* The Car Cleaning Thread *

Snookums · 8 Dec 2016 at 12:03

Need to give the inside of headlights a good scrub, first time doing. What do you guys recommend to use and best way to do it?

Gaygle · 8 Dec 2016 at 12:10

Snookums said:
Need to give the inside of headlights a good scrub, first time doing. What do you guys recommend to use and best way to do it?

If the inside of your headlight is getting that dirty, you must have a leak somewhere? Are you sure it's definitely not stonechips or ingrained dirt on the outside of the lense?

I'm assuming you can pop the lense off of the headlight, if not, you're stuck unless you disassemble the entire thing.

Gaygle · 8 Dec 2016 at 12:19

I'm ashamed to say that I hadn't actually given her a good wash in about a month. The Sonax Xtreme Brilliant Shine Detailer is clearly worth it's weight because even after all the salt and weather it's been driven in - barely anything had stuck and what had stuck wiped off with little drama and the paintwork was still shiney as you like! The Sonax spray is seriously good and I can't believe I ever used wax/non spray sealants which took hours to apply and buff off. So here she is after a top up!

Snookums · 8 Dec 2016 at 13:33

Gaygle said:
If the inside of your headlight is getting that dirty, you must have a leak somewhere? Are you sure it's definitely not stonechips or ingrained dirt on the outside of the lense?

I'm assuming you can pop the lense off of the headlight, if not, you're stuck unless you disassemble the entire thing.

Most likely its a an st150 07 plate, I'll have to google but i presume you can pop them off such an old car. I'm tempted to get the turtle wax headlight restoration kit.

EDIT: I take that back just went outside and had a proper look, looks like it is mainly outside, there maybe be a bit of inside but I reckon with a decent sand it'll look miles better.

grudas · 8 Dec 2016 at 16:15

any recommendations as far as engine bay detailing goes? a spray or something to wipe off the dust/clean up the metals/etc ?

dacads · 8 Dec 2016 at 17:25

grudas said:
any recommendations as far as engine bay detailing goes? a spray or something to wipe off the dust/clean up the metals/etc ?

Wouldn't you need some form of degreaser?

AFAIK you can hose down too but will need to cover up the electrical parts such as battery etc

Cookeh · 8 Dec 2016 at 17:29

I just use diluted APC and then a combo of brushes and MF cloths. You can also hose the whole thing down if you want, most modern cars will take it easily (just don't spray into the air filter). Anything pertaining to wrapping cables/alternator/battery is usually paranoia-based, it's unnecessary in anything manufactured this side of the millenium - especially with jap cars. Plastic baggy wrap the alternator and avoid pressure washing at high pressure onto the seals if you're the paranoid sort.

Flack88 · 8 Dec 2016 at 17:40

dacads said:
Wouldn't you need some form of degreaser?

AFAIK you can hose down too but will need to cover up the electrical parts such as battery etc

Gunk Green is also very good and can be used on paintwork etc.

grudas · 9 Dec 2016 at 19:08

Thought so! So no special product then really...

Thanks

scaza · 10 Dec 2016 at 20:22

Was pleasantly surprised with the 5litres I bought previously of this snowfoam. Smells good and doesn't take much in the bottle.
Not quite up to magifoam standards to be honest, but it's a bargain at 25litres for £30 (£27 with my Mx5club discount) above ordered some more for collection.

(It's just a trade demonfoam, but works really well in a good Lance)

http://www.halfords.com/motoring/car-cleaning/shampoo-polish-wax/carplan-trade-hi-foam-wash-25l

mrk · 11 Dec 2016 at 10:12

Exciting stuff this.

Duke · 11 Dec 2016 at 10:22

The novelty of snow foam wore off for me after using it a few times, didn't seem to make any noticeable difference to me.

Dis86 · 11 Dec 2016 at 10:26

Yeah, i've read very mixed reviews on it. Can't find anything to say conclusively that it makes any difference at all.

Uther · 11 Dec 2016 at 10:33

Some people seem to swear by it. I'll keep using mine until it's run out but not sure I'll buy any more.

wassap · 11 Dec 2016 at 10:36

I used to be very anti snow foam, but since ive started doing a few more miles for work and the roads being filthy, im finding it really works well as a prewash, i find it still needs to be washed with a mitt afterwoods, but it does remove 75% of the winter grime, which can only be good for the paintwork long term. I just hate the mess it makes afterwoods, so in the summer a normal hose and 2BM is fine, but in the winter SF is a good idea.

I could do with a decent wheel sealant, i used collinite, and it only lasted a few weeks, that could be to do with the miles ive done in that time, but it would nice to have a decent sealant to last a few months

Uther · 11 Dec 2016 at 10:42

wohoo said:
I could do with a decent wheel sealant, i used collinite, and it only lasted a few weeks, that could be to do with the miles ive done in that time, but it would nice to have a decent sealant to last a few months

Have you tried FK1000P?

chroniclard · 11 Dec 2016 at 10:56

Snow foam is just an extra bit that can remove some dirt before washing. The less stuff you are scraping around over your paintwork the better.

mrk · 11 Dec 2016 at 13:00

It also minimises the grime the wash mitt picks up. Always good to have a prewash grime remover so the real dirt dirt can be removed with the mitt.

I used the purple monster for the first time today, gotta say I'm very impressed. Absorbs so much water and leaves no streaks.

Raymond Lin · 11 Dec 2016 at 13:21

Last clean before Christmas/winter.

Dis86 · 11 Dec 2016 at 13:33

Nice and shiny there gents

Robbie, bit random this one but when you clean your seats do you use a brush of any particular kind?

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* The Car Cleaning Thread *