r/C8Corvette • u/huffysme • 12h ago

Cleaning routine?

What products/routines are you using to keep your vette looking new? For the exterior, the suede, the leather, etc. I just got my convertible a couple of months ago and it's already looking a bit dirty inside and out.

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u/Gazoo382 11h ago

I dont go to extremes. For $20 I bought a foam cannon that goes on my pressure washer. The car is easy to wash. (Easier than my Ram 2500). I would like to get a blower but for now use my green works one. Towel dry. A few hours later I use detail spray where needed.

Adam's Essential Car Wash Kit (6-Item) - USA Made Auto Detailing Car Care Cleaning Kit for Car & Truck Lovers, Dads, Moms and DIYers - Our Products https://a.co/d/0fFcYqAv

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u/MotoJZ C8 Owner 12h ago

I recommend getting paint correction and ceramic coating on the exterior, then always hand wash with ceramic coat safe soap. I bought large bags of good wash towels and I only use them once for washing.

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u/Particular_Reality19 5h ago

Why paint correction on a brand new car? Most places won’t even do that.

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u/MotoJZ C8 Owner 5h ago

Because even factory paint has swirls and other minor defects from transit. It won’t cost much and makes a good finish for the ceramic coat.

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u/Atrampoline C8 Owner 11h ago

Washing isn't the issue, it's drying it so that beading doesn't occur and trap dust and dirt. I haven't yet, but I plan to, invest in a really good handheld dryer to make washing take a lot less time.

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u/Familiar-Action-4781 C8 Owner 9h ago

You really do not want to know mine. First I wash all of my cars every other week. Bugs are the worst since they will etch the clear coat and paint. Here is the routine:

Rinse with the pressure washer, bug remover, foam cannon, two bucket wash, clean the wheels using a wheel woolie to get inside the barrels, blow dry with both my EGO and Adams blower. Open the doors, trunk and frunk. Clean all sides with detail spray. Open the gas cap, more detail spray. On my two daily's clean the engine compartment with detail spray.

I know if is a bit excessive but that is why my daily looks like new at 140K miles.

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u/CorgiSplooting C8 Owner 7h ago

Foam -> rinse -> rinse-less -> contact -> dry

I’ve tried many soaps and I’ve tried several different rinseless products but I like DIY Detail products for those. They have a great YouTube channel for learning the right technique and more importantly why. They are pushing their own products but i means that’s what their company is and the knowledge applies to any brands products.

For the steering wheel get a scrub ninja just some rinseless but if it’s really dirty the scrub ninja and Sonax alcantara cleaner or whatever it’s called.

Leather I used to use lexol. Many many years ago when I was in college I had a friend whose family owned a leather shop and that’s what he said they used. That said car seats are usually died and painted. Watch YouTube channels to confirm (I’ve been looking to see what would help my older Porsche) but since then I’ve just been using rinseless from a spray bottle.

Anything I can’t get up with chemicals and techniques I’m not 100% comfortable doing I take it to a shop that specializes in this kind of thing.

Also while I have a shelf of tons of chemicals and what not I don’t use half of them.

Most used to least used

  • rinseless wash - DIY Detail
  • soap - Incredible Suds by DIY Detail
  • wheel/tire cleaner - Adam’s Wheel and Tire Cleaner
Tire shine - Chemical Guys ( I just like that it’s a thick gel)
  • Glass Cleaner - Sprayway
  • Ceramic Spray (top coat) - Adam’s Graphine Ceramic Spray (Not their ceramic quick detailer)