*** The Car Cleaning Thread ***
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Cleaned the wheels with Autobrite very cherry wheel cleaner, scrubbed with a wheel brush and rinsed off.
Used the new foam lance and went round with a soft 1" brush to get into the tight spots/fuel cap.
This left some bugs on the front and some harder dirt around the arches/sills so I hit them with AF Citrus Power, left it for a bit then washed it off - did a great job.
Next was a wash with CG Body wash and wax using 2BM followed by claying.
I foamed the car again (mainly because I like it) to remove some dried soap/water, then rinsed off with an open ended hose before drying.
Lastly I applied a layer of AF Tripple AIO, AG Bumper care to the plastics and PB NLD to the tyres.
Didn't have time to apply FK1000p over tripple, will probably do this on Sunday.
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Beginner cleaner/detailer here. I currently use the following process, usually taking anywhere between 2 and 4 hours. I have yet to step into the world of claying or waxing, which is why I'm seeking advice.
1. Prewash - soak the entire car in water;
2. 2 bucket method - wash a panel with Auto Glym Shampoo;
3. 2 bucket method - rinse said panel with water;
4. 2 bucket method - dry each panel with a leather chamois;
5. Polish - polish all of the car with Auto Glym Super Resin;
6. Polish - buff all of the car with a microfiber cloth.
Then I'll move onto the interior.
My understanding is that claying will effectively remove paint contamination and waxing will add a protective layer over the paint. Daft question, but these final steps are simply to ensure the paint is as good as can be rather than making it nice and shiny?
1. Prewash - soak the entire car in water;
2. 2 bucket method - wash a panel with Auto Glym Shampoo;
3. 2 bucket method - rinse said panel with water;
4. 2 bucket method - dry each panel with a leather chamois;
5. Polish - polish all of the car with Auto Glym Super Resin;
6. Polish - buff all of the car with a microfiber cloth.
Then I'll move onto the interior.
My understanding is that claying will effectively remove paint contamination and waxing will add a protective layer over the paint. Daft question, but these final steps are simply to ensure the paint is as good as can be rather than making it nice and shiny?
Clay with remove the bonded containments, which is important to do if you are polishing because you don't want to grind these into your paint. It will leave your paint smooth like glass.
Wax will enhance the look of your car. Most importantly it will create a protective barrier over your paint making future cleaning easier as the dirt comes off easier.
You should swap your chamois for a mircofibre drying towel.
Wax will enhance the look of your car. Most importantly it will create a protective barrier over your paint making future cleaning easier as the dirt comes off easier.
You should swap your chamois for a mircofibre drying towel.
Clay
Polish
Wax
You'll need to use a lube for the clay yes, if you get the Bilt Hamber clay you can just use water. Others require a quick detailing spray in most cases.
Wax you normally apply with an applicator pad (megs do one, a round yellow sponge) and buff off with a buffing towel.
Polish
Wax
You'll need to use a lube for the clay yes, if you get the Bilt Hamber clay you can just use water. Others require a quick detailing spray in most cases.
Wax you normally apply with an applicator pad (megs do one, a round yellow sponge) and buff off with a buffing towel.
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Finally got around to using my new stuff today, snow lance, clay bar and poor boys black hole. In addition to all the washing and waxing etc my arm is knackered, can't be bothered doing all that again for a long time, though the car is bloody shiny. The clay bar didn't pull off as much dirt as I thought, though I do usually keep a good layer of wax on the car.
Spent the weekend giving the MX-5 some much needed TLC:
Roof Down
Soft Top
Hard Top
I went over it with Menzerna 85RD followed by the Blackfire's Wet Fire Over Ice kit.
It has taken out most of the swirl marks but not all of them. It has also highlighted other deeper scratches, it's a 13 year old car after all.
It really needs a proper correction with S100>85RD>85RE but I don't have the time to do three passes of the car at the moment.
Still, it's a million times better than it was on Friday.
Roof Down
Soft Top
Hard Top
I went over it with Menzerna 85RD followed by the Blackfire's Wet Fire Over Ice kit.
It has taken out most of the swirl marks but not all of them. It has also highlighted other deeper scratches, it's a 13 year old car after all.
It really needs a proper correction with S100>85RD>85RE but I don't have the time to do three passes of the car at the moment.
Still, it's a million times better than it was on Friday.
Well all my cleaning stuff has arrived, now I just need to wait for a dry day to get stuck in!
Car cleaning by Think85, on Flickr
What's the best way to use Poorboys Natural Look Dressing? Apply with a pad/mf cloth and leave, or then buff off with a mf cloth? I'm after the least shiny option!
Car cleaning by Think85, on Flickr
What's the best way to use Poorboys Natural Look Dressing? Apply with a pad/mf cloth and leave, or then buff off with a mf cloth? I'm after the least shiny option!
Caporegime
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I think mrk uses a cheap 99p shoe brush of sort? Sounds the easiest way.
EDIT - I thought you mean using the natural look on the tyres !
EDIT - I thought you mean using the natural look on the tyres !
I tried this at the weekend on my wheels and splitter. Fantastic. Best way of applying.
Finally took the plunge and got myself a rotary polisher, some 3M Perfect It pads and some Gtechniq P1 polish.
Also bought some Tardis tar and glue remover, Autobrite Smart Wheels, a bunch of new microfibre cloths and wax applicators and some PB Black Hole. Now just to find 6 hours to do it all...
Left Iron-X off the shopping list. Anyone know if it is really worth it?
Also bought some Tardis tar and glue remover, Autobrite Smart Wheels, a bunch of new microfibre cloths and wax applicators and some PB Black Hole. Now just to find 6 hours to do it all...
Left Iron-X off the shopping list. Anyone know if it is really worth it?
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Caporegime
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Why did you choose rotary over a DA? (not saying it's wrong)
p.s. and i think IronX is totally worth it.
p.s. and i think IronX is totally worth it.
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