How do you wash your miata? (NSFW)
 

I would post a poll, but after searching I still don't know how to do it.
EDIT: Figured it out.

So after watching a show on what is the best way to wash your car, (they compared scratches on cars after washing) I am wondering what most people do.

1. I use an automatic wash.
2. I use an automatic TOUCHLESS wash.
3. I only hand wash.
4. I use a wand in a car wash stall.
5. I take it out when it is raining and count it good. :D

Am I missing anything? Feel free to throw up a poll if you are more able than I.

As for my answer I do #3.

naked

this

I hand wash the car when it gets so dirty that the once black car is now looking grey/brown with streaks in it from the dew running off in the morning. About a week of that look often prompts a wash. I am too cheap to pay for a wash.

Soft Rinse
Spray needed areas with degreaser
Scrub needed areas
Rinse
Wool Glove wash with special soap
Rinse
Dry with Chamois (shammy)
Polish
Wax
Seal
Wheels and tires
Interior
Windows

I use mostly Ardex products, and I don't go through this extensive thing every time. Bold stuff is usually done every month or 2.

I pay someone to wash and detail mine once a year whether it needs it or not.

What I do, is first I put water on the car. After the water has wetted the exterior of the automobile, I then rub a soapy piece of cotton cloth in a circular motion on the painted surfaces. Last but not least, I spray the car again with water to remove any soapy residue. This method has worked great for me.

Mostly hand wash, but there is soft touch wash that I use when it's cold out.

Big puddles and rain.

The manual says that you shouldnt automatic wash it with the softtop on, can damage it.

Hand wash only

auto wash = water in the car from experience



Handwash only, though I have been busy and haven't washed it in forever. Nearly 2 months.

I just hand wash with a decent carwash and sponge. Usually use the spray wax and towel dry to rub it in. Then the wheels and spray some glossy shit on the tires.

+1, when I do wash it that is

as a side note, don't get the scented car wash soap, doesn't clean as well and leaves you smelling like a cab driver

when I saw this thread, I thought I was on m.net..."punch myself in the face"...

Just because we are performance minded doesnt mean we want our cars to be dirty and ugly.

i wash mine by hand. up until recently, the car was like three different colors, so it got washed very infrequently.

btw, was that an episode of Fifth Gear you saw? I showed that to a buddy of mine that swears by those plastic blade things, and he threw his out after seeing that.

no that's true, but why the fuck would you ignore all the eleventybillion threads on miata.net to post here where there's not even a subsection of the forum beyond "general miata"?

here's a personal example: I haven't washed my shit in 6 months. it's dirty as your mom's taint.

I try to hand wash once a month when its ideal, but sometimes the wand at the car wash is easier. Sometimes I even bring my own supplies and use their wand, since I dont like my pressure washer. I have never washed my car and not gotten the seat wet. Guess thats a sign of worn window to top seals. I even restored them and adjusted them and still a gap in the corners. I actually washed my interior last weekend, I left the top down and got my new leather interior soaked when it rained. I havent gotten the water completely dried out yet, windows still fog and freeze inside when I leave it at work.

Never wash in a circular motion, always back and forth the way that air moves over your car; this makes the inevitable scratches less apparent.

Second, always dry with a chamois if you car shows water spots. This would be dark blues and black, my GF's dark green integra needs to be dried right after a wash. Red doesn't seem to be an issue, i never dry my miata.

Last time I washed my car I used the wand at the carwash along with the brush thing. I'll never ever do this again. My paint looks like total shite now. Luckily its single stage paint that scratches buff right out of.