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

Snow foam question...need to restock, and CYC have a 10% sale at the moment. I've used Bilt Hamber Auto Foam pretty much exclusively for years, but how does Touchless compare? I remember it coming out a couple of years ago but just not got around to buying some yet. Can't work out if it's more effective than Auto Foam, or has a different application.

Some blurb seems to suggest its actually gentler and less effective as a cleaner than Auto Foam, and intended for more regular use...but then I do snow foam pretty much every wash. Any personal experiences or preference?
 
Touchless seemed to remove more dirt off the paint, which is what a lot of the reviews have shown too. I didn’t use much product either. I probably wouldn’t go back now. It works out so cheap per wash.
 
Conscript said:
Snow foam question...need to restock, and CYC have a 10% sale at the moment. I've used Bilt Hamber Auto Foam pretty much exclusively for years, but how does Touchless compare? I remember it coming out a couple of years ago but just not got around to buying some yet. Can't work out if it's more effective than Auto Foam, or has a different application.

Some blurb seems to suggest its actually gentler and less effective as a cleaner than Auto Foam, and intended for more regular use...but then I do snow foam pretty much every wash. Any personal experiences or preference?
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Once I used Touchless, I haven’t ever purchased auto foam.




Floor mats cleaned :)

 
Bint Box said:
Are there any reasonable Karcher alternatives I should consider as replacement please?
I have an aftermarket 15 metre flexible non coil hose, trigger gun and foam cannon all with Karcher fittings so prefer to be able to use these with a new jet washer.

I think some of the Karchers now come with universal motors rather than the induction motors, does this impact real world use?....
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Update:
I bought a Karcher K5 Power Controlled unit from the Karcher Outlet for £159.99p. It has the induction motor and similar pressure/flow rate as my old K5 so should be OK.
All my existing Karcher fittings will work on it including the flexi non coil hose, trigger gun and foam bottle.

While checking prices I noticed an aftermarket non coiling flexi hose on Amazon for Karcher washers at less than £20, seems a good price, I paid quite a bit more for mine from Direct Hoses.
 
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I know it’s easy to get sucked into different products for different purposes, but this is a reminder that for glass, you don’t need a fancy glass polish.

D300 is my go to cutting compound and it’s brilliant on glass - you don’t get the watery mess of a cerium oxide cleaner and it cuts through the grime just as quickly.


Green line is the boundary line where I couldn’t quite reach the corner with the polisher.


The difference should be quite obvious

 
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GravyMonster said:
What's your process for applying the D300? I've not had the balls to try a compound on glass, but my car is getting close to needing it :cry:
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Small machine polisher + MF pads.

It’s super easy :-)

Glaco and Re-view are fine but a bit messier.

They’re a “do it before washing the car” type of process else you’ll have to wash the car again after.


At least with re-view you can wait for it to dry and buff it off with a MF, but it will work out your shoulders :P



Just sat in the car with the heater on 23 to keep the glass warmer, as the coating struggles to bond in the cold


 
Just recently bought Bilt Hamber Trace Less Glass Cleaner and 3D Bead It Up.

Both did a very good job. I'm struggling with contamination on my glass cloths. The lint fibres are back! Got some new ones on order. I do my best to keep everything separate but I just think natural dust and fluff around in the air eventually gets to them. Brushing against clothing, etc. Anywho, the 3D Bead It Up, actually went on the exterior glass well and buffed off OK. Used two cloths and made sure to buff it more than it probably needed; nothing worse thinking its clean, drive into the sun and see the smears. lol.
 
Firegod said:
Just recently bought Bilt Hamber Trace Less Glass Cleaner and 3D Bead It Up.

Both did a very good job. I'm struggling with contamination on my glass cloths. The lint fibres are back! Got some new ones on order. I do my best to keep everything separate but I just think natural dust and fluff around in the air eventually gets to them. Brushing against clothing, etc. Anywho, the 3D Bead It Up, actually went on the exterior glass well and buffed off OK. Used two cloths and made sure to buff it more than it probably needed; nothing worse thinking its clean, drive into the sun and see the smears. lol.
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It’s the static unfortunately.

Cleaning the interior first can help
 
hartgeh3 said:
Best for glass imo - https://paragonmicrofibre.com/products/fishscale-microfibre-glass-cloths
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Thanks. So far I've tried:

Chemical Guys - Glass and Window Waffle Weave Towel
Gtechniq - MF5 Power Glass Cloth
GYEON - Q²M GlassWipe EVO
CarPro - GlassFiber Towel
Mcrofbre - Crystowel Streak Free Microfibre Glass Towel
Purestar - Edge Glass Towel

Out of those I like the CarPro towels. They are not too thick so not making them hard to handle. But have a nice amount of bite as well. The Mcrofbre have quite a thick core. The Purestar towels are just nothing exciting. Thin basic cloths. I just use these for bits and bobs in doors. Cleaning windows or mirrors in the house.

My new order is:
chemicalworkz Edgeless Waffle Glass Towel.

:)
 
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MrRockliffe said:
It’s the static unfortunately.

Cleaning the interior first can help
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It probably doesn't help that others in the household use the clothes horse for hanging regular towels and dish towels etc on, whilst, I have the glass cloths freshly washed air drying. I need to get a separate clothes horse and keep it away from the other towels. Apparently I need to relax and stop fretting but when a cloth costs like a tenner a go, they are easily ruined. lol
 
Firegod said:
It probably doesn't help that others in the household use the clothes horse for hanging regular towels and dish towels etc on, whilst, I have the glass cloths freshly washed air drying. I need to get a separate clothes horse and keep it away from the other towels. Apparently I need to relax and stop fretting but when a cloth costs like a tenner a go, they are easily ruined. lol
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It’s why I’ve stopped cleaning glass with a micro fibre. It’s near impossible to keep them lint free.


Squeegee works much better :)
 
MrRockliffe said:
It’s why I’ve stopped cleaning glass with a micro fibre. It’s near impossible to keep them lint free.


Squeegee works much better :)
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Ooh really! Now that's an idea! How does the Squeegee cope with the curved windscreen? I'd imagine for side windows it works well.
 
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