*** The Car Cleaning Thread ***

[C.K]

Can isopropanol be used for stripping wax and if so by what ratio should i dilute it? If not, can anyone recommend a (cheap as pos) product i can buy to do it.

Thanks

I use Autobrite Wax off.

There is cheaper ways of removing wax though. Check out DetailingWorld.

 

[Raymond Lin]

Can isopropanol be used for stripping wax and if so by what ratio should i dilute it? If not, can anyone recommend a (cheap as pos) product i can buy to do it.

Thanks

Clay and polish will take it off.

 

[rexehuk]

Thinking of doing a full strip and clean when I get the new Z... you guys sanity check my method?

1. Water clean car
2. Soap the whole car (leave for a bit)
3. Wash with mitt & more soap
4. Clean with water
5. Dry
6. De-wax whole car with cleaner
7. Clay the entire car
8. Mask off the trims
9. Autoglym Resin polish whole car
10. Rewax

 

[Sparky]

Thinking of doing a full strip and clean when I get the new Z... you guys sanity check my method?

1. Water clean car
2. Soap the whole car (leave for a bit)
3. Wash with mitt & more soap
4. Clean with water
5. Dry
6. De-wax whole car with cleaner
7. Clay the entire car
7a. Rinse
7b. Dry
8. Mask off the trims
9. Autoglym Resin polish whole car
10. Rewax

 

[paradigm]

Thinking of doing a full strip and clean when I get the new Z... you guys sanity check my method?

1. Water clean car
2. Soap the whole car (leave for a bit)
3. Wash with mitt & more soap
4. Clean with water
5. Dry
6. De-wax whole car with cleaner
7. Clay the entire car
7a. Rinse
7b. Dry
8. Mask off the trims
9. Autoglym Resin polish whole car
10. Seal the car using something like Autoglym Extra Gloss Protection
11. Rewax

 

[rexehuk]

Arms are going to hurt after that day .

Shall be worth it in the end though... I estimate that will take me a good 3-4 hours.

 

[paradigm]

a good 3-4 hours.

And the rest! I'd budget for 6+ if you are going to clean the wheels properly and buff the exhaust

 

[rexehuk]

And the rest! I'd budget for 6+ if you are going to clean the wheels properly and buff the exhaust

Wheels just had a refurb, they're looking purdy .

Exhausts might be a good shout though... got some isoprop laying around so that might do them nicely!

 

[paradigm]

Best make sure they are properly sealed then

 

[rexehuk]

Best make sure they are properly sealed then

Haha, if I still have energy left in my forearms I shall try.

Cheers for the additions to the list, I thought people would think I was mad for stripping all the coatings off.

Don't think I'll touch the trim though, should be fine as it is (only 6 years old) and was garaged.

 

[monkeypants]

Thinking of doing a full strip and clean when I get the new Z... you guys sanity check my method?

1. Water clean car
2. Soap the whole car (leave for a bit)
3. Wash with mitt & more soap
4. Clean with water
6. De-wax whole car with cleaner
7. Clay the entire car
8. Rinse with water
9. Dry
10. Mask off the trims
11. Autoglym Resin polish whole car
12. Rewax

I wouldn't bother drying before claying as you'll just have to dry it again before polishing. What kind of wax are you using? Wax and sealant are an either/or product for LSP. A sealant might last longer, but wax will look better. AG EGP is not the greatest product but you might like it.

My external detail (without paint correction) goes like this:

1. Rinse
2. Clean wheels (not applicable to you though)
3. Snow foam and work it into the crevaces with a detailing brush
4. Rinse
5. 2 bucket wash
6. Rinse
7. De-tar lower panels with Tardis
8. De-iron whole car with Iron-X
9. Clay car
10. 2 bucket wash again
11. Rinse
12. Dry
13. Glaze
14. Wax/Seal
15. Dress trim/tyres

 

[rexehuk]

Probably using Chemical Guys - Butter Wet Wax.

I may use a de-waxing spray and then use that Iron-x you mention (unless Iron-X does both?), reviews seem good.

Then I'll clay with dodo born slippy lube and continue on as normal.

 

[paradigm]

Wax and sealant are an either/or product for LSP. A sealant might last longer, but wax will look better.

This is exactly why a large number of "detailers" wax with a soft (not as hard wearing or long lasting, but far better beading) wax after sealing.

I certainly do, but it's personal preference.

 

[rexehuk]

I was planning to:

De-wax
Use Iron-X to deal with any crap still there
Clay it with lube (give a light water wash after)
Dry it off
Then polish
Wax it
Seal it with dodo juice

Not sure if that's overkill or not... Given the de-waxer would most likely strip off all protection? I really want to build the protection back up.

 

[Voxination]

Finally got round to giving it a nice shine again

Vacuum
2 bucket wash
Polish with Poor Boys Black Hole
Wax/seal with Turtle Wax Shine and Protect
Dress tyres with AG Tyre Dressing

4.5 hours work but in my eyes worth the effort.

 

[Draeger]

Awesome shine!!!. Nice work.

 

[Maccy]

Think I'm going to get me a rotary polisher, sort out some of these nasty scratches! Any recommendations?

 

[Meds]

Wow, thats one hell of a shine

 

[rexehuk]

Shows you don't need all the top end products to do it... nice job .

Did you mask off the seals etc out of interest before polishing?

That poor boys any good?

 

[Irish_Tom]

Think I'm going to get me a rotary polisher, sort out some of these nasty scratches! Any recommendations?

If you're on a budget, the I4Detailing Silverline polisher and Mezerna kit is well worth a look.

The polisher itself isn't the best out there, but it's £40 so you can't expect too much.

However, it's done me well since I got mine.