how do you guys keep your IS looking nice and sparkly?

hand wash?
car wash?

i hear a car wash can scratch the paint of your car, is this true today still?

what products, etc do you use? Im realy at a lost for exterior upkeep.

is it normal to see mini scratches on the paint job (only noticable upclose)

 

Hand wash only..
Using auto designed wash, washing mit, a good nozzle and shady area.
Focus on the wheels and tires first.
I'm a little old fashioned, still using a shammy (chamois).
A good plastic polish on the Lexon lens covering the front and rear lamps.
Final up with "Invisable Glass" for any streaks or waterspots on the glass.

 

its kinda weird the way my house was built. The hose is no where near my driveway so its difficult to water wash my car.

Any products you guys recommend for diffrent stages of washing?

much apperciated, i love my is250

 

Try Protect-All's QEW, Quick and Easy Wash.

 

Well, a couple of 100 ft 5/8 dia. Gilmour Flexgen hose might make it around the house. ' Gotta have water. You'll scratch the paint otherwise. Storing that much hose might be tricky.

I've a neice that purchased in a planned community that discourages washing autos out front, forcing her to connect her washing water hose to the bathroom sink using an adapter, then out the sliding glass door. This provided her with warm water for the winter washing.

I like "Meguiar's Soft Wash Gel", "Megular's plastic polish" ,"Michelin" Wheel cleaning and brake dust repellent. "Zymol wax", "303 Aerospace protectant" on the vinyl, plastic & rubber door seals and "Connolly Hide Care" on the leather seats, shifter ****,steering wheel cover. It's all available locally in auto supply stores. I try to use the same products, once decided upon.

 

Tammy is correct, gotta have water but you don't need the hose with the QEW. I know people who use this method year round and some that only use it in the winter and a guy in my building who does it every week in the parking lot. Look it up online or try an RV center.

 

Hand wash only. If you want something inexpensive go with Megs Gold Class. For something better get Poorboys Super Slick & Suds. Use a sheepskin mitt (separate one for wheels) and dry with a waffle weave microfiber towel www.pakshak.com is a great vendor. I like a firehose-type nozzle on the hose as it makes life easier.

Hope that help!

 

What about Z-7? I thought you were a Zaino user

I'll second the recommendation to use Pakshak, Ranny is top notch.

 

Love Z-7 also but I wanted to give a budget choice and a good gentle wash choice. Z-7 had nice bite to it but works best with Zaino applications.