THE LARGEST BMW 2-SERIES FORUM ON THE PLANET
2Addicts
2Addicts
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Today's Posts
2Addicts | BMW 2-Series forum BIMMERPOST Universal Forums Cosmetic Care & Detailing (PPF/Wash/Wax/Detailing/Restoration/Repairs) new X3 please provide input on cleaning steps

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      05-15-2023, 07:10 PM   #1
Artdnj
Captain
Artdnj's Avatar
United_States
394
Rep
706
Posts

Drives: 2023 X3 X30i
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Garden State

iTrader: (0)

new X3 please provide input on cleaning steps

It will be dirty, 840 mile trip on a car hauler, road grime, pollen etc. My diy plan is as follows:

foam gun
rinse
iron remover
rinse
two bucket wash
clay
two bucket wash
polish with orbital

Is this the proper order? It's leased so I won't go nuts but I will usually wash it myself (wifes car) thx
Appreciate 0
      05-15-2023, 07:28 PM   #2
Jrock645
Private First Class
91
Rep
104
Posts

Drives: BMW X3
Join Date: Apr 2023
Location: Rochester, NY

iTrader: (0)

Pressure wash first, then use the foam gun with something like ironx snow. It’ll save you a step. Another route is the finish Kare 3 step system. It’s a heavy decon wash, you may not even need to clay afterwards, it’s that good.

Also, make sure you get a sealant of some type(or a coating) on the paint after you do this.
Appreciate 1
Artdnj394.00
      05-15-2023, 07:52 PM   #3
Artdnj
Captain
Artdnj's Avatar
United_States
394
Rep
706
Posts

Drives: 2023 X3 X30i
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Garden State

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jrock645 View Post
Pressure wash first, then use the foam gun with something like ironx snow. It’ll save you a step. Another route is the finish Kare 3 step system. It’s a heavy decon wash, you may not even need to clay afterwards, it’s that good.

Also, make sure you get a sealant of some type(or a coating) on the paint after you do this.
any issue using an iron remover on the black trim or plastics as I have the Shadowline pack
Appreciate 0
      05-15-2023, 08:25 PM   #4
overcoil
Major General
3074
Rep
5,577
Posts

Drives: M235i 6spd
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Mid-Atlantic

iTrader: (0)

I personally don’t: power washer, clay, iron remover ( Sonax style wheel cleaner ) or machine - polish, wax, buff a new car.
Appreciate 0
      05-15-2023, 08:27 PM   #5
Artdnj
Captain
Artdnj's Avatar
United_States
394
Rep
706
Posts

Drives: 2023 X3 X30i
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Garden State

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by overcoil View Post
I personally don’t: power washer, clay, iron remover ( Sonax style wheel cleaner ) or machine - polish, wax, buff a new car.
Ok I saw a detailer who says iron remover can leave plastics chalky looking so I became concerned.
Appreciate 0
      05-15-2023, 08:36 PM   #6
Jrock645
Private First Class
91
Rep
104
Posts

Drives: BMW X3
Join Date: Apr 2023
Location: Rochester, NY

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Artdnj View Post
any issue using an iron remover on the black trim or plastics as I have the Shadowline pack
With repeated use maybe, but I’ve never had that problem.
Appreciate 0
      05-15-2023, 08:46 PM   #7
Artdnj
Captain
Artdnj's Avatar
United_States
394
Rep
706
Posts

Drives: 2023 X3 X30i
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Garden State

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jrock645 View Post
With repeated use maybe, but I’ve never had that problem.
Good to hear, thanks for alleviating my concerns. I’ll make sure to rinse it off really good.
Appreciate 0
      05-18-2023, 02:12 PM   #8
1209582
First Lieutenant
791
Rep
309
Posts

Drives: bmw
Join Date: Nov 2022
Location: United States

iTrader: (0)

i would save the iron remover till the very last just before claying. this way majority of grime is removed and iron remover can do its thing.
Appreciate 1
Artdnj394.00
      05-19-2023, 12:41 AM   #9
Game
------
Game's Avatar
No_Country
7376
Rep
10,198
Posts

Drives: G87 M2 (sold)
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Chicago'ish

iTrader: (25)

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1209582 View Post
i would save the iron remover till the very last just before claying. this way majority of grime is removed and iron remover can do its thing.
Agreed.

But I also think your process works well too. There are endless combinations. You may not even need clay as I’ve been noticing BMW’s have been coming in lately in quite good shape.
__________________
Appreciate 1
1209582790.50
      05-20-2023, 11:10 AM   #10
Nettles
Lieutenant
Nettles's Avatar
760
Rep
443
Posts

Drives: M340i
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: San Diego, CA

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Game View Post
Agreed.

But I also think your process works well too. There are endless combinations. You may not even need clay as I’ve been noticing BMW’s have been coming in lately in quite good shape.
Bag test it, but highly doubt any car wouldn’t need clay.
Appreciate 0
      05-20-2023, 02:13 PM   #11
Game
------
Game's Avatar
No_Country
7376
Rep
10,198
Posts

Drives: G87 M2 (sold)
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Chicago'ish

iTrader: (25)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nettles View Post
Bag test it, but highly doubt any car wouldn’t need clay.
A brand new car?

I've been seeing some come in pretty great shape recently. A good decontamination (iron remover + foaming) could be all some of the good ones need.
__________________
Appreciate 2
Post Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:44 PM.




2addicts
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST