Waterless wash and wax

[Arde]

FW1 waterless wax is being peddled at gas stations here, and told the guy I would buy it he showed me it removed the goo that stuck to one of my E24 rims last year. He removed some of it so I honored my word and bought two cans.

Any wisdom on this product? I have to admit it comes handy for cleaning the engine bay as I do not want water there, and water does not remove the oily dirt. I am not sure if it I should use it on painted surfaces though.

I recall Blumax describing some dry wash method he uses, though it is odd for an ex-sailor to be so afraid of water...

 

[blumax]

Afraid of Water--NOT

But the BLUMAX is--and I strongly recommend that all E-9 owners and caregivers be reluctant and become concerned of having water poured over its top and body.

I've made all those mistakes during my nearly 40 years of Coupe ownership in the careless department--but have learned the hard way of the toll that running water over these cars will ultimatly take. Silt accumulates in all kinds of places--most of you have noticed by now the rust that occurs between the outer rocker cover and the rocker itself--a direct result of silt being driven between the ORC and the IR proper by the front wheels then getting wet repeatedly--and with time and repitition of hosing you will succeed in helping the "tin worm" chew up your metal. Oh, yes--even in drier climates those who regularly use the hose to really get your pride and joy wet will evenually have the problem of rust showing at the base of the firewall webbing when moisture is trapped at the low spot and especiall where it creeps under the edges of the fender cladding that shrinks and becomes the friend of the "tin worm"--some have heard my rants about avoiding the use of ye old garden hose on your babies. I do so in the hopes that owners will take me seriously. I have experienced doing many of the wrong things in caring for the BLUMAX but have finally learned at least someof the right ways from my past errors.

I did go through the Phase of the dry wash product about 7 or 8 years ago--frankly I no longer use it and do not give it a particularly strong endorsement. HOW NOW--The BLUMAX is carefully wiped down with a microfiber duster after every run--the micro is similar to the old California duster--but doesn't leave a waxy residue and is washable--bought it at Pep Boys. The paint on BLUMAX has a very high gloss--no clear coat--with plenty of Meguairs wax and a number of steps leading up to same--it gets a spray on wax from time to time--also a Meguair's product. After testing car products for about 50 years--fom just about every source around--I have settled on these with a few other items that are special to cleaning and polishing chrome, aluminum and the stainless parts of BLUMAX. Its now kept in both show and go condition at all times as it quickly approaches its 42nd birthday--build date is September 5th--and is now ready for concours judging next week at Legends of the Autobahn in Carmel as it approachs 419,000 miles.

My challenge to others--match this with your e-9.

 

[deQuincey]

But the BLUMAX

My challenge to others--match this with your e-9.

oh, murray, that is not fair !
come on, you are a "legend", we can not compare with you and blumax !:-D
in my case i received my beauty's paint in a dull condition, almost dead !
i recover its shine with UK product wax AUTOGLYM, No water at all!
now when i want she to make heads turn, y spray some " showtime " product from meguiars, wiping with a microfiber cloth, and absoultely no water at all !
regards

 

[piezopaul]

I use the Griot's products to good effect. The waterless spray on car wash, the spray on wax and the 5 minute detail spray. Occasionally a best in show waxing is applied. Granted, my car is not driven in foul weather, so it never gets very dirty, but these seem like very effective products, and the keep you from using the dreaded hose.

 

[blumax]

Keep up the good work Paul and--

your Coupe will thank you in the years ahead!

PS--do try the microfiber duster as it works great to remove dust before dry wash or final detail--will prevent scatches.
PPS--if you have not tried the clay process--just do it--really cleans the crud off paint prior to using a cleaner-wax or wax.