*** The Car Cleaning Thread ***

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adam cool dude said:
125k and 12 years old. Treated to a foam, wash, 2 stage polish and wax. Valetpro trim glitz on all the black bits and all sealed with 303. Refurbed the wheels last week as well. All what is left to do is get the new tyres fitted on Wednesday then it is off to Europe on Saturday.
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Looking good! What's it like under the bonnet, do you keep that as clean?
 
Bird poop on my car bonnet that happened some time last night, could only get to it this evening to clean it off. Snow foam and wash got it off without any problem but its blooming etched the paint.
I'm going to have to try and polish it out at the weekend, its going to take machine polishing I think, so peed off, paintwork is perfect apart from this!
 
Afternoon gents, wondering if anyone's up for a challenge? I have some time this Sunday and want to get into detailing after many attempts at cleaning cars and not being happy with it.

I've decided to buy some 'proper' products and have a go so here's what we have. I currently have a pressure washer with foam Lance and a chemical guys shampoo mixture ready to go.

I just need the rest! So I assume a lambswool mitt? Clay mitt? Polish? Wax? Applicators? Drying cloths?
The challenge here is to get everything from Amazon as prime will definitely get it to me by Sunday.

Here is what i have so far...
LTzDHMYh.jpg


I know the smartwax isn't in stock but was thinking the autoglym polish is good enough for now?
 
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skaif said:
LTzDHMYh.jpg


I know the smartwax isn't in stock but was thinking the autoglym polish is good enough for now?
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No point in polishing with the SRP, if you aren't then going to protect it with sealant or wax straight away.

Not sure about that Smartwax as not seen it mentioned / reviewed.

How about Autoglym Extra Gloss Sealant:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Autoglym-500ml-Extra-Gloss-Protection/dp/B00115GX2W

or one of the Collinite Waxes:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Collinite-845-Insulator-Wax-473/dp/B000JK2D06
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Collinite-476-Super-Doublecoat-Auto/dp/B002P3ZO2E
 
I bought a 30ml tub of Blue Velvet Pro, supposed to be much better. Hopefully it won't dry white in my stonechips like the Megs wax did.

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I think 3-4 cars is a bit optimistic.
 
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cadmunkey said:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Millaissol...qid=1469185716&sr=8-45&keywords=CHEMICAL+GUYS

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Poorboys-W...=UTF8&qid=1469185848&sr=1-21&keywords=CAR+WAX

What colour car do you have?
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Thanks, I will be planning to tackle the boggo Micra first which is red. Then move onto the new Golf which is grey. Does colour of car impact on the choice of wax? Also, I know about the 2 bucket system, but if I am using a snow foam lance, can I get away with just a rinse bucket?
Armageus said:
No point in polishing with the SRP, if you aren't then going to protect it with sealant or wax straight away.

Not sure about that Smartwax as not seen it mentioned / reviewed.

How about Autoglym Extra Gloss Sealant:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Autoglym-500ml-Extra-Gloss-Protection/dp/B00115GX2W

or one of the Collinite Waxes:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Collinite-845-Insulator-Wax-473/dp/B000JK2D06
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Collinite-476-Super-Doublecoat-Auto/dp/B002P3ZO2E
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Thanks for the reminder about the wax, thought I added that to my basket!
I know it comes down to preference and how it will go on the car, but is a liquid wax better than the solid stuff?

pepp77 said:
I have just got some wax as I plan to clean and seal my new car, I went for Dodo Juice Blue Velvet.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias=automotive&field-keywords=dodo+juice
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Janesy B said:
I bought a 30ml tub of Blue Velvet Pro, supposed to be much better. Hopefully it won't dry white in my stonechips like the Megs wax did.



I think 3-4 cars is a bit optimistic.
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Have you guys used it yet? How are the results? Can it be used on any colour car? If two of you suggested the same (similar) product then it must be good!

Can I also just run through the process I have in mind please!

  1. Use pressure washer to blast off dirt
  2. Use snow foam lance to cover car in the white stuff
  3. Use the lambswool mitt to wash off dirt along with rinse bucket to rinse out mitt
  4. Use towel to dry off
  5. Use clay mitt (with detailer spray) to get rid of all the grimey stuff missed by lambswool mitt
  6. Use pressure washer to rinse and towel to dry
  7. Use polish to buff up paintwork (need applicators with this?)
  8. Use wax/sealant to protect (need applicators with this?)
  9. Stand back take pics and admire
 
skaif said:
  1. Use pressure washer to blast off dirt
  2. Use snow foam lance to cover car in the white stuff
  3. Use the lambswool mitt to wash off dirt along with rinse bucket to rinse out mitt
  4. Use towel to dry off
  5. Use clay mitt (with detailer spray) to get rid of all the grimey stuff missed by lambswool mitt
  6. Use pressure washer to rinse and towel to dry
  7. Use polish to buff up paintwork (need applicators with this?)
  8. Use wax/sealant to protect (need applicators with this?)
  9. Stand back take pics and admire
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You won't need to dry it in between washing and drying (I don't at least), just make sure you rinse the shampoo off before it dries on. I also just use a clean bucket of shampoo water for claying, works better for me, and it's cheaper.
 
skaif said:
  1. Use pressure washer to blast off dirt
  2. Use snow foam lance to cover car in the white stuff
  3. Use the lambswool mitt to wash off dirt along with rinse bucket to rinse out mitt
  4. Use towel to dry off
  5. Use clay mitt (with detailer spray) to get rid of all the grimey stuff missed by lambswool mitt
  6. Use pressure washer to rinse and towel to dry
  7. Use polish to buff up paintwork (need applicators with this?)
  8. Use wax/sealant to protect (need applicators with this?)
  9. Stand back take pics and admire
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I would swap 1 & 2 around - i.e. Snow foam first as this softens/loosens dirt, meaning you don't need to do as much actual work with the pressure washer.

Rather than use the pressure washer to rinse in Step 6, a normal hose and sheeting method e.g.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAmb9DWdnFc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWnbAxhjgrE
 
Howard said:
I prefer to use MF cloths over foam pads to apply wax but that's just me.
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I think I'm going to stick with the applicators first time round then see how it goes from there! Thanks for the alternative though, any particular mf?

Sui said:
You won't need to dry it in between washing and drying (I don't at least), just make sure you rinse the shampoo off before it dries on. I also just use a clean bucket of shampoo water for claying, works better for me, and it's cheaper.
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Ok cool, will see how it goes with the detailer spray and compare with water, see if it's worth it!
Armageus said:
I would swap 1 & 2 around - i.e. Snow foam first as this softens/loosens dirt, meaning you don't need to do as much actual work with the pressure washer.

Rather than use the pressure washer to rinse in Step 6, a normal hose and sheeting method e.g.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAmb9DWdnFc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWnbAxhjgrE
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That makes more sense, will try snow foam then pressure wash! The sheeting method looks interesting, thanks for the link will try it out!
Cookeh said:
720gsm is ridiculous overkill. 350-400 is all you need.
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Yeah I put the Meg cloth in as well so have 2 cloths just in case!

Thanks again guys for all your input. Will go ahead with the order and update Sunday with the results!
:D
 
Washed my battered Mondeo for the first time in 2 years of ownership. Washed, polished and sealed. By the front wheels there is tar, so much tar. And more stonechips than paint on the front, but it came up alright :D

carwashcrop.jpg
 
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