*** The Car Cleaning Thread ***

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[TW]Fox;24865592 said:
I'm finding it hard to pick between these, in your opinion which is best?
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I don't know, don't have any of them, I am just presenting the options and have read good review for all of them but Tardis seems to be the one gets the most recommendations on DW. What do you think?
 
smr said:
My question is (assuming all of the above makes sense to you?) how do I wash the car in between waxes - do I just wash and polish everytime I wash the car and then wax every 4 months ?
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If your car is still sealed and waxed I would pick up two buckets and buy some cheap grit guards off ebay.

A nice natural shampoo. I use Zymol from Halfords 4-5 quid and think it leaves a brilliant finish.

I believe Kent do a nice microfiber drying towel and decent cloths for cheap. B&Q stock these ASDA is the same I think but under their brand.

Microfiber or wool mit is down to you.

They are both designed to lift the dirt away from paintwork instead of rubbing it into the paint. You then use the grit guards to remove the dirt from the mit then trap it in the bucket.
 
Bigpig said:
If your car is still sealed and waxed I would pick up two buckets and buy some cheap grit guards off ebay.

A nice natural shampoo. I use Zymol from Halfords 4-5 quid and think it leaves a brilliant finish.

I believe Kent do a nice microfiber drying towel and decent cloths for cheap. B&Q stock these ASDA is the same I think but under their brand.

Microfiber or wool mit is down to you.

They are both designed to lift the dirt away from paintwork instead of rubbing it into the paint. You then use the grit guards to remove the dirt from the mit then trap it in the bucket.
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Hi I don't know if it's sealed but it must be waxed with the water beading.

Thanks for the advice will go ahead and do that.
 
smr said:
My question is (assuming all of the above makes sense to you?) how do I wash the car in between waxes - do I just wash and polish everytime I wash the car and then wax every 4 months ?
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Its subject to how much you sue your car, where you park it and make of wax.

I do a full car wax off/wax on every 3 months, and I use Auto Glym wax, as its best value for you dosh without going to stupid money wax.

As stated don't polish as it will take off wax, use a detailer spray to keep it shiny
 
smr said:
Hi I don't know if it's sealed but it must be waxed with the water beading.

Thanks for the advice will go ahead and do that.
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err I believe sealants and wax kinda do the same job but sealants are synthetic or man-made ingredients and wax is more natural.

Some use both.

Somebody correct me if am wrong
 
Guys I have a car that needs sprucing up a bit. It's been sat for a while and the red paint has faded a lot. The spoiler and the wing mirror are more white than red. I tried some old T-Cut "Red" that the father in law had but this didn't really help. Is there any renowned product I could try?
 
hmm maybe the dealer didn't do a very good job by buffing the car, I assumed that buffing gets rid of swirl marks but I had a look at the car under the outside light and there are plenty of swirls on the paint work :(

Looks like I'll have to do the wash / polish and wax then...
 
Autoglym tar remover is crap IMHO. The Tardis stuff is much better.

I would not polish or wax a car before claying first, ever. Wash > clay > wax if you don't need to polish.
 
Gave my car a decent clean and polish today (first time ever since owning) took a few hours, I had originally cleaned the wheels yesterday so that was good

So

  • Wheels off, cleaned with Auto direct wheel cleaner (acid free) and bucket of Warm water with some Chemical guys citrus wash.Then went over wheels With Iron X. To finish I used Chemical Guys Hyper coat which provides a nice shine

For the Bodywork

  • Pre spray bottom halfs of doors using Megs All purpose cleaner
  • Pressure wash of as much dusts and dirt as possible
  • Clean using 2 bucket method, using lambswool mitt and Chemical guys citrus wash
  • Rinse with pressure washer
  • Wipe main bodywork panels down with squeegy blade
  • Spray body work with Megs last touch
  • Dry using two Sonus drying towels
  • Dry wheels using Megs last touch and Microfibre
  • Wipe insides of door shuts using auto direct jaffa clean on microfibre
  • Apply Chemical guys wet mirror finish all over
  • Wipe of with microfibre
  • Apply Dodo juice purple haze all over
  • Wipe of with microfibre
  • Clean glass with megs bubblegum glass cleaner
  • Apply rain x all round with 2 applications to windscreen
  • Wipe of with microfibre
  • Apply chemical guys hypercoat to wheels again
  • Apply Zanio Z-8 grand finale sealant all round

Interior

  • Wash rubber mats and finish with Chemical guys Hypercoat
  • Hoover all round
  • Apply Chemical guys natual look to dash, door panels and hard wearing leather areas as well as any trim you can see
  • Spray auto glym Autofresh to the floor

stand back and hope you never have to use it




IMG_1940 by regy53, on Flickr

IMG_1943 by regy53, on Flickr

IMG_1948 by regy53, on Flickr

IMG_1956 by regy53, on Flickr

IMG_1959 by regy53, on Flickr
 
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Is Halfords microfibre drying towel any good or is it worth paying more for a better quality one?
 
Just been watching Drive Clean on You Tube and the guy talks about 'Hydrate Liquid' which he applies to his drying towel before drying.

It looks as though it creates a hydrophobic effect with the drying towel and the excess water just sheets off the bodywork.

Is he just talking about a quick detailer?

I've found Dodo Juice – Time to Dry on CYC but that seems to be the only product I can find that does what he's talking about.

Anyone got any experience with Time to Dry or are the better / alternative products out there?
 
For snow foam do I need a proper snow foam lance or can I use the foamer bottle that came with my pressure washer ?

This is the PW and bottle I have...

Screen+Shot+2013-05-05+at+15.50.58.png
 
smr said:
For snow foam do I need a proper snow foam lance or can I use the foamer bottle that came with my pressure washer ?

This is the PW and bottle I have...

Screen+Shot+2013-05-05+at+15.50.58.png
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The Nilfisk foam lance is very basic and does not mix foam with water to give acceptable results. Invest in a proper lance for £50 or so and you will get sticky foamy goodness.
 
smr said:
I picked some of this up today... it looks like you use the actual bottle as a lance but I've read that you are supposed to mix the snow foam with water elsewhere... ??

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...uctId_990111_langId_-1_categoryId_165682#tab1
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The fitting on that looks like your standard hose pipe connector fitting, not sure if you can use it with your pressure washer but i could be wrong.

If you want to do a proper quality snow foam get this with the Nilfisk fitting and a bottle of something along the lines of Valet Pro - PH Neutral Snow Foam. :)
 
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It can be used on a normal pw lance I just don't understand why it doesnt mention mixing with water on the back of the bottle... Unless its pre mixed when you buy it?

I dont want it to strip the wax off my car..
 
A quick rinse, snow foam, rinse, two bucket wash, rinse, dry, polish. Well, as quick as that can be :p

Black paint looks so glossy when it's clean, just a shame it's not like this all the time!

2ry3.jpg


(Ignore the terrible car washing attire)
 
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