*** The Car Cleaning Thread ***

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As above, if the car is clean and polished beneath, just get use the water from a pressure washer to get rid of the dust, most you can just put a pound in and that will last 3 minutes
 
dbmzk1 said:
So I've had my Fiesta ST for almost a week and I need to clean it, but don't have time for anything too dramatic, plus I park in a crappy semi-off road car park every day sooo...

Never really given any time to cleaning my previous car so I was wondering if this any good for basic cleaning and care?

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_821139_langId_-1_categoryId_165671
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That wheel cleaner (orange label) contains acid, when I got my wheels refurb they said don't use an acid based cleaner, it'll strip the lacquer off the wheels. Iron X looks good though.

/me waits until someone tell me I am completely wrong. :p
 
After polishing my car I rather foolishly got polish on a fair few bits of trim.

Even more foolishly I neglected to do anything about it at the time.

I've heard IPA and elbow grease are effective to a degree - anyone else got any wonder solutions to this problem?
 
LiE said:
It's likely caused by the dust on your car mixing with the rain. It's a nightmare!
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Since moving into the countryside I've noticed this a lot - never noticed it living in a town. But yes, within hours of washing the car it's covered with a fine layer of dust and as soon as it rains the car is filthy again :(
 
dbmzk1 said:
So I've had my Fiesta ST for almost a week and I need to clean it, but don't have time for anything too dramatic, plus I park in a crappy semi-off road car park every day sooo...

Never really given any time to cleaning my previous car so I was wondering if this any good for basic cleaning and care?

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_821139_langId_-1_categoryId_165671
Click to expand...

Just build up a collection yourself. The AG kits are good but you can get better for your money.
I'd recommend something along the lines of...
Valet Pro - Bilberry Wheel Cleaner (1 litre)
£8.95
Dodo Juice Sour Power Shampoo
Size 250ml Bottle £6.95
Autogylm - Car Glass Polish
£4.95
Autoglym - Instant Tyre Dressing
£6.95
Dodo Juice - Light Fantastic wax (Choose the DD variety yourself depending on car colour)
£32.50

Then get to halfords for some cloths, buckets and a mitt and you're sorted for everyday car washing really.

Works out slightly more expensive but you're getting IMO much, much better products and you can get your clay/polish etc later because as you say, you don't want anything too dramatic.
 
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He's right. Avoid acid cleaner for wheels. IronX or Wolf's Deironiser (to save money).

Also buy most of your stuff separately and you'll save money. Don't use a sponge either.

- AutoGlym Bodywork Shampoo Conditioner
- AutoGlym SRP
- Lots of microfibre towels
- Lambswool washmitt (but microfibre will do if you want to save money)
- 2 buckets (one with warm water + AG shampoo and the other with clean water to prevent you washing your car with dirty water)

You can then pick your wax of choice from a wide range of good manufacturers, you'll probably want to try a few and find which best suits you and your car. Collonite gets good reviews.
 
shoes said:
After polishing my car I rather foolishly got polish on a fair few bits of trim.

Even more foolishly I neglected to do anything about it at the time.

I've heard IPA and elbow grease are effective to a degree - anyone else got any wonder solutions to this problem?
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Yes, and I think I got it from someone on here..

Use an pencil eraser, works a treat :cool:
 
Cheers guys, going from some bits of stuff I've already got and what's available at my local Halfords, how's this looking...

Rinse (think I've got some snow foam somewhere, will use it if I have - its fun!)

Shampoo (AutoGlym Bodywork Shampoo Conditioner)

I will clean wheels with either snow foam or shampoo (I'm cheap!)

Rinse

Dry (Halfords Supersize Microfibre Drying Towel)

Polish (AutoGlym SRP)

Polish Glass (Autoglym Car Glass Polish)

Apply RainX (already got some)

Apply Autoglym Instant Tyre Dressing (found an old thing of it in the cellar!)

Wax (Don't know which yet, might not bother for now, or might just use some Autoglym Extra Gloss Protection for now as found some of that too!)
 
OK, Dr Leather and Auto Finesse Spritz applied last night!



Before:

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After:

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Oh and a couple from my phone camera just to show its no trickery :p This was after having driven it for 30 minutes too (so some grease from my hands :p)

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The difference to the steering wheel in particular is staggering, so much nicer to hold.

Took a few hours to do everything, but it is unbelievably better. Also, the smell is amazing, really leathery mixed with the amazing scent of the spritz, car feels like new inside to me now :D
 
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mrk said:
How come your steering wheel is so shiny, huh :p

royalsteeringwheels time =]
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.....i know it is in the before photos, it certainly isn't after though. No, its not new finish, but nothing will bring it back to that, and it is very, very good given it has done 71k miles now. Certainly not worth the £100+ for a wheel refurb!
 
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rhysduck said:
Looks very good stuff.. Where did you get yours from Ray? Is it expensive?
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Halfords of all places, it's under their 3 for 2 offer as well, as I bought same we wheel cleaner and sealant I thought I'd try that wax. It is about £26? Obviously the cheapest item was the free one which was the sealant.

It's not the cheapest but cheaper than AG's HD wax which is like £40.
 
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