Cleaning your vehicle

[HC1]

I've been reading the wash/detailing thread and came to the conclusion you lads and lasses must all have OCD

I like to keep my vehicles clean with a trip to the drive-through or self service jet-wash or manned car-wash as necessary but waxing, polishing, and detailing, is next level madness to me. How do you guys cope in Autumn, Winter, and Spring, when there's varying degrees of sludge and filth on the roads/motorways? You must be cleaning your vehicles almost everyday

 

[kaku]

Wax and other protections stop the worst of the grime from sticking, so a quick rinse or snow foam goes a long way if you've done the prep work.

 

[Grim5]

Well the main reason for not using a car wash is that your paint will be full of scratches and swirl marks and the only way to avoid that is to clean it yourself using micro fibre cloth and correct washing technique and if the paint is already scratched then it can be removed by doing a cut and Polish

 

[Iamzod]

I've been reading the wash/detailing thread and came to the conclusion you lads and lasses must all have OCD

I like to keep my vehicles clean with a trip to the drive-through or self service jet-wash or manned car-wash as necessary but waxing, polishing, and detailing, is next level madness to me. How do you guys cope in Autumn, Winter, and Spring, when there's varying degrees of sludge and filth on the roads/motorways? You must be cleaning your vehicles almost everyday

Once a week.

Drive through car washes just cause damage.

 

[HC1]

Well the main reason for not using a car wash is that your paint will be full of scratches and swirl marks and the only way to avoid that is to clean it yourself using micro fibre cloth and correct washing technique and if the paint is already scratched then it can be removed by doing a cut and Polish

I know many years ago drive through car washes used to use stiff brushes on the rollers that damaged paintwork over time but most lately seem to use a soft flannel type material that slaps the crap off rather than scrub it ?

 

[HC1]

Once a week.

Drive through car washes just cause damage.

Even the ones that don't use bristles on the rollers ?

 

[dave28]

i dont use wax or polish much, i use sealant and it makes the car easier to wash since things have a very hard time sticking to it properly

if you dont use anything then that is fine but its not madness to at least make some efforts.

of course some people take it way too far but that happens with everything

 

[throwaway4372]

I don't do the OCD thing. If dirty then bucket + sponge.

 

[Iamzod]

Even the ones that don't use bristles on the rollers ?

Yep, we've got an old Octavia that's been through those & to get the paint up to standard it really needs the roof respraying imo.

Besides, if you get a proper wax & polish done by hand once every 6 months, then an actual weekly wash takes all of 30 minutes as everything just slides off pretty much.

 

[HC1]

sealant

What is this witchcraft you speak of and how much effort is required to use/apply it? Bear in mind I only ever buy vehicles from new and replace shortly after the warranty ends or the mileage gets iffy...

 

[Tykey]

for years i was just using a bucket n sponge + bathroom towel to dry. after reading the detailing thread on here i now use an anti-grit bucket, microfiber washing mit, microfiber drying towel. but i don't wax or polish.

 

[Iamzod]

What is this witchcraft you speak of and how much effort is required to use/apply it? Bear in mind I only ever buy vehicles from new and replace shortly after the warranty ends or the mileage gets iffy...

You can get ones that you simply spray on once a month like Autoglym Polar Seal.

 

[dave28]

What is this witchcraft you speak of and how much effort is required to use/apply it? Bear in mind I only ever buy vehicles from new and replace shortly after the warranty ends or the mileage gets iffy...

Well there is old fashioned wax, there is hybrids which are a mix of wax / sealant and then there are sealants.

There are also fancy expensive ceramic stuff that people pay a fortune to a specialist to apply and it is meant to be semi permanent.

I mostly use sealants, there is pros and cons of each type but in short sealants last longer than wax in general and depending on the brand and your timing of wiping it off and how thin you can lay it on, they can be very easy to use.

People say sealant dont have the glow or whatever of wax but im not too bothered myself.

If you go to a detailing product website, they should have categories of products.
Just find the sealant section and look at the reviews for real world feedback about ease of use and if they last or not etc.

 

[Feek]

If you wish to discuss car cleaning, there's no need for another thread belittling those who like to keep their vehicles clean. Post in the existing thread.