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

[Bint Box]

Just wondering whether anyone here has any experience of getting rid of the smell of cigarette smoke from a car with a cloth interior? I bought it in December 2022, and because it was freezing cold that day, I didn’t notice. It was only months later when the weather started to warm up that smell became apparent. I’ve taken the car to a commercial car wash a few times and had a mini valet, tried using a few sprays, car shampoos that I’ve picked up from Halfords, but it still persists.

Are there any products anyone could recommend to try and get rid of it? I’ve not been too bothered about it as it was a 2nd car, and hasn’t really seen much use, but I’m looking to sell it on and downsize, so I’d like to sort it if I can.

Cheers!

I seem to recall watching a youtube video from a dealer where they had the interior "ozonised" by a valeting service or possibly an outlet used by the valeting service? I think the car needed a day or two for the ozone smell to disperse but it supposedly does the job.

 

[The Funktopus]

All he's doing is removing ash and wiping down the surfaces. Spraying the footwell won't do anything. The OP has had the car for almost 2 years now - it needs a proper deodorising, etc.

As I say, I’ve tried a few things, and I’ve thought in the past that I’ve sorted it. Then, when it gets above a certain temperature, or the sun’s coming through the glass at a certain angle, it seems to come back. It’s absolutely maddening!

I’ll change the cabin air filter, and perhaps consider taking the hit of paying for a full professional valet, and then try one of those odour bombs.

 

[mjt]

As I say, I’ve tried a few things, and I’ve thought in the past that I’ve sorted it. Then, when it gets above a certain temperature, or the sun’s coming through the glass at a certain angle, it seems to come back. It’s absolutely maddening!

I’ll change the cabin air filter, and perhaps consider taking the hit of paying for a full professional valet, and then try one of those odour bombs.

I'd do the airdivox before forking out for a full valet. just park your car up in the shade for 12-24 hours or so and then air it thoroughly. I'd consider getting it done professionally if they use an ozone thingy

 

[MissChief]

Used some of my existing Meguiars Gold Class car shampoo with the new pressure washer my mum got which had an attachment for it and the results were really poor. No real foam at all, just slightly soapy water. I'm unsure if it's the attachment or the gold class shampoo which is really good for suds with a wash mitt, but apparently not so good with a pressure washer. What's a good pH neutral snowfoam to get?

 

[Sparky]

You wont get foam with shampoo, I use Autoglym Polar Blast and a MJJC V3 Foam Cannon.

 

[Mekrel]

That attachment doesn't look like a foam cannon either, that looks more like just a soaping bottle.

I personally wouldn't use a PH neutral snow foam either, they're pretty pointless and counter intuitive. If your pre-wash is poor, the panels are not as clean as they could be before the contact wash.

Bilt Hamber Touch-Less is my go to.

 

[ShiWarrior]

You wont get foam with shampoo, I use Autoglym Polar Blast and a MJJC V3 Foam Cannon.

That attachment doesn't look like a foam cannon either, that looks more like just a soaping bottle.

I personally wouldn't use a PH neutral snow foam either, they're pretty pointless and counter intuitive. If your pre-wash is poor, the panels are not as clean as they could be before the contact wash.

Bilt Hamber Touch-Less is my go to.

i also agree here too

shampoo is not a pre wash or foam product and change your attachments to use a stubby gun and a foam cannon, what pressure washer is it so we can look at changing the lance over to a quick connect system perhaps

MJCC foam cannon + BH TouchLess then and your good to go

 

[MissChief]

i also agree here too

shampoo is not a pre wash or foam product and change your attachments to use a stubby gun and a foam cannon, what pressure washer is it so we can look at changing the lance over to a quick connect system perhaps

MJCC foam cannon + BH TouchLess then and your good to go

It's a cheap Pressure washer from Screwfix I think, one of their own brands. The attachments wouldn't work with my mums old Karcher lances as they were too big. Will look into the BH TouchLess or Autoglym Polar Blast.

 

[Sparky]

You can get adapters easy enough.

 

[ShiWarrior]

It's a cheap Pressure washer from Screwfix I think, one of their own brands. The attachments wouldn't work with my mums old Karcher lances as they were too big. Will look into the BH TouchLess or Autoglym Polar Blast.

Hoses for Titan

Directhoses for replacement pressure washer hoses compatible with major brands such as Karcher, Nilfisk, also offering useful accessories.

www.directhoses.net

i emailed them when i was not sure what i could do with my pressure washer i had, and they directed me to the correct kit

 

[MissChief]

https://www.toolstation.com/hawksmoor-high-pressure-washer/p44787 Turns out it's from Toolstation. Their Hawksmoor brand.

 

[ShiWarrior]

https://www.toolstation.com/hawksmoor-high-pressure-washer/p44787 Turns out it's from Toolstation. Their Hawksmoor brand.

ok, well i would send an email to DirectHoses, they reply within 24Hours, they are very good and im sure they will help you

 

[MissChief]

ok, well i would send an email to DirectHoses, they reply within 24Hours, they are very good and im sure they will help you

I think the hose is fine, the trigger and lance has the different size connectors. I ordered some proper snow foam so we’ll see what happens with this.

 

[ShiWarrior]

I think the hose is fine, the trigger and lance has the different size connectors. I ordered some proper snow foam so we’ll see what happens with this.

they do lances too, so you can change the whole set up

 

[silverblack]

https://www.toolstation.com/hawksmoor-high-pressure-washer/p44787 Turns out it's from Toolstation. Their Hawksmoor brand.

There is a big thread on detailing world about the brand.May give you some pointers.

Mental block on which short gun adapter

www.detailingworld.co.uk

 

[dannyjo22]

That attachment doesn't look like a foam cannon either, that looks more like just a soaping bottle.

I personally wouldn't use a PH neutral snow foam either, they're pretty pointless and counter intuitive. If your pre-wash is poor, the panels are not as clean as they could be before the contact wash.

Bilt Hamber Touch-Less is my go to.

Yeah I just finished watching this last night, I quite like his channel while I learn to take better care of my cars:

I have a Nilfisk C110 which I've had for years running well. Can I get adapters for that for a better foam cannon? I have the nilfisk one but is pretty poor.

Microfibre cloths I have pretty much always bought the halfords multipacks, any recommendations?

Lastly any webites people use to buy their chemicals other than amazon? I'm just about to buy a lot of stuff from in2detail and curious if there's anywhere else worth using.

 

[Mekrel]

I think it's worth remembering that for pre-washes, you need something on either the alkaline or acidic side of the pH scale purely because you're not agitating anything. That's why pH shampoos are fine, you're breaking the bonds using the energy from mechanical movement/agitation.

Stores I tend to use:
Clean and Shiny
Slims Detailing (they're the distributor for Koch Chemie)
CleanYourCar
Ultimate Finish

 

[ShiWarrior]

in2detailing is another

 

[ShiWarrior]

Been doing this for many years now, and ive been constantly learning new things every day and im trying to make things easy/simple as possible

so im currently in the process or putting a shopping cart together to help me clean more efficiently and take out the hard work

as my car is 100 - 200 yards away , i have to carry all my stuff over to the car, can be a real pain.

so im currently looking at this lot :

Carbon Collective XL Duffle Bag – 48L

Our Carbon Collective Duffle bag is ideal for detailers who need to transport or store a large amount of detailing products.The design consists of two seperate bags, when zipped together have a combined size of 48 litres.The huge 48 litre capacity is big enough to hold the following items: –...

www.in2detailing.co.uk

to carry over my shoulder, then i can carry water in my hands better

also want to change the way i clean my wheels and front grill etc

so i will be getting this brush :

Diy Detail Soft Flagged Tip Wash Brush (Green)

The Flagged Tip Wheel & Body Brush is safe to use on all painted surfaces. Premium, medium-soft, nylon bristles built for washing and scrubbing. The spaced out bristles of the Wheel & Body Brush provide a flagged tip for extended coverage for the exterior surfaces being treated. Gentle, yet...

www.in2detailing.co.uk

as i have one of those Gyon small brushes for the tyres ill be ditching it as my hands are too big to hold on to it, its rather cumbersome to use, real faff, ive got barrel brushes that i use currently

not sure what to do my tyre dressing, usually use a MF cloth or brush but i might get the tyre version of the above :

Diy Detail Tire (Tyre) Shine Brush (Black/White)

The Medium Soft Wash Brush is ideal for deep cleaning while still handling sensitive surfaces with delicacy. Built similar to the Flagged Tip Wheel & Body Brush but with slightly shorter bristles to add some strength. Available in both 8" and 18". Sold Individually

www.in2detailing.co.uk

or will this be ok for dressing?

in2Detailing Tyre Brush

An ergonomically designed Tyre Brush designed to deep cleans tyres, ridding them of dirt, grime and previously applied dressings. Its lightweight design and stiff nylon bristles ensure maximum scrubbing power with minimal user effort. There is nothing more appealing on a detailed vehicle than a...

www.in2detailing.co.uk

and im out of glass cleaner , so the best on the market :

Bilt Hamber Trace-Less Glass Cleaner

Traditionally formulated glass cleaners contain non-evaporating surfactants and soaps (that wet and clean) plus glycols, perfumes and dyes. During cleaning these can be left behind causing stubborn streaking and smearing. Bilt-Hamber Laboratories use unique super-wetting, 100% evaporating...

www.in2detailing.co.uk

thoughts?

 

[MrRockliffe]

Been doing this for many years now, and ive been constantly learning new things every day and im trying to make things easy/simple as possible

so im currently in the process or putting a shopping cart together to help me clean more efficiently and take out the hard work

as my car is 100 - 200 yards away , i have to carry all my stuff over to the car, can be a real pain.

so im currently looking at this lot :

Carbon Collective XL Duffle Bag – 48L

Our Carbon Collective Duffle bag is ideal for detailers who need to transport or store a large amount of detailing products.The design consists of two seperate bags, when zipped together have a combined size of 48 litres.The huge 48 litre capacity is big enough to hold the following items: –...

www.in2detailing.co.uk

to carry over my shoulder, then i can carry water in my hands better

also want to change the way i clean my wheels and front grill etc

so i will be getting this brush :

Diy Detail Soft Flagged Tip Wash Brush (Green)

The Flagged Tip Wheel & Body Brush is safe to use on all painted surfaces. Premium, medium-soft, nylon bristles built for washing and scrubbing. The spaced out bristles of the Wheel & Body Brush provide a flagged tip for extended coverage for the exterior surfaces being treated. Gentle, yet...

www.in2detailing.co.uk

I use a mother’s wheel brush. Good for larger, thicker alloys.

Wheel mitt if you have multiple thinner spokes.

as i have one of those Gyon small brushes for the tyres ill be ditching it as my hands are too big to hold on to it, its rather cumbersome to use, real faff, ive got barrel brushes that i use currently

Detail factory brush is excellent for tyres.

not sure what to do my tyre dressing, usually use a MF cloth or brush but i might get the tyre version of the above :

Diy Detail Tire (Tyre) Shine Brush (Black/White)

The Medium Soft Wash Brush is ideal for deep cleaning while still handling sensitive surfaces with delicacy. Built similar to the Flagged Tip Wheel & Body Brush but with slightly shorter bristles to add some strength. Available in both 8" and 18". Sold Individually

www.in2detailing.co.uk

or will this be ok for dressing?

in2Detailing Tyre Brush

An ergonomically designed Tyre Brush designed to deep cleans tyres, ridding them of dirt, grime and previously applied dressings. Its lightweight design and stiff nylon bristles ensure maximum scrubbing power with minimal user effort. There is nothing more appealing on a detailed vehicle than a...

www.in2detailing.co.uk

Gel type dressings - sponge

Water based dressings - soft brush (CarPro Darkside type)

and im out of glass cleaner , so the best on the market :

Bilt Hamber Trace-Less Glass Cleaner

Traditionally formulated glass cleaners contain non-evaporating surfactants and soaps (that wet and clean) plus glycols, perfumes and dyes. During cleaning these can be left behind causing stubborn streaking and smearing. Bilt-Hamber Laboratories use unique super-wetting, 100% evaporating...

www.in2detailing.co.uk

Yes it’s very good

thoughts?