Don't you just LOVE a clean car?

audiobliss

I took about 3.5 to 4 hours yesterday to clean up my Jeep. I typically spend a little longer on it when I wash/wax/vacuum it, but I didn’t spend near as much time washing it yesterday. I think I probably waste too much time on washing it most of the time. (Not saying it’s not an important step, but I think I’ve been fairly inefficient with it.)

Anyways, then I waxed it. Both of our waxes (both Turtle wax) have those foam applicators, and I just hate them. You can’t use them but a few times before they start coming apart and flaking into the wax and getting all over your car. Well, yesterday I used a microfiber cloth to apply the wax (also use one for washing, drying, and cleaning windows). I really liked the way that worked.

I then got to work on the windows. I HATE having to clean windows, but I really forced myself to do a decent job and probably spent 20 to 30 minutes on them. Used the same old NAPA aerosol spray I’ve been using, cleaned with a paper towel (actually, about 30 of them!), and then ‘buffed’ the window immediately after with a microfiber cloth. Worked really well. I’m certainly VERY happy. Cleanest I think my windows have EVER been. Now, on a side note, I keep hearing people talking about how great using newspaper works. I think I may give that a try next time.

Then I spent another 20 minutes or so vacuuming it out.

Ever since yesterday I’ve just been so happy about how good it looks. It’s certainly not the most thorough I’ve been, as I didn’t even touch the door jambs or the engine bay, but the body still looks as good, and with the windows being so clean (as well as the mirrors), it just looks awesome to me. So, of course, I had to take pictures.

But, I went easy. Only took about 60.

I think it looks pretty good for a 1995 Cherokee with 153,000 miles on it. However, it does have two weird streaks on the passenger side where the paint is rubbing off. And, I’d also like to repaint the bumpers and windshield wipers sometime this summer as well as doing something with the grill.

Let me know what you think!



Tinted side window:








Bring it!


Yes, that's a pure, perfect reflection of Dad's Jetta in the window and then the mirror. I love clean glass!


Amp under my seat. I made the wires a little neater, though I really should re-run (and replace!) the speaker wires.


Pretty clean interior.


Oh yeah, that's my Mark Knopfler/Emmylou Harris "All the Roadrunning" CD in the console there. Had it playing the ENTIRE time. I'm surprised my battery didn't die.


Pioneer Premier HU.











Sorry for such a long post and so many pictures...I'm just really excited about it. Which is pretty awesome seeing as how I've had it for four or five years now.

Aaaand, if you wanna see more pics (they're full size!), you can view my photobucket album here:
http://s133.photobucket.com/albums/q66/carmike692000/Jeep/1995%20XJ/6-05-2008/

etwigs34

Looks niiiiiiiiice! ya i just got my protege cleaned last week after being LONG over due! its a great feeling!

jflail2

I see you're in NC as well.......how about a ride to Asheville tomorrow? My Audi is toeing the "nasty" line, and it looks like you're the man for the job

dorokusai

I could have done without that picture of your face.....otherwise, nice work.

Face

Who's the serial killer in the second picture?

Ricardo

audiobliss wrote: »

I took about 3.5 to 4 hours yesterday to clean up my Jeep. I typically spend a little longer on it when I wash/wax/vacuum it

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

Damn...4 hours; it's not that I don't like a clean car and all...but I'm sure there's plenty of other more fun things you could spend your time on.

I've always said that cars were made to serve us, not the other way around.

Nice work though.
BTW...it's going to get dirty again...pretty fast

AsSiMiLaTeD

Dump that Turtle Wax and get a 'real' wax

audiobliss

Thanks for all the comments, folks!

jflail2 wrote: »

I see you're in NC as well.......how about a ride to Asheville tomorrow? My Audi is toeing the "nasty" line, and it looks like you're the man for the job

Hey, pay for the gas over there, and then let me drive it around the block to 'dry' it off after washing it, and I'll be there!

dorokusai wrote: »

I could have done without that picture of your face.....otherwise, nice work.

I threw that one in there just for you.

Face wrote: »

Who's the serial killer in the second picture?

Is that the best you can do? (No, actually, that was pretty good.) But, don't look behind you...:eek:

Ricardo wrote: »

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

Damn...4 hours; it's not that I don't like a clean car and all...but I'm sure there's plenty of other more fun things you could spend your time on.

I've always said that cars were made to serve us, not the other way around.

Nice work though.
BTW...it's going to get dirty again...pretty fast

I know what you mean, and agree to an extent, but it makes me so happy when it's clean, and there's NO better feeling than running your hand down the side of a car after it's been freshly waxed. Also, I really enjoy doing it. It was beautiful outside, got me away from the computer, got to listen to some great music, etc.

Polkmaniac wrote: »

Dump that Turtle Wax and get a 'real' wax

What would you call a 'real' wax? I've not used too many different kinds and would like to try out a few and find something that's really nice. A friend told me about this new "Ice" something or other that just came out. Supposed to do at least as good a job as traditional wax and doesn't need to be buffed off. Very intriguing, but my hopes aren't up yet.

F1nut

It looks very nice, good job!

Are you related to Trey? You two sure look alike and I figured that ya'll being from NC and all...well, that ya could be family.

there's NO better feeling than running your hand down the inside of a babe's thigh after she's been freshly waxed.

There, corrected that for ya.

skipf

A clean shiny jeep is a sacriledge! Jeeps are supposed to have scratches all over them, several dents and gashes, and be so covered in mud you can't determine the original color. At least that's what I always told my wife when she wanted me to clean mine out.;)

audiobliss

F1nut wrote: »

It looks very nice, good job!

Thank you very much! Such comments and admiring glances from people on the road make it MORE than worth it!

F1nut wrote:

Are you related to Trey? You two sure look alike and I figured that ya'll being from NC and all...well, that ya could be family.

Haha, wow, hadn't thought about that.




Interesting. Separated at birth? But why is my skin so much lighter?? No fair! I don't wanna burn....!!

audiobliss

skipf wrote: »

A clean shiny jeep is a sacriledge! Jeeps are supposed to have scratches all over them, several dents and gashes, and be so covered in mud you can't determine the original color. At least that's what I always told my wife when she wanted me to clean mine out.;)

Hahaha, amen. I can't argue with that. But mine's in too great a condition (and money's too short at the moment) to lift it and bash it.

All in good time.

PhantomOG

audiobliss wrote: »

What would you call a 'real' wax?

http://www.zainostore.com/

Seems like they have alot more stuff than when I bought it a few years ago. But I've been much happier with it than anything you can find in a local auto parts store.

audiobliss

PhantomOG wrote: »

http://www.zainostore.com/

Seems like they have alot more stuff than when I bought it a few years ago. But I've been much happier with it than anything you can find in a local auto parts store.

Yeah, I bet that's some awesome stuff with great results, but from what I've heard, WAAAAY too much work for a 13 year old Jeep. Sure, it's in good shape and I like it when it looks nice...but it's not worth THAT kind of elbow grease.

PhantomOG

Yeah, I wouldn't do everything either, but just the Z-5 car polish is better than any wax you can buy at the store. WAY better.

I haven't waxed my car in over 2 years and it still beads up water better than brand new cars.

audiobliss

Whao, you're kiddin', right? That's insane!

So, they do have something comparable to a regular wax that I can just use on its own with one application every now and then? I might could be interested...

wodom1

You should have seen mine yesterday afternoon before last nights rain cleaned it off. This is actually about the cleanest it's been in two weeks.

audiobliss

Hey, nice truck! Looks nice. Sure, a LITTLE dirty, maybe...but it wears it well.

What's that got in it?

PhantomOG

Hmm... what I think used to be Z-5 now looks like the Z-3. I'd get the Z-3 and just use it like you would any wax from the store.
http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=Z-3&Category_Code=Zaino&Product_Count=9

It seems expensive, but you don't use very much. I think its worth it. When I wax the car, I also use the Z-6 spray afterwords. The shine and depth is unbelieable. My car is black and it looks like a mirror when I'm done.

And its not more work. You don't need all the other stuff. Just replace your usual wax with some Z-3. And if you want use the Z-6. I'm positive you'll be happy with the results.

wodom1

audiobliss wrote: »

Hey, nice truck! Looks nice. Sure, a LITTLE dirty, maybe...but it wears it well.

What's that got in it?

It's not too bad for a free vehicle --it is my company truck. I believe it's got the Vortec 5300 V8, which is 5.3L. It has some special axle that my boss raves about. Whatever is special about it, it does a really good job in the mud. I haven't gotten stuck yet. I should actually be getting rid of this one within another month or two and getting a brand spankin' new Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 four-door with the Blue-Tec diesel. That is a bad-**** truck.

audiobliss

Wow, that'd be an awesome free truck. Yeah, Dad's Suburban has that engine in it.

Can't say as I like the Ram more than your Chevy...but they're both nice trucks!

audiobliss

PhantomOG wrote: »

Hmm... what I think used to be Z-5 now looks like the Z-3. I'd get the Z-3 and just use it like you would any wax from the store.
http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=Z-3&Category_Code=Zaino&Product_Count=9

It seems expensive, but you don't use very much. I think its worth it. When I wax the car, I also use the Z-6 spray afterwords. The shine and depth is unbelieable. My car is black and it looks like a mirror when I'm done.

And its not more work. You don't need all the other stuff. Just replace your usual wax with some Z-3. And if you want use the Z-6. I'm positive you'll be happy with the results.

Thanks for the suggestion and info. I've bookmarked that page, and I'll definitely look into it when the time comes to buy some more wax.

treitz3

Damnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn you two look alike!

Jstas

audiobliss wrote: »

Thank you very much! Such comments and admiring glances from people on the road make it MORE than worth it!

I don't think they are "glancing" at the Jeep.

They are probably gawking at the loose nut behind the wheel!

engtaz

Nice job. You can do mine next. LOL

engtaz

Early B.

I washed my car last week for the first time since I bought it -- nine months ago. I gotta admit -- I was shocked at how good it looked.

The car wash is your friend, AB. You have more important stuff to do, don't ya?

AsSiMiLaTeD

I use the zaino system personally, but the basic zymol cleaner wax is also good stuff, and they have some better waxes also.

The zymol cleaner wax can be found at wal mart for about 12 bucks, and goes on about as easily as the turtle, and looks better.

I like the zaino the best, but zymol is also good stuff

Face

treitz3 wrote: »

Damnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn you two look alike!

Doesn't everyone down south?

Willow

We have to get the interior detailed. We do clean the inside once a month but it needs a hard core clean. As for the outside, everytime it gets wased the next day it rains and well living in a new development there is dirt every where so it's always dirty. But it looks super nice for about 5hrs, the paint is shiny,as are the tires, windows supre clean no streaks or marks.

mantis

I keep both my trucks clean. Wash them once a week. Wax once a month , keep them both in the garage. Both are clean inside and out at all time. Hate nothing more then a dirty. It makes me sick to drive it and be in it.

I'm not about it.

Good work man and keep it up. It looks great.

Dan

deep bass

I just had mine detailed too!

That jeep looks like it is in mint condition. Keep it up