How often do you wash your Cali?

[Velma's Dad]

A Toyota Yaris GR - with the competition pack extra? Very nice.
is it as good as the press says it is?

Yes, and dunno I haven't driven it anywhere interesting yet! (And the roads are too dry at the moment, it's a winter car really )

 

[Perfectos]

hi Borris,

similar to you, hard water area,
try:
Autoglym Aqua wax whilst the van is damp, spray on, microfibre cloth to work it in and substantially dry the van, polish off with clean microfibre cloth, no water marks. # Game changer for hard water areas, high gloss finish to boot

 

[steve_b]

Twice a year, give or take one. The other car, less often.

 

[sapto]

Often only clean it underneath as we also have salty roads - not from the sea more because of snow and we like to drive it in winter. In summer bucket/jetspray mix, I try not to do it with too much pressur.

 

[rickshih]

The most frequent record is twice a week!!
Because where I live it often rains, sometimes drizzle, sometimes heavy rain
And it’s the first time I bought a white car. To be honest, I regret it because it gets dirty too easily~
After taking this photo, it rained again the next day.........

最頻繁的記錄是一週兩次!!
因為我住的地方經常下雨、有時是毛毛細雨、有時是一陣大雨
而我是第一次買白色的車子，說實在我很後悔，太容易髒了~
拍完這張相片之後，隔天它又下雨了.........

 

[Mr T]

hi Borris,

similar to you, hard water area,
try:
Autoglym Aqua wax whilst the van is damp, spray on, microfibre cloth to work it in and substantially dry the van, polish off with clean microfibre cloth, no water marks. # Game changer for hard water areas, high gloss finish to boot

I use Aqua wax too, very good and would also recommend, good for using in between a proper polish and wax.

 

[Wogga]

Some funny but harsh comments, I will continue with the spirit of the thread

Once a month, but due to Covid forced retirement may become weekly, daily or hourly!

Jet wash
Snow foam
Rinse
Wheels
Rinse
Two bucket wash with a mitt
Rinse
Dry with one huge microfibre.

No polishing yet, it only a few months old so it it getting a ceramic coating this weekend, after that is done it will be same process as above then every quarter apply a protection top up to the ceramic coating.

 

[Jenny H]

Most boring thread of the year competition anyone?

Actually No its not for me!
Cleaned mine at the weekend for the first time due to the amount of brick dust from opposite house being built - not being a car geek never taken too much pride in shiny wheels before & dont suppose that will change much but so glad I chose an easy to clean colour.
So I hosed off the dust, then cleaned with Auto freebie cleaner in bucket of hot water, then hosed off, then used micro fibre cloths to towel dry all over. However, the windows still have water marks so will need to use the freebie window clean too. Didnt bother with the wheels as not dirty yet.
But I was wondering what everybody else did so for me thanks for starting the thread.

 

[Chiroshi]

Often only clean it underneath as we also have salty roads - not from the sea more because of snow and we like to drive it in winter. In summer bucket/jetspray mix, I try not to do it with too much pressur.

Interested to know how you do your bucket/jetspray mix as we're not allowed to wash cars on the driveway in Switzerland. Do you take it to the car wash area and take your bucket with you?

 

[Borris]

Most boring thread of the year competition anyone?

Yes, it may be a boring topic to you but since most members on this VW California Forum will own such a vehicle it might be of some interest to those wishing to look after their vans. Furthermore it could be said that pretty much every thread on this forum could be considered boring. It just depends on an individual's view point and possibly whether they've "had a few" or not.

 

[Velma's Dad]

Yes, it may be a boring topic to you but since most members on this VW California Forum will own such a vehicle it might be of some interest to those wishing to look after their vans. Furthermore it could be said that pretty much every thread on this forum could be considered boring. It just depends on an individual's view point and possibly whether they've "had a few" or not.

I find a couple of beers makes washing the van less boring although also less safe up the step ladder to try to do the roof. And then the next day I see the bits I missed.

 

[Borris]

I find a couple of beers makes washing the van less boring although also less safe up the step ladder to try to do the roof. And then the next day I see the bits I missed.

It's not a job that I particularly enjoy either but one that has to be done from time to time. I just like to ensure it's done thoroughly when it has to be done and doesn't damage the van in the process. Hence this thread.

 

[WelshGas]

Monthly, hose and bucket, but only if there is no "R" in the month.

 

[willwander]

Interested to know how you do your bucket/jetspray mix as we're not allowed to wash cars on the driveway in Switzerland. Do you take it to the car wash area and take your bucket with you?

In UK we can still wash on the drive, those regulations haven't reached us...yet

 

[Cloudbreak]

stupid question but what is the two bucket method that everyone talks about?

 

[GrannyJen]

I washed mine for the first time this year just before it went into the body shop a couple of weeks ago.

On of those sheepskin things, power washer with a shampoo accessory and a bucket of clean water for the windows. Not too concerned about the body but I do like to be able to see out of the thing.

 

[bvddobb]

Twice a year, max, in a self service car wash area, usually only after a long, very muddy (winter) or dusty (summer) holiday. We hate it.

 

[willwander]

stupid question but what is the two bucket method that everyone talks about?

The basics of the two bucket method is one bucket with your shampoo wash solution, and one bucket with plain water for rinsing your wash mitt. Work on the vehicle from top to bottom, working in small sections, rinsing the wash mitt in your rinse bucket out before reloading with shampoo solution from the wash bucket.

1. Dip wash mit in shampoo bucket
2. Clean small section
3. Rinse wash mit in plain water bucket
4. Repeat

Most small scratches and swirls are caused when you wash the car.
They are caused by moving a dirty/gritty wash mit across the paint.

 

[willwander]

Using two buckets means you don't wipe dirt/grit off the van, only to put it in your bucket and then wipe it back on again.

 

[Camperfamily]

I recommend a grit guard for inside the ‘rinse bucket’ in the 2 bucket method. You’ll be surprised how much grit accumulates in the rinse bucket and the grit guard avoids your wash mitt coming into contact with the grit when rinsing.

I use the following Meguiars one, but other versions are available

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0051PKG2G/?tag=vwcalifornia-21

 

[Perfectos]

stupid question but what is the two bucket method that everyone talks about?

The basics of the two bucket method is one bucket with your shampoo wash solution, and one bucket with plain water for rinsing your wash mitt. Work on the vehicle from top to bottom, working in small sections, rinsing the wash mitt in your rinse bucket out before reloading with shampoo solution from the wash bucket

Google it if you want some more info

 

[willwander]

Having a separate rinse bucket makes it easier to see when the water is dirty...don’t wash your van with dirty mitt and dirty water, you’ll scratch it.

 

[Perfectos]

How OCD do you want to get?

I clean the wheel arch liners with a jet washer to remove any built up dirt, particularly at the edge of the wheel arch, where mud can get into the crevice and set solid promoting the potential for corrosion, then clean the liner with a sponge and rinse off with a jet washer.
periodically I apply silicone based tyre oil to the plastic liners with a brush ( keep them looking new and easier to clean as above)

I jet wash the under trays and spare wheel periodically and apply silicone to them as well.

told you I was OCD

 

[Borris]

stupid question but what is the two bucket method that everyone talks about?

You use two buckets with a raise grid in the bottom of both. These can be purchased online. One bucket contains your car wash product mixed with water and the other just fresh water. Use a good quaility wash mitt and rinse it in the fresh water after every use. Any grit should fall through the grid and out of harms way.

With black paint and darker colours this system is essential if you want to avoid bad micro scratch damage. They are very noticable on darker colours.
Be sure to thoroughly blast off all contaminants before you get to this stage. If poss use a jet washer. Any grit will end up causing damage if not removed first.

 

[Vagophile]

If we're talking shiny hot hatches, picked up this one this morning.

Envious.
I can't justify a change, parsimonious old miser that I am.