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

[WJA96]

Hey, I've been looking at the Bilt Hamber products and I'd like to try their Touch-Less snow foam as it says it has corrosion inhibitors. Which sounds like a nice thing to have! But the whole process of finding out how much to use seems complicated and I just wondered would I do any damage if I just mixed in like an inch of product into my snow foam bottle. Does it have to be so precise? Or is there anyone who uses it can give a general rule of thumb i.e. 200ml in a 1l bottle.

I’ve used it with 3 different pressure washers, a Kränzle K7, Kränzle K10 and Kränzle D10, all with MJJC Foam Cannon Pro v2 and while I personally don’t see the issue with timing emptying a full foam cannon into a bucket and measuring the volume so it’s absolutely correct for your equipment, if you have the orifice wide open on the Venturi it’s basically 60/40 water and Touch Less in the foam cannon. You use a lot of it if you mix the PIR correctly. Our cars are not pampered at all. We use Touch Less, then wash with Auto Wash and Last Touch goes on a 1 sachet for 1 container in the Foam Cannon. And they get that weekly. And yes, I know it says not more than once per month but I’ve not seen any ‘rivulets’ on the glass which apparently is what the issue is. I also don’t spray it on the windscreen.

 

[Firegod]

I'm sure there's evangelists who'll tell you you need to work out out PIR to 3 decimal places. Personally, IDGAF. Life's too short for that one. Just chuck BH auto foam in a bottle and spray it on the car. If you've got a lance that allows you to adjust the water/soap ratio, set it so that it's thick enough to cling to the car for a few minutes. If it's winter and the car's covered in salt, use more. If it's summer and the car's just a bit dusty, use less.

Job done.

I’ve used it with 3 different pressure washers, a Kränzle K7, Kränzle K10 and Kränzle D10, all with MJJC Foam Cannon Pro v2 and while I personally don’t see the issue with timing emptying a full foam cannon into a bucket and measuring the volume so it’s absolutely correct for your equipment, if you have the orifice wide open on the Venturi it’s basically 60/40 water and Touch Less in the foam cannon. You use a lot of it if you mix the PIR correctly. Our cars are not pampered at all. We use Touch Less, then wash with Auto Wash and Last Touch goes on a 1 sachet for 1 container in the Foam Cannon. And they get that weekly. And yes, I know it says not more than once per month but I’ve not seen any ‘rivulets’ on the glass which apparently is what the issue is. I also don’t spray it on the windscreen.

Thanks both. Yeah I use an MJJC Foam Canon as well, but the S V3.0 model. Thanks for backing up what I was thinking, just go with what looks / works right and gives a good amount of cling for a few minutes. I think I'll go ahead and give it a try once my Avalanche Snow Foam is finished.

 

[Firegod]

I foolishly tried to rub off some large geese poop from my dad's car with wet wipes. It was baked on really well. And inevitably I scratched the paint work! So spent about 5 hours today with the polisher going over the wing and the door and in the end, gave the car a good detail.

Hopefully you can see the scratches in the pictures.

I used a mixture of pads and polishes. Chem Guys Hex logic green and orange pads and the V36 and V38. Then did a final finish polish with their white pad.

If you get up close you can still see some marks but looking at the car normally, you can't tell.

And then because the rest of the car was dirty I then did snowfoam (Avalanche), wash (AutoGlym), aqua coat (Gyeon) and then a wax (Alchemy Supernova).

Pizza is now on order and beer in fridge.

 

[Janesy B]

Hey, I've been looking at the Bilt Hamber products and I'd like to try their Touch-Less snow foam as it says it has corrosion inhibitors. Which sounds like a nice thing to have! But the whole process of finding out how much to use seems complicated and I just wondered would I do any damage if I just mixed in like an inch of product into my snow foam bottle. Does it have to be so precise? Or is there anyone who uses it can give a general rule of thumb i.e. 200ml in a 1l bottle.

You can eyeball it if you want, the recommended PIR is just something to work from. I did work it out properly and then promptly forgot.

 

[MrRockliffe]

You can eyeball it if you want, the recommended PIR is just something to work from. I did work it out properly and then promptly forgot.

I’ve actually been thinking about this recently. Industry standard way is to fill snow foam lance with 1L water, empty entire contents into bucket(s) and the measure 4% of the total water you have.


If it has taken 14L to empty the 1L water from snow foam, then you need 560ml.



However


My snow foam bottle, when filled with snow foam, empties significantly quicker than with water. I can do about a whole car with a bottle, where as it takes seemingly ages to empty the water into a bucket.



I don’t think it works to calculate it as above.


I’ve started just putting in 200ml, and not only is it just as powerful for cleaning, I’m finding my coatings remain active for longer, and it’s about 3 times cheaper per wash.

 

[photoshop]

Hoping for some help on this issue...

Everybody knows when you clean your wheels and alloys the brake discs turn a rusty orange colour which is normal.

However, is there anyway to stop this as after cleaning, when you next drive the car, that orange brake dust ends up all over the alloys?

You can see it on the brake discs on the Volvo above as an example.

 

[MrRockliffe]

Hoping for some help on this issue...

Everybody knows when you clean your wheels and alloys the brake discs turn a rusty orange colour which is normal.

However, is there anyway to stop this as after cleaning, when you next drive the car, that orange brake dust ends up all over the alloys?

You can see it on the brake discs on the Volvo above as an example.

Have never seen the “orange brake dust” on my wheels.


It’s just the steel disc oxidising. If it bothers you, once the car is clean, take out for a quick drive and do some braking. It’ll get rid of it

 

[GravyMonster]

Have never seen the “orange brake dust” on my wheels.

Same. The brakes will oxidise due to the water, and come off immediately as soon as any pressure is applied, but I've never had an issue with it 'sticking' to the wheels. Normally it just comes of as the car goes fat enough to dislodge it.

On a similar topic, what recommendations do people have for keeping gloss black wheels looking loss black? Whenever I wash the wife's car, which has gloss black painted on some spokes and the barrels, the finish fades as the car dries. By the time I'm finished they look almost matt again - this is before I've even moved the car for the wheels to get any brake dust or dirt on them.

 

[Jase]

Can anyone recommend a decent cordless handheld vacuum for general interior, carpets etc. I usually use the home cleaner but I’d rather have something more portable. Not looking to pay a fortune though, if there is something decent say £60 bracket, unless it’s worth paying more?

 

[ShiWarrior]

Can anyone recommend a decent cordless handheld vacuum for general interior, carpets etc. I usually use the home cleaner but I’d rather have something more portable. Not looking to pay a fortune though, if there is something decent say £60 bracket, unless it’s worth paying more?

wait for it to drop in price again

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B9447P5P/?coliid=I1OR944I0DN1F3&colid=15FRFL8T36IHR&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it

 

[Mekrel]

Hoping for some help on this issue...

Everybody knows when you clean your wheels and alloys the brake discs turn a rusty orange colour which is normal.

However, is there anyway to stop this as after cleaning, when you next drive the car, that orange brake dust ends up all over the alloys?

You can see it on the brake discs on the Volvo above as an example.

You can try Bilt Hamber atom mac at 5% dilution.

 

[Jase]

wait for it to drop in price again

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B9447P5P/?coliid=I1OR944I0DN1F3&colid=15FRFL8T36IHR&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Cheers, that looks pretty good but seems to be for spot cleaning. Definetly something I'd like but don't think it's what I'm looking for atm.

Does it drop in price often?

 

[ShiWarrior]

i dont keep an eye on the price, but yeah its amazon, they drop now and again

 

[kona786]

Can anyone recommend a decent cordless handheld vacuum for general interior, carpets etc. I usually use the home cleaner but I’d rather have something more portable. Not looking to pay a fortune though, if there is something decent say £60 bracket, unless it’s worth paying more?

Drops to about 80 in the sales. I've had one for years

BLACK+DECKER PD1820L-GB PD1820L Handheld Vacuum, 1700 W, Dark Titanium https://amzn.eu/d/bcBr7Py

 

[ShiWarrior]

Drops to about 80 in the sales. I've had one for years

BLACK+DECKER PD1820L-GB PD1820L Handheld Vacuum, 1700 W, Dark Titanium https://amzn.eu/d/bcBr7Py

ive currently got that one, still going from 2016 !

in fact i now need to place the default tool (the one with the brush) somehow

 

[Jase]

Drops to about 80 in the sales. I've had one for years

BLACK+DECKER PD1820L-GB PD1820L Handheld Vacuum, 1700 W, Dark Titanium https://amzn.eu/d/bcBr7Py

That looks a bit more like it, thanks

 

[Magic_x_uk]

Hi.

Got a new(ish) car recently.

Would like to actually take care of this inside and out (leather)

My classic approach is bucket, sponge, car shampoo & hot water.

What actual products do I need please without spending a fortune, i have no intention of polishing it with a polisher etc. Just to keep it looking presentable.

Thanks

 

[pigeonguyuk]

Hi.

Got a new(ish) car recently.

Would like to actually take care of this inside and out (leather)

My classic approach is bucket, sponge, car shampoo & hot water.

What actual products do I need please without spending a fortune, i have no intention of polishing it with a polisher etc. Just to keep it looking presentable.

Thanks

You are doing more damage to the car than just leaving it dirty unfortunately.

If you don't use a 2/3 bucket method then you are damaging the paintwork. Going to a £5 carwash etc is also doing the same

Some great videos for learning here

Watch Archives

Watch our latest videos, hear straight from our detailing specialists at Autobrite Direct and learn how to get fantastic results every time.

www.autobritedirect.co.uk

Would highly recommend a basics course > Only 1 hour drive from you and worth every penny. https://www.autobritedirect.co.uk/product/detailing-group-training-day/

Alternatively check https://www.autobritedirect.co.uk/detailers/ look for a local car Detailer to do monthly maintenance washes for you

 

[lordrobs]

Hi.

Got a new(ish) car recently.

Would like to actually take care of this inside and out (leather)

My classic approach is bucket, sponge, car shampoo & hot water.

What actual products do I need please without spending a fortune, i have no intention of polishing it with a polisher etc. Just to keep it looking presentable.

Thanks

I think a good old fashioned bucket wash is fine TBH as long as you give the car a good soaking with the hose first off.

I'd say bin the sponge and get yourself a wash mitt. Add another bucket so you rinse the dirty mit in one and keep the other with just clean soapy water in it. I'd also invest in a pack of microfibre towels (you can NEVER have enough of these!) and an easy last stage wax / sealant. I've fairly consistently used Wax It Wet and Simoniz Fast Wax (may not be called that...) and both do a good job of applying a quick top up of carnauba wax with a quick squirt before drying. There are plenty of newer options that do the same but with ceramic instead of wax.

 

[hartgeh3]

Can anyone recommend a decent cordless handheld vacuum for general interior, carpets etc. I usually use the home cleaner but I’d rather have something more portable. Not looking to pay a fortune though, if there is something decent say £60 bracket, unless it’s worth paying more?

Beldray Airlite BEL01096 about 35 quid - I have a similar one and its been spot on for small jobs, home and car.