*** The Car Cleaning Thread ***

[Culinia]

Whats the best drying product? The GF has recently got a metallic blue car which when washed in a typically hard water area ends up looking 10x worse than it was when we started and leaves very visible almost impossible to shift watermarks all over the car. I was amazed at how bad it is - I had to resort to clay in one case to get the marks back off.

Are there any tips for a simple and easy way to avoid this without turning every quick car wash session into a 3 hour OCD special?

Ahh you know - I thought it was just me. That must be my problem then:

TOTAL HARDNESS 345 mg/l

The recognised classification scheme we are using is: 300+ very hard. Your water is very hard.

 

[shifty_uk]

Does anyone use Meguair's Endurance High Gloss on their Tyres?

Looks great when you put it on, but after a couple of days it's almost totally faded!

Same with any really. That's why I buy a spray - easier to apply every couple of days.

 

[Saint]

Same with any really. That's why I buy a spray - easier to apply every couple of days.

It's pretty annoying though. I wouldn't mind if they looked good after a week, but lucky to get 2 days of black look to them, before they look filthy and grey.

 

[Conscript]

What sealant would you recommend?

I had my wheels fully refurbished at Lepsons around a year ago so they're still immaculate.

Sorry for the off topic, but what's your experience of Lepsons like (service, quality, etc)?

I've had a quote to have all my wheels done and I'm considering booking it in next week - just quite a lot of money to drop in one go with holidays coming up

 

["andy"]

Same with any really. That's why I buy a spray - easier to apply every couple of days.

im of the opinion you just waste more in a spray , never ever lasts as long as a bottle of gel

i mean how much effort is squirting some gel on a cloth and moving your arm around the tyre in a circle anyway

 

[tsinc80697]

Will a glaze on top of a wax do anything or just a complete waste of time and effort? I know it won't act as a filler due to the wax but will it still add a glossier look to the paintwork?

 

["andy"]

from expierience , yes , just dont expect it to last very long at all

 

[kash786]

Can anyone recommend the best car shampoo and sponge to use?

I always find that I do not get the same froth/volume that I see at car wash places.

 

[Minstadave]

Lots of good shampoos around, I use 3M but there's many to choose from.

Sponges are best avoided as they scratch, a microfibre mitt is a better choice.

 

[Clarkey]

Can anyone recommend the best car shampoo and sponge to use?

I always find that I do not get the same froth/volume that I see at car wash places.

Good job you don't wash with the froth then, this is no indication of how good it is. If you want a big froth show then just blast a jet wash into the bucket for a few seconds.

Honestly I don't think shampoo makes any difference. I've used Megs, Zymol, AG etc.. Now I'm using cheapy Astonish stuff and it works just the same.

 

[Conscript]

Good job you don't wash with the froth then, this is no indication of how good it is. If you want a big froth show then just blast a jet wash into the bucket for a few seconds.

Honestly I don't think shampoo makes any difference. I've used Megs, Zymol, AG etc.. Now I'm using cheapy Astonish stuff and it works just the same.

Im actually thinking the same. I bought a bottle of Megs Gold Class, but it doesn't seem to be much different from the cheap Simoniz bottle it replaced. Now I've finished that and am using AG Shampoo, but again, apart from the colour, I cant really tell the difference.

It's the action of the wash mitt which picks up and removes most of the dirt, as long as you have a shampoo that provides a sufficient lubricant I don't think it matters.

 

[Phil W]

The Astonish stuff is actually pretty good. I add 3 caps to a bucket of water for a bit extra lather (2.5 in instructions) but for the price it's just as good as any other. The wheel cleaner is pretty good, too.

 

[[TW]Fox]

I use Meguiar's Ultimate Quik Detailer between waxes.

Thing is, this costs £7.99 a bottle.

Meanwhile, Astonish Spray and Shine costs 99p a bottle and appears to do exactly the same thing. So I've been using that the last few years.

 

[Regy53]

Wife asked me to clean the house whilst she's at work, instead, I've spent the whole day cleaning my car

Now to do a quick 30 minute power clean of the house

I use chemical guys hyper somthing or other. less glossy more clean look which lasts a while

 

[tsinc80697]

If only black paint stayed like this all the time…instead of showing up every spec of dust as soon as it's driven!

 

[opstrat]

So, ordered a load of stuff from cyc yesterday, snow foam lance some super snow foam and a few other bits and bobs, all hoping to get out tonight when the sun goes down a bit and get detailing.

but cyc hasn't even dispatched my order yet

 

[DiCe!]

Not shiney enough...do it again ^^

 

[Conscript]

If only black paint stayed like this all the time…instead of showing up every spec of dust as soon as it's driven!

Yes, it must be such a chore being forced to drive a dusty GT-R




(can sympathise though - my dark grey car was cleaned after a service last Thursday, by Friday it was coated in a fine layer of dust )

 

[tsinc80697]

It's dusty already! Only sat outside over night, bloody dirty Northern air

With my last car I'd just get out a quick detailer spray and wipe all the dust/light dirt off whenever I wanted to but with the GTR's paint having the solidity of a soft cheese I fear for the paintwork every time I touch it

 

[Bigpig]

Does anyone use Meguair's Endurance High Gloss on their Tyres?

Looks great when you put it on, but after a couple of days it's almost totally faded!

I found it lasts a few weeks as long as you build it up. I find it extremely messy tho

Same with any really. That's why I buy a spray - easier to apply every couple of days.

What spry do you use? I find the cans don't last a craic.