*** The Car Cleaning Thread ***

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some of mine, guess you need to try a few and see what you get on with and what works

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The Chemist said:
Nice, clean engine bay. What did you use to clean it btw?
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Thanks


AutoSmart G101 sprayed on and left for 5 mins or so then agitated with:
Household Scrubbing brush for tougher areas to start with
ValetPro Brush for more sensitive / tighter areas

Rinsed off while engine running with a watering can then

AG Vinyl and Bumper Care sprayed on whilst wet and engine running idling for 5 min and left to shine baby shine
 
Ok, I have to admit that I am pretty overwhelmed about this hidden art of cleaning ones car. It must have been over five years since I washed my own car. I just take it to the local £10 inside and outside and the job is done. However, I started to notice faint lines on my previous car's windscreen so I won't be going there the car I bought a few weeks ago.

The two bucket "trick" is certainly a great idea. But, in terms of the rest, I'm a bit lost to be perfectly honest!
 
zpos said:
Ok, I have to admit that I am pretty overwhelmed about this hidden art of cleaning ones car. It must have been over five years since I washed my own car. I just take it to the local £10 inside and outside and the job is done. However, I started to notice faint lines on my previous car's windscreen so I won't be going there the car I bought a few weeks ago.

The two bucket "trick" is certainly a great idea. But, in terms of the rest, I'm a bit lost to be perfectly honest!
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Plenty of guides here

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=178
 
zpos said:
Ok, I have to admit that I am pretty overwhelmed about this hidden art of cleaning ones car. It must have been over five years since I washed my own car. I just take it to the local £10 inside and outside and the job is done. However, I started to notice faint lines on my previous car's windscreen so I won't be going there the car I bought a few weeks ago.

The two bucket "trick" is certainly a great idea. But, in terms of the rest, I'm a bit lost to be perfectly honest!
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Basics are: wash (Clay annually) - polish - wax

Deep down though, its a little more complicated.

Have a watch on this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaliWjVKwnA&feature=related

Part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_SSci7nMPg&feature=relmfu
 
Gtiracer said:
Thanks


AutoSmart G101 sprayed on and left for 5 mins or so then agitated with:
Household Scrubbing brush for tougher areas to start with
ValetPro Brush for more sensitive / tighter areas

Rinsed off while engine running with a watering can then

AG Vinyl and Bumper Care sprayed on whilst wet and engine running idling for 5 min and left to shine baby shine
Click to expand...

Thanks mate, I'm assuming you covered up all the electrical stuff in the engine bay (battery, external fuse box etc) before cleaning?
 
zpos said:
Thanks for these videos. Looks like I need to go and buy some products. Never even heard of the clay thing before now!

Neil777, thanks for that link too.
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There are a few must dos and don'ts

1 - micro fibre ! not your old socks to clean the car. Although I want a wool mitt
2 - 2 buckets, one with shampoo, one with clean water.
3 - take off all rings, watches and wear something with no metal on you (belts or jeans), so put one some old T-shirt and tracksuit bottoms. Last thing you want is scratch your car from merely leaning on it whilst washing the roof
4 - when you wax, do at least 2 layers.
 
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MisChief said:
Clay annually and must do 2 layers of wax?! Really Linda?? :p
With the amount of mileage I do + a white car, claying once a year is not enough!
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If you put on a proper coat and wash and wax regularly then it'll be fine!

I do 10k a year and last wash it still came out really well. It rained today and the rain drops still bleeds on the paint work :)

I am going to put 3 layers of wax on next time though!
 
So the videos, recommend a polish before you wash. So is my understanding correct:
1) 2 buckets - check already have
2) Soft mitten - wool mitten is preferred. Need to get
3) Car shampoo - need to get
4) Bug cleaner spray thing - need to get
4a) Clay - need to get but only need to do annually (glad someone pointed that out!)
5) Polish - need to get
6) Wax - need to get
7) Alloy wheels cleaning brush - need to get
8) Alloy wheels cleaner spray - need to get
9) Several micro fibre cloths -need to get

So, yah, armed with me two buckets I think I'm set - not!

I take it people just don't go to Halfords and pay top dollar? What online shops do people use? Seeing that I need a job lot, may as well shop around. A non-rainy day isn't scheduled for at least a couple of days!
 
Halford prices isn't bad when you take advantage of their 3 for 2 offer, it works out similar to online prices, buying single products alone is more expensive than online though.
 
The Chemist said:
Thanks mate, I'm assuming you covered up all the electrical stuff in the engine bay (battery, external fuse box etc) before cleaning?
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Nope, just be sensible, plus pretty much everything is covered up with plastic anyway in my case, as you'll see the battery already has its own box - avoided the alternator and keep the engine running so must have the water evaporates soon enough anyway.

If you have less plastics could be a different matter but most modern engines will be fine as long you:

a)don't pour too much on one spot

b)keep the water moving across from side to side quickly (I used a sprinkler attachment on end of watering can)

c)Keep engine running
 
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