How To Wash Your Car Using Qew

[n2_space]

I have had a few people ask me how to keep their car clean during the winter and how I do it. The answer is simple: QEW. A few have said they want to get it, so I decided to take some pics washing mine and write an article on how to do so. QEW is not as straight forward as regular washing, so you do have to be careful.

Background:

QEW has been around for a little over 10 years (to my knowledge). It was developed by a company to use at RV parks, because they won't allow washing there. You can get QEW from www.protectall.com or find a dealer from their website. I get it from an RV dealer locally. It comes in 16 oz, 32 oz, or one gallon. It is a bit expensive for car wash (a 32oz is almost $20 and a gallon almost $40 where I get it), but it's worth it.

So, what is QEW, and how does it work? Here is a little section I stole from a detailing friend about it:

The answers are from a Champion (the manufacturer of the product) representative:

Where does the dirt go?

The best answer I can give you is "into the towel or wash mitt and then into the bucket." The agents in Quick & Easy Wash are a blend of Surfactants, surface active agents in lay persons terms. These agents are already in use, and have been, in traditional car washing products used in both, hand wash and line wash systems. So the science is not new or unique, just the application. What sets our product apart from the crowd is mostly the lack of SUDS, amongst other and various and sundry other subtleties.

Suds are an unnecessary byproduct of soap. When Quick & Easy Wash is used in the washing process the suds are eliminated and the surfactants do the work. Part of the work they do is to envelope or suffocate the surface. Two things happen, the electrostatic or chemical bond between the dirt solids and or hydrocarbon solids (this covers most of the soils found on cars) is broken. Next, these soils are enveloped or wrapped and trapped into the surfactant and then into the washing media such as a towel or wash mitt. At rinse time, the towel is plunged into either a clean bucket of water ( using the two bucket method ) or back into the Quick & Easy Wash. In either case the same is true, the dirt solids succumb to the rinsing motion and use gravity to fall out of the washing media and fall to the bottom of the bucket. You can see this if you look into your bucket after doing a wash job.


How come it doesn't scratch?

In order to address potential scratching, the product contains a element that crosses the lines between polymers, lubricants, and waxes. It is true that if you bear down on a wet cloth over a dirty surface you will get scratches. However, our products make up will help to minimize the occurrence. So don't press down hard, with any washing product. Let's face it, scratching can occur even on a totally clean surface with a poor selection of washing media. Chose and dedicate washing cloths or mitts to a specific task and use them for nothing else. My current best pick for washing media is material called Microfiber, it is easy to find and we are working presently with an importer/manufacturer to bring it to our line of products, but that's another topic for another time.

QEW is unique in that is does not require rinsing after washing, making washing as simple as a couple gallons of water. It is anti static and water repellent, so it is unique in the way it washes and comes off, both the paint and the mitt you use. There are a few other imitators out there, but none have promised and delivered as QEW has. QEW will not scratch or harm your finish when used correctly (used correctly important here). Detailers picked up on it because huge water tanks for washing cars can be a pain, and some areas have laws dealing with water recovery. It is also quicker to wash a car with QEW. Most are skeptical about it until they use it and learn to use it correctly, but I trust it now I have used it, and other pros that I know use it on cars that cost many times more than my house (lambos, ferraris, bentleys, you name it).

Let's get started!

So, here is my car... dirty as it gets (or probably has ever been!).... It was in the low 30's doing this, but I have used it at 20 degrees with no problem. One thing about QEW, if your car is caked and super dirty, go to a car wash and spray it off with water only to get the major grime off, this will make it easier and safer to use QEW.

[img]http://www.taurusclub.com/mod-images/125_2528.jpg' alt='' width='682' height='511' class='attach' />

Man is she dirty

So lets get some stuff we are going to use (this is some of my detailing stuff, and no it's no where near all of it )

[img]http://www.taurusclub.com/mod-images/125_2529.jpg' alt='' width='682' height='511' class='attach' />

I always use the two bucket method (one for wash, one of water to dilute out dirt), but it is essential in using QEW. The blue bucket is one gallon of water with the approriate amount of QEW mixed in. The green bucket is a rinse bucket to put the mitt in after washing a section to let it release the dirt into the water.

[img]http://www.taurusclub.com/mod-images/125_2530.jpg' alt='' width='682' height='511' class='attach' />

Here are some of my towels/washrags, etc. The stack of blue/yellow/white ones are microfibers that I use for drying. MF's or waffle weaves are the only ones I trust on paint, MF won't scratch. So I use MF's on my paint. Waff;e Weave are best, but during the cold weather (it was 30 degrees when I did this), I find it quicker and easier using small ones.

[img]http://www.taurusclub.com/mod-images/125_2531.jpg' alt='' width='682' height='511' class='attach' />

The star of the show, QEW!

[img]http://www.taurusclub.com/mod-images/125_2532.jpg' alt='' width='682' height='511' class='attach' />

One thing about QEW, everyone kinda has a different method, just follow the basics (amount of QEW and the other things I will outline) and you will be fine. Some like to throw an ounce of QD (Quick Detailer) in the wash bucket to help with streaking (which can happen, especially if you are not careful), but I prefer to wait until the car is washed and just QD the whole car. This is some cheap and readily available QD.

[img]http://www.taurusclub.com/mod-images/125_2533.jpg' alt='' width='550' height='390' class='attach' />

Here is my mitt, I like sheeps skin mitts, that or lamb's wool are very popular.

[img]http://www.taurusclub.com/mod-images/125_2534.jpg' alt='' width='682' height='511' class='attach' />

Here is a bottle of QEW mix, mixed the same way I mix the wash bucket. I spray this on a section before I wash it, it helps, especially if the area is very dirty, a must. I will use almost the whole bottle washing one car.

[img]http://www.taurusclub.com/mod-images/125_2535.jpg' alt='' width='682' height='511' class='attach' />

Here is the top of the car, all dirty -->

[img]http://www.taurusclub.com/mod-images/125_2536.jpg' alt='' width='682' height='511' class='attach' />

Spray some QEW mix on the top

[img]http://www.taurusclub.com/mod-images/125_2537.jpg' alt='' width='682' height='511' class='attach' />

Dip the mitt in the wash bucket, then run your hand over it to get most of the water out, you dont want it dripping a lot. Lay it on the panel. Do NOT apply pressure. The weight of the mitt is enough.

[img]http://www.taurusclub.com/mod-images/125_2538.jpg' alt='' width='682' height='511' class='attach' />

Wash the area. Here is an important tip: Do a small section at a time. QEW dries quickly and you will have to rewash. A door or a hood at most is way plenty. Your mitt will appear dirty. Put it in the rinse bucket and leave it be. Dry your panel with the towel. I do a chase method. Dry with a towel and chase after it with a second. When the first becomes too wet, make the chase towel the nubmer 1 towel and use a new towel as the chase towel.

Here you can see where one part is washed and the other is not:

[img]http://www.taurusclub.com/mod-images/125_2539.jpg' alt='' width='682' height='511' class='attach' />

Paint is clean after QEW (wheels and wells haven't been touched yet, that is last, and I use a different chenielle mitt for those).

[img]http://www.taurusclub.com/mod-images/125_2541.jpg' alt='' width='682' height='511' class='attach' />

Now take your mitt out of the rinse bucket and you will notice that it looks cleaner. Wring it out some and re dip it in the QEW bucket. Repeat on the rest of the car. If you are not careful about drying, streaks will appear and you will need to rewash or use a QD on it. (I forgot to take pics of this doh)

After washing the car, you will notice the water is dirty, especially the rinse one. After dumping you will notice the dirt remains at the bottom, something different than you are use to. QEW makes the dirt separate. After I wash, I use a couple MF towels and a QD and go over the car, and do my other routine stuff (windows, plexus on the lights, etc) which I won't go into great detail about because this is about QEW br />
After a few times of using it you will get the hang of it, just use the proper ratio of QEW, do small sections, and dry quickly to prevent streaks. Those are the major keys, you will learn how to do a technique that wokrs best for you...everyone uses QEW a little differently.

Now that you washed it, you have this to look at:

[img]http://www.taurusclub.com/mod-images/125_2542.jpg' alt='' width='682' height='511' class='attach' />

Perfect, nah, this was a quickie wash, but its lots better

[img]http://www.taurusclub.com/mod-images/125_2543.jpg' alt='' width='682' height='511' class='attach' />

[img]http://www.taurusclub.com/mod-images/125_2544.jpg' alt='' width='682' height='511' class='attach' />

Hope this helps, and of course, if you have any questions, feel free to ask

[Craddosk]

great post!just out of curiosity....isnt this a repost? ......either way...very good post!(and i cant believe you let you car get that dirty before washing it!absolutely horrifying! )

[n2_space]

Originally posted by Craddosk@Jul 27 2004, 08:18 PM
great post!just out of curiosity....isnt this a repost? ......either way...very good post!(and i cant believe you let you car get that dirty before washing it!absolutely horrifying! )

Yes, it's a repost (and an article), but since we have a central spot for detailing stuff, I think this is well in order

As for it getting that dirty, snow and ice does it quick Trust me, it doesn't get dirty like that often or for long

[reldridge]

This will be perfect for the winter for me...

One question... Warm water, or cold water?

Ryan

[n2_space]

Originally posted by reldridge@Oct 3 2004, 10:23 AM
This will be perfect for the winter for me...

One question... Warm water, or cold water?

Ryan

I always use somewhat luke warm water for washing, year round.

[Joe5.0]

Too bad up here if there is any kind of salt it just gets dirty after driving for 1/4 mile.

I usually try to rinse it off really well at the local do-it-yourself car wash at least once a week, and when I get a chance if its above 40* I'll handwash it. Now that I have a garage (albeit small) I can hopefully get a coat of wax on it sometime in the middle of winter.

[n2_space]

Are you just rinsing with water? A lot of car washes use some nasty stuff, and it will strip wax (especially the pre soak). Sucks here too (not as bad as you guys), but better than nothing

[n2_space]

I'll add a tip I am going to try next time I QEW... I found it a pain in the behind using a spray bottle for presoaking panels, mixing it up and wearing my fingers out, and not covering the panels completely. It dawned on me as one of those "duh, why didn't I think of that before?" moments. I thought why not use one of those pressurized sprayers, like they use for fertilizers, etc. I went to the hardware store and found them from $13-$45, and bought a 3 gallon professional Stanley unit for $30 ( the more expensive one was essentially the same, but on wheels). I tried spraying it on my beater, and it has some decent pressure, and I could easily spray down the entire car several times with the 3 gallons it holds, and thoroughly. Definately something I think will work very well in making QEW easier and safer to use

[Joe5.0]

Originally posted by n2_space@Oct 4 2004, 02:18 PM
Are you just rinsing with water? A lot of car washes use some nasty stuff, and it will strip wax (especially the pre soak). Sucks here too (not as bad as you guys), but better than nothing

I only use the high pressure soap & rinse. I'll sometimes use the wax if I have 30 seconds left, altho Iknow its nothing remotely close to real protection. The place by my house is brand new and always nice & clean. They have a huge sign that says 'fresh water only', so I have to assume the water is no worse than what comes out of my hose at home.

But yeah, winter sucks ass for cars. I havent washed the CL in over 2 weeks, and its looking mighty nasty right now. I have n plans on washing it soon either. Its gonna rain/snow for the next week, so why bother?

[n2_space]

It is still good to wash it even if it is going to rain or snow because it just builds up.... it makes it worse. I look at it as saying why take a bath everyday, I will just get dirty again...or your clothes. Same thing really. When it just keeps getting dirty, it makes it worse on the paint, and more dangerous when you wash it again if you are not careful by scratching it more. It also helps keep it protected, the protection (wax or sealant you use) can't protect as well when it is dirty. Look at your car when it is dirty, and it will not bead as well as when it is clean. The dirt inhibits the displacement. The biggest key to keeping a car looking good (in the long run), is to keep up on it I can't tell you how many times I have pulled my freshly detailed car out of the garage and straight into the rain So as much as it sucks, it still helps to routinely clean it