* The Car Cleaning Thread *

jamief · 14 Sep 2009 at 14:50

After spending a good few hours cleaning the car yesterday - I have 2 "issues".

I was using Autoglym wheel cleaner - however this has left a fair bit of brake dust residue in the corners and a lot of brake dust spots which I can't remove. I guess I need a better wheel brush and some other kind of wheel cleaner? What kind of wheel cleaner is recommended?

The drivers and passenger door have a lot of scuffs on them - the plastic on my Civic isn't the best and every time my foot catches it it leaves a whitish scuff. Can these be removed / hidden?

Dup · 14 Sep 2009 at 14:55

Some Armour All dashboard wipes (or similar) will sort the scuffs, if you are meaning the kick plates and innter door cards.

The wheels will need to be clay barred to get the worse of it off, and bilberry wheel cleaner (£8 from claryourcar.co.uk) l;asts ages and does a really good job of shifting crap no other wheel cleaner could on my Type-R.

jamief · 14 Sep 2009 at 14:59

Perfect, cheers.

The scuffs on the inside of the door- I've tried some wipes on them and they didn't make any difference

Dup · 14 Sep 2009 at 15:02

jamief said:
Perfect, cheers.

The scuffs on the inside of the door- I've tried some wipes on them and they didn't make any difference

Try a wash mitt like you would the outside of the car and have a drying towel ready. Just try and avoid the speaker area and don't have it dripping wet. That's what I do on the kick plates of mine, works a treat.

Berger · 14 Sep 2009 at 18:55

Beading y0

Dodo Light Fantastic applied by hand (fingers even!).

Defcon5 · 14 Sep 2009 at 19:11

Nice!

RockLobster · 27 Sep 2009 at 15:59

I found this video which maybe helpful for the newbies.

How to wash your car

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7598756069207401372#

Scania · 27 Sep 2009 at 16:50

[TW]Fox;14883760 said:
Problem is I don't have a hosepipe here. Is chucking a bucket of water over it going to properly rinse it or should I drive to a jetwash to rinse the car? I'd prefer the lazy option..

A few buckets of water (try a large watering can) are a lot better than a jetwash for rinsing imo.

Opps, slightly late on the reply there....

Gerard · 27 Sep 2009 at 17:25

I knew i seen this headcase before

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7598756069207401372#docid=-892782202661869342

Mr astra nurburgring seems to enlist him, 5 grand to wash a car...

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=81391

mjt · 27 Sep 2009 at 17:36

berger - what car is that?

also, i remember reading somewhere (probably in this thread) about using liquid shoe polish to fix black leather seats. anyone got a link by any chance? i think there it was on a Z4 forum

Sparky · 27 Sep 2009 at 21:23

jamief said:
After spending a good few hours cleaning the car yesterday - I have 2 "issues".

I was using Autoglym wheel cleaner - however this has left a fair bit of brake dust residue in the corners and a lot of brake dust spots which I can't remove. I guess I need a better wheel brush and some other kind of wheel cleaner? What kind of wheel cleaner is recommended?

The drivers and passenger door have a lot of scuffs on them - the plastic on my Civic isn't the best and every time my foot catches it it leaves a whitish scuff. Can these be removed / hidden?

Bilberry wheel cleaner is the best stuff i have used.

Berger · 27 Sep 2009 at 21:39

mjt said:
berger - what car is that?

also, i remember reading somewhere (probably in this thread) about using liquid shoe polish to fix black leather seats. anyone got a link by any chance? i think there it was on a Z4 forum

The roof shot?

Fiat 500.

RockLobster · 27 Sep 2009 at 22:17

My shopping list today. :eek:

Meguiars Grit Guard and bucket x 2
Meguiars Gold Class Shampoo - 64oz
Meguiars Lambswool Wash Mitt
Valet Pro - PH Neutral Snow Foam
Huge 38" x 28" Microfibre Drying Towel x 2
Vikan - Multi brush rim cleaner soft
Trim & Tyre Dressing Applicator
Valet Pro - Bilberry Wheel Cleaner (1 litre)
Meguiars High Gloss Tyre gel
Poorboys Natural Look Dressing
303 Aerospace Protectant
303 Fabric/Vinyl Convertable Cleaner
Autobrite Heavy Duty Snow Foam Lance
NILFISK-ALTO C110.3-5 XTRA 240VOLT PRESSURE WASHER 110BAR

Just need to work out now what waxes, polish, etc to buy.

Kappa · 28 Sep 2009 at 07:39

RockLobster said:
My shopping list today.

Holy macaroon! How much did all that set you back? :eek:

RockLobster · 28 Sep 2009 at 09:24

Kappa said:
Holy macaroon! How much did all that set you back?

Around £240. Should be set for a while now washing wise.

1CE · 28 Sep 2009 at 20:33

The results of dodo juice........

Wish I took more pictures!

-Dodo juice supernatural shampo.
-Dodo juice red mist.
-Dodo juice blue velvet wax.

Dark colours always look fantastic at sunset!

Leeum · 28 Sep 2009 at 20:50

Those Focus RS' look fantastic in any light imo.

Duke · 28 Sep 2009 at 21:35

Clean bimmer like normal

RockLobster · 28 Sep 2009 at 23:39

Just placed an order for this - http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=78&products_id=578

Any good?

Sin_Chase · 29 Sep 2009 at 00:33

Been using Natty's Paste Wax on the last 3 waxings and am impressed. Goes on easy as hell, same buffing it off. Water repellent ability left me speechless, literally came off like a sheet being blown off in the wind!

Was also recommened to use deep pile drying/buffing towels instead of microfibres ones and the difference is night and day. Drying with deep pile is fantastic. So very soft and you can wipe, no waiting around! Did the CD scratch test, not a mark, no matter how hard I rubbed.

Particularly useful for me as the water in my area leaves terrible markings when it dries on the paintwork.

*** The Car Cleaning Thread ***

* The Car Cleaning Thread *