[bimmer2019]

For those of you who was your cars yourselves, what brand/type of materials do you use? Do you use a cloth versus sponges? What kind of cleaner do you use and what do you use to scrub the tires? After reading posts on here about even dealer car washes causing swirling and possible scratches, I am nervous to take my car to a traditional car wash! It is probably too late in the game for PPF/ceramic coating, being that my vehicle was delivered in December, right? I am relatively new to the concept of being a little more meticulous with exterior car care, so any input would be appreciated! Thanks!

[H0fmeister]

Use microfiber to wash (or find a touch less car wash for the interim washes) and some sort of airblaster to dry. You can still have a paint correction done before adding the PPF or ceramic coating.

[beermato]

Lot's of information on YouTube.

If I do hand wash, I use one bucket method with this: https://www.feynlab.com/product/pure-rinseless/

But a lot of people seem to like this also: https://www.amazon.com/Optimum-NR201.../dp/B00D8DR0AO

It's easy to go overboard on the towels. Right now I have some large microfiber drying towels I bought from my detailer. I haven't found any similar online. They are heavy microfiber.

For washing paint/glass I use these, but there's a lot of similar products available:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079XXZQ9V/

And I bought some of these for door jambs, etc: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07C2JBDBC/

Usually I use a local 100% touchless wash (detailer approved!) and then I do a clean up and dry using a spray bottle of the Feynlab and the towels above.

I'm new to the overkill maintenance also, so I'm sure a lot of veterans will provide better info.

Edit: I should add I got most of this information from helpful members on his forum!

[MystroX5]

30 years of detailing experience and concourse events.
If your just starting out, I recommend investing in a foam gun and learn this method. I have migrated into this method with a bucket and my typical kit. The foam gun gets a lubricant over the vehicle more efficiently and helps eliminate scratches. I thought it was a gimmick but have become a believer. I am currently using this model. Get a quality microfiber mit and a good supply of microfiber cloths.

https://www.autogeek.net/woqufofogun.html
https://www.autogeek.net/128ozdpxtfof.html

[wrickem]

There’s a good and active detailing forum on this site. I’m not sure if it’s linked to G05 yet, but I usually get to it from the f30post. There’s lots of great information in there for products and methods.

[Jrunr]

The paint on these X5’s are terribly soft soft even being very careful when you wash is going to cause micro-marring of the paint.

As far as the ceramic coating, you can always still take it to a REPUTABLE place and see what they say. 90% Of the look of a ceramic coating comes from the prep work, and that is what a great detailer would do anyway. So it wouldn’t really hurt to ask. Just my $.02 😉👍

[bigdaveindubai]

Power washer with at least 2k psi
Foam cannon
Bucket with debri filter at bottom
Micro fiber gloves, multiple
Chemical guys honey dew snow foam
brush for wheels
micro fiber towels to dry
leaf blower to blow the water out of cracks and seams
car guys leather conditioner and car guys leather cleaner
cover all tire shine
adams interior cleaner
shop vac
wonder wafers car scents
Meguiar's G190526 Hybrid Ceramic Wax

[thomas_Rp]

I get white spots on the car due to hard water. :-(

[AndroidRobot]

Originally Posted by thomas_Rp

I get white spots on the car due to hard water. :-(

your water is still probably better than ours out here. It doesn't even meet EPA standards at 650-700PPM TDS

[bigdaveindubai]

Originally Posted by thomas_Rp

I get white spots on the car due to hard water. :-(

You are going to ruin the appliances and pipes in your house if you dont get a whole home water softner. In turn the spiggets outside your house will now supply soft water to wash your car with, no spots. But the car soap I listed earlier is ph balanced so it wont leave spots anyway.

[beermato]

Originally Posted by thomas_Rp

I get white spots on the car due to hard water. :-(

With the one bucket method and a no-rinse wash, you can use distilled water. Three to four gallons will last for a multiple washes (you only put clean towels in the bucket).

My water is hard, but not so hard it causes spotting, so I guess it's easy from me to tell you to use distilled water!

[Mark609]

Originally Posted by beermato

My water is hard, but not so hard it causes spotting, so I guess it's easy from me to tell you to use distilled water!

TDS of my well water runs 830ppm.

I collect rainwater as many in the hill country do.

[MystroX5]

Most foam guns that use concentrated shampoo have softner in it to eliminate water spots.

https://www.autogeek.net/128ozdpxtfof.html

[3to5toX5toX7]

Originally Posted by bigdaveindubai

Power washer with at least 2k psi
Foam cannon
Bucket with debri filter at bottom
Micro fiber gloves, multiple
Chemical guys honey dew snow foam
brush for wheels
micro fiber towels to dry
leaf blower to blow the water out of cracks and seams
car guys leather conditioner and car guys leather cleaner
cover all tire shine
adams interior cleaner
shop vac
wonder wafers car scents
Meguiar's G190526 Hybrid Ceramic Wax

This is nearly what I do, except I use InnerClean by TCG for the interior.

[thomas_Rp]

Originally Posted by bigdaveindubai

You are going to ruin the appliances and pipes in your house if you dont get a whole home water softner. In turn the spiggets outside your house will now supply soft water to wash your car with, no spots. But the car soap I listed earlier is ph balanced so it wont leave spots anyway.

I do have water softner but that only goes into the house. The external pipes still have hard water - no idea on how the pipelines are setup.

[JLR0523]

Pressure washer, adams foam cannon and adams car shampoo. Then two bucket method. Then SC Spotfree (dionization) rinse. No spots and no hand drying.

[Mark609]

Originally Posted by thomas_Rp

I do have water softner but that only goes into the house. The external pipes still have hard water - no idea on how the pipelines are setup.

The plumber plumbed your house according to local standards. You never run softened water to outside supplies....unless you want to run up a $1,000 mo. salt bill and kill all your turf and plants.

If folks have money to burn you can buy softeners on wheels that use a resin bed to change out the hard water. They hook up to your garden hose.

[X519]

ok, I am going to be 'that' guy here: any suggestions for known good ph-balanced shampoo and eco-friendly /bio-degradable at the same time?
Don't want to add chemicals to the neighborhood storm drains.

Optimum, Chemical Guys and Adam's Shampoo all seem to have products for these:
https://www.carbibles.com/best-car-wash-soaps-guide/
https://www.theartofcleanliness.com/...-wash-shampoo/

PS: Not an expert and not sure of the links above. Just exploring for now ...

[JLR0523]

Originally Posted by Mark609

The plumber plumbed your house according to local standards. You never run softened water to outside supplies....unless you want to run up a $1,000 mo. salt bill and kill all your turf and plants.

If folks have money to burn you can buy softeners on wheels that use a resin bed to change out the hard water. They hook up to your garden hose.

That's why I suggest the CR Spotless. Portable and compact and only use for rinse - this way it lasts a long time!

[specracer]

Plus one on CR Spotless. I buy the replacement resin in bulk from a window cleaning supply company (cheaper). Will solve your water spotting. You must pay close attention to the meter. Over 20ppm and there will be spots.

https://crspotless.com/

[MystroX5]

If you have Carbon Black, you need to be using a foam gun or cannon. This awesome color requires you not cut any corners with removing road grime. One swipe with a dirty wash mit with contaminants in it will leave you sick. BMW paint is very soft to begin with. Thats why it polishes to such a brilliant shine.

[bavaria22]

Chemical Guys has a so-called "Blacklight Shampoo" for cars with dark paint. I will give that a try, but there are other brands like Angelwax Self-Drying Shampoo