Spec me: Cleaning kit......

Westyfield2

Westyfield2

Westyfield2

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For the below, please treat me like a total n00b who's only ever used halfords own car wash with a sponge out of a grit filled bucket and then a bottle of Turtle Wax!


We're looking at getting a pressure washer for general usage, and a decent set of car cleaning products. Using my 1337 google powers, combined with my n00b knowledge I've got to the following:


As you can see, I'm lacking:
  • Shampoo (for the bucket)
  • Something for the tyres
  • Probably more aswell as any knowledge on the subject of car cleaning!

So, does that spec look vaguely alright? And can you fill in the gaps please? :p

Also, what's with Wheel Sealants, paint sealants / protectors / finishers etc?

Basically I'm after good stuff for cleaning but not a rotary/machine polisher (wouldn't trust myself with one!)


Thanks
Ed
 
I never like wheel cleaner, waste of money imho. Just use washing up liquid.
Chemical Guys produce good tire/trim dressing that I use. Get a good applicator for it.
I like Dodo juice Born to be Mild shampoo, and carlack shampoo is also quite good.

What colour is your car? Invest in a good wax such as Collinite No. 476S. If it is dark then dodo juice Purple Haze is amazing :)
 
lordrobs said:
:confused:
Click to expand...

A lot of them are very abrasive, using either acid or sodium hydroxide, and as such cut into the laquer on the finish of the wheel. When I had my wheels refurbed the refurber said to only use water and washing up liquid. I have also heard of people using a clay bar to good effect on wheels.
 
melbourne720 said:
I never like wheel cleaner, waste of money imho. Just use washing up liquid.
Chemical Guys produce good tire/trim dressing that I use. Get a good applicator for it.
I like Dodo juice Born to be Mild shampoo, and carlack shampoo is also quite good.

What colour is your car? Invest in a good wax such as Collinite No. 476S. If it is dark then dodo juice Purple Haze is amazing :)
Click to expand...

Thanks.

I'm planning on getting a decent bit of kit that I can do all our cars with, so that's a "Le Mans Blue" 5 series touring (a real pain to clean due to the M-Sport styling!), red Clio, and a "Wicked Red" Saxo VTR. So all darker colors really. I doubt it's worth using clay and wax etc on the Westfield's Fibre Glass?
 
Last edited:
Westyfield2 said:
As you can see, I'm lacking:
  • Shampoo (for the bucket)
  • Something for the tyres
  • Probably more aswell as any knowledge on the subject of car cleaning!
Click to expand...

shampoo - meguiars shampoo plus
tyres - blackfire long lasting tyre gel

I could recommend you some polish/wax but would need a budget to work to :)
 
melbourne720 said:
A lot of them are very abrasive, using either acid or sodium hydroxide, and as such cut into the laquer on the finish of the wheel. When I had my wheels refurbed the refurber said to only use water and washing up liquid. I have also heard of people using a clay bar to good effect on wheels.
Click to expand...

Ah ok. I thought washing up liquid was to be avoided due to its high salt content and ability to strip off wax.

Wheels are a pain, you need something strong enough to shift the baked on brake dust but not so abrasive that you damage the finish.
 
lordrobs said:
Ah ok. I thought washing up liquid was to be avoided due to its high salt content and ability to strip off wax.

Wheels are a pain, you need something strong enough to shift the baked on brake dust but not so abrasive that you damage the finish.
Click to expand...

Bilberry wheel cleaner and meguiars wheel brightener are about as good (and safe) as it gets, no concentrated acid/alkaline or abrasives
 
Westyfield2 said:
  • Shampoo (for the bucket)
  • Something for the tyres
Click to expand...

Meguiars Gold Class Shampoo
Meguires High Gloss Tyre Gel

Also worth getting a Trim & Tyre Dressing applicator for the tyre gel.

I got all my stuff from CleanYourCar (Highly recommend them) but I know Halfords do a lot of Meguiars stuff so you can easily get it from there too :)


Could also be worth having another wash mitt which is used for the dirtier areas?
I have an old one which has started to become more and more grey-coloured with use over time, but rather than chuck it away I use it for my wheels, exhaust tip and any really dirty areas of bodywork before I start properly on the bodywork. Saves having a black wash mitt which will be used on the rest of the car - or breaking off form the wash to clean the mitt in question!
 
Megs hyperwash is actually a shampoo product that happens to work ok through the foam lance.

Others prefer a dedicated snowfoam product though. I myself use Valet Pro Ph Neutral snowfoam from www.cleanyourcar.co.uk.

I personal preference would be Megs Gold Class Shampoo and Ph Neutral SnowFoam as thats what i use.

Shampoos are a bit of a muchness, but i definately advise you try a dedicated snowfoam product.
 
In terms of lubricity higher end shampoo's are all quite similar, so best going for the best balance of cost/quality - this being meguiars shampoo plus. The hands down best value for money shampoo is hyperwash, a bottle lasts for literally years, but shampoo plus is a bit better as a shampoo, a bit cheaper and also lasts ages. So shampoo plus is the best balance imo
 
Thanks all :)

So changes and additions to my original spec so far are:
Left is still Wax, melbourne720 suggested Collinite 476S and this kit looks good to me? Also what's with wheel sealant?
In my OP I'd said Meguiars Detailing Clay (Mild) and Meguiars Last Touch Lube. Are they any good? It was just a random pick :D


Opinions appreciated.....
TY
Ed
 
Done a bit more thinking & looking around, and below is my final spec:


Any comments/opinions/experiences of the above?

Everything past washing the car with a grit-filled sponge is new to me, so I don't have a clue really! :p
 
Hyperwash is great for foaming and washing, and could replace the Snowfoam / Shampoo.

I would swap Wheel Brightner for Bilberry - it is much safer, and non acidic. 1litre will last for about 6 months of regular use. Maybe use Poorboys Wheel Sealant to help keep the wheels clean.

Also, swap the Megs Wheel Brush for an ez detail brush, and a detailing brush for the front of the wheels.

Depending on the cars colour, and your budget I would look at the Zaino kits.
 
Thanks :)

Sim said:
Depending on the cars colour,
Click to expand...

The idea is to get a decent bit of kit that I can do all our cars with, so that's a "Le Mans Blue" 5 series touring (M-Sport styling makes it a right pain to clean), red Renault Clio, and a "Wicked Red" Saxo VTR (and a dark green fiberglass Westfield). So a mix really but no light silvers or anything.
 
I have a couple of Silver cars, and love the zaino stuff.

With a mix like that, something like the Colly already mentioned would be really good. You could also look at Dodo Rain Forrest Rub, or maybe RaceGlaze 55 / Dodo SN v2?
 
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