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  #1  
Old 06-15-2008, 10:53 PM
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Cleaning your X5 inside and out

- I would like to solicit some great ideas on how you keep your X5 clean and forever gorgeous
- Some cleaning dos and don'ts (based on your experience)
- Cleaning tips
- Cleaning brands that works well (this is the most I am interested in)
- Etc.

Thanks.
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  #2  
Old 06-15-2008, 11:03 PM
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You may want to check out the Detailing Forum, accessible from the Forum tab.

Best tip is reduced dust brake pads, IMO. I used Axxis, but not sure if they are available for the E70 yet.

I am a fan of the Porter Cable RO polisher, Meguiar products, regular vacuuming, and drive-through touchless car washes. Others will have very different regimes.
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Old 06-15-2008, 11:11 PM
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I stay away from the touchless car washes, the pressure is too high and the soap strips the wax. I only hand wash mine, and keep it protected with Xaino.

Dont use an automatic car wash
Dont let bird crap (or bugs) sit on your paint for too long.
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Old 06-15-2008, 11:27 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by X5FX
I stay away from the touchless car washes, the pressure is too high and the soap strips the wax.
Fair comment, but I don't think that all touchless car washes are created equal. I have used ones that are harsh (not going back there) and ones that seem much gentler. We don't have to recycle water where I live, but that would be a deterent to me if my local wash did so.

I do want the high pressure spray on the undercarriage.

I should also qualify that cars that I had as hobby/collector vehicles didn't go through the automatic wash, but the X5 was a daily driver.
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Old 06-16-2008, 12:13 AM
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I'm sure you are correct, just had a few bad experiences...the main problem I have with the brushless, besides the harsh detergents is the pressure and/or hard water leaves water marks on the painted trim around the windows that has to be buffed off
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Old 06-16-2008, 12:48 AM
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To keep your X5 clean and forever gorgeous?

Don't eat or drink in the vehicle.
Don't allow anyone to smoke in the vehicle
Don't put feet on the dash board
Don't put books and other things on the dash board
Don't put plastic or paper cups in the cup holders. ( get a decent cup please)
Don't park in compact parking places
Get rubber mats for the floors
Don't use Dawn detergent to wash your vehicle
Don't use cheap wax
Don't use cheap air fresheners
Learn how to hand wash the vehicle (There really is a right and wrong way to do this)
Do not affix bumper stickers
Do not apply dumb stickers on the windows.
Do not install a 120 DB bass speaker.
Do not get any spinner wheels

Well that's enough for now but I'm sure
this list will get longer as others think
of the dumb things others have done to
destroy the looks of an otherwise beautiful machine.
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Old 06-16-2008, 01:08 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 888
and forever gorgeous
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Old 06-16-2008, 01:22 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Quicksilver
To keep your X5 clean and forever gorgeous?

Don't eat or drink in the vehicle.
It's the bane of my wife and kids, but this alone keeps my car 90% cleaner than any of my friends cars..

I am psychotically anal about keeping it clean too... I use static dusting cloths to keep the dust off the dash, as well as compressed air bottles. I also use a damp (and well wrong out rag) wetted with high quality drinking water to wipe down the interior surfaces.. A bit of Lexol leather conditioner on the seats once in a while. Lastly, for the exterior, I go to those cheap $1.25 coin washes and use the high-pressure wax for cleaning, and the spot free rinse for final rinse.. I do the wheels, and wheel wells often, and I do the undersides of the car as well. ..and the car is like-new inside and out.
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Old 06-16-2008, 08:33 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MD11F
It's the bane of my wife and kids, but this alone keeps my car 90% cleaner than any of my friends cars..

I am psychotically anal about keeping it clean too... I use static dusting cloths to keep the dust off the dash, as well as compressed air bottles. I also use a damp (and well wrong out rag) wetted with high quality drinking water to wipe down the interior surfaces.. A bit of Lexol leather conditioner on the seats once in a while. Lastly, for the exterior, I go to those cheap $1.25 coin washes and use the high-pressure wax for cleaning, and the spot free rinse for final rinse.. I do the wheels, and wheel wells often, and I do the undersides of the car as well. ..and the car is like-new inside and out.
So, you just use the the high pressure wax and no car wash detergent for your actual wash ? And you don't dry it off with a good microfiber towel (water stains can be bad for the paint) ?
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Old 06-16-2008, 11:05 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BGM
So, you just use the the high pressure wax and no car wash detergent for your actual wash ? And you don't dry it off with a good microfiber towel (water stains can be bad for the paint) ?
That's what they make the spot free rinse for.. works great. And by not applying the rag to the car I diminish the swirls and other contact related risks.. Usually ends up costing me about $6-7 to do the whole car.
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