*** Car Wash / Valet / Detailing Thread ***

ShiWarrior

ShiWarrior

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Link to OLD thread (as it contains a lot of useful information)

*** The Car Cleaning Thread ***

Its one of those questions that gets asked over and over again, so i thought I'd do a guide, for us with nice 'normal' cars, i think if you got super cars or hyper cars this aint the thread for you:p Ever since I discovered www.detailingworld.co.uk , I've been a bit OCD when it comes to car...
forums.overclockers.co.uk forums.overclockers.co.uk




Link to Jansey's post of which is a decent way to clean your car and avoid scratching it

*** Car Wash / Valet / Detailing Thread ***

Link to OLD thread (as it contains a lot of useful information) https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/the-car-cleaning-thread.17888389/ Link to Jansey's post of which is a decent way to clean your car and avoid scratching it...
forums.overclockers.co.uk forums.overclockers.co.uk




Good wheel cleaning ideas on page 12 and 13

*** Car Wash / Valet / Detailing Thread ***

Triple BOGOF, triple post? :P
forums.overclockers.co.uk forums.overclockers.co.uk


Car Wash / Valet / Detailing Thread



Where to start?



Let’s start at the beginning if you’re new to keeping your car/van/lorry or what ever clean then read on,





Stuff you need:



2 x Buckets (any will do)

£1 @ Halfords https://www.halfords.com/motoring/c...n-bucket-805862.html?stockInventory=undefined



2 x Grit Guards (any will do)

£5 @ Halfords https://www.halfords.com/motoring/c...it-guard-679190.html?stockInventory=undefined





Car Shampoo (I don’t recommend getting the £2 halfords own, it is worth spending a bit more)

Autoglym Bodywork Shampoo Conditioner £8@ Halfords https://www.halfords.com/motoring/c...er-500ml-448894.html?stockInventory=undefined



Bilt Hamber Auto Wash £17 @ In2Detailing https://www.in2detailing.co.uk/products/bilt-hamber-auto-wash



There are others, but there’s 2 most common (the autoglm will do for now)





Wash Mitt (you don’t need to spend a lot here, but AVOID THE SPONGE)

£4.79 @ Halfords https://www.halfords.com/motoring/c...ash-mitt-223532.html?stockInventory=undefined



Drying Towel (Plush ones are best to avoid micro scratches and absorb more water)

Twisted Pile £11 @ In2Detailing https://www.in2detailing.co.uk/coll...icrofibre-twisted-pile-drying-towel-74-x-90cm

Plush Drying Towel £13 @ In2Detailing https://www.in2detailing.co.uk/coll...w-50cm-x-70cm-drying-towel-1200gsm-trade-only



Wheel Brushes (one for getting in-between the spokes and behind the wheel and will also help clean the brakes at the same time, and one for the wheel face)

Maguire’s Large barrel brush (contains no metal so wont scratch your wheels) £20 https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07N9CD...L8T36IHR&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Mothers Wheel Brush (for the face) £9 @ In2Detailing https://www.in2detailing.co.uk/collections/wheel-brushes/products/mothers-wheel-brush



Interior

Autoglym Interior Shampoo £9 @ Halfords https://www.halfords.com/motoring/c...oo-500ml-448910.html?stockInventory=undefined

Brush Set (good for everything) £12 @ in2Detailing https://www.in2detailing.co.uk/coll...essories/products/alchemy-detailing-brush-set

Then wipe off with a microfiber cloth £9 for 10 @ Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/Microfibre-Cleaning-Cleaning-Appliances-Industrial/dp/B00M09VYAY/ref=sr_1_6?crid=2PB4XOQVVP94H&keywords=microfiber+cloths&qid=1685641541&sprefix=microfiber+clopths,aps,69&sr=8-6





Step 0



Try and watch the weather forecast and try not to wash in hot direct sunlight, it is always best to do it in the shade



Step 1



Add water to both buckets, in 1 bucket add shampoo (at the correct ratio) and add the grit guards



Step 2



Hose down car, then grab your wash mitt and dunk it into the shampoo bucket

Wash car, but do not let the car dry out, add more water with hose or shampoo to keep wet

After a panel (or when you need more shampoo), dunk your mitt into the water bucket and scrape your mitt on the grit guard to take off more grit which drops to the bottom of the bucket, repeat step 2



Step 3



Rinse car off with hose, and then grab your drying towel to dry the car to eliminate streaking and water spots



Step 4



Hose wheels then grab your wheel brushes and dunk them into the shampoo that you have left over and clean all 4 wheels, rinse off and dry
 
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Tykey

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ShiWarrior said:
...



Wash Mitt (you don’t need to spend a lot here, but AVOID THE SPONGE)

£4.79 @ Halfords https://www.halfords.com/motoring/c...ash-mitt-223532.html?stockInventory=undefined



Drying Towel (Plush ones are best to avoid micro scratches and absorb more water)

Twisted Pile £11 @ In2Detailing https://www.in2detailing.co.uk/coll...icrofibre-twisted-pile-drying-towel-74-x-90cm

Plush Drying Towel £13 @ In2Detailing https://www.in2detailing.co.uk/coll...w-50cm-x-70cm-drying-towel-1200gsm-trade-only

...
Click to expand...

I've always used the usual yellow sponges, so this isn't advised? Looks like i'm off to Halfrauds tomorrow for a micro-fiber mitt. I've used normal towels for drying too but ordered a proper car drying towel (turtle wax 1) yesterday.
 
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ShiWarrior

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tyke_ said:
I've always used the usual yellow sponges, so this isn't advised? Looks like i'm off to Halfrauds tomorrow for a micro-fiber mitt. I've used normal towels for drying too but ordered a proper car drying towel (turtle wax 1) yesterday.
Click to expand...

Hi there

Yes it is not advised

The Noodle mitts are great because they have deep "pockets" so the debris will go deep into the mitt and not on the surface so less chance to scratch,
BUT i have a Ultra Black sponge that I use for a "Rinseless Wash" this is more advanced cleaning technique which i will write up on soon
 
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dlockers

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ShiWarrior said:
i am well aware of this stage :D

ive just listed the quick "basics" for example. a 17 year old just got his first car
Click to expand...
You're gonna have to cater for the 17 y/o and the ultra mega dude if you're gonna close the original thread with all due respect Mr Warrior :D

Maybe democratise and someone else can volunteer for the "expert" wash
 

Gilbert89

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Speaking of Wash Mitts - I bought Turtle Wax’s “Crazy Plush Wash Mitt” for £8 from Halfords.

Not used it yet but a quick hands on and for the money it feels of a good quality, extremely soft and thick whilst being cushioned lined inside. The elasticated wrist is sized for normal hands so I think it will be a pleasure to use.

My currently Noodle Mitt holds so much water, really heavy when loaded up and slips off my wrist just not a great experience.
 

Janesy B

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I'll detail my process just so I can link back to it, this is more for the obsessive person with more time than sense.

Basic assumptions - you have access to running water and ideally own a pressure washer.

1. Wheels - Rinse wheels, spray on AD Britegel and scrub tyres with tyre brush, go over the wheel with whatever brushes are suitable for the design of wheel you have. I use a Wheel Woolie for the barrel and chemical resistant sash brushes to get in the recesses for the nuts and an old noodle mitt to go over the wheel. Rinse throughly. If the wheels have not been cleaned for a long time this is when you'd use a fallout remover such as AG Magma or Carpro IronX, let the product dwell as per the instructions but never let it dry out, agitate with brushes/mitt and rinse thoroughly. If you can, get right in the arch liners with your lance to blast out any dirt.

2. Pre-wash - If the car is really bad, usually in the winter or if it's covered in bugs, I will spray the lower half with Bilt Hamber Surfex HD at 5% dilution otherwise I will go straight to covering the car with Bilt Hamber Touchless with a snowfoam lance - I use a MJJC Foam Canon Pro but there's loads of good lances to suit all budgets. I'll adjust the dilution depending on how dirty the car is, and the time of year as in summer months the car is just dusty rather than being covered in salt. You can use a pump sprayer but this will take a bit longer and will give your arm a workout. While that's dwelling I'll use a soft detailing brush to clean the window channels and around the badges. After 5 minutes rinse the car off, if it's warmer you may have to rinse sooner if you see patches drying out, if it's cooler you'll get more time.

3. Wash - Two buckets, both with grit guards. One full of clean water to rinse, one with soapy water. It's hard to go wrong with shampoo, anything pH neutral will do, I tend to stay away from wash and wax types as I'll use a detailing spray to add protection at the end. I've used AG Foaming Car Wash in the past, I'm using Meguiars NXT Car Wash at the moment as I got a big bottle cheap on Amazon. I use an Adam's Wash Pad on the majority of the bodywork as it holds loads of soapy water and lets me cover a large section at a time, I'll use a microfibre/noodle mitt on the lower sections last just to minimise any risk of causing swirls.

3a. Decontamination - If this is the first 'big wash' you may want to use fallout remover on the paintwork to remove any stuck on contamination. First you can cover the car in fallout remover, let it dwell and agitate with a wash mitt. The next stage would be to use either a clay mitt or a clay bar. A mitt will let you cover large areas, a clay bar will take longer but as you mould it to the shape of the bodywork it does remove more contaminants. Once this has been done you can move to polishing and waxing but I won't go into that here.

4. Protect - Now the car is clean I can spray Carpro Hydro2 Lite sparingly over a panel at a time and rinsing off, this is a quick way to add protection to the car. Gyeon Q²M WetCoat is also very good. These will also act as a drying aid as water will bead off the car instead of forming puddles that you have to soak up.

5. Dry - Fold drying towel into four sections (stops you from dragging it on the floor) and dry from the top down, I have two Meguiars Supreme Drying Towels, one for the outside and an older one that isn't as absorbent any more but it's perfectly fine for door shuts and wheels. It's important to wash your drying towels using liquid non bio detergent without fabric conditioner otherwise they will stop absorbing water. If you have to use the dryer make sure it's on the lowest heat setting.

6. Finishing Touches - Go over the windows with Carpro Clarify (there's loads of decent window cleaners, it's almost impossible to buy a bad one) and a couple of clean microfibres. Dress tyres with Carpro Perl diluted 1:1. Best to stay with waterbased dressings as solvent based gels make the tyres sticky and they end up attracting dirt. Autobrite Classy is another nice dressing that doesn't look too shiny.

Other recommended products not mentioned above.

Martin Cox Blue And White PRO 1.5 Litre Pump Compression Sprayer - Can be used to cover the car in citrus pre-wash or foam.

Bucket Starter Kit - Includes a 5 gallon bucket, grit guard, wheel brush, wash mitt, drying towel, spray bottle and a microfibre towel to get you started.

VeletPRO Chemical Resistant Brush - Good for using on wheels.

Halfords Detailing Brush Set - Good selection of brushes, the white tipped one is super soft and safe to use on paint.

Glaco Compound and Ultra Glaco - Window sealant that includes a compound to thoroughly clean the windscreen before applying the sealant.

Towelogy® 520gsm Professional Microfibre - Great general purpose towels, really soft and stand up well to washing.
 
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V_R

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Oooh new thread! What the hell are those green buckets!? :cry:

Great post @Janesy B. I use a lot of the same products as you do.

*Some* of my most used products:

sik544T.jpg
 
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kona786

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Janesy B said:
Missing out a crucial stage really - pre-wash.

Slapping a mitt on a car that's just been hosed down is the stuff of nightmares.
Click to expand...
Can't be that bad surely.

I've literally been doing this on my JCW and it still looks great after 4yrs. Not the detailing perfection of no swirls but still great unless up close with a torch. 1 bucket too.

It does make a noticeable difference on which colour car you have.
 

dlockers

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kona786 said:
Can't be that bad surely.

I've literally been doing this on my JCW and it still looks great after 4yrs. Not the detailing perfection of no swirls but still great unless up close with a torch. 1 bucket too.

It does make a noticeable difference on which colour car you have.
Click to expand...
You aren't going to win a battle that most people can whack their head around. One bucket - so where does all the dirt and crap go that you pull off of the paint?
 
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