How often do you wash your car?

[miatasaint]

Well, how often? How much do you spend if you have someone/somewhere else do it? What does your cleaning entail?

Thread stolen from SF, just kinda curious for us miata dudes.

I actually pay for mine to be washed-n-waxed from one of our dealership detailers...I pay 10-20 bucks just for a wash (and comes with), maybe 1-2 times per month. If i do a wax, its 40 bucks, and comes with:

Wash, detail wheels, tire shine, degrease shitty spots (ie sap, etc), vaccuum my seats and floor, shine up my dash, console, and any interior trim, uberclean windows in and out, some sort of freshener, rids of exhaust stains (i run super rich).

[Boris]

All depends on how much it rains and how bad the love bugs are.
Summer, the car gets washed daily by the 5PM downpour. Winter, it hardly ever rains so I pull out the bucket every other week.

[f86sabjf]

Every 1-2 weeks and a complete detail twice a year

[Thumper13]

:o SAY WHAT ??

[f86sabjf]

yeah i know Thumper wash every 20,000 miles which for you is maybe 8wks:rolleyes:

[Thumper13]

If it didn't hurt so bad,maybe I'd wash her every 15k miles

[Skinny]

With the exception of my truck, as I never washed it once, each of my cars got washed and waxed(even the two with shitty paint, just wax the nice stuff) every week, even when I lived in Michigan and it was winter.

[miatasaint]

With the exception of my truck, as I never washed it once, each of my cars got washed and waxed(even the two with shitty paint, just wax the nice stuff) every week, even when I lived in Michigan and it was winter.

Michigan in Winter? ouch. Im originally from Indiana and the winter there is cold enough, but i do have family in michigan, and WOW I couldnt live there during winter. No thank you.

[vejatabul]

Mine is vinyl wrapped, so I spray it off with no soap about once a week, sometimes 3 or 4 times, and other times, once a month. Often, I wipe it down with windex and a microfiber cloth.
Simple. Cheap. Fast.

[theothersawyer]

If my paint wasn't so awful I would take so much better care of it, but my mom just got a new car and so I like to wash that once a week. Washing cars is so peaceful and relaxing to me.

[miata5620]

When I was single and didn't have a kid I would wash it every week now that I have both of those it gets washed maybe once a month. I do try to hose off anything that gets on it though IE bird crap, tree sap, etc. as needed.

[MiataLife]

When I was single and didn't have a kid I would wash it every week now that I have both of those it gets washed maybe once a month. I do try to hose off anything that gets on it though IE bird crap, tree sap, etc. as needed.

Same thing here with the Miata. But sometimes I can get my lil girl to help me (she is 6 and finds it fun)

Now I also have a Durango and a Maxima for my wife...those only get the attention maybe every other month.

[Phatmiata]

When I was single and didn't have a kid I would wash it every week now that I have both of those it gets washed maybe once a month. I do try to hose off anything that gets on it though IE bird crap, tree sap, etc. as needed.

I fall into this catagory hahaha But more like a wash every 2 or 3 months because I dont get to drive the car as much, with two younger kids its hard to find time for the Miata, but its safely tucked under a car cover in the garage now so no worries about leaves, bird crap or more importantly door dings!

[Thumper13]

If my paint wasn't so awful I would take so much better care of it, but my mom just got a new car and so I like to wash that once a week. Washing cars is so peaceful and relaxing to me.

There is something VERY WRONG with you,but you can visit my car anytime.

[theothersawyer]

There is something VERY WRONG with you,but you can visit my car anytime.

Even though I enjoy it, I still can't seem to get myself to go out and wash the car as often as I should. I mean that would require me to get my ass off of the couch, but once I am outside I enjoy it.

[phillyb]

just about never. i need a detail so badly...
my paint hates me

[blu92]

I wash mine usually every two weeks or so and do a complete detail every spring.

[AntiochOG]

Every couple of weeks during the rainy months. Once or twice a week when it's nice out. It gets waxed probably 4 times a year.

[revlimiter]

I washed Sharka about a week ago. We had a warm afternoon, so I decided to wash off the suction cup marks from this photo shoot.

http://revlimiter.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/pic7sm.jpg

So, about once every 3 months.

[blu92]

I love everything about that picture!

[atlnb]

When I was in high school, I'd wash my car every weekend either hot or cold. When I went to college, I'd wash it whenever i was home; which was about once a month or few months.

[morr]

I try to wash it once every week or two. It hasn't had a full detail since I bought it 4 years ago, so it could definitely use one. I almost hate when it's clean, because the dings and giant door dent in my fender stick out even more.

[KAL]

Every week. Now, in the Norwegian winter, every time i've been driving on salted roads. I'm rather washing the car 3-4 times a week than seeing the car beginning to rust.

[jester911]

Once every couple weeks is average for me. Solid detail job about twice a year. I probably will be giving her the once over tomorrow.

[recklessabandon]

since water creates rust, and the car is getting older, i avoid washing it. which means i dont take it out in the rain or in situations that will create the need for a wash. just dust it off with a nice dust brush.

[shenanigan]

I usually wash it whenever it gets dirty. So probably about every week or so, or when i have the time. But i don't really clean out the inside all that often, I usually forget about that part. haha

[atl20ae]

I only wash if it's looking dirty. It's garage kept and doesn't see the rain much so I don't wash too often.

[Caoboy]

I used to wash my car every few weeks.

That being said, the last time I washed my car was early august.

[TheFrohn]

the 05... once a week in the summer and never in the winter as it's under a cover..
the 94 whenever it's lookin rough.. bout every 2 weeks.

[zoom]

Every 2-3 weeks. To cold for that crap now.

[D L M]

During the summer, I wash my car once a week. Winter in Vegas isn't so bad so I wash my car every two weeks. The week between washes I just hit it with meguiars quick detailer. Once every two weeks, wax is done during the summer. Once a month during the winter.

[Small White Car]

Same as Queen Victoria...


Once a month, whether she needs it or not.

:p


I actually try and rub some of the dirt off Friday before KINOD but it needs a really good going over...

[ChrisJuliano]

During winter I will be washing mine once a weeek atleast:D Damn salt

[Tekel]

Not nearly as often as I should. Normally once every couple of weeks for both cars. I HATE waxing. Even on these tiny cars. I also seem to suck at it. Only time the interior gets detailed is before a show, so maybe twice a year.

[Mexican_Guy]

full wax and detall every 4 months, regular wash... 2 weeks?

mmmmmmmmm i don't remember ../

[CeeJaayDM]

i wash mines once a week. last time i fully detailed my car was 3 months ago waxing by hand. BUT, my porter cable was delivered today (:

[Leeroy]

Mine gets a hose down, hardly ever a wash though. Faded red is ftl.

[psulja]

I rarely wash mine. Last time I washed it was because it was so dirty that a friend made me do it lol. He actually gave me the hose and filled a bucket for me. When it's dirty it hides the rust better.

[LOL]

Damn I wash and hand wax every week

[Guitarjon]

I wash mine every week. Full clay bar, polish hand wax every 6 months, usually at the very end of summer for winter protection and usually some time around Easter as I get 2 weeks off work. I try to keep on top of other bits like leather cleaning, wheels etc as and when. Hate vcumming though, my partner usually does it a a repayment for doing her car every week too. Quite enjoy it actually gets me out of the house and experimenting with different products and techniques.

[concealer404]

The Miata.... maybe once a month when i'm driving it.


Everything else? Never.

I think i've washed the MX6 once in the 2.5 years i've had it.
NEVER washed the Jeep.
NEVER washed the Escort.
Washed the Celica twice in the 4 years i've had it.

[Leeroy]

Even though I just said I hardly wash mine, I just did yesterday. Shit looks exactly the same, cept my wheels are now shiny lol.

[Cngo]

In the summer about once a week and I take my time with it. In the fall-spring I give it a quick wash about once a month or whenever it's not raining.

[imperfekt]

in the season, weekly and it takes about an hour... i hand wash and vacuum, sometimes shampoo if someone spills something =\

[pmhaddad]

I wash it weekly, and wax it probably twice a year. I like to keep it clean :)

[Spooncurve]

I used to wash mine every 1-2 weeks. But now that it's garage and car covered (Evo 4 covercraft) when parked outside, I say once every month and detailed once a year.

Im paranoid when it comes to washing it. I have one microfiber towel for the hard top, one for the upper part of the body and a synthetic shamy for the lower parts. I buy a huge quantity of microfiber and regular towels and jack up the car to do a full chassis wipe down once a year. The engine is wiped down every month as well.

[miatasaint]

Im really glad this thread wasnt a fail. Just sayin....

[JSanker]

I wash mine about every 2 weeks.

[Dilly]

I used to wash mine every 2 weeks when I had access to a car wash port at my old apartment. My current apartment don't allow you to wash cars, it's stupid. Last time I washed my car was 10 months ago. But I do clean my wheels every now and then since they're white. If I clean my wheels, the rest of the car looks washed from far away. Hah.

[Calebbel]

I try to clean it at least once a week but if it rains like the day after I wash it I'll stop at a car wash and spray it off again. White is so hard to keep really clean.

[psulja]

I just washed mine today since we were going for a drive and were going to take pictures with a real camera. Regretted it right after when I saw all the rust again.

[JamieH]

I wait until it gets dirty enough to really need it. So, that could be a week, 2 weeks or longer. All depends on how much it rains. Keeping the car in the garage helps. Dusting it off about every other day does as well. Washing involves taking it to the local quarter wash, soaping it down, brushing it down, rinsing. I then use a cordless leaf blower to remove trapped water under the spoiler and other such areas and drying the rest of the car with Cobra Guzzlers. I use mostly Meguiars detail products.

[Maikeru]

Usually I wash it once a week. Now that it's totaled it just sits in the corner of my shop, and it's getting super dusty because of the welders. I need a cover for it. lol.

[dropped top]

Once a week or so and detailing twice a year. The interior really needs it now since my annual beach burial.

[hybridtoaster]

I would say once a year, but about two months ago I drove the thing and got a bunch of leaves and some bugs on the front of it. I might wash it today now that this thread has reminded me.

It's been over 8 months since the last wash. The car looks very clean aside from the front bumper and some spray on the back bumper from the rear tires.

[Stealth97]

uh, you guys really wash your cars? wow.

[hybridtoaster]

uh, you guys really wash your cars? wow.

does it offend you that some people care about keeping their cars looking nice?

[bedheadben]

I will usually get a thorough detail at the start of summer. Then through summer I will wash it usually twice a week. In the winter it gets washed maybe once a month, and that's just to keep my wheels white. It rains pretty much every day in the winter so not much point in washing it. My Jeep has never been washed and my Suby gets washed just as often as the Miata.
http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6174/6192758279_7936074b4d_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/benellett/6192758279/)
IMG_3897 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/benellett/6192758279/) by bedheadben (http://www.flickr.com/people/benellett/), on Flickr

[Bryan805]

My car isn't the nicest in the world, but I try to keep it as clean as I can like it is the nicest car out there. I usually wash it like 3 times a week because it tends to get dirty really fast.

[ZAMX5]

Hi all, brand new here and only owned my new toy 6 wks now( 2007 PRHT GT ) but i would have thought that whenever it needed a wash it got a wash, would be the rule of thumb.

[bedheadben]

Hi all, brand new here and only owned my new toy 6 wks now( 2007 PRHT GT ) but i would have thought that whenever it needed a wash it got a wash, would be the rule of thumb.

But when would one say it needs a wash?

[Demon I Am]

My paint is in such a condition that washing it has no effect. stained, faded, and peeling off.

[tsingson]

About every 2 weeks. Depends on what my weekends are like.

[Jeremiah]

Once a week or every other week.

[atank]

Once a month, and wax once a year.......

[psulja]

Recently I never wash the NB. Too much damage and rust to worry about it.

[I<3flippyheadlights]

Uh.. never. The rain in Florida keeps me unmotivated.

[The Driver]

Uh.. never. The rain in Florida keeps me unmotivated.

Tampa's dry season is around the corner... ;)

[treeafodo]

Depends how bored I am, usually every other week though. It always rains right after I wash it, even if it's not supposed to. Just my luck. Lol

[maharaj]

Whenever it gets dirty, or my wheels have noticeable brake dust. I wax it at least every other month.

[Tungsten6]

Once every 2 weeks (depending on my days off)
Its been pretty dirty as of late though... havent really cared lol

[Left0verCurry]

I wash and vacuum every week and wax/clay bar twice a year.

[I<3flippyheadlights]

I still need to wash and wax mine... meh

[bigx5murf]

Once a month, and during/right after any rain. I DIY at home.

I Clay and polish once a year. I will clay if any rain leaves hard water spots. I use liquid wax once every 3-5 months, but use 2 spray wax layers every wash.

Products of choice in no particular order, Optimum polymer tech, meguairs, sonax, 303 aerospace, griot's.

[wannafbody]

Miata, once or twice a year

[Demon I Am]

With my bad paint, I don't wash much other than the wheels

[tsingson]

I do mine every other weekend. Unless there is rain coming up in the forecast. If I do happen to wash it and it shows rain, the car goes in the garage.

[bigx5murf]

With my bad paint, I don't wash much other than the wheels

I'm the opposite, I probably wash my wheels once every 3 months. They're black so it's not that noticeable.

[maharaj]

Whenever it gets dirty. I've got a DD so mine rarely sees rain.

[ctrench]

pssh i have shitty paint, so i wash mine about once every 3 months