jgottsman11

what do you guys do to keep your q5 clean and looking good at all times? I'm thinking about waxing it but i was wondering if its really necessary. and is there anyway to keep the black from forming on the brake calipers because mine are red and I like them to stay as red as possible. any other advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks

HaveBullDogWillTravel

Wash with Dawn(initially) using 2 buckets(one for rinsing, one for soapy water). Do not use a sponge EVER!.
Towel dry using waffle weave or terry.
Use clay if there are deposits on the paint. Rinse and dry again.
Apply Sealant. Multiple coats is ideal. I use Wolfgang but there are many other really good ones out there.
Never had red calipers, so, no comment

rarewolf

If not a sponge, what do you use?

mhousealum

It all sounded good until Dawn...lol.

Parsec

What's wrong w/his advice? Those are the exact steps any good detailer would take. Only thing I would add is to repeat once a year. Preferably twice, but at least once in the Spring.

Parsec

For the initial cleaning use a wheel brush to get off the heavy gunk. I just use an old microfiber towel. I keep my towels in 2 stacks - one for the body/windows and the older ones are relegated to "wheel duty". I think Bulldog means don't use a sponge for a car wash? I prefer to use a sheepskin wash mitt.

uberwgn

JG, I'm not sure what country/state you are writing from, but you might want to track down a po detailer who could help you out with one of these new semi-permanent coatings. It's the most pain-free you can make a relationship with your vehicle. It's quite good.

You may consider dust-less pads. Weekly cleaning is also somewhat important. Some detailers can air brush the coating onto the wheels making subsequent clean ups much easier. There's also Armor All's brake dust repellant product (Walmert, $7.)

(Sal Zaino is the one that started that Dawn nonsense. There are much more effective pre-steps. Even Dawn's mfr sez don't use on cars. It's right on the P&G website )

dsackman

The Dawn or similar treatment is to remove all old polishes and such from the bodywork that then needs to be treated with clay and some wax or polish soon after. Dawn is NOT for everyday washing.

For everyday washing a car-specific cleaner works well.

I did not see any benefit of paying someone else $200 or more for the annual or semi-annual clay and polish regimen. DYI works just as well.



.

ELEVENS

Dawn is particularly good at stripping silicone products. Ask a painter.

Parsec

Also good for stripping your car of any remaining wax, sealant and polish that you still have on there before you do your annual or bi-annual exterior detail. As someone else mentioned, Dawn isn't something you use to wash your car on a weekly basis. You could always use something more expensive, but Dawn is free (sunk cost since we all have a bottle by our kitchen sink) and doesn't necessarily harm your car if using once or twice a year.