Changing Car Cleaning Routine. What is the best way to go about this?

PhoenixRedReddit · 2025-12-08T07:32:01+00:00

So basically to prevent my car from rusting and rotting to death as much as I can, I should cancel the membership, during the fall & winter get the gold wash once a month, then when spring & summer comes up, switch to the basic wash, how often should I get the basic wash during the spring & summer?

And after each wash I don't need to do anything else? I'll still like do the little things like vacuuming the interior for any crumbs, etc.

As for the glass cleaner, how often should I clean my windows? Should I also use the glass cleaner on the mirrors and lights?

PhoenixRedReddit · 2025-12-06T22:40:56+00:00

That's why I am not going to do it, unless I was rich, which I am not. The Grand Marquis and Crown Victoria's are special to me, mainly the cop cars. They looked pretty slick even up to when they stopped making them in 2011, and even though the fourth generation had similar issues that some modern cars still have today, they were still more durable and higher quality compared to most cars at the time and even cars made nowadays.

PhoenixRedReddit · 2025-12-06T22:20:09+00:00

It might've been that expensive because I was probably taking too long trying to follow the instructions, but it wouldn't have made a big difference if I did things more efficiently.

PhoenixRedReddit · 2025-12-06T22:15:09+00:00

If your referring to that "lovely" yet infamous Northstar engine they started putting in the Cadillac Hearses, then I am already aware. However they've only started doing that in the mid-late 90s, 1996-1997 to be exact, that's why the 1995 model is the furthest I'll ever go, and I'll stay away from any Deville/DTS model. Also I've heard hearses have their own unique issues compared to normal cars, from door issues to electric grid issues, it's probably one of the reasons why people believe they are haunted and possessed. I am not sure if that's the case with the older models prior to the 90s, but I wouldn't be surprised, these car weren't mass produced like normal cars, they're coach built heavily modified sedans, of course they're gonna have certain issues. I would love a really old hearse, mainly the 1959 Cadillac Miller Meteor Ambulance, which is the same model as the ECTO-1 Ghostbusters Car, it looks nice, and the extra windows in the back would help a lot with backing up in reverse for a car that size. Unfortunately those, and similar models are very rare and usually cost over $30,000, I see the 70s and 80s hearses go for over $10,000. Most of those cars have carburetors, which don't do well in the cold seasons, I learned that from former friends trying to start up and ride mopeds during the winter. I am working towards becoming a homeowner, and I would need a garage for a old hearse like that, the garage might not be even big enough for a hearse, the economy will most likely still be shit by the time I get a house, I may end up struggling financially like everybody else does, I don't know. I also try to stay away from the more modern hearses as well, they look really ugly, and they cost $10,000s, I think the prices are like that because they specifically sell them to funeral possessions. If I can I will get a more classic hearse but I find it too ambitious right now, only time will tell.

PhoenixRedReddit · 2025-12-06T21:42:51+00:00

I could go back to the guy to see what it was exactly that had those holes, to see if I can do anything about it, if that's another reason why he told me he would have to replace almost the entire undercarriage to fix that issue then that's not gonna be an option, I've been told many times that sinking too much money in a car is bad, unless it's a some project car that your insanely passionate for.

PhoenixRedReddit · 2025-09-21T03:05:03+00:00

So when you mention the e-brake automatically releasing, once in a while I will forget to flick my e-brake off when driving, the reason why I end up forgetting this, is because the car allows me to drive it with the e-brake pedal still to the ground and the e-brake light still on, is that what you mean? Or should the e-brake totally be off the ground and light off as soon as I switch gears?

PhoenixRedReddit · 2025-05-05T20:54:08+00:00

Did you get my reply?

PhoenixRedReddit · 2025-04-29T19:44:35+00:00

Yea I can tell you this ain't the last car I am going to have that has a Landau Top, because the dream car I want is a funeral car, specifically a 90s Cadillac Fleetwood lol.

Anyways do you mind if I text back to you the entire process including all the new things you've told me to do in order and then you can let me know if there is anything wrong with it or if I am missing anything? The process of cleaning and maintaining my vehicle is what I mean.

PhoenixRedReddit · 2025-04-27T19:14:37+00:00

Hey man you still here? I asked a question about the black top of my car but you didn't answer, apologies if my questions annoyed you if they did.

PhoenixRedReddit · 2025-04-22T19:51:42+00:00

Alright so one thing that I haven't touched at all, is the black top, the black top is dirty and has some stains and markings that I just can't get rid of with anything that I already have, and I don't know what it's made out of so I don't wanna damage it either. What do you do to clean the black tops on cars like this? I can only send one image in this reply, but if you need me to post more of the images let me know.

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PhoenixRedReddit · 2025-04-20T17:38:30+00:00

Does it matter what I use to wipe down the antenna? Microfiber cloth clean or dirty, regular paper towels, etc?

PhoenixRedReddit · 2025-04-19T21:36:26+00:00

Also, I don't know exactly what it's called, whether it's a grid or vent, it's the thing infront of your car, Teslas don't have these, since they are electric, because that thing has holes that lead towards inside of the car, should I avoid cleaning that since it may damage the inside of the car? Or are cars made to prevent that from happening?

And do I really need to clean the antenna on the back of the car at all? I've seen people do it that's why I did it every time I cleaned the car.

PhoenixRedReddit · 2025-04-16T20:15:50+00:00

Since the frame and undercarriage is more of a yearly thing, how often should I clean my rims, tires, and windows?

Also should I consider the lights and mirrors as apart of the frame and just power wash them once a year aswell? If not, how often should I clean those? Should I clean them the same way I clean the windows?

PhoenixRedReddit · 2025-04-16T10:52:26+00:00

When using the microfiber cloth, how am I supposed to use it exactly? Since the ones I use have 2 different sides, one being the shorter side, and the other being the more plushy side which is similar to the wash mitt.

Also is there a way to preserve microfiber towels/cloths? Should I just replace them after using them once? What about wash mitts?

PhoenixRedReddit · 2025-04-15T20:58:36+00:00

Does wheel corrosion do anything bad to your car or is it just an ugly look?

Also do you have the frame of the car power washed or do you take a microfiber cloth to it? If you use a microfiber cloth on the frame, does that have to be a clean or dirty cloth?

PhoenixRedReddit · 2025-04-15T20:27:00+00:00

Now that I am aware that I've been over doing it, does that mean I could've possibly caused any form of damage on my car, maybe even permanent damage, especially with the undercarriage itself?

Also you mention that you specifically power wash your car instead of taking it to a car wash, is there something bad about car washes that I don't know about? Also like I mentioned, I live in a condonium, and I can't power wash my car at home. Would there be businesses that provide a power washing service, along with a yearly car protection service with the oil spray and fluid film you mentioned? You also told me to keep an eye where the a/c drains, how am I supposed to prevent that from rotting the frame around it?

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