Clay brick?

[Ben M]

Well my car is in desperate need of a good clean. Generally I use autoglym body shampoo in a bucket of hot water and give the whole car a wash with that (including wheels) and wash off with the hose. Then give the wheels a good scrub with the shampoo and a wheel brush thing. Then shammy the car dry.

Then (if I can still be bothered) i use autoglym high-resin polish on the front 1/3 of the car.

Now it looks beautiful, and the front of the car is polished, so the paint there is protected a little.

The next day it rains and the car looks stained again.

Now I've seen pictures of people having used clay bricks on their cars, and they look really, really shiny, better than new even.

So what's the deal with these clay bricks? How much do they cost? How long do they take to apply (to the whole car)? Do they look any better the next day, than if the car had been polised?

Cheers.

 

[Ben M]

Why do you only polish the front?

I be lazy, that polist takes ages with a cloth, too long for looking good for <24 hours =[

 

[Ben M]

thanks guys, some interesting information and articles there (ethos those 2 are great =] )

but it seems like wash+polish+clay etc etc etc could take forever, and not really be worth it, as it'll be dirty again soon (damn you british weather)

so I think I'll stick to just washing my car (I think i'll invest in a lambswool mitt) and then drying it, until such a time where I have the time/inclination to spend an afternoon beautifying my car

thanks for all the help guys =]

I have one more question though, what's the best way to get wheels nice and shiny? i've heard a lot about cleaners being too acidic and damaging your wheels, what's best to use?

 

[Ben M]

Ben M, it sounds like a lot but in total it's really only 4-5 hours work and if you wax it twice with a good wax it'll last 6 months+

so I can wax it twice a year, and the rest of the time just use shampoo? this sounds like it could suit me =p