*** The Car Cleaning Thread ***

Status
Not open for further replies.
rodders said:
Perhaps I'm expecting too much! I'm new to foaming.
It did nothing to the front wheels either, should foam? I thought it would do a bit. Back wheels were ok, not much dust on them to start with.
Not sure on the ratio, I have a new pressure washer and it's a new foam cannon and I haven't timed it yet, so I just chucked some in.
Click to expand...


oh right, ok, well i am guessing your ratios are all wrong for starters



HOW TO USE​

TOUCH-LESS may be applied with trigger spray, pump spray, pressure washer, or snow foam lance. The minimum recommended dilution rate should be 2% PIR (Panel Impact Ratio) and up to 5% for very dirty vehicles. Where application is through trigger spray or pump spray, the dilution calculation is easy to achieve, however, for application with pressure equipment it is essential to determine the amount of water being delivered to the equipment reservoir.

Step 1

Fill the detergent bottle or reservoir (on machine or lance) up to capacity with plain water. Turn detergent feed to full. Take a large bucket or container and discharge the lance into this, watching the detergent bottle until empty. Once empty, stop.

Step 2

The following calculations will achieve 4% dilution; Measure the total amount collected and multiply this number by 0.04 (Total can be measured in either volume with a measuring jug or by weight) this is the amount of TOUCH-LESS to use.

Step 3

Add the calculated amount from STEP TWO to the pressure-washer reservoir and top up to full with cold water and shake in for a few moments.

Step 4

Apply touchless to entire vehicle or panel by panel. Allow to soak for 1-5 minutes (but never allow to dry). Power-wash off.

It is not necessary to use all diluted touch-less in one wash. One litre of diluted product should last 4-5 washes. Apply to cool panels in shaded conditions. Do not allow this product to dry in use. Keep the bottle neck and lid clean.
 
I timed it all for my old pressure washer, but that was just a cordless one, so never blasted anything off that well.

So splashed out on a proper washer, but need to do the timing as I said.
I was generous filling the bottle and a nice thick foam came out.
 
If you have a good protective coating and wash fairly frequently, a decent foam like Bilt Hamber is capable of leaving a car pretty much clean, at least visually.

If you're piling on heavy winter grime though, all any pre wash foam is going to manage is getting the worst off so that your normal contact wash won't cover the car in swirls.
 
I have been lazy and not done it for a few weeks, was trying to find time to use the foam!

Yes, I don't want to scratch it (why I've started doing this) as I went to all the effort of DA polishing it.
 
Must say even after Snowfoam I feel the need to go in with a contact wash even during the summer.

During winter when the car is extremely filthy I find myself adding a small amount of citrus wash to my chosen snowfoam to improve its cleaning power.

A) Citrus Pre Wash followed by Magifoam

B) Magifoam + Small Amount of Citrus added directly to the lance.

Either works very well… the dirt can be seen just melting off the tyres usually!

I find Magifoam a great choice for the above since it’s more of a dry and thick foam which ensures the added Citrus Wash stays in contact with the car for longer and is already Citrus based I believe. Where as if using more of a wet foam it will just run off the car just as quick.
 
Last edited:
My car was spotless yesterday after a main dealer service they gave it the full cleaning regime....yesterday afternoon some absolute b3ll3nd :mad: though it would be fun to accelerate through a massive puddle on a small country road....splashing my car & several others with a mini tsunami of muddy leaf water.....shame I do not have a dashcam as do not think you should be able to do that when all the other cars were slowly creeping through the same puddle as a courtesy to the other road users! :rolleyes:
 
AWPC said:
My car was spotless yesterday after a main dealer service they gave it the full cleaning regime....yesterday afternoon some absolute b3ll3nd :mad: though it would be fun to accelerate through a massive puddle on a small country road....splashing my car & several others with a mini tsunami of muddy leaf water.....shame I do not have a dashcam as do not think you should be able to do that when all the other cars were slowly creeping through the same puddle as a courtesy to the other road users! :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Shame there isn't courtesy police to watch the video :p

A car never stays clean during winter though, sadly.
 
After another epic drive today.....car is covered in the salt they blasted the roads to ensure they are not slippery....so much that the rear number plate is unreadable ;) ....but still going to brave the elements tomorrow morning & clean the lot off by hand :eek::cry:
 
Just spent 3 hours cleaning her....at times the warm water turned to ice in a few small places :eek: now my ultimate reward a 3-4 hour drive to see how dirty she can get again :p
 
dLockers said:
You spent 3 hours cleaning a car to drive it 3 hours in this weather?
Click to expand...
Ended up being a non epic 4 hour drive after all :pdue to sheer volume of traffic....but still managed to get something in & yep car is covered in road salt again :(...not quite as dirty as it was but far from clean either :p
 
I don’t think my car has ever been so dirty. It’ll be getting a couple of prewashes and one very long pressure wash, including underneath. Once it thaws out of course, probably Monday. All the radiators need a good blast to clear them too, will then do engine etc. Need to find my steam cleaner.

It’s going to sit unused for about 3 weeks, so really want to get the salt off. Need to wash the wife’s car, will probably do both at once. At least with it being cold our hard water doesn’t dry on. I may even leave them for the rain to do the rest.
 
Last edited:
I'm debating whether or not to proceed with getting a full detail done on the car. Stage 1 machine polishing and then Gtechniq ceramic coating on all paint + wheels.

I feel like it is worth doing and I would appreciate however the cost took me by surprise. Fairly certain I am going to proceed with it.

I've gone to a few places and been quoted just over a £1k. Another place quoted £750 but that did not include a true ceramic coating.

Is this the going rate these days for a car detail? I must say it took me by surprise as I know others that have had it done (although it was at least 5 years ago) and I'm certain the going rate back then was between £400 - £600.
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom