*** The Car Cleaning Thread ***

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I was given a Flash Magic Sponge quite a while back and decided to have a quick go with it on the steering wheel as I've seen it used for such an application before.

Before:
IMG_0132_zps1b177114.jpg


After:
IMG_0135_zps1abb46ee.jpg


Admittedly another section of the steering wheel, but similar shine to it all round before.

This was clean water before :eek: :
IMG_0137_zps8b050a53.jpg
 
GTAMADDOG said:
I was given a Flash Magic Sponge quite a while back and decided to have a quick go with it on the steering wheel as I've seen it used for such an application before.


This was clean water before :eek: :
IMG_0137_zps8b050a53.jpg
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Wow, nice work. I have several cars with shiny steering wheels which look similar to your "before" picture. None of them are anything like bad enough that i can justify a re-trim.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Flash-Mag...604?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item27e0c5525c

Is that what you used? (Google result)
 
Yeah, that's the one. I was a bit concerned about it ruining the finish, but if you wipe it over lightly and don't scrub away like mad it looks quite decent. Tempted to try it on my dad's cars now :p
 
Did similar on mine a while back, the result is pretty good. Unfortunately, it only takes a week or two to go back to being shiny again :(
 
Need some advice on removing scratches from my missus Vauxhall Insignia SRi1.8 in black.

I took her car to a job I had on a few weeks back, painting apartments, water based masonry paint. The car was parked a good 20 yards away by being a very windy day it got completely covered from front to back in cast off paint specs. (luckily it was the only car in the car park)

No big deal as the paint is water based and a good wash later that evening would have been fine, first power washing.

No...the missus and a friend of ours got their hands on a few brushes and tried to scrub every speck of paint off the car...it worked...but the car has since been left like a busted chicken with scratch marks all over the thing, mainly stand-out areas are the bonnet and boot.

I've since washed and polished 3 times in the space of a week, the polish (turtle wax) brings the car up like new and leaves the marks hidden, but fast forward a day and they are all back again.

Its getting to the stage where its going to need buffed or worst case scenario resprayed on the bad areas.

Ill try and get a few pics, but to explain the scratches, about 30 tiny scratches between 2 and 4 inches in length and 1 inch in width.

I should have just gave them a couple of brillo pads, at least I could justify the marks.

Any advice would be great.

Here is a picture I just took, ignore the dirt please, I'm not cleaning it again until I have a solution for these scratches haha :P

 
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Voxination said:
Did similar on mine a while back, the result is pretty good. Unfortunately, it only takes a week or two to go back to being shiny again :(
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Pretty much inevitable as you're only lightly scratching the shiny surface. Doesn't take long for your hands then to polish it back to a shiny finish.

IrishChr1s said:
Need some advice on removing scratches from my missus Vauxhall Insignia SRi1.8 in black....]
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Do you have a local bodyshop? Might work out best to take it down there and see if they'll mop the whole car for you. Might work out cheaper than a detailer.
 
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So folks, pick up my new (new for me) car on Saturday. 2007 Audi S3 in Black.

As autumn is fast approaching, I'm planning a big session on Sunday to get to know her :D

I typically do 1x Super Resin Polish, 2x Collinite 475S, 1x Sonax BSD. Would 3x Collinite be overkill, am I just moving wax about after 2 coats? How about 2x Resin Polish, is there any benefit or even damage through too much abrasion?
 
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Went to halfords today and bought scratch remover, some thick chalky texture stuff, autoglym polish and Simmons wax.

Got dark earlier than I expected but the scratches are now hard to spot. A few more applications and a final few waxes and I'll see if I can avoid getting it mopped. If not I've found someone local who can do it.

EDIT

Few pics, the scratches really came out well, I still think being mopped is inevitable but we will see how this goes.

Washed, Scratch remover, polished, waxed, Done :)

Before and after




 
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Hi guys I'm going to get into proper car cleaning (not sponge cleaning!) After reading this thread I've come up with the following - have I missed anything?

Meguiar's Tyre Dressing Applicator Pad
Valet PRO Bilberry Wheel Cleaner
PoorBoys Wheel Sealant
Wheel Woolies - 3 Piece Wheel Cleaning Kit
Meguiar's Endurance High Gloss Tyre Protection Gel

Kent Microfibre Drying Towels, XL
Kent Q2429 2-in-1 Microfibre Noodle Wash Mitt
Meguiar's Soft Foam Applicator Pad
Monster Microfibre

Autoglym 1L Bodywork Shampoo Conditioner
Autoglym 500ml Vinyl and Rubber Care
Autoglym 500ml Rapid Detailer
Autoglym Super Resin Polish
Collinite 476S - Super Doublecoat Auto Wax
Valet Pro - Citrus Pre Wash
Bilt Hamber Auto Clay Original

Thanks
 
TheTiger said:
Hi guys I'm going to get into proper car cleaning (not sponge cleaning!) After reading this thread I've come up with the following - have I missed anything?

Meguiar's Tyre Dressing Applicator Pad
Valet PRO Bilberry Wheel Cleaner
PoorBoys Wheel Sealant
Wheel Woolies - 3 Piece Wheel Cleaning Kit
Meguiar's Endurance High Gloss Tyre Protection Gel

Kent Microfibre Drying Towels, XL
Kent Q2429 2-in-1 Microfibre Noodle Wash Mitt
Meguiar's Soft Foam Applicator Pad
Monster Microfibre

Autoglym 1L Bodywork Shampoo Conditioner
Autoglym 500ml Vinyl and Rubber Care
Autoglym 500ml Rapid Detailer
Autoglym Super Resin Polish
Collinite 476S - Super Doublecoat Auto Wax
Valet Pro - Citrus Pre Wash
Bilt Hamber Auto Clay Original

Thanks
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My main comment would be the wash mitt - I personally hate the 'noodle' style mits and much prefer the really deep pile 'wool' style ones as the noodle type mitts just cannot contain as much dirt as the thick deep pile ones and have so fewer contact points meaning more pressure on the car. I personally have a few of the Meguiars Lambs Wool washmitts which I absolutely love.

Rest looks good although if you are just starting out I wouldn't bother with tonnes and tonnes of stuff, you probably don't need the 476 AND SRP, just get the 476 :) Similar with the prewash and applicator pads - just a good rinse and apply with a microfibre.
 
unrealrocks said:
Rest looks good although if you are just starting out I wouldn't bother with tonnes and tonnes of stuff, you probably don't need the 476 AND SRP, just get the 476 :) Similar with the prewash and applicator pads - just a good rinse and apply with a microfibre.
Click to expand...

476 and SRP do different things though. SRP for filling swirls, 476 for protecting your hard work.
 
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