my friend, who coincidentally also has an element, takes it to one of those car wash detailing places. i prefer the old fashioned way of washing my E with my own bare hands, some soap and water, and a sponge. what's a good product from the shelf i can get to keep from getting water spots on my windows and maintain a nice sleek and clean look on my body for more than a day ? and what product can i use so that i don't end up bleaching my panels out on the top and sides? :? :? :?

I have a magic product for you...

It is called "Search"

:grin:

Do a little bit of reading and you'll find all of your answers.

Short story of what I do.
1. Wash it in the shade, waterspots are less of an issue.
2. Use Eagle One Wax as U Dry each wash for a shine that lasts.
3. Use 303 Protectant once per month to keep the panels looking clean and new. It will also help to repel dust.
4. Eagle One A2Z on the wheels.
5. Meguiar's Hot Shine for the Tires.

The Wax As U Dry actually minimizes water spots on the glass as well. Stoner's Invisible Glass (available at Wal-Mart) is good inside and out. I generally do not spray the Eagle One on the panels directly, just use the residue on my cloth and it keeps the panels spot free.

The mr. clean auto dry car cleaning system also works very well. It contains a water ionizer (super softener) that works just like in the commercial. If you have old waterspots it will also eliminate them also. I wash my E in about 20 mins with it and don't dry it. NO spots at all. NONE BTW I have a NBP E...so you know it must work :grin:

The mr. clean auto dry car cleaning system also works very well. It contains a water ionizer (super softener) that works just like in the commercial. If you have old waterspots it will also eliminate them also. I wash my E in about 20 mins with it and don't dry it. NO spots at all. NONE BTW I have a NBP E...so you know it must work :grin:
I have GOT to get the auto dry system...just haven't done it yet...I know how it is w/ the NBP and the water spots for sure...thanks BigRed!

Sunlight is the big issue for waterspots, that and not drying the car quickly enough. I've seen lots of people worry about the nooks and crannies on the first pass-by of drying. It shouldn't take more than a couple of minutes to get most of the car dry, even when using WAUD.

Yeah, I've found that to be true, we have REALLY hard water, so I usually do one side of the car at a time to minimize the spots. If I do the whole car at once, by the time I get around to drying the last part, there are some pretty bad h2o spots. In any event, the Auto Wash system will hopefully clean that up!

...what's a good product from the shelf i can get to...maintain a nice sleek and clean look on my body for more than a day?
Try Irish Spring and a loofa sponge. Be sure to moisturize.

Sorry, couldn't resist being a smart ass. What WMK7479 was trying to tell you is to check out the posts on the Wax On, Wax Off thread. There is a ton of information there...everybody has their favorite technique. Two universal truths: (1) Eagle 1 Wax As You Dry is great stuff, (2) Never use Armor All on the exterior panels.