*** The Car Cleaning Thread ***

Status
Not open for further replies.
Is that a black mark? It's hard to tell on my phone but if it's plastic bumper transfer or something, a solvent based product will get that off I should imagine.
 
Howard said:
Is that a black mark? It's hard to tell on my phone but if it's plastic bumper transfer or something, a solvent based product will get that off I should imagine.
Click to expand...

Yep, the black mark.

Thanks. You're right it might be plastic.

I did try isopropyl 99% as well, I'm guessing I'll need something a lot more powerful to get rid of plastic transfer.
 
Cookeh said:
Clay it, if the clay doesn't work you'll have to use a compound and a rotary/DA to try and remove it.
Click to expand...

I might just get it completely detailed. The car is about 18 months old now and has collected the odd mark here and there anyway.

I don't have the patience to do it all myself unfortunately.
 
A decent clay and lube/quick detailer wont cost you more than £15-20 - miles cheaper than a full detail and might just do the trick. Even if you go for a full detail they might charge you more for the fix anyway.
 
hi just wanted to quickly ask a question about gliptones scuffmaster kit for leather. I want to use the dye from the kit on some sucffs on my leather seats, do I need to apply a conditioner 24 hours after and prior to using the dye? The reason Im asking this is because I have been told conditioner is no good to use on leather seats and so I have never used it. Cant find any answers online, most people use the conditioner along with the dye.
 
Last edited:
Amos91 said:
Cheers mate, Raunds here so not too far away. I'll make a note of that as I didn't know it existed! Only knew about Dooka who have a pretty decent range!
Click to expand...

Ahh he's a good guy plenty helpful and knowledgable. However once or twice I've gone in and I've been served by a receptionist who doesn't know as much.

If you head past Cosworth and continue straight to where they're building something and turn left you'll go past loads of garages and he's right at the end :D
 
Our Superb 2.0 TSI is in port waiting to ship to the UK ready for delivery. :D I've booked it in with a reputable detailer for a new car protection detail, mostly because it's easier (I have severe arthritis and he's only charging £50 more than it'd cost me to buy the products myself anyway). He's giving a full 10 hour prep and protection - Gtechniq for the alcantara/leather seats, carpets, dash and trim etc, anti-fog for the interior glass, as well as exterior nano coat for the paint with a LSP of my choice, glass treatments, headlight and trim protection, alloy nano coat, etc etc.

Thing is, I only caught the detailing bug recently and although I learn fast my knowledge is still only basic. My current car (Mazda 6 tourer 2.0 petrol) hadn't been washed since sometime in 2015 before last month, but now it's better than showroom - though it took me about 12 hours over two days! I still don't really know enough to be confident in what I'm asking the detailer for regarding paint protection product types though. He's given me a choice of paint protection products at the same price point: A base coat of nano quartz sealant, plus either natural Zymol wax, synthetic wax or another synthetic/nano sealant type LSP (eg C2).

Now originally, having only read up online I'd thought to stick with the nano quartz + C2, and I could top up with one of the 'wet' spray on wash off type products (like Gyeon WetCoat). Otherwise, perhaps something like Sonax Xtreme BSD or their newer Turbo Detailer.

However having seen in the flesh this month just how much richer and warmer 'real' wax is compared to just sealant type products, I'm in a bit of a bind. I was happy our Mazda had some protection with Gyeon WetCoat, but after topping up with a spray wax by chance the week after, the look of the car was transformed and it's still catching my eye every time I see it. The wax makes the paint pop with a deep warm glow in a way the sealant just didn't.

I realise I can ask the detailer all this but I'd rather have an unbiased third party opinion as - trustworthy as he seems - there's still always a chance he'd lean me towards whatever is easier/higher margin for him.

As I said I do love cleaning/tending to the car but due to health a setup that is fairly long lasting + easy to keep topped up is ideal. Am I right to steer towards a quartz nano base with a wax LSP for the best of both worlds, and then just use BSD for top-ups? Or should I stay with C2 and use a product like WetCoat instead, foregoing the deep lustre of wax for spray on / jetwash off simplicity and a harder, longer wearing top up? If wax is the way to go, should I opt for natural Zymol wax or a synthetic wax? The new car is deep metallic petrol blue btw, if that changes anything.

Given that obviously the uppermost coat is what's in contact with the elements, perhaps the best of both worlds would be nano base protection with a C2 LSP, kept topped up with Sonax BSD for that deep shine and beading with the harder wearing quartz coat underneath for long term protection?

Apologies for the essay but my wife goes to sleep when this type of topic comes up and I'm starting to get seriously confused. What say you? Thanks in advance for any help or advice.
 
muon said:
Ok, thanks guys. After giving it a proper wash at the weekend, I'll use some clay.
Click to expand...

Clay bar did absolutely nothing. The bonnet is very shiny though, I'll do the rest if the car later.

Got rid of the black paint transfer streak. Required a harsher compound and lot of elbow grease.
 
It's going to be new paint and the sealant will help add a little extra gloss. It will be great after the base cost and I'd stick with something like C2 for the longevity on its own and simplicity of applying it
 
Nice colour choice.

I intend on using a wax for my car on delivery - I can't help but think you'd gain more from a wax as long as you don't mind upkeep.
 
Just wondering what is your opinion of pre-washing with snow foam, let it dry naturally and finishing off with quick detailer? I have done that a few times and just wondering if I am likely to damage the paintwork. The snowfoam seems to do a pretty good job as the paintwork looks clean except for some watermarks. The car looks good after the quick detailer.
 
nicholas_yiu said:
Just wondering what is your opinion of pre-washing with snow foam, let it dry naturally and finishing off with quick detailer? I have done that a few times and just wondering if I am likely to damage the paintwork. The snowfoam seems to do a pretty good job as the paintwork looks clean except for some watermarks. The car looks good after the quick detailer.
Click to expand...

Snow foam, let it soak, pressure wash off before it dries back on. Then wash by hand before doing anything else. Snow foam on its own will leave behind dirt on even the cleanest car that will scratch the paint.
 
Amos91 said:
It's going to be new paint and the sealant will help add a little extra gloss. It will be great after the base cost and I'd stick with something like C2 for the longevity on its own and simplicity of applying it
Click to expand...

Hyburnate said:
Nice colour choice.

I intend on using a wax for my car on delivery - I can't help but think you'd gain more from a wax as long as you don't mind upkeep.
Click to expand...

Thanks guys. One of each opinion... Nice to see you're as undecided as I am. :p
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom