*** The Car Cleaning Thread ***

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As its nearly detailing season again can anyone recommend some crap to add to my collection? I think I'm lacking something to make the interior nice really - is Chemical Guys New Look Trim Gel the best for the dashboard etc?

Also how often should I replace my wash mit?
 
I've been changing my wash mits every 20 or so washes, i have a three mit policy, use my new one around 20 times for the top of the car then cycle it to the bottom and then use the old bottom one for the wheels till it falls apart.

Might sound a little OTT but a mit is only £10 so using it 20 washes or so for the top only works out as 50p per wash.
 
[TW]Fox;13553485 said:
As its nearly detailing season again can anyone recommend some crap to add to my collection? I think I'm lacking something to make the interior nice really - is Chemical Guys New Look Trim Gel the best for the dashboard etc?

Also how often should I replace my wash mit?
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I prefer Poorboys natural look dressing, really nice matt finish and repels dust. Also smells bloody amazing.

I just replace mine whenever it starts to look a bit worse for wear really, depends how much it's used and how much snags it gets etc. Having different mitts for different jobs makes them last longer, I just use the lambswool for the paint then have microfibres for wheels/arches and any dirty areas that dont get swirled
 
Is my Super Resin Polish, Extra Gloss Protection and Collonite 476S combo still as good as it ever was? Shame, I've got a near full tub of Meguiars NXT Tech Wax as well...
 
with it being silver, personally I'd clay it, SRP it and put a few layers of EGP on, then bask in its reflective glory, Collinite will mute the flake pop and razor sharp finish in favour of a bit more durability.
 
[TW]Fox;13553506 said:
Is my Super Resin Polish, Extra Gloss Protection and Collonite 476S combo still as good as it ever was? Shame, I've got a near full tub of Meguiars NXT Tech Wax as well...
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collonite is best for durability, not shine

If you want shine, spritz some Zaino Z8 over for that "wet" look.
 
[TW]Fox;13553583 said:
Durability is good through winter but Spring and Summer i dont mind re-applying once every 2-4 weeks. Zaino the best for that?
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Zaino Z8 is a spray sealant, and a wipe on wipe off product.

Other rivals include Autoglym Aqua Wax, and Dodo Juice Red Mist.

Think of it as an extra something on top of your existing wax, rather than a dedicated wax.

If you want to tray zaino give some Zaino Z2 a try. Bear in mind it is a synthetic sealant though, rather than a wax.
 
Just layer up the EGP, it will be plenty shiney. Spend the 20 quid on some interior dressing and some applicator pads/plush microfibre buffing towels
 
The Poorboys Natural look dressing is really good IMO, smells sweet like bubblegum - but I like it. If you don't like the smell you could get some Aerospace 303 and work it in well to get a matte look, this can also be used on a variety of things like plastic/rubber trim or even leather so I'm told.

For shine, you could look at maybe the Jeffs Acrylic trigger or Bilt Hamber Autobalm which fills and protects.
 
MrLOL said:
Dodo Juice Red mist ?

similar product, just cheaper :)
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I've been in hibernation for the winter so I've not seen much on it :p, but Dodo products are usually pretty nice. From the looks of it though, it sounds like a great product to use more often to top up the finish rather than a normal QD that doesn't last very long.

I might pick some up at some point.
 
ive never owned or used an alloy wheel cleaner before. basically my gfs wheels are pretty stained, caked on brake dust in the corners etc. i used some megs metal polish and that got one wheel cleaned, but the other was worse.

will an off the shelf alloy wheel cleaner get the stains off?
 
Matt82 said:
ive never owned or used an alloy wheel cleaner before. basically my gfs wheels are pretty stained, caked on brake dust in the corners etc. i used some megs metal polish and that got one wheel cleaned, but the other was worse.

will an off the shelf alloy wheel cleaner get the stains off?
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try bilberry wheel cleaner, it's great and safe

you could also try a claybar, i've used that to get stubborn brake dust off before
 
Scottland said:
I've been in hibernation for the winter so I've not seen much on it :p, but Dodo products are usually pretty nice. From the looks of it though, it sounds like a great product to use more often to top up the finish rather than a normal QD that doesn't last very long.

I might pick some up at some point.
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Thats exactly what zaino Z8 is as well

Like i said, think of it as something on top of your wax/sealant for that exta bling. It doesnt last that long (couple of weeks) so use it every other wash or whatever to keep the shine up

Matt82 said:
ive never owned or used an alloy wheel cleaner before. basically my gfs wheels are pretty stained, caked on brake dust in the corners etc. i used some megs metal polish and that got one wheel cleaned, but the other was worse.

will an off the shelf alloy wheel cleaner get the stains off?
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If anything, the off the shelf cleaners are nastier than the pro stuff. Quite a few off the shelf cleaners are really only fit for cleaning concrete with, rather than for regular use with delicate alloys.

But as a once only method to get them clean, providing you dont leave them on too long, they will be fine.

If they are really bad, people have even been known to use brick acid on them ! but if you dont fancy that extreme, wonderwheels or something equally nasty should do the trick. Just dont get in the habit !
 
god i spent an hour per wheel on my own wheels a few weeks back getting brake dust off, its a pepper pot design and the hole catches the dirt.

i have vowed to keep them clean now. after i sat there for hours with polish getting the stains off i waxed them... it shuold last this time

>But as a once only method to get them clean, providing you dont leave them on too long, they will be fine.

thats what i was thnking. with her wheels i might use a spray for the stains and give them a coat of something. i think mine were worse because of the brake pads, ought to be fine

according to auto express turtle wax alloy cleaner is pretty good then get some wax on it
 
I might just dip my wheels in acid they are that bad. I cleaned my whole car but left the wheels, they just refuse to clean! :(
 
B&Q brick acid. Start at 5:1 dilution and work your way back to 1:1 untill it starts shifting it.

Once it does, scrub hard, then rinse quickly. Providing you dont leave it on for too long, you'll be fine.
 
Toker said:
with it being silver, personally I'd clay it, SRP it and put a few layers of EGP on, then bask in its reflective glory, Collinite will mute the flake pop and razor sharp finish in favour of a bit more durability.
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I favour the Collinite purely because I can't be bothered waxing often and the Collinite will normally last a few months :)
 
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