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

Kenai said:
Maybe the results of the 'from £499' Light Polish and 2 year ceramic would be satisfactory to you? They still say that's a 2-3 day turnaround, so i'm guessing the light polish is still machine polishing rather than hand but a little less thorough than whatever they're calling 'Level 1 polishing'.
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This is key really.


The question I’d be trying to ask myself is “what am I trying to achieve?”


If it’s: have a shiny car with a level of protection against swirls - a good mobile detailer would be ample and you’ll probably pay 1/2 to 2/3 of the price.


If it’s “a top quality finish with a warranted protection for 5 years” then it’s going to be the £1000 package.
 
on their menu, think I'd want them to thoroughly clean the wheels before worrying about engine bay or any glass coating (but OK they need to clean windows anyway from any spatter/residue after bodywork prep.)
 
Anyone recommend a pressure washer please, been using a cheapish Karcher for a few years, eventually has gone the way of the dump!

Budget would be max £300 - 350.

Thanks
 
MarkeR said:
Anyone recommend a pressure washer please, been using a cheapish Karcher for a few years, eventually has gone the way of the dump!

Budget would be max £300 - 350.

Thanks
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I don't particularly mind the Karcher washers. I've had my K4 from the Karcher Outlet for 3 years now. Been spot on. They have a K4 on sale at the moment, £139.99. Why spend more? :)
 
MarkeR said:
Anyone recommend a pressure washer please, been using a cheapish Karcher for a few years, eventually has gone the way of the dump!

Budget would be max £300 - 350.

Thanks
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I got this recently...

www.diy.com

AVA Easy Corded Pressure washer 1.8kW - P50

The AVA Easy P50 corded pressure washer with V3 metal pump features an integrated follow-me hose reel and on-board accessory storage. The wheels, compact size and anti-tilt design mean you can effortlessly transport the machine from your driveway to your back patio. Collapsing the foldable...
www.diy.com

They had a pressure washer event so I got it for £168 ish. £219 direct with a Foam Cannon which I decided against getting their one and bought my own.

avaofnorway.com

AVA Easy

AVA Easy may be smaller than many of the other AVA models, but it still has good stability, power and plenty of pressure due to its unique design and metal pump. It has a hose reel and a dedicated space for the power cable. The handle can be easily folded down, making it easy to take the washer...
avaofnorway.com avaofnorway.com

Quidco and the usual off that too.

Anyway, really really happy with it. 10 year warranty if I buy the £6 servicing kit. Love the gun, excellent 12m hose. No complaints so far.
 
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I bought some Squidink citrus 5 litre and Squidink Blue Lagoon wheel shampoo from Becton Detailing (online web shop), they give 15% off for signing up to their email newsletter.

I was really impressed with the citrus when I used it. I was tempted by the extra strong citrus that Infinity Wax do (I think it's £39 for 5L and seems to dilute far), but they've been bought by Tetrosyl and I can't stand that company.
 
ShiWarrior said:
I haven't, someone here recommend them

I will be using them for a stage 1 paint correction
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Unless you’re looking at doing a ceramic coating too, come down here mate for the day - we can give it a go together & give you the chance to try new stuff out (and of course save some money!)

I think I’m just down the A34, but offer is there :-)
 
MrRockliffe said:
Unless you’re looking at doing a ceramic coating too, come down here mate for the day - we can give it a go together & give you the chance to try new stuff out (and of course save some money!)

I think I’m just down the A34, but offer is there :-)
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cheers mate, much appreciated

my car is ceramic coated currently (AutoGlym LifeShine)

its going back on Friday to do some work on it that they didn't do, so i wont be able to do any washing on it for a while
 
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Hey all, I got a brand new car arriving on Friday and I am trying to figure out how I am going to keep it clean all the time. I've no access to an outside tap and my drive is quite narrow so can't be having the car spread out wide with doors fully open etc.

What would be my best options, foam spray guns? cordless pressure washer? Where do I even start on liquids and cloths both exterior and interior?

I know there is a wealth of knowledge on here but a lot of it goes over my head. Never had anything new enough to give a few plops about so this is my first foray in to keeping a brand spanker clean
 
Liquid_Entity said:
Hey all, I got a brand new car arriving on Friday and I am trying to figure out how I am going to keep it clean all the time. I've no access to an outside tap and my drive is quite narrow so can't be having the car spread out wide with doors fully open etc.

What would be my best options, foam spray guns? cordless pressure washer? Where do I even start on liquids and cloths both exterior and interior?

I know there is a wealth of knowledge on here but a lot of it goes over my head. Never had anything new enough to give a few plops about so this is my first foray in to keeping a brand spanker clean
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the "safest" method is "foam rinse foam)

if you can get your car on the drive, then i would suggest a good cordless pressure washer with a foam cannon etc

as i cant always get my car on my parents drive, i rinseless wash mine
i pre wash with rinsless wash, then contact wash (using a bucket of rinsless wash)
 
I've recently got back into a car worth keeping clean (and I suppose I should look after my other half's car too) but I'm a bit lost after many years of not bothering.

First of all I just want to look at the basic wash and drying without breaking the bank. What is the bare minimum I should stock up on as I have nothing right now?

I don't really have the space to store a pressure washer at the moment but are there any cheap hand pump foam sprayers worth getting? I've never done foam before so would love to give it a try. Are there other products I should be looking at for bug and/or fallout remover, wheel cleaner etc?
 
Dup said:
I've recently got back into a car worth keeping clean (and I suppose I should look after my other half's car too) but I'm a bit lost after many years of not bothering.

First of all I just want to look at the basic wash and drying without breaking the bank. What is the bare minimum I should stock up on as I have nothing right now?

I don't really have the space to store a pressure washer at the moment but are there any cheap hand pump foam sprayers worth getting? I've never done foam before so would love to give it a try. Are there other products I should be looking at for bug and/or fallout remover, wheel cleaner etc?
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Fair bit to unpack here but no, you won’t need to break the bank to get started.


I’d start with:

2x clear 20L buckets from halfords
1x black bucket from Halfords
2x wash mitt of choice (this is decent: https://www.halfords.com/motoring/c...le-wax-plush-microfibre-wash-mitt-783758.html)
2x drying towel (https://www.halfords.com/motoring/c...te-hybrid-microfibre-drying-towel-783718.html)


From elsewhere:


1x Shampoo of choice (I usually recommend Gtechniq G Wash as it foams well)
1x wheel cleaner of choice (I recommend Bilt Hamber Auto Wheel)
1x wheel wash mitt (I use the garage therapy one but anything similar will do the job)



Snow foaming will be tricky without a pressure washer. Unless you want to spend money on the battery powered IK Foamer (>£200) I’d get a Multi 12 for £100 ish.

You’ll then want a pre wash of choice. I’ve not come across anything as powerful as Bilt Hamber touchless for removing road grime.


In 8L you only need 160ml of product for the recommended 2% dilution.


This will get you a great maintenance kit, which you can build upon if you get into it.



Small pressure washers are available: https://www.amazon.co.uk/AVA-Pressure-P40-Ultra-portable-cleaning/dp/B0931QNPRB/
 
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