*** The Car Cleaning Thread ***
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Can anyone recommend me an Alloy wheel cleaner & sealer? I've read that once sealed you just need to wash as normal - true?
mrk - you'll be happy to know I've also got some tyre blackening
You need 3 products:
- IronX
- Wheel Cleaner (Autoglym, megs etc.)
- Seal (any seal will do, FK1000 is my pick tho or PP Wheel Seal)
I've got some Autoglym clean wheels knocking around, but read that the massively acidic nature of it can flake the alloys over time? I know that most of them are acidic, but is that just a case of people leaving it on too long before cleaning off?
I'll look into the others above, cheers
You don't need to use the specific wheel cleaner, I just use AG shampoo. The IronX does most of the work!
Once you've got a good seal on, just blast with the power hose, spray on a dilute shampoo mix, leave and rinse again. If you need to scrub, just use a microfibre cloth. Leave the harsh wire brushes alone!
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mrk - do you use the 476s on your alloys as a sealant or a seperate product?
also how long would you suggest a tin of 476s would last (I have a C220 Estate)
I was thinking 2 coats per year?
Thanks
also how long would you suggest a tin of 476s would last (I have a C220 Estate)
I was thinking 2 coats per year?
Thanks
mrk - do you use the 476s on your alloys as a sealant or a seperate product?
also how long would you suggest a tin of 476s would last (I have a C220 Estate)
I was thinking 2 coats per year?
Thanks
I use AG Alloy Wheel Seal but lately have been slacking on alloy after-wash care as they do need a refurb so I'm letting them get a bit worse with flaking finish on the inside before the refurb. Last time they were refurbed I managed to get a few curb scrapes within a week :S
I apply 476s once a year but sometimes add a mid year top up if it's been a harsh winter like we've had recently. A tin lasts me a good few years.
Can anyone recommend me an Alloy wheel cleaner & sealer? I've read that once sealed you just need to wash as normal - true?
mrk - you'll be happy to know I've also got some tyre blackening
I clean with Bilberry, wash off then clean as normal with the rest of the car and then once dried apply the AG stuff above. It does help keep dust off for a bit longer but you still need to clean/wash them properly after a few weeks anyway depending on how much driving you do I found.
Tyre blackening makes a hell of a difference to the look of the car
You can tell a good product from a pants one because the pants one has a finish that looks uneven in direct sunlight whereas something like New Look trim Gel has an even deep gleam all round the tyre wall.Unless you have delicate wheels (untreated chrome lip for example) then using an acidic wheel cleaner once shouldn't be a problem as it is the continual use of acidic cleaners that cause problems. The best bet is to clean them and seal them as a well sealed wheel will come clean with just the normal car wash shampoo mix.
As for a sealant though it depends how much work you want to do. The ceramic nano sealants like gtechniq, wolfs chemicals etc need to take the wheels
off and make sure they are uber clean. Using something like fk1000 or PB wheel sealant aren't so fussy about a perfectly clean wheel, yes it wont last as long but even in perfect conditions you are looking at it last 3 or 4 months compared to the other which will last more like 12.
picked up some adjustable scratchshield grit guards off the bay only 5-6 pound with free postage
Does megs ultimate compound have more cut that srp? or is it mainly fillers? sutiable to use both or are they just the same
Fancy going to town this weekend on my car
Does megs ultimate compound have more cut that srp? or is it mainly fillers? sutiable to use both or are they just the same
Fancy going to town this weekend on my car
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I've ordered a touch up kit from Paints4U and am going to give that a shot. I'll let people know how it goes. Going to try and do it over the bank holiday weeekend.
I've had mixed results with this (mainly due to my own cackhandedness). One tip I will give anyone is to order extra applicators. They don't give you enough in the normal touch-up pack.
Real quick question,
Came back from holiday yesterday to find my car caked in a some bird crap, a lot of dust and just crap from the rain over the week.
I took it to Tesco to get it cleaned as I don't have time to clean it myself this weekend and wanted it cleaned so it's not sat like that all next week. But in my haste, I totally forgot after it was too late that I only polished and waxed it a couple of weeks before leaving. Bearing in mind I only paid for the basic service so just a wash on the outside, do you think they use anything that would strip the wax off. I did ask after if they wax it and they said no just wash, so it should be ok shouldn't it?
Came back from holiday yesterday to find my car caked in a some bird crap, a lot of dust and just crap from the rain over the week.
I took it to Tesco to get it cleaned as I don't have time to clean it myself this weekend and wanted it cleaned so it's not sat like that all next week. But in my haste, I totally forgot after it was too late that I only polished and waxed it a couple of weeks before leaving. Bearing in mind I only paid for the basic service so just a wash on the outside, do you think they use anything that would strip the wax off. I did ask after if they wax it and they said no just wash, so it should be ok shouldn't it?
picked up some adjustable scratchshield grit guards off the bay only 5-6 pound with free postage
Ooooooo nice, been looking out for some recenty. Got a link?
Real quick question,
Came back from holiday yesterday to find my car caked in a some bird crap, a lot of dust and just crap from the rain over the week.
I took it to Tesco to get it cleaned as I don't have time to clean it myself this weekend and wanted it cleaned so it's not sat like that all next week. But in my haste, I totally forgot after it was too late that I only polished and waxed it a couple of weeks before leaving. Bearing in mind I only paid for the basic service so just a wash on the outside, do you think they use anything that would strip the wax off. I did ask after if they wax it and they said no just wash, so it should be ok shouldn't it?
A hand car wash would coat your car in TFR so yes it would strip it down.
Assuming they used a strongish concentrate.
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What is the point of snow foam, having washed the Juke with it twice now and being able to really see the dirt as it's white there's no real difference between before and after except that I've jet washed the car twice. Is there any point? I'm getting a good foam that clings and using Demon snow foam which is a reasonable product.
Demon snow foam, reasonable? I've found that every single "Demon" product I've used is utterly rubbish and usually leaves a streaky film on everything it touches.
As for the "point" of snow-foam, I find that if left a suitable amount of time to soak, it lifts off the majority of dirt/grime/traffic film before having to touch the car with a wash mitt, thus reducing the likelihood of any swirl-marking. I go over the wheels with Bilberry, and then spray the car with snow-foam, leave for 5 minutes (don't let it dry) and rinse using the pressure washer (from the bottom of the car upwards). This method (so far) has never failed to remove most of the visible dirt (as can be seen with how clean my water stays in the bucket, and how clean my mitt stays).
I have found that it works far better on a properly waxed surface though.
thank you kind sir i will go on your recommendation
Any particular reason you go from bottom to top?
I've always rinsed from roof downwards, the same way I wash with my mitt too...
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