* The Car Cleaning Thread *

Si105 · 22 Apr 2016 at 12:53

MoRT489 said:
Yea, noticed that after posting. But why would you use a cleaner after polishing? Isn't polishing before finishing the clean a bit redundant? Or is the cleaner necessary to remove the particles loosened by the polishing?

Can you recommend a polish (will be doing it by hand as I don't have a DA).

If you're doing it by hand you might as well just go for an all in one like Autofinesse tripple or Autoglym super resin polish which will give you slight correction, fill in swirls and prep for wax.

The point of the cleaner is to help the wax adhere better.

Armageus · 22 Apr 2016 at 12:56

MoRT489 said:
jetwash -> snowfoam -> hose rinse -> two-bucket wash -> clay -> hose rinse -> dry -> waxing prep (Dodo) -> sealant -> wax

You don't necessarily need to jetwash first, you can apply snowfoam directly, and then either rinse or jetwash it off.

MoRT489 said:
I'm planning to order the Dodo Lite without the micro-abrasives as I don't like the idea of rubbing something abrasive into my paintwork eek

Most polishes are abrasive to some degree, as they need to be, to expose fresh lacquer/paint, in order to give the paint a shine.

MoRT489 said:
Yea, noticed that after posting. But why would you use a cleaner after polishing?

In most cases you don't necessarily, but some polishes can leave a residue which may need to be removed. From their description and user reviews, it leaves the surface in a state that makes wax easier to apply.

MoRT489 said:
Can you recommend a polish (will be doing it by hand as I don't have a DA).

Autoglym Super Resin Polish (SRP) is widely recommended, and having used it recently for the first time I can agree, as it is easy to work with by hand and gives great results.

Cookeh · 22 Apr 2016 at 13:18

Super Resin Polish would be my recommendation too, Ive been very impressed by it.

Skillmister · 22 Apr 2016 at 13:29

What's best to use to apply SRP that can be obtained from Halfords?

rhysduck · 22 Apr 2016 at 13:32

Good stuff that Lime Prime!

Armageus · 22 Apr 2016 at 13:40

Skillmister said:
What's best to use to apply SRP that can be obtained from Halfords?

http://www.halfords.com/motoring/ca...halfords-car-polish-applicator-pads-pack-of-2

Is probably your only option form halfords unless they sell any decent branded e.g. meguiars etc polish applicators.

I have some similar ones from Amazon (although they have reversible straps on), and worked just fine to apply SRP then buff off with microfibre cloth.

Same applicators worked fine for Collinite wax as well.

edit: yes they do have other options
http://www.halfords.com/motoring/ca...es-buckets/meguiars-even-coat-applicator-pads
http://www.halfords.com/motoring/ca...hes-buckets/farecla-g3-applicator-waffle-pads

Conscript · 22 Apr 2016 at 13:41

Received my new pressure washer hose from DirectHoses the other evening so gave the car a wash. Much easier now; new hose doesn't kink up and get tangled constantly and at 12 metres long I can leave the pressure washer out of the way near the front door and get all around the car without dragging it behind me. Very pleased.

Cookeh · 22 Apr 2016 at 14:54

Skillmister said:
What's best to use to apply SRP that can be obtained from Halfords?

Foam applicator pads from the rainforest, the bay, anywhere really. I'd avoid MF applicator pads personally.

Skillmister · 22 Apr 2016 at 15:16

Thanks guys. Ready to see what the old girl can look like after a spruce up

MoRT489 · 22 Apr 2016 at 15:59

Thanks very much for the helpful replies.

Cookeh said:
Super Resin Polish would be my recommendation too, Ive been very impressed by it.

Do you go straight on to the sealant/wax after the polish or do you use a cleaner?

rhysduck said:
Good stuff that Lime Prime!

Tell me more - do you use the Lite or the normal abrasive version and would you recommend using this if applying by hand?

mrk · 22 Apr 2016 at 16:04

Cleaner for what though? Once you have buffed off the SRP then you simply apply the wax the same way you did the SRP and buff that off.once the 5 mins curing time or whatever your wax has is complete.

MoRT489 · 22 Apr 2016 at 16:20

Based on the reviews it seems to remove a lot of dirt and help the wax adhere so I presumed it was worthwhile, might be one step too many though!

Si105 · 22 Apr 2016 at 20:36

MoRT489 said:
Based on the reviews it seems to remove a lot of dirt and help the wax adhere so I presumed it was worthwhile, might be one step too many though!

SRP is an AIO. It already acts as a base for your wax. Also because SRP fills if you use a cleaner over the top you will remove it's filling effects.

Cleaners are used after correcting the swirls with polish.

233 · 22 Apr 2016 at 20:43

any recommendations for an interior cleaner with antistatic properties,

have a mix of matt dash with piano black trim, and both of them are utter dust magnets

Scottland · 22 Apr 2016 at 20:52

helpimcrap said:
Which company or private individual would people recommend near Hinckley in the Midlands?

Midlands Car Care or Beau Technique

MoRT489 said:
I'm planning to order the Dodo Lite without the micro-abrasives as I don't like the idea of rubbing something abrasive into my paintwork eek, but maybe I've chosen the wrong product. Appreciate some guidance here.

Lime Prime is basically a light polish which leaves some oils behind akin to a traditional glaze. Basically it will clean and prep paint for an LSP as well as removing some faint swirls etc (if applying by machine). I don't think a sealant will work that well on top as generally sealants dont like oils on the surface, but waxes do. Some products are designed to work together though - like SRP and EGP which are designed to be applied together.

Any product that fills or leaves oils behind like SRP or Lime Prime should be used last before a sealant/wax as state above, otherwise you'll just be removing what you've put on.

Scottland · 22 Apr 2016 at 20:54

233 said:
any recommendations for an interior cleaner with antistatic properties,

have a mix of matt dash with piano black trim, and both of them are utter dust magnets

Take a look a Gtechniq matte dash, I've just picks some up and seems OK so far. To be honest the best way is to keep a decent microfibre in the car and give it a quick dust down every few days

Edit: Clean first with whatever, then apply matte dash.

Cookeh · 22 Apr 2016 at 22:29

MoRT489;29418089Do you go straight on to the sealant/wax after the polish or do you use a cleaner?[/QUOTE said:
Si105 said:

SRP is an AIO. It already acts as a base for your wax. Also because SRP fills if you use a cleaner over the top you will remove it's filling effects.

Cleaners are used after correcting the swirls with polish.

Click to expand...

This answers your question perfectly

Raymond Lin · 23 Apr 2016 at 01:24

Heads up, Rain-X Cleaner/repellent is £3 at ASDA at the moment, I know some people don't like it, but its normally about £10 in Halfords or Amazon, for £3 it's worth it keeping a bottle in the boot for a quick clean of the windscreen whilst on the move like at a service station.

Scottland · 23 Apr 2016 at 10:06

Raymond Lin said:
Heads up, Rain-X Cleaner/repellent is £3 at ASDA at the moment, I know some people don't like it, but its normally about £10 in Halfords or Amazon, for £3 it's worth it keeping a bottle in the boot for a quick clean of the windscreen whilst on the move like at a service station.

I do that exact same thing

Uther · 23 Apr 2016 at 10:11

Conscript said:
Received my new pressure washer hose from DirectHoses the other evening so gave the car a wash. Much easier now; new hose doesn't kink up and get tangled constantly and at 12 metres long I can leave the pressure washer out of the way near the front door and get all around the car without dragging it behind me. Very pleased.

I really must get one, the current hose on my Nilfisk drives me mad!

*** The Car Cleaning Thread ***

* The Car Cleaning Thread *