*** The Car Cleaning Thread ***

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Clayed and Dodo Juice'd my car this morning. Thought it was going to be an arse due to the fairly cold weather but the Dodo Juice wax is just a dream to work with.



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Looking to buy some clay so I can give my car a good claying. :p

Any particular brands recommended? I've heard good things about Bilt Hammer and Meguiars...or are they all same?
 
This might be a bit cheeky, but would anyone mind spec'ing some products for someone who has no car washing stuff at present?

I currently have an F21 125i in Arctic White (yes, I know they forgot to paint it), and I'd like to start washing it myself. Unfortunately I live in a 2nd floor flat with no access to a hosepipe, so I think I'll be carrying buckets of water up and down the stairs.

I need:

* Shampoo
* Polish
* Clay
* Wheel cleaning/sealant - Poorboys wheel sealant?
* Wash mitt
* Drying towel (This one?)
* Bucket - 20L + Scratch Shield?

Many thanks!
 
thewanted said:
This might be a bit cheeky, but would anyone mind spec'ing some products for someone who has no car washing stuff at present?

I currently have an F21 125i in Arctic White (yes, I know they forgot to paint it), and I'd like to start washing it myself. Unfortunately I live in a 2nd floor flat with no access to a hosepipe, so I think I'll be carrying buckets of water up and down the stairs.

I need:

* Shampoo - Dodo Juice Born to be Mild is my personal favourite
* Polish - Auto Finesse Tripple
* Clay - Bilt Hamber Clay Soft or Medium (use water with a bit of shampoo as lube)
* Wheel cleaning/sealant - Bilberry as a basic cleaner, IronX and TarX for in depth cleaning. Wonder Wheels Hot Wheels is a very good cleaner if you can get it on offer. Some places have done 3 for 2 etc. Got my last 3 bottles at B&Q for £12. (Tesco used to do it at £1.73 a bottle!)
* Wash mitt - Meguiars wash mitt
* Drying towel (This one?) - Click - most popular towel
* Bucket - 20L + Scratch Shield? Those are okay.

Many thanks!
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Then you need a sealant over the polish, otherwise it will last about 5 minutes! Most people recommend Collinite 476s on here, I would personally go elsewhere as that used to be good several years ago. Nano sealants now can last as long and provide a better gloss smooth finish. Try Gtechniq C2V3 or Sonax Xtreme Brilliant Shine, you won't be disappointed.

For wheels you can use the same product for protection, or can go more permanent with Gtechniq C5 Wheel Armor. That will require decent prep to ensure the wheels are perfect prior to application.

You'll also need some MF cloths and applicator pads. Meguiars do some decent applicators.

EDIT - Just read about the no hose pipe bit. which won't be ideal! So I'd also recommend Auto Finesse Citrus Power (can be diluted 1:1) or Demonshine Rapid Dirt shifter to help loosen the dirt with a rinse before you start using the wash mitt.

If you want it all in one not knowing budget: http://shop.autofinesse.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&path=17&product_id=96
 
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Voxination said:
Have found Bilt Hamber medium clay quite good, best thing is that you can use water as the lubricant, much cheaper than QD.
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This

I use this with water and it's awsome ( and cheap ) medium is the one to go for though i tried the others and found them harder to use
 
Thanks very much!

So is the technique:

1) Rinse car
2) Wash using 2 bucket method
3) Rinse car
4) Dry
5) Clay bar
6) Polish
7) Sealant

Aren't you supposed to wax it too?

Sounds like a lot of work, but I find my car gets super dirty very quickly at the moment, and I can't help but think that's because it's not being cleaned with the correct products.
 
Sealant and wax are interchangeable, they do the same thing. I'd personally take a quick trip to the local garage and use the pressure washer first before putting a mitt on the paint.
 
thewanted said:
Thanks very much!

So is the technique:

1) Rinse car
2) Wash using 2 bucket method
3) Rinse car
4) Dry
5) Clay bar
6) Polish
7) Sealant

Aren't you supposed to wax it too?

Sounds like a lot of work, but I find my car gets super dirty very quickly at the moment, and I can't help but think that's because it's not being cleaned with the correct products.
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I wouldn't bother drying if you are going straight into clay. Just wash it again after to remove any lifted containments then dry it.

C2V3 or Sonax acts the same as a wax. It will help protect the paint for about 6 months. If you dilute it 1:1 you can use it as a QD to top it up.

You'd only need to do the big full clean once every circa 6 months. In between you just rinse, wash, rinse dry.
 
LiE said:
Sealant and wax are interchangeable, they do the same thing. I'd personally take a quick trip to the local garage and use the pressure washer first before putting a mitt on the paint.
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I pressure washed it the other day because the back of it is black at the moment, and it did very little to be honest.
 
Amos' recommendation for AF Citrus power would help there. Give the really dirty areas a good dose of it, leave for a few mins then hit with the pressure washer.
 
LiE said:
Amos' recommendation for AF Citrus power would help there. Give the really dirty areas a good dose of it, leave for a few mins then hit with the pressure washer.
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Awesome, thanks very much for everyone's contribution :)

I'll try to place an order tonight so that I can get everything by the weekend. Living in a flat sure has its disadvantages :(
 
Amos91 said:
Hose pipe out the window :p
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Trust me, I've thought about it more than once! I have no problem at all doing it, I just can't find a way to attach the hosepipe to the tap on the kitchen sink.

EDIT: I just came across this. Don't know why I couldn't find anything previously. More investigation is required...
 
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