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.

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 **** 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 **** 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 **** 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 ***** now. Luckily its single stage paint that scratches buff right out of.