Experiences Washing Model X

[Mark Z]

This thread is to share your experiences during and after washing Model X.

The increased height of the roof requires a different kind of effort. I was helped by using a window washing stick (like at the gas station) to place on the washing mitt or on the ultra soft microfiber cloth to dry.

The 22" wheels were a breeze to clean, especially with the large tubular wheel brush that my detailer suggested and the wheel spray.

The nicest surprise were less water drops than Model S behind all the doors and hatches. No water dropped down from the Falcon Wing Door inside the vehicle after partially opening the FWD.

I use a Spotless system that removes the minerals from the water. Makes the task easier with spot free results.

 

[CHG-ON]

Can you give some info on the spotless system? Thanks.

 

[Mark Z]

Can you give some info on the spotless system? Thanks.

Sure, here is the website.

CRSpotless Water Systemsâ„¢ Spotless Car Wash De-Ionized Spotless Water

I am using the DIC-20 system and refill the cartridge with the R2-20. It is expensive for the DI resin, but worth the effort. I use a small pressure washer set to the widest fan of water to maximize the effort without waste. I do NOT use a wash brush as shown on the CRSpotless site.

I took a class on how to wash Model S. The same effort works great with Model X. Wheels are sprayed with P21S Gel-Concentrate Wheel Cleaner and allowed to sit if the wheel is cool (rinse a hot wheel with water first to cool it). A wheel brush is used to get the dirt of the flat surface behind the front of the wheel. Pressure rinse thoroughly with the DI water and the wheels look like new. P21S Wheel Cleaner 1

Using the pressure washer with DI water, I rinse the entire vehicle, then add P21S Conditioning Shampoo to a bucket with the DI water. Each section is washed and then rinsed before moving to the next section. For Model X, the glass surfaces is a good place to start. After that, the hood area, each side, the rear and the front are the areas I did separately. The wash mitt is pressure washed each time before being placed back in the sudsy water. I rinse the entire vehicle one more time with the pressure washer and let dry. A microfiber drying towel is lightly used for windows, chrome and finally the body of the car. A better method is to use air to blow off the water. P21S Bodywork Cond Shampoo

Another option is to use the local manual car wash and use a full spotless rinse. Best $2 you can add to your manual wash to decrease the water spots.

 

[CHG-ON]

Agree with with local do it yourself. Unfortunately, we don't have a spotless rinse where I live, which I find to be unbelievable. I did that once a week for 15 years in LA. Worked good enough until I had the time for a proper wash. I miss them.

Thanks for the info. I'm checking it out. I have pretty hard water where I am.

 

[gmtom1]

Is anyone concerned about water spots developing on the pano windshield? I wonder how it will look after a year of rain?

 

[aesculus]

Another cheap trick is to put a few drops of JetDry in your rinse water bucket. Towel dry after followed with one of those quick spray finishes like:

http://www.meguiars.com/en/automotive/products/g14422-ultimate-quik-detailertrade/

 

[Mark Z]

After experiencing a new scratch in the Big Sky pano windshield this week, I wanted to stress to be careful when cleaning the windshield. Make sure that any cloth or windshield cleaning pad is clean and that anything that would scratch the windshield is carefully removed before wiping.

Not sure how it happened, but I have a 6" scratch below the driver view. It shows up anytime sunlight is forward of the glass. I will be contacting a specialist that can polish glass for an opinion.

My manual car wash worked nicely today. Keeping the doors open too long during the wiping of door seals resulted in no electric motor action for the driver door. A Tesla Motors technician drove out from the SC to help, but before he arrived I remembered a trick that the detailer uses to raise the windshield glass. Sure enough, it did the trick to fool the door into action. I moved a standard key across the door latch slot to trigger the switch in the latch. Only about 1/4" of the key depth is used as it is drawn though the slot from the side. The touch screen blacked out for a moment, so I knew the switch had been activated. I will post the entire subject of driver door recalibration on another thread: Model X Auto Opening and Closing Door Issues - Page 2

 

[mohanman]

Washed my Model X in my garage today. I think I did a good job given the Michigan winter.. but man what a pain! Did the two bucket technique, took me about 1.5 hours. Im tired.

 

[namluu]

I use this water vacuum squeegee thing and it works great!!! Sucks up all the water from all the glass around the whole car and it comes with an extension pole. For all the glass on the X, I end up filling the container twice. Well worth the money!
Amazon.com: ITTAHO window vacuum cleaner kit with powersqueegee,spray bottle,microfiber cleaning head,exstension pole,suction nozzle,cleaning brush,universal working for Glassess/Sofa/Car/Flat surface: Home & Kitchen

 

[mohanman]

I use this water vacuum squeegee thing and it works great!!! Sucks up all the water from all the glass around the whole car and it comes with an extension pole. For all the glass on the X, I end up filling the container twice. Well worth the money!
Amazon.com: ITTAHO window vacuum cleaner kit with powersqueegee,spray bottle,microfiber cleaning head,exstension pole,suction nozzle,cleaning brush,universal working for Glassess/Sofa/Car/Flat surface: Home & Kitchen

That looks cool. Do you use any cleaning agents with it? If so can you list which ones you use? Thanks!

 

[namluu]

That looks cool. Do you use any cleaning agents with it? If so can you list which ones you use? Thanks!

I don't. I use the spot free rinse as the last step at the manual car wash and then I use the squeegee vac on all the glass. Then I ride into the sunset with dry, spot free windows!

 

[rainforest]

I spoke to a detailed, and the most dangerous part of washing is when you use physical contact (sponge or brush) to touch the car. It's important to get rid of as much dirt as possible with a foam lance first before even touching the car to avoid scratches in the clear coat.

 

[Jimmy 1]

www.nanohidetough.com The Tesla Paint is soft, apply a ceramic coating and forget about your washing issues. Many Coatings work equally well, I just like the self healing aspect.

 

[Klaus]

The 22" wheels were a breeze to clean, especially with the large tubular wheel brush that my detailer suggested and the wheel spray.

Tubular or cylindrical? Can you give an example please?

 

[Mark Z]

Tubular or cylindrical? Can you give an example please?

It's like a large bottle brush that is bendable so it can be curved slightly to reach the inside of the wheels. Here is a link:

Big EZ Detail Brush – EZ Detail Brush by EZ Products inc.

 

[Klaus]

It's like a large bottle brush that is bendable so it can be curved slightly to reach the inside of the wheels. Here is a link:

Big EZ Detail Brush – EZ Detail Brush by EZ Products inc.

Thanks!