We went through the hurricane on Saturday morning...terribly scary. We had no power for 36 hours but we're fortunate to have everything back now. The city is slowly coming back to life but it will take a while to completely normalize. We are resiliant and tough, and we take care of one another and don't wait for the government to rescue us.

I do not have a garage, only a carport. The wind was from the north, and the car was partially protected by son's car, but the wind was so strong that everything got wet.

I didn't drive the Fit for 2 days, and when I got back in, it seemed as if the front brakes were grabbing or grinding or were wet at first. After a block I didn't notice the noise any more, but I'm wondering if I should check anything.

As for the paint...Since the wind came from the coast, I assume that it had lots of sand particles in it. The Fit wasn't right out in the open, but I am still thinking it may have gotten some sandblasting. I plan to clay the car either later today or tomorrow, and wax it for the first time. Can you go over how to do that once more? I think one Fitfreak recommends just washing it one panel at a time, and using the soap as lubricant for the clay, then rinsing and moving on, so you are only washing and rinsing once. I don't have any wax and was thinking of getting the Turtle Wax Ice or the Black Magic stuff. When I apply the wax, do I put it on in straight lines? I know you guys talk about "swirling" a lot, and this is my first dark-colored car in a long time, also the first car I've actually cared about in a long time.

Any other tips for Fit care after a severe storm with free sandblasting?

 

the brakes should be just fine. they were just wet. sometimes if i drive my car soon after washing it, the front brakes are a little wet and it sounds like a light grinding sound. but it goes away as the brakes heat up and dry off. totally normal.

p.s. - i'm glad that you're okay!

 

yah, brakes should be fine.

check the FitCare forum for the details on how to use clay.

 

Glad to heear you're ok and that you have your power on. I work in Austin at the Utility Commission. Unbelievable amount of people are calling to have us "make them" restore power. Uhh.. you got hit with a HURRICANE dude! Powerlines and poles are snapped in half! It's going to take time!

As for the care, give it a good washing and check out the surface for any damage. If the clear is damaged, you might need to have it buffed out professionally -depending on how bad it is. If it's not damaged, use any quality wax. Swirling happens when the car or buffing cloth is not as clean as it should be and dirt scratches the finish while you're buffing off the wax.

 

I live in Ohio, and I had no power for 36 hours after Ike passed us... lol

 

Probably because of the the repair crews that came to Texas from Ohio!
LOL!

 

I'm very sorry!!! I feel bad that the monster storm caused so much disruption from the time it hit land...

 

I don't see any damage yet, but it's still dusty and dirty so I will check it out tomorrow when I wash it. I am going to clay it for the first time - will that be OK? I thought it might be a good time to get rid of whatever is left after it was transported across 2 states...I probably should have done it sooner but I had no idea such a thing even existed. The boys are home from school and they can help me - we have more time because nothing is happening. Thanks!

How do I tell if the clear coat is damaged, BTW? Is it obvious?

 

Turtle Wax Ice is great stuff. If you wash the car after the Ice application, there is no water spotting (the "wax" and the wash work together toward the anti-water spotting effect). You will read 100's of opinions on all products in the "Fit Care" forum, but I decided to give you mine here since you asked here. Congratulations on coming through the storm without damage to your property or family!

 

Hey Juliane, I'm glad you're okay. I have a lot of family in Houston and fortunately they're alright also.

Wash the car first of course. For the clay bar, don't use soap as lubricant. Use a "detailer." Usually this comes with the clay bar, but if not then something like Mother's Detailer or Meguiars Quik Detailer would work. It's easiest to work on sections at a time so you don't lose track. Spray the detailer on the panel of the car and get an even coat. With the clay bar go side to side or up and down. Knead the clay bar when you see that there's a lot of contaminants trapped on there. Re-spray the area with the detailer when you're done and wipe it off with a nice microfiber towel.

With the wax, I usually go in circular motions. Never used the Ice stuff or heard of the Black Magic, but from personal experience I love Meguiar's Cleaner Wax. It's like $4.96 at Wal-Mart. Whatever you use, hopefully you can restore that BBP. Good luck!

 

Oh, good, I'm glad your family is OK too! We are very blessed because nothing happened to our house, our yard, or ourselves. We have no beach house to worry about because we have never had one!!

So I don't have to actually wash the car in between the clay and wax? Just the detailer spray and wipe off with microfiber towel? How many towels do you go through in one session? I'm sort of afraid to use just one in case it gets dirt and scratches the paint, but I don't want to go nuts and have 30 towels ready either.

I will not go to Wal-Mart! Especially now! It will be a total zoo, since people haven't been shopping in days and have eaten all their food up. I can't park far enough away not to get door dings. I will go to O'Reilly's tomorrow - they do carry Meguiar's products. I read on the "care" thread that their waxes are somewhat difficult to apply/remove, though, which is why I was going with a liquid the first time.

I don't think my paint is damaged, but I don't want it to stay dirty and sticky-feeling. So I know it needs claying.

 

Glad to hear you (and your car) are okay.

My wife's family lives down there in Orange and Bridge City. They still haven't been allowed back.

 

Orange got hit really bad too. I think it was right in the track of the storm. I hope your in-laws get home soon, and also that they don't have major damage...

 

That reminds me...I never got a good answer to how I should wash the engine bay out...It's still grungy. Should I spray it with the detailer and wipe it? It's really dirty. Can I run a hose over the metal parts to rinse them off? Should I spray it with the power washer? Or should I even bother? What to do, what to do!!!

 

Does anyone use a hand vac to clean the floors, and if so, which one? I would like one to keep in the car for quick touch ups.

 

I have never been a fan of car vac's because it seemed like I could never find one that was powerful enough, however I just bought an ORECK Car vac that plugs into the car 12 volt jack, and I was amazed at how well it vacuumed. It was only 39.95 as well.

 

That's what I want - one that will plug into the car so I can run it whenever I want. Thanks! I'll be looking for that one.