* The Car Cleaning Thread *

MoRT489 · 28 Feb 2017 at 17:56

Housey said:
So what's wrong with foaming it and then taking a cleaning glove to it for an extra wipe, removing the need for additional cleaner and bucket?

The theory goes that in that case you would be rubbing dirt into the paintwork. The idea is to get most of that dirt off first and a pre-wash with foam is better than a pre-wash with just water.

Blackhawk47 · 28 Feb 2017 at 18:38

Some people do foam it, pressure wash rinse then foam again and go at it with the mitt.

Nothing wrong with that.

Housey · 28 Feb 2017 at 18:52

kindai said:

Interesting

Cookeh · 1 Mar 2017 at 09:59

grudas said:
Traffic film remover would do the same job and cost less and its less messy.

but where's the fun in that

Would also eat any protection you had on it.

grudas · 1 Mar 2017 at 10:23

Cookeh said:
Would also eat any protection you had on it.

correct, I dont ever use it but will be soon to start fresh hah

then again it totally depends on your dilution ratio.

MoRT489 · 1 Mar 2017 at 10:32

What is good for getting stuck on black bits off of alloy wheels? I've done a foam, rinse, Sonax wheel cleaner, rinse, 2 bucket clean (brushes and mitt), rinse and still some remain

Cleisthenes · 1 Mar 2017 at 10:34

MoRT489 said:
What is good for getting stuck on black bits off of alloy wheels? I've done a foam, rinse, Sonax wheel cleaner, rinse, 2 bucket clean (brushes and mitt), rinse and still some remain

That sounds like tar or iron so a product like IronX or a claybar depending on which of these you think it is.

grudas · 1 Mar 2017 at 11:21

MoRT489 said:
What is good for getting stuck on black bits off of alloy wheels? I've done a foam, rinse, Sonax wheel cleaner, rinse, 2 bucket clean (brushes and mitt), rinse and still some remain

I find the bilt hamber wheel cleaner great! much better than the sonax one which did the job but never got my wheels 100% clean. It probably iron or brake dust that it struggles to remove.

MoRT489 · 1 Mar 2017 at 11:28

Thanks, I'll give the claybar a go and if that doesn't work then some bilt hamber.

Lakeland · 1 Mar 2017 at 23:07

kindai said:

I'm surprised at how much dirt is left there, there can't be any treatment on that car surely?

Havana_UK · 2 Mar 2017 at 12:13

Cleisthenes said:
I've thought about this, is it beneficial to have foam so thick that it doesn't run off the car? I only ask as surely if the foam is slowly slipping off then it's taking the dirt with it?

The purpose of the foam is to moisten the whole surface of the car, keeping the surface dirt soaking so that when you rinse it off the dirt is thoroughly loosened and comes away from the paint. It's the same principle as soaking dirty pans in the sink before you wash them. The snow foam isn't really meant to drip off taking the dirt with it. It's the subsequent high pressure rinse that does that.

dacads · 2 Mar 2017 at 13:53

Done an "initial" wash as it's been about 4 months and the rinse bucket was turning black after a few swipes.

Also after Drying dirt was appearing on lower panels so will have to wack out the clay mitt next time for a "deep" clean.

Blackhawk47 · 2 Mar 2017 at 18:33

Havana_UK said:
The purpose of the foam is to moisten the whole surface of the car, keeping the surface dirt soaking so that when you rinse it off the dirt is thoroughly loosened and comes away from the paint. It's the same principle as soaking dirty pans in the sink before you wash them. The snow foam isn't really meant to drip off taking the dirt with it. It's the subsequent high pressure rinse that does that.

I find it particularly effective under the arches + side skirts, and other places you wouldn't usually be able to clean with a wash mitt.

MichaelAwkward · 5 Mar 2017 at 12:35

Tried out some Autosol on the exhausts just now...

is a wire brush/scourer advisable?

I don't think the last owner ever touched them.

Hyburnate · 5 Mar 2017 at 12:43

Autosol and microfibre and then Autosol and steel wool and then seal

MichaelAwkward · 5 Mar 2017 at 13:04

Cheers, any recommendations for sealing?

chaparral · 5 Mar 2017 at 13:47

Is there any secrets to waxing/polishing a white car ?

As I seem to use half a tub of wax due to not being able to see the wax when applying it..

ahenners · 5 Mar 2017 at 14:33

Any recommendations for a cheap but effective alloy wheel brush?

Blackhawk47 · 5 Mar 2017 at 15:41

Yeah use a black wax.

White cars are always going to be to be hard.

chaparral said:
Is there any secrets to waxing/polishing a white car ?

As I seem to use half a tub of wax due to not being able to see the wax when applying it..

*** The Car Cleaning Thread ***

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* The Car Cleaning Thread *