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

I avoid using product on my glass exterior and use a clay towel and iron remover and rinse off with DI water. That way I don't ever have to touch them with a microfibre. Insides I use Mr Muscle glass cleaner as I found that better than any 'car' product I tried. If you have to do the inside and outside go up and down outside and left and right inside, then you at least know which side of the glass is your smeary mess :D
 
vail3r said:
Is there a window/glass cleaner that actually cleans windows and doesn't become a streaky mess that requires an arm hurting amount of buffing to actually clean up.

Between my dog and my toddler the back windows need cleaning a lot and I could really do with something that I just give a quick spray and wipe.

Can someone recommend one that works well? I don't mind paying a bit for something that works and makes my life easy!
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either wash glass with your normal wash (rinsless wash is great on glass)

or , try this :

 
Kenai said:
The specific paint code is worth confirming, there are two different 'Estoril Blue' colours, make sure whatever method you end up choosing it's the right colour!
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Glad I checked - it's actually B45!

MrRockliffe said:
Treat rust - speak to Bilt Hamber as that’s their speciality before they got into cleaning products.

Fill with a paint/clear coat combo as flat as possible so you don’t need to sand. Toothpicks are good for stone chips - just dent the end to make it a bit hook like so it’s easier to dab in paint.

If it is raised, a de nibbing tool. You’ll want a curved one - do NOT get a square one.


Polish to finish. Don’t sand as you’ll remove the orange peel in just that area and it’ll look funny.



It IS doable but probably worth a “SMART” repair if you’re not confident.
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Thank you.

What are your thoughts on Chipex kits? Reviews seem good. Kits reasonably priced and come with all the tools. Guaranteed colour match.

I'm confident I could do an acceptable job, but still interested to see how much it will be if I go down the professional route. I'm now awaiting a quote from ChipsAway, will see what comes back and then go from there.
 
I plan to try swirl removal on the Boxster soon, I already have a DAS-6 V2 but thought I may need something smaller for the trickier areas. No idea what it is going to be like but just ordered a SPTA mini cordless to try out.
Anyone tried one ?
 
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Vogon said:
I plan to try swirl removal on the Boxster soon, I already have a DAS-6 V2 but thought I may need something smaller for the trickier areas. No idea what it is going to be like but just ordered a SPTA mini cordless to try out.
Anyone tried one ?
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The DAS will be fine. Just angle it


Even small polishers are quite tall so I’ve not found them overly useful other than very specific scenarios.
 
Robi said:
Thank you.

What are your thoughts on Chipex kits? Reviews seem good. Kits reasonably priced and come with all the tools. Guaranteed colour match.

I'm confident I could do an acceptable job, but still interested to see how much it will be if I go down the professional route. I'm now awaiting a quote from ChipsAway, will see what comes back and then go from there.
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I couldn’t comment honestly as I’ve not used one. The guaranteed colour match is a red herring though because there are SO many more factors which influence the end colour over just the paint itself.


You could use the same paint on 3 different panels and get pretty different results.


I just needs to be close enough, and less is more. It WILL look different, though. Just be ready for that :-)
 
Robi said:
Glad I checked - it's actually B45!

What are your thoughts on Chipex kits? Reviews seem good. Kits reasonably priced and come with all the tools. Guaranteed colour match.

I'm confident I could do an acceptable job, but still interested to see how much it will be if I go down the professional route. I'm now awaiting a quote from ChipsAway, will see what comes back and then go from there.
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I've not used Chipex, but I've used generic combined paint+laqcuer like: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/394930713197 before with ok results. I've also used the standard 3 pen (primer/base coat/laqcuer) style touch up kits (e.g. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/167372305052), again with ok results.

You will never get perfect results with either but taking your time and careful application will give ok results. Whichever type, you are better ignoring the brush applicators the come with, and only use either the needle tip dropper (on the pen style ones) which work great for stone chips, or a tooth pick or decent artists fine tip brush for scratches.

Colour match will normally be good enough, but as @MrRockliffe has mentioned, nothing is guaranteed with off the shelf paint mixing - you need a bodyshop colorimeter against the actual paint to take into account fading/aging etc.
 
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I've not bothered trying to fill in mine, they're incredibly small and my car is parked in an underground car park most of the time so not exposed to the elements.

zgdk0ro.jpeg
 
EZCarCare are clearing out old labelled stock for what appears to be decent prices.

Last Of...Collection

EZ Car Care - Detailing Products Professional, Enthusiasts & Valeters. From Snow Foams to Sealants, Glazes & Waxes, Wheel Cleaners & Detailing Brushes google-site-verification: googlea97caac43854d2a1.html
www.ezcarcare.co.uk www.ezcarcare.co.uk
 
pepp77 said:
EZCarCare are clearing out old labelled stock for what appears to be decent prices.

Last Of...Collection

EZ Car Care - Detailing Products Professional, Enthusiasts & Valeters. From Snow Foams to Sealants, Glazes & Waxes, Wheel Cleaners & Detailing Brushes google-site-verification: googlea97caac43854d2a1.html
www.ezcarcare.co.uk www.ezcarcare.co.uk
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Any standout products from that sale to try?
 
before you clean the glass the window seals are first, I'll put some gummi-fledge on another day;
but audi like my previous bmw the rear windows don't go down all the way (one day I'll have a premium car)
wedge a thin dishcloth down the gap with a fine tea-knife blade, probably never been done since the car was new - black dirt
the noise when passengers were lowering windows becomes annoying - needs to be like the star trek doors.

syFlItv.jpeg
 
Is this hazing outside or inside? if it's outside, any recommendations for kits to polish and UV protect afterwards?

vSsaL6a.jpg


vulhzYK.jpg
 
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Raymond Lin said:
Is this hazing outside or inside? if it's outside, any recommendations for kits to polish and UV protect afterwards?

vSsaL6a.jpg


vulhzYK.jpg
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www.cleanyourcar.co.uk

Meguiars - Two Step Headlight Restoration Kit

Meguiars - Two Step Headlight Restoration Kit Restore clarity to your cat headlights using the Meguiars 2 Step Headlight Kit. This kit transforms dull, yellowed & oxidized headlights back to their former glory. Simply add a quarter sized amount of perfect cleaning solution on to the cleani
www.cleanyourcar.co.uk www.cleanyourcar.co.uk


Is probably the kit I’d go for.
 
jpaul said:
before you clean the glass the window seals are first, I'll put some gummi-fledge on another day;
but audi like my previous bmw the rear windows don't go down all the way (one day I'll have a premium car)
wedge a thin dishcloth down the gap with a fine tea-knife blade, probably never been done since the car was new - black dirt
the noise when passengers were lowering windows becomes annoying - needs to be like the star trek doors.

syFlItv.jpeg
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Great idea I've ordered some and will get this done!
 
So I've been meaning to try rinseless washing for some time and I have to say it's absolutely brilliant.

As most of you with a black car will know, it gets dusty so quickly in the summer, but rinseless removes the need for a full wash each time. It's so slick and even cleans the wheels really well. I'd be pretty confident using it on a fairly dirty car, I'd just take a bit more time and pre-soak more thoroughly.

I went for the Koch Chemie Rrw (based on Jon's video at Forensic), it's outstanding value and pretty much as good as anything else.

Wash method: mix up a bucket of rinseless (250:1), pre-soak with rinseless in the iK sprayer, clean the panel with a wash mitt, then dry it immediately with a large towel. Minimal water spots, very slick surface, very little effort.

I also bought some AG Rapid Ceramic and compared to other similar products it's so easy to apply, the Turtlewax Graphene stuff is a nightmare to buff off in comparison. The AG stuff feels more like a detailing spray. Lasts a while too.

I am a convert!

bzvaZrP.jpeg
 
good on you !
ive been told that Rinsless washing is actually the safest way, believe it or not, but i do it because i cant pressure wash or use a hose occasionally
 
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