*** The Car Cleaning Thread ***

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Picked up a cleaning mit (heard sponges are bad for holding dirt and scratching paint), polishing cloth, back to black (wheels and trim) and Turtle Wax 'Wax it Wet' (thought I would give it a try). Gives me something to do on Sunday :)
 
bledd. said:
Hey gents, I'm getting a set of wheels refurbed and resprayed (not powdercoated). What do you recommend I put on them to protect them?

I currently have a snow foamer and bilberry wheel cleaner for actually cleaning them
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With my e39, I simply use regular car wax on my alloys - ensure they are clean prior to application! - I tend to wash my car properly once a month or so, the wax helps no end with the in-between jet washes that I do to keep the salt etc off.

The wheels come up like new every time. :) - You'd never think they had done over 260k miles!

I'm sure the more anal car cleaning buffs may question my method, but, it works for me!
 
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bledd. said:
Regarding the poorboys wheel wax, what's best to apply it with?

I'll be ordering this afternoon :)
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Bledd I would also recommend you have a look at Gtechniq's C5 as its a great product that lasts for ages. Also means you don't need any special wheel cleaners as you can just use normal shampoo.

Oh and Oxide if your in a flat with no Water points etc I recommend you take a look at Optimum No Rinse (ONR) Can put a capful in a bucket and wash ur whole car with out the need for a power washer etc.

Thanks.
 
I've just ordered myself a Vax 6131T wet/dry vac to attack the interior of the Corsa and the E60.

It's my birthday at the start of March and my loving girlfriend is going to get me the Silverline Rotary + Menzerna kit from i4d. :D

I'm then planning on getting the Blackfire Wet Ice Over Fire kit from Polished Bliss either with other Birthday money or at the start of April after payday.

By the summer we should have the two shiniest cars in Portsmouth!
 
Whats a good leather feed chaps?

I've got wipes but i want to feed the leather, there are some cracks i dont want getting any worse!!
 
Hello chaps.

I need a recommendation for a new pressure washer as I've finally killed off my old Karcher today. I understand that Nilfisk are the weapon of choice for the discerning cleaning enthusiast, but I've a little baffled by all the choices - any advice would be appreciated - let's say the budget's around £100 but can be stretched a little further if necessary.

Oh, and will I need a new nozzle for my PA Foam Lance? And would that be a Kew/Alto one?
 
Is there a complete noobs guide to washing cars including what products to use where? I've read a couple of pages of this thread and am getting lost with all the steps people go through. I was planning on getting all the areas of my car where stone chips have accumulated resprayed in the spring and wish to care for the paint a bit better (avoid swirl marks etc.)

I thought the ultimate washing process was to
Soak (hose)
wash (sponge?)
dry (microfibre cloth?)
clay
soak
wash
dry
polish
wax

I usually just soak, wash and dry.
 
Trifid said:
Is there a complete noobs guide to washing cars including what products to use where? I've read a couple of pages of this thread and am getting lost with all the steps people go through. I was planning on getting all the areas of my car where stone chips have accumulated resprayed in the spring and wish to care for the paint a bit better (avoid swirl marks etc.)

I thought the ultimate washing process was to
Soak (hose)
wash (sponge?)
dry (microfibre cloth?)
clay
soak
wash
dry
polish
wax

I usually just soak, wash and dry.
Click to expand...

Personally, I would;

Snow foam
2 bucket wash using a lambswool wash mitt (not a sponge)
Dry using waffle weave drying towels
Clay
Snow foam and/or wash again
Dry
Machine polish then maybe glaze if it needs it
Seal it
Wax it

After that you should just be able to maintain it with Ph neutral snow foam and shampoo, until it needs claying and waxing etc again.
 
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If you just want a simple process then buy yourself:
2 buckets
Wash mitt
drying towel
various cloths for application and buffing
Autoglym car shampoo, super resin polish, fast glass and extra gloss protection.

Then rinse car
Wash with 2 bucket method, making sure to change water before it gets too dirty.
Dry
Use fast glass.
Polish & buff off (i only do this 2-3 times a year).
Apply extra gloss protection and leave to cure for an hour or so.
Buff off
Stand back and admire shiny car.

You can also put a claying step in there if you want, but personally that's all i do.
 
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