*** The Car Cleaning Thread ***
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Comic SansI 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.
I thought beading was meant to be a good thing
I'm surprised with the beading even 2 months after last BSD application.
Mine's clean.. Goodness knows how long for though!
Bought some Megs Endurance gel on the recommendation of pretty much everyone here and I'm very impressed with how easy it is to apply and how natural it looks
Pleased at the lack of swirls considering I've not polished it for over a year, too. Flakes look awesome in bright photos for some reason, shame the solar system effect isn't visible normally
Bought some Megs Endurance gel on the recommendation of pretty much everyone here and I'm very impressed with how easy it is to apply and how natural it looks
Pleased at the lack of swirls considering I've not polished it for over a year, too. Flakes look awesome in bright photos for some reason, shame the solar system effect isn't visible normally
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Soldato
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Having read a good few pages of this I am going to get a Nilfisk C110 & Farecla clay mitt from the recommendations here - I have used and have a clay bar so interested to see the difference!
What I'm confused about it what snow foam lance to go for, I see recommendations for a £40 autobrite one and also much cheaper one via ebay - whats the main difference, is it worth spending twice as much?
We are about to get a new to us Fiat 500 for the wife and it has great paint, its having a couple of bits sorted by the dealer so want to keep on top of it but can't see myself ever becoming an avid detailer! My plan would be to give it a really good wash and wax with the seasons and snow foam other times - hoping this will just keep it looking good (it will not do many miles a year)
Another question would be for one of the other cars - the fabric seats are wrecked, 12 years of kids abusing them and I suspect there are a few unidentified species in them - are there any miracle products to clean them up as nay well sell it on, rest of the car is good but the seats are shocking!?!?
What I'm confused about it what snow foam lance to go for, I see recommendations for a £40 autobrite one and also much cheaper one via ebay - whats the main difference, is it worth spending twice as much?
We are about to get a new to us Fiat 500 for the wife and it has great paint, its having a couple of bits sorted by the dealer so want to keep on top of it but can't see myself ever becoming an avid detailer! My plan would be to give it a really good wash and wax with the seasons and snow foam other times - hoping this will just keep it looking good (it will not do many miles a year)
Another question would be for one of the other cars - the fabric seats are wrecked, 12 years of kids abusing them and I suspect there are a few unidentified species in them - are there any miracle products to clean them up as nay well sell it on, rest of the car is good but the seats are shocking!?!?
Don
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I bought an eBay foam lance and it seemed to work well 
Only using a cheap fluid too, so quite happy with it.
Only using a cheap fluid too, so quite happy with it.
Ok so after near enough 3 hours my first attempt at detailing the Micra (and indeed any car properly) is done!
Tools I used (mini review of each included)
I can really see how people get into detailing, I really enjoyed it and it felt quite relaxing!
I have no idea if I applied the wax correctly, it said to wait until it hazed - what exactly does that look like? I applied and applied and waited for a 'haze'.
In the end I just applied it till there was an obvious coverage and then buffed it off.
Anyways, here's some pics
Before...
To be fair it did not start off that bad for a car 15+ years old!
Aaaaaand after 
Bonnet shot:
All in all, I think I'm converted, never again shall I go to the local car wash! Going to be detailing my own cars from now on starting with the Golf tomorrow!
Tools I used (mini review of each included)
Nilfisk C110 with included foam lance - Not used another pressure washer so can't compare but this is ace! Blasts off dirt, gives a nice white shampooey coverage! Does the job!
Chemical Guys car shampoo - Again, not used any other foamy shampooey stuff but this works really well and smells clean!
Megs Lambs Wool Mitt - This was awesome at taking the big dirt off, continuous rinsing kept it clean and at the end a quick blast from the pressure washer (with no nozzle so minimal pressure) ensured it was good as new!
Megs Water magnet towel - This is a beast at gathering water, does the job perfectly - the roof was particularly easy, just one wipe gathered 90% of the standing water! The second got it all!
Farecla G3 Mitt - This is awesome, you can literally feel bits of dirt coming off under your hand! Need to keep it lubed up properly (I used the back of the mitt to moisten panels) but it works really well!
Autoglym Detailing Spray - This is quite good at lubing up panels and smells of bubble gum, nuff said
Autoglym Super Resin Polish - This was quite a good polish, for the older car I would have preferred something a bit more abrasive but it did the job!
Cheap B&M microfibers for application of polish and wax (amazon ones haven't turned up yet!) - These were about 90p and did the job perfectly!
Amazon Ultra thick towel for buffing - This is the 720gsm thick one! Way too think for applying but perfect for a final buff off.
Dodo Juice Orange crush - wasn't sure how to use this properly, think I will hand apply next time as watching some videos suggests this is better! Smells really nice though!
Chemical Guys car shampoo - Again, not used any other foamy shampooey stuff but this works really well and smells clean!
Megs Lambs Wool Mitt - This was awesome at taking the big dirt off, continuous rinsing kept it clean and at the end a quick blast from the pressure washer (with no nozzle so minimal pressure) ensured it was good as new!
Megs Water magnet towel - This is a beast at gathering water, does the job perfectly - the roof was particularly easy, just one wipe gathered 90% of the standing water! The second got it all!
Farecla G3 Mitt - This is awesome, you can literally feel bits of dirt coming off under your hand! Need to keep it lubed up properly (I used the back of the mitt to moisten panels) but it works really well!
Autoglym Detailing Spray - This is quite good at lubing up panels and smells of bubble gum, nuff said
Autoglym Super Resin Polish - This was quite a good polish, for the older car I would have preferred something a bit more abrasive but it did the job!
Cheap B&M microfibers for application of polish and wax (amazon ones haven't turned up yet!) - These were about 90p and did the job perfectly!
Amazon Ultra thick towel for buffing - This is the 720gsm thick one! Way too think for applying but perfect for a final buff off.
Dodo Juice Orange crush - wasn't sure how to use this properly, think I will hand apply next time as watching some videos suggests this is better! Smells really nice though!
I can really see how people get into detailing, I really enjoyed it and it felt quite relaxing!
I have no idea if I applied the wax correctly, it said to wait until it hazed - what exactly does that look like? I applied and applied and waited for a 'haze'.
In the end I just applied it till there was an obvious coverage and then buffed it off.
Anyways, here's some pics
Before...
To be fair it did not start off that bad for a car 15+ years old!
Bonnet shot:
All in all, I think I'm converted, never again shall I go to the local car wash! Going to be detailing my own cars from now on starting with the Golf tomorrow!
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Picked up some stone chips now, also a ding on the front bumper from either someone reversing into it, or a round object hitting it on the motorway at some point. I'm hedging on the former. Probably someone's towbar ring or something.
It was not obvious under today's overcast weather as it's in an area of the front bumper that is curved, only when up close do you notice it. Easy area to smart repair. But I'll likely leave it be depending on how it stands out in the sun.
We can't have anything nice these days...
Anyway, today I foamed, polished (Triple) and sealed the polish in with Collinite. It started raining as I was waiting for the Collinite to cure, only a light sprinkle, but enough to cause the wax to be a right pain to buff off quickly. This added an extra hour to the process, and my entire body feels like death.
The foam looked neat, though.
Must order another bottle of valet pro snow foam!
It was not obvious under today's overcast weather as it's in an area of the front bumper that is curved, only when up close do you notice it. Easy area to smart repair. But I'll likely leave it be depending on how it stands out in the sun.
We can't have anything nice these days...
Anyway, today I foamed, polished (Triple) and sealed the polish in with Collinite. It started raining as I was waiting for the Collinite to cure, only a light sprinkle, but enough to cause the wax to be a right pain to buff off quickly. This added an extra hour to the process, and my entire body feels like death.
The foam looked neat, though.
Must order another bottle of valet pro snow foam!
It is the Autobrite lance. Was about £40 years back. Does the job, it's pretty heavy though as it's all bronze/metal in construction. Stone chips just have to be put up with really, unless you fancy getting the panel filled and resprayed. to take them away.
Soldato
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- Norwich
Cheers guys, Nilfisk C110 ordered and about to order a snow foam lance and foam stuff itself, likely autobrite as on offer at the moment - what connection is the C110 Pro, quick release spigot or bayonet?
The snow foam bottle it comes with... I assume its not as good but is it ok to use to get a start on my old cars that are filthy, thinking of getting some foam liquid from halfords or prime that I can use tomms or weds as I'm off work and the proper lance won't arrive in time??
The snow foam bottle it comes with... I assume its not as good but is it ok to use to get a start on my old cars that are filthy, thinking of getting some foam liquid from halfords or prime that I can use tomms or weds as I'm off work and the proper lance won't arrive in time??
The latest version of the C110 (and likely other Nilfisks) uses the Nilfisk Gerni connector (as opposed to the more common Nilfisk Alto)
I have this Snow foam lance with my C110, which works well:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00O9XPX1A/
The foam bottle it comes with is a waste of time - it doesn't produce any actual foam.
Also with your C110, you may want to order the Auto nozzle (if you haven't already - as it didn't come with any of the different C110s when I bought mine):
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nilfisk-6411136-Auto-Nozzle/dp/B0001P0BR6
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