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

This is likely a daft question, but is there a difference between TFR and snow foam?

Which is generally considered to be most effective at loosening and removing surface dirt/grime?

TFR is a commercial grade chemical, if it's not diluted properly it can stain paint and etch trims. Another reason to avoid car washes. It's designed to strip off as much dirt as possible without dwelling to save time washing vans and such, of you just add some citrus pre wash or APC to snow foam it'll give it some more 'bite'.
 
TFR is a commercial grade chemical, if it's not diluted properly it can stain paint and etch trims. Another reason to avoid car washes. It's designed to strip off as much dirt as possible without dwelling to save time washing vans and such, of you just add some citrus pre wash or APC to snow foam it'll give it some more 'bite'.

Cheers, going by the replies here on TFR, I'll stick with snowfoam. Currently using AG Polar Blast but have a tub of the Halfords Advanced stuff to try next as it was on offer last time I was in store so I grabbed a pack of it.

Interested to try as you suggest, adding some citrus pre-wash or APC - any in particular you would suggest/recommend? I usually wash my car using a three stage method - AG Polar Blast, AG Polar Wash then finally AG Polar Seal. Then dry off using microfibre towels. But that all takes time and at this time of year when the car gets dirty much quicker (also depending on the weather) it would be nice to be able to just rinse off with water, apply some sort of 'solution' to the car, leave for a few minutes then rinse off, getting the worst of the crap off and saving time rather than go through the full 3 stage treatment that I would usually do.

Quite demoralising doing the full three stage thing, drying the car off then popping to the shops for a 5 minute drive and by the time you get home the damn car is filthy again, due to the crud on the roads!!!
 
Cheers, going by the replies here on TFR, I'll stick with snowfoam. Currently using AG Polar Blast but have a tub of the Halfords Advanced stuff to try next as it was on offer last time I was in store so I grabbed a pack of it.

Interested to try as you suggest, adding some citrus pre-wash or APC - any in particular you would suggest/recommend? I usually wash my car using a three stage method - AG Polar Blast, AG Polar Wash then finally AG Polar Seal. Then dry off using microfibre towels. But that all takes time and at this time of year when the car gets dirty much quicker (also depending on the weather) it would be nice to be able to just rinse off with water, apply some sort of 'solution' to the car, leave for a few minutes then rinse off, getting the worst of the crap off and saving time rather than go through the full 3 stage treatment that I would usually do.

Quite demoralising doing the full three stage thing, drying the car off then popping to the shops for a 5 minute drive and by the time you get home the damn car is filthy again, due to the crud on the roads!!!


 
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TFR is a commercial grade chemical, if it's not diluted properly it can stain paint and etch trims. Another reason to avoid car washes. It's designed to strip off as much dirt as possible without dwelling to save time washing vans and such, of you just add some citrus pre wash or APC to snow foam it'll give it some more 'bite'.
My Leon was washed as part of a main dealer service and came back with a weird permanent water drop pattern on the roof bars and a patch of paint that no longer felt glossy. I wonder if that was due to the work experience boy being let loose with the TFR?!

If it had been my own car I'd have been fuming.
 
My Leon was washed as part of a main dealer service and came back with a weird permanent water drop pattern on the roof bars and a patch of paint that no longer felt glossy. I wonder if that was due to the work experience boy being let loose with the TFR?!

If it had been my own car I'd have been fuming.

id like to get something strong too, but not THAT strong!

would Forst X be like that ?
 
My Leon was washed as part of a main dealer service and came back with a weird permanent water drop pattern on the roof bars and a patch of paint that no longer felt glossy. I wonder if that was due to the work experience boy being let loose with the TFR?!

If it had been my own car I'd have been fuming.

Have had that on a few occasions, plastic wheel nuts peppered in white spots due to Acidic Wheel Cleaners.

Had to replace them!

After learning my lesson I often ask them not to wash my vehicle anymore, always try to ensure it goes in clean too as they tend to drape things over the bonnet as they carry out work inflicting micro scratches.
 
wkCmIjG.jpg


Simple and (cost)effective.
 
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It goes on the trim kick plates too and can be used as a trim gel for the door panels but overall I just like the satin finish it leaves on the tyres (matte on trims once buffed with a MF). Also not too expensive at £12.99. The whole lot came to £30, so yeah cost effective for good quality stuff :p
 
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So you come out to leave for work and a bird has crapped all over your car. Is there any instant type cleaner you use as a quick fix
 
Anyone used TW flex wax in wet form. Spray and rinse? Did it have decent endurance... A month at least?
 
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TFR is a commercial grade chemical, if it's not diluted properly it can stain paint and etch trims. Another reason to avoid car washes. It's designed to strip off as much dirt as possible without dwelling to save time washing vans and such, of you just add some citrus pre wash or APC to snow foam it'll give it some more 'bite'.

We have a proper truck wash jet wash machine at work and watching people "clean" their cars with it pains me. You get it on your hands you can feel the burn!
 
This is likely a daft question, but is there a difference between TFR and snow foam?

Which is generally considered to be most effective at loosening and removing surface dirt/grime?


just to bring this up again, as i think this video hit the nail on the head

Snow Foam / Citrus Pre Wash and TFR

 
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i tried a slightly different way to clean the car today (and used different products)

worked ok, car was FILTHY

Bodywork

Surfex HD diluted 1:10 for the lower half of the car in a spray bottle

Rinsed off with my battery powered sprayer as i don't have access to a hose etc

Rinseless Wash with Infinity Wax waterless wash , diluted 256:1 with my Ultra Black sponge

Dried with drying towel

Turtle Wax "Flex Wax Graphene spray" a panel at a time with a cheap microfiber cloth


Wheels

Tried brushes (barrel and lug nut types) ended up using microfiber cloth, as i found it easier

Turtle Wax "Waterless Wash and Wax" on wheels and tyres

job done

forgot pics, but before i started , i thought "that's cool" here's the roof :


vSdpCBQ.jpg
 
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A wash in the rain yesterday. Nothing special just a quick once over as the temps were bareable.

Edit. Followed up today with a full window Polish and rainX all round.

uc
 
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