[ferknuckle]

I was one of the group wondering about the best way to wash my new Karma. I park underground in Boston, have no access to a garden hose or anything like that and have no faith in someone else's dirty cloths... I poked around some other cars forums and ended up buying Optimum No Rinse Wash and Shine and after using it today I have found my answer! I don't want to sound like a commercial but this stuff is pretty great. I bought the nicest micro fibre cloths I could find and my diamond dust paint was back to sparkling away. Just a heads up in case anyone else was still looking for something like this.

 

[Charged in The OC]

I was one of the group wondering about the best way to wash my new Karma. I park underground in Boston, have no access to a garden hose or anything like that and have no faith in someone else's dirty cloths... I poked around some other cars forums and ended up buying Optimum No Rinse Wash and Shine and after using it today I have found my answer! I don't want to sound like a commercial but this stuff is pretty great. I bought the nicest micro fibre cloths I could find and my diamond dust paint was back to sparkling away. Just a heads up in case anyone else was still looking for something like this.

Meguiars' has a similar product called Ultimate Wash and wax anywhere, which I have used and like.

 

[ufojoe]

Ferknuckle, What are you using for the suede interior?

 

[Harleyguy]

I was one of the group wondering about the best way to wash my new Karma. I park underground in Boston, have no access to a garden hose or anything like that and have no faith in someone else's dirty cloths... I poked around some other cars forums and ended up buying Optimum No Rinse Wash and Shine and after using it today I have found my answer! I don't want to sound like a commercial but this stuff is pretty great. I bought the nicest micro fibre cloths I could find and my diamond dust paint was back to sparkling away. Just a heads up in case anyone else was still looking for something like this.

You bought one of the best products on the market.As a side hobby I detail cars and I'm not talking about just wash and wax guy . Depending how bad the paint is I can spend 13 plus hours removing swirls caused by poor washing techniques . I also belong to one of the largest if not the largest detailing forums in the world the same company that owns the forum also owns the largest detailing supply company located in Florida matter of fact two weeks a go was a detailing weekend located in Stuart Florida and I judged the two day car show .I've since sold my garage queen which has won numerous awards and trophy's for paint . Optimum is owned by a person named Dr G who i know very well I use his products a lot . Do a Google search for a product called Opti- Coat and tell me what you think I use that also .

 

[ferknuckle]

Ferknuckle, What are you using for the suede interior?

So far I have only vacuumed it and have held strong to my no food or drink policy despite my daughter's protest I did pick up a suede brush from Cole Haan though and will use that in the future as well.

 

[ixtractm]

I was one of the group wondering about the best way to wash my new Karma. I park underground in Boston, have no access to a garden hose or anything like that and have no faith in someone else's dirty cloths... I poked around some other cars forums and ended up buying Optimum No Rinse Wash and Shine and after using it today I have found my answer! I don't want to sound like a commercial but this stuff is pretty great. I bought the nicest micro fibre cloths I could find and my diamond dust paint was back to sparkling away. Just a heads up in case anyone else was still looking for something like this.

You bought one of the best products on the market.As a side hobby I detail cars and I'm not talking about just wash and wax guy . Depending how bad the paint is I can spend 13 plus hours removing swirls caused by poor washing techniques . I also belong to one of the largest if not the largest detailing forums in the world the same company that owns the forum also owns the largest detailing supply company located in Florida matter of fact two weeks a go was a detailing weekend located in Stuart Florida and I judged the two day car show .I've since sold my garage queen which has won numerous awards and trophy's for paint . Optimum is owned by a person named Dr G who i know very well I use his products a lot . Do a Google search for a product called Opti- Coat and tell me what you think I use that also .

It sounds like you have a great deal of experience so maybe I can pick you're brain. My concern with the product described is that without lots of water, can the dust and dirt scratch and swirl the finish since it sounds like you may be just moving it around on the surface? I looked up the Opti-Coat and it seems like a great product for an "extra clear-coat" so to speak. Since our finish is eco-friendly and water based, do you think putting a resin over it will be fine?

 

[Harleyguy]

Using a product like this which happens to be one of my favorites won't damage the paint keep in mind it's not made for baked on dirt. http://www.autogeek.net/ultima-waterless-wash-plus.html
Also any of that companies products are also .I also use many of this companies products .
http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-wax.html

 

[matrix]

Using a product like this which happens to be one of my favorites won't damage the paint keep in mind it's not made for baked on dirt. http://www.autogeek.net/ultima-waterless-wash-plus.html
Also any of that companies products are also .I also use many of this companies products .
http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-wax.html

Any tips for tire shine products or application methods? I've tried dozens of products that claim not to sling black dots on the side of my clean car, but they all seem to do it. I've even tried wiping the tires after applying the product, but I still get tons of black dots! :huh:

 

[Harleyguy]

Anything in this car line it's really great stuff I use most of it but then again I have and tried some many products it's unreal what my garage looks like for someone who only does this as a hobby .
http://www.autogeek.net/ultima-car-care.html
Take at look at Auto Geeks forum you don't have to join but you will find tons of useful information .I also belong too that forum under the same user name .

 

[ixtractm]

We all know that caring for our Karmas can be a great deal of work as well as a great deal of pleasure. I am getting the washing of my car down to a science. I've been using the Maguires ultimate wash and wax. Although I may switch to a straight Maguires wash without wax. I had the expel film placed and they recommend polish not wax on the film so I don't know if the wash and wax is a good idea. I use a detailing spray, I believe Z-6, from Zaino Bros. Their products all seem good. I use their polish also. I used my leaf blower to dry the car once and then Brian pointed out that using the leaf blower could be like sandblasting the car since it has no filter. Thanks Brian, that never occurred to me. I ordered the "Airforce Master Blaster" dryer. Great product! doesn't work as fast as the one time I used the Toro leaf blower, but it works very well! I am still looking for a good tire dressing product. I am currently using the Maguires gel. Not very glossly. I'm not sure if I prefer glossy or more of a satin look. Just about to explore the autogeek site.

 

[Mike_D]

Optimum is owned by a person named Dr G who i know very well I use his products a lot . Do a Google search for a product called Opti- Coat and tell me what you think I use that also .

So Harleyguy, in your learned opinion, do you think Opti-coat would be safe for a Karma? I have an appointment tomorrow to have some applied by a very experienced professional detailer in my area.

If I decide to add a clear bra down the road, do you think the Opti-coat would interfere with adhesion of the bra (the detailer said he called Optimum and they said would not be a problem assuming bra applied several days later)? Just wonder what your thoughts would be given that you have a lot of experience in this arena.

 

[Fabulist]

Open Question to Owners and Experts:

The local hand wash place where I have my Karma washed is starting to bug me about polishing the car and also removing the swirl marks using clay, etc. I am worried about the expensive and delicate paint on the Karma getting damaged by these guys. Now that the Karmas have been on the road for over 18 months, what's the best practice and products that you have found for preserving and protecting the car's paint?

 

[Weird Fishes]

IMHO...XPEL Ultimate applied on all painted surfaces.

I know that doesn't really answer the question you asked, but I am SO glad I chose to use a clear bra over all of the paint. It has saved the paint twice (and on the first day I owned the car!) and greatly minimized paint damage when the front bumper scraped the pavement coming out of the parking lot of my gym this week.

My advice...once you get rid of any swirl marks, get that thing protected with a clear bra!

 

[Harleyguy]

Open Question to Owners and Experts:

The local hand wash place where I have my Karma washed is starting to bug me about polishing the car and also removing the swirl marks using clay, etc. I am worried about the expensive and delicate paint on the Karma getting damaged by these guys. Now that the Karmas have been on the road for over 18 months, what's the best practice and products that you have found for preserving and protecting the car's paint?

Fab that's a tough one to answer I remove swirls on cars all the time detailing is a hobby . Swirls are induced by poor washing technique I could spend 10 hours to remove the swirls and they will return in a heart beat if the car is washed improperly . If they use a rotary buffer to remove the swirls run away the only time I use a rotary is for very bad swirls or very hard clear coat . After rotary you need to use a Da type machine . It's a fairly involved process I can assure you that . Depending how bad the swirls on a Fisker I can charge at least $250.00

If you like to discuss this more pm me and I will give you my number if you don't all ready have it . I also belong to a few detailing forums and I can try and find a pro detailer in your area that will make your paint look wet and deep

 

[EVer1]

IMHO...XPEL Ultimate applied on all painted surfaces.

My thoughts exactly! After 15 months, when washed and in the sun, the diamond dust is stunning.

 

[Roberta'sKarma]

HarleyGuy (or anyone else who knows)-
Have you heard of "Enviroguard NG"? The dealer gave me a "package deal" when I bought my Karma. I thought it was just and extended warranty on the paint and interior, but they want me to bring it in for the initial application, so I'm wondering if it is another of the invisible bra - type protectants.

Ideas anyone?

 

[macnax]

I've had my car detailed here in Belgium by the Wax-it team.

They used Nanolex Ultra Sealant. For the weekly wash I'm using a Nanolex Reactivating Shampoo.

The result is great. Have a look at the pics:

http://www.wax-it.be/ons-portfolio/kortoverzicht/278-fisker-karma-nanolex.html

 

[Sportsmeddoc]

rinseless wash- great results get on amazon no hose, no water marks minimal effort- have never had anyone wash my car in 18 months- takes 30 min or less to do entire car and always looks great- can do it indoors (garage etc)