# Car Cleaning **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** lexus, 330\ **Created:** [August 8, 2009, 8:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-cleaning/34711 "2009-08-08T20:05:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![conallis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/34f0e0/32.png) [@conallis](https://community.cartalk.com/u/conallis)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2009, 8:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-cleaning/34711/1 "2009-08-08T20:05:52Z")
I recently spent a week at the beach. I now cannot get the grime off the exterior. Please advise. ---
**Author:** ![mshugna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ce73a5/32.png) [@mshugna](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mshugna)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2009, 10:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-cleaning/34711/2 "2009-08-08T22:11:27Z")
what were you doing at the beach to get grime on your exterior? What have you done to rid yourself of this grime? Had to ask the obvious! ---
**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2009, 10:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-cleaning/34711/3 "2009-08-08T22:16:04Z")
Hand washing with a bucket and a sponge or soft cloth has always worked for me. ---
**Author:** ![oldschool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e19adc/32.png) [@oldschool](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldschool)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2009, 10:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-cleaning/34711/4 "2009-08-08T22:43:04Z")
I spent some time several years ago at Venice Beach in Santa Monica and still don’t feel clean. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![edb1961](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/edb1961/32/122_2.png) [@edb1961](https://community.cartalk.com/u/edb1961)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2009, 11:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-cleaning/34711/5 "2009-08-08T23:13:45Z")
Try Maguairs Cleaner Wax. It worked for me when I lived on a barrier island. [http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/product\_detail.asp?T1=MEG+A1216](http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/product_detail.asp?T1=MEG+A1216) Ed B. ---
**Author:** ![lion9car](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/59ef9b/32.png) [@lion9car](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lion9car)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2009, 12:41am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-cleaning/34711/6 "2009-08-09T00:41:46Z")
You didn’t say what’s on your car or what you tried to get it off, but my guess is that a clay bar will work. ---
**Author:** ![conallis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/34f0e0/32.png) [@conallis](https://community.cartalk.com/u/conallis)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2009, 4:55am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-cleaning/34711/7 "2009-08-09T04:55:37Z")
There is a buildup of sand or something. I have tried to give it a normal wash but it hasn’t worked. It is like small crystals all over the car. Thanks for any help! ---
**Author:** ![pleasedodgevan2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ad7895/32.png) [@pleasedodgevan2](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pleasedodgevan2)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2009, 5:28am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-cleaning/34711/8 "2009-08-09T05:28:54Z")
The sun must have loosened your clear coat on your 13 year old car. If so, there is no cure except for sanding and having more clear coat put on. ---
**Author:** ![Cal\_Learner](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cal_learner/32/387_2.png) [@Cal\_Learner](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cal_Learner)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2009, 10:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-cleaning/34711/9 "2009-08-09T10:45:35Z")
You don’t say what condition the finish on your vehicle was in before the beach episode, but assuming that the clear coat wasn’t deteriorated, a week at the beach won’t ruin the clear. The damp, salty air near the ocean baked on by the sun does leave a rough film, but thorough washing, followed by clay bar should do the trick. Then follow up with a good coat of wax or synthetic sealant for protection.