Washing your C3
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,207
Likes: 26
From: Ocean County NJ
Washing your C3
How often do you wash your C3? Mine are garage kept, but when i do pull them out, even of they sit for 5 minutes in the driveway, for some reason this spring, im getting a lot of tree sap dots on my cars 
I have no choice but to wash them - or do I ?? Needless to say, I'm washing them at least once per week even if I don't drive very far/long and my father in-law thinks I am damaging the cars by washing them so frequently. Is he right? Tell me it's no so!
I have no choice but to wash them - or do I ?? Needless to say, I'm washing them at least once per week even if I don't drive very far/long and my father in-law thinks I am damaging the cars by washing them so frequently. Is he right? Tell me it's no so!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,363
Likes: 32
From: Bowtie, Pennsyltucky
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15,'21
Mine is black, and I live on a reddog road, so it gets washed alot. I just make sure it gets driven AFTER washing to dry it out. Never heard of Optima no rinse. Is it like Dri-Wash? 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
Haven't washed either of my Vettes in 10 years. Never go out on rainy days and use a Calif Duster to get the dust off. Also use quick detailer to remove tree sap (not to often) and bugs.
Gary
Gary
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,972
Likes: 6
From: Chester Virginia
I wash mine about every other use with mild soap and a soft microfibre rag then dry it and wax it fairly often. When I drive it on dry roads after a couple trips even on asphalt when i take a microfibre rag and gently wipe it there is black or brown dust on the paint. You might not see it but it's there. Gentle washing I wouldn't think would hurt anything...rubbing with abrasives or harsh soaps might be another matter and it depends on what paint system you have as well. Only car I've ever had that gets washed this much but it is garaged and does not take very long at all to do. Besides, she looks better!
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,164
Likes: 7
From: CA
ONR will leave a gloss behind and wont scratch your paint .
Before I even go over my car with onr, I blow the dust off with my air compressor . The fewer times you touch the paint the better .
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,164
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From: CA
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
If your car is just dusty, use a microfiber towel (lightly) to clean the surface; then use detailer with another clean towel.
But, if the car actually has road dirt, tree sap, etc. on it, the car should be washed. I've used the California Dusters before, and they are fine if the weather isn't hot or in full sun. The [real] Cal. Dusters have paraffin in the strands which is meant to help pick up dust/etc. off the car's surface. If your paint is hot (in full sun), the paraffin melts as you stroke it, leaving some streaking that is difficult to remove. I don't use them anymore....microfiber towels are much better, IMO.
But, if the car actually has road dirt, tree sap, etc. on it, the car should be washed. I've used the California Dusters before, and they are fine if the weather isn't hot or in full sun. The [real] Cal. Dusters have paraffin in the strands which is meant to help pick up dust/etc. off the car's surface. If your paint is hot (in full sun), the paraffin melts as you stroke it, leaving some streaking that is difficult to remove. I don't use them anymore....microfiber towels are much better, IMO.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,207
Likes: 26
From: Ocean County NJ
Thanks everyone. Obviously there is more than one way to clean a Vette! Appreciate the feedback. I'm pretty **** retentive when it comes to all of my cars appearances. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't damaging my toys!
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,972
Likes: 6
From: Chester Virginia
How?
How do you keep it clean without water doing it dry without scratching it?
I liked the responder who uses the bucket with soap, did a section then rinsed the rag in clear then soap again on the next section. did mine today that way with the bucket of clear the new idea. I started that as there is always road dust which is a combination of worn asphalt, rubber, brake lining flakes, oil, etc. on anybody's finish if you drive on paved roads at least in this part of the country.
Lance
I liked the responder who uses the bucket with soap, did a section then rinsed the rag in clear then soap again on the next section. did mine today that way with the bucket of clear the new idea. I started that as there is always road dust which is a combination of worn asphalt, rubber, brake lining flakes, oil, etc. on anybody's finish if you drive on paved roads at least in this part of the country.
Lance
Pro
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 622
Likes: 23
From: MA
On older base coat, single stage, yes. With basecoat/clear, not so much since your not touching paint!
That said, when I had my TA's, I only had to spray mist them, & I tried Adams, too high priced & didn't deliver as the sales guy told me.
So I am, after 11 ys, still a Zaino guy.
That said, when I had my TA's, I only had to spray mist them, & I tried Adams, too high priced & didn't deliver as the sales guy told me.
So I am, after 11 ys, still a Zaino guy.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 4
From: Arlington texas
Get a wax system like Zaino and go thru all the steps. Your paint will be well protected and then you can use the squirt bottle to wipe it down and get all of that stuff off of it.
If it's a choice between washing or leaving the sap on it, wash it.
If it's a choice between washing or leaving the sap on it, wash it.