*** The Car Cleaning Thread ***

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Toker said:
basically, listen to me and not matt and you'll be on the right lines
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Im unsure about how much matt knows so I can't comment on that. But Toker certainly knows what he's talking about so I'd pay attention to him InvaderGIR

I used to spend loads buying crappy shampoo's and waxes. Without having the proper basics and it was all a waste. Im now set up with everything I'll need to clean/wax/polish/clay my car for the next 6 months.
 
if you just wanna do the once over polish every now and then, id head down to halfords and get something on their 3 for 2 deals
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That's what I'm thinking of doing, any particular products I should go for?
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toker, youve not read the thread. in summary he wants to keep it simple.

£50 on your suggested mitt, shampoo, wheel cleaner and towel is not keeping it simple or giving any value for money. youre suggesting he go out and buy an armful of fanboy products for a shed load of money, which wont allow him to even wax the car, or he can go along the lines i suggested, get a perfectly good finish (unless you really are one of the incompetent DW'ers who cant even use a rotary without burning paint).

any difference in finish will be barely noticeable to your normal wash it and polish it person, hence your suggestion is useless and why i suggest mediocre middle of the road stuff from the highstreet
 
[TW]Fox;13571122 said:
There shouldn't be any loosened surface dirt on it if you've washed it.
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Not as such I suppose but around nooks and trim joints there usually is. Largely though the prep spray just cleans the surface ready for the polish/wax.
 
Matt82 said:
toker, youve not read the thread. in summary he wants to keep it simple.
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Thing is, I don't want it simple simple, if I did I'd just buy a bottle of expensive shampoo and a sponge. :p

I'm thinking that at a later date I'd like to get the car into a a nice clean shiney condition, having clayed etc. so I'm happy to spend £50 on start up stuff that'll allow me to clean well it this weekend, and allow me to maybe clay etc. it in a few weeks (ready for the Southern meet amongst other things).

So whilst buying general stuff is fine for here and now it means further down the line I'm going to have to buy more stuff to keep it up, spending a larger amount.

I see where you are coming from though, don't get me wrong, the reason I entered this thread though was more to get an idea as to what decent products I should be using to get a decent finish like many of the other cars in this thread. :)
 
Both Matt and Toker have good points but I'm sorry I have to agree with Toker here, his suggestion is simple and value for money.

I have the following exactly as Toker listed:

Meguiars Lambswool Wash Mitt
Meguiars Shampoo
Huge 38" x 28" Microfibre Drying Towel

Plus I have a big pile of thick soft towels (megs and werkstatt ones) to buff the car with. To me all these things are essentials that you shouldn't cut short with cheap crap because they will last longer and make your job easier. Excellent results can be had by simply washing your car well; I religiously wash my car 2-bucket method as a result.

Later, should you want to wax I'd suggest saving up for a clay system and a decent polish/wax product. Any amateur knows the prep work by claying (or preferably machine detailing) is most important to produce a perfect finish with your wax.
 
So doing the washing with the stuff listed by Toker is fine and wax isn't needed unless I clay/rotary?

I always thought it was good practice to put wax on after a wash to help keep the car in a decent condition. :)
 
InvaderGIR said:
So doing the washing with the stuff listed by Toker is fine and wax isn't needed unless I clay/rotary?

I always thought it was good practice to put wax on after a wash to help keep the car in a decent condition. :)
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Oh don't get me wrong it is, but to get the best finish you want to prep the paint first. You want to go read the detailing forums or talk to Toker about that though, they'd give you best advice PLUS it would probably cost you a fair whack to buy everything you need straight away... having thought about it though you do have £75 which could get you most of what you need I guess.

I'd say stick with what is suggested so far then come later in the year invest in some decent quality products to polish your car up with.
 
I said £75 as a guess because I have no clue how much it all costs. :p

I'll order up some of that stuff tomorrow then and hope they do next day delivery so I can get it Friday ready for the weekend and the car. :)
 
InvaderGIR said:
So doing the washing with the stuff listed by Toker is fine and wax isn't needed unless I clay/rotary?

I always thought it was good practice to put wax on after a wash to help keep the car in a decent condition. :)
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Have a quick read of this thread there was some useful info in it and its a little smaller than this huge one :p...

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17946073&highlight=startername_mr+tommo

Ive clayed the car once since November (dropped the clay so had to throw it away afterwards) :o

But that gave me everything Ive needed for the last 3-4 months and will last through the summer hopefully.
 
id never buy from halfords unless it is those 3-2 deals. Both Token and Matt are right really. IE i stock up on my AG stuff when those are on 3-2, and the rest i get from cleanyourcar or polishedbliss.
 
agw_01 said:
Dup, you ever tried Wonder Wheels on your car? It's pretty agressive stuff (so don't leave it on for too long) but it doesn't half get ALL of the ingrained crap off!

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u45/agw_01/420Clean/may08/wheels.jpg
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Good call Andy. Took me an hour but they're looking presentable now! There's a few stubborn bits but some tar remover and a clay bar should sort that. Then to get some wax on there!

They're pretty corroded and have a bit of curbing but they'll do for now, mucho appreciated :)
 
i have done the alloy wheel cleaner and wax thing on the gfs wheels. the cleaner smelt so acidic i went and put some latex gloves on for it

theyre like new now though
 
this is why you layer sealant (especially werkstat acrylic)

polo1.jpg


polo2.jpg


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polo4.jpg
 
Awesome work Toker :) I really need to invest in some Werkstat acrylic but the £50 price is a little steep but the results are very, very good ;) I wonder how it compares to to EZ Glaze with Acrylic Shine II and CG Wet Mirror Finish?
 
BeatMaster said:
Awesome work Toker :) I really need to invest in some Werkstat acrylic but the £50 price is a little steep but the results are very, very good ;) I wonder how it compares to to EZ Glaze with Acrylic Shine II and CG Wet Mirror Finish?
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cheers mate, shame I don't have a DSLR camera to really show the finish off :p

I can't say I have any experience with the products you've mentioned, but I'm yet to try anything that tops Werkstat acrylic on a light coloured car :D
 
Right just had the front disc brakes and a full exhaust done, fancy giving it a really good clean tomorrow, can anyone recommend some decent polish and something to clean the wheels with that won't cost me a small fortune?
 
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