still need to learn the differences of the colors/grades of applicator pads.

So which wash, wax, and polish do you guys recommend?

 

Boy now that's a loaded question Dracos, but I'll tell you what I use, and others will chime in with their favorites too.

I use Griot's Garage car wash solution, never had any issues with it. And for waxing I use Zymol products or Autoglym depending on the color of the HHR. Zymol on the Silverstone Metallic/Mocha Steel Metallic and Autoglym on the black. Griot's used to stock both brands and I'm not sure if they still do anymore, they are expensive, but the shine is amazing.

For those rare occasions when I do need a polish, its Griot's Fine Hand Polish, I've never needed to use a buffer on the critters.

It sounds like you have a well thought out plan of action already, and regardless of my personal favorites or those of others here, use the best stuff you can and you'll like the results.

 

Dracos......

The only suggests I'd make is to use a "poly" product as your last application. Your weather is much like what we experience in Arizona. I've found, and seen tests to substantiate, that wax is a continuous process in extreme heat situations. So, you MAY need multiple applications through A YEAR, just to keep the car looking it's best. Poly will last more than a year with normal care, and an occasional good compatible detail spray.

Your hard water application is another problem, again much like Arizona (caliche). I'm in the process of installing an old (and replaced) water softener in my garage, with it's own hose bib to assist in that area (not that you what to do this, just as information).
If you already have a water softener you might consider doing a "take off" from a softener line.

Oh, a final note....if you use a poly or any wax type product you might consider using a oil dissolving soap to wash the car first. But by all means, rinse very well. I use Dawn Dish Washing Soap upon recommendation of others. But I question it's worth if the vehicle already has a poly product....I don't believe it removes poly.

Good luck on whatever you decide.

 

I've seen Dawn mentioned in other forums, so I'll probably do a "pre-wash" with it. I haven't seen anyone say that it strips one type of wax more/less than another, so I'll just assume that it will strip everything. Even if Dawn doesn't strip poly, people say a clay bar will remove everything.

 

I use alot of different Meguiers products.

Seems to be working well on my Black Panel.

 

NO!!! ONLY USE CAR WASH SOAP!!!!!!!!!!!

You want to strip wax off, Get Automotive Wax and Grease Remover.

 

Recommendations, A&P?

 

3M, at any automotive paint supply store.

I remember when those "Poly" products came out (this is Years ago) it played Hell on us in the Body Shops, Nothing cut it, Fisheyes galore in the paint. We HATED dealers selling and coating cars with the stuff.

Then Finally a product called "Poly Cracker" came out and all was at Peace again in the shops.


I havent heard of using "Dawn" on a car, I have always bought Car Wash Soap.

Not saying it won't work for what youve heard it will do, but places like Meguires say to Never use house hold dish soaps.

You can buy any brand of car wash soap you want, I buy whats on sale.

I use mostly Meguires for waxes, polishes, and clay bar kit, quick detailer, and several other items of theirs.

I hear that the Griots Garage stuff is pretty good, havent used any myself, can only get it online around here, that I know of.

 

I like my blonde boars hair brush I got from Universal brush 10". Goes well with the rolling wash bucket i got from Greiots . I'm about to try their new shampoo/wax combo. Polish with Greiot's paint sealer, seems to be water proof. Don't know about UV's never see any.

 

I was with very hard water here. It is not so much the water but the fact it is drying before you get it off that causes the issues.

I use Ice car was soap. I do not use ICE anything else but the soap works great with my Airforce Master Blaster car dryer. My dryer is expensive but it does a great job and blows a warm steady blast of air that removed 99% of the water. I normally do not have the HHR water drips on my first drive after a wash,

Also get microfiber towels. Theyse will clear water fast and efficently. THey are cheaper than the blow dryer.

As for clay it is a good tool for cleaniing a surface of a car before wax but it should only be used when needed. If you keep a car up normally it is not requiered.. Too many people think it is a polish when it is really only a cleaner.

There are many good polishes. I use the Meguiers Professional polish. It is the stuff in the quart bottles. It works better than their main line products. I also use the 3M Machine polish for dark paint and hand polish. I had really good results with it on my black show car.

Wax to seal it in is a great option. I use a pure carnuba wax with no cleaners. My choice is Mothers California Gold but there are other pase that are similar that do just as good of a job of a lasting protection.

Also make use of a California duster and Adams Detailer. With these and a micro fiber towel you can clean up a car between washes and make a lasting job. I have even used them to dry wash the car when I am at a show and have no water to clean the car up. Care must be used but you can get the car clean in a pinch if needed.

The detailer afer the wax dresses the wax up and gives you a final proper finish.

On a black car I would recomend washing only in the shade or at night unless you can do it indoors. If not you will always be fighting s drying surface that will spot.