Exactly the same here. Frost on everything in the morning, + afternoon winds roll in heavy = everything is dusty.

 

That doesn't matter much, try living in the desert 3 miles away from a mining operation...my car always has silt on it after I wash it.

The thing is though is that your car is clean under that fine layer of sand/silt. Your car is always going to be dirty is some way or another, the important thing to remember is that you car has protected paint under that silt/sand.

Washing a car isn't enough, that just means the paint is clean. If you take 20 minutes(seriously that is all it takes) to wax your car after you wash it, the paint stays protected for 3-6months. 20 minutes for 3-6months of protection is amazing. Then all you have to do is wash you car and dry it off.

But that is the OCD talking, so I may be weird like that.

If you really want to know how good your paint is, clay bar it. A rough sandpaperish paint can be restored to soapy slick smooth with clay barring your car twice a year. Takes all the **** that washing your car doesn't remove. Rail dust, iron deposits, overspray, bug guts, etc. etc.

Oh well, as I've stated before, different strokes for different folks, if YOU are happy with how you treat your car, that is all that matters. I just try to tell people how good their paint can be or is underneath all the crap that is built up on it.

If you have a random orbital buffer or rotary buffer it makes everything 5x quicker too.

Also say no to rubbing compound. Menzerna FG400 with a medium pad on it will make your paint gloss like never before.

 

I use Adam's Polishes (great results and be bought by the gallon) and a PC 7424xp. Thumbs up to both:

 

True confession:

I've never, ever waxed a car. When I was about 15, I helped my (then) brother-in-law detail his truck and he showed me how to use the buffer (which basically meant fussing at my every 5 seconds about not burning through the paint).

Since then, I just use the Turtle Wax liquid car soap that has some kind of wax finish mixed in. I know it's not the same at all but it makes me feel better.

 

It's not for everyone. I was never happy with the results I got. So that led to buying and trying better products, then getting a cheapo orbital, to getting the Porter Cable, to people wanting to pay me to give them similar results. I turned my buddies pinkish grad prix back to red...

 

Since I didn't want to hurt my Jetta's paint so I practiced on my employees geo metro that looked grey due to oxidation(was black) and he sold it for 2k more than he bought it after I was done. Really does wonders.

 

Truth be told though, with this freakin drought thing going on out here in Cali, besides looking all PC, my (typically) dirty Miata looka downright fashionable for a change.

 

Rubbing compound is something I use a month after painting something if the paint didn't come out perfect.

Polish is something I use to clean up the paint on the Miata once every several years.

With that being said, I've let the exterior of the car go to crap in the last two years. I take pride in my car, but I take more pride in my home. If I've got an hour of spare time, I'm probably building/fixing/improving something on my home. If I'm spending time on the car, it's probably under the hood. I have slipped into the expectation that one day I'll simply buy a car from the salt-free half of the country, bring it home, and swap in the rollerskate. The car has experienced 20 years of salt, and there's only so much you can do with a turd body...but the mechanicals - they do good work.

 

I recently sprung for a Cyclo buffer, after years of using a rotary, and it's great. While they claim that it's "impossible" to burn your paint with it, I still take the usual precautions (tape your edges, stay off creases). I can get better results with the Cyclo in a few hours than I got in twice the time before. I little pricey, but built like a tank and a dream to use.

 

Lies, an entire Geo Metro isn't worth 2k...

 

I drive through mud on purpose.

 

Are you kidding me? They get 40 mpg. With the price of fuel the market has gone up a ton on them. Especially when they are in good shape.

Same with older diesel Jetta wagons, even more for manual versions. I can sell my 2010 Jetta for only 3k less than what I paid for it. People want cars that get 45+ MPG highway.

 

That's why I'd really like to build my own house. Bit more troublesome and expensive, but personal opinion I'd say it's worth it if the funding is available. More time to do other things instead and no listening to a significant other ask about when you're gonna fix the back door...

 

I went full crazy on the ST back in January. 3 full afternoons. Wash, buff, and wax. Got a DA and then chemicals from ChemicalGuys. Couldn't be happier. Forgot to take other pics after. The little tapes on the hood are from where I need to touch up chips already. **** that car has more chips in 6 months than 10yr old cars. They've been doing road construction on the highway the wife takes to class/work for over a year. Every time I wash it I find new ones and want to murder the road crew. One another note I hand washed my daily for the first time in as long as I can remember

 

Torque that looks great! I generally hate working on white since the results aren't as dramatic as on a black car.

 

So much pride.

 

Just threw up in my mouth a little bit.
I shudder at the thought of what your house must look like, and possibly even your own personal hygiene

My dinner is coming back up.

 

^^^ this.

 

You must live or frequently drive on a gravel road. Surprised you didn't hose it out before installing the TSE radiator. There is nothing worse than having **** fall in your eyes while wrenching. My car is anything but clean, but **** man. Working on a filthy car sucks.

I hope you sealed the radiator gaps after taking that picture. What's the point of a fancy radiator if all the air bypasses it.

 

civic got new tires. I spent some time cleaning the wheels and treating the tires.



This stuff will last me probably 6 months without a re-application. ohhhhhhhhh yeah.