*** The Car Cleaning Thread ***

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@hartgeh3 I don't have a jet wash at my place.

Managed to squeeze in a wash...

uc
 
Sorry guys, you probably get asked this question all the time (and the OP post is somewhat old). I want to start washing my car myself (and the miss's) so what should I buy (assuming I'm starting from ZERO). I've already gone down a rabbit hole and am wondering if I should buy something like the Karcher K2 with accessory kit to start with. It even comes with a foam lance (never knew this was a thing until I did some preliminary research) so will this do me until I decide what upgrades I might want?

I've got an outdoor tap so I'm assuming I can just hook this up to that, put some cleaning solution in, and off I go?

Many thanks
 
exhashdotdot said:
Sorry guys, you probably get asked this question all the time (and the OP post is somewhat old). I want to start washing my car myself (and the miss's) so what should I buy (assuming I'm starting from ZERO). I've already gone down a rabbit hole and am wondering if I should buy something like the Karcher K2 with accessory kit to start with. It even comes with a foam lance (never knew this was a thing until I did some preliminary research) so will this do me until I decide what upgrades I might want?

I've got an outdoor tap so I'm assuming I can just hook this up to that, put some cleaning solution in, and off I go?

Many thanks
Click to expand...

You could start off with something like a generic car shampoo and rinse off with just a hose, not a pressure washer, assuming you have decent pressure from the tap.

that way all you need to start is a bucket, some shampoo, a wash mitt, and a garden hose. Then you can see if you want to do more after that, rather than jumping in spending £100+?

you could probably get a bucket, shampoo, wash mitt for under £30, and could pick them up from Halfords etc.

Depends how far you want to go, how much £ you want to spend, how much time you want to spend etc.
 
@exhashdotdot

if you want to start good to avoid scratches (that eyes can not see)


then in your situation, sounds like you have your own home , with a driveway, which is the best start as you can use a pressure washer to "pre soak" the car to loosen the dirt BEFORE a contact wash


so for me, i would buy :

Pressure washer
2 buckets
2 grit guards
Noodle mitt
Shampoo
Bilt Hamber touchless (for pre soak with pressure washer)
MJCC Foam Cannon
Wheel Brush


i need to post links for them , some you can get away with cheap, like noodle mitt and buckets
 

404

www.nilfisk.com www.nilfisk.com
www.halfords.com

Halfords Wash Mitt | Halfords UK

Shop the latest Halfords Wash Mitt is great for giving your car a thorough wash. at Halfords UK
www.halfords.com www.halfords.com
www.halfords.com

Martin Cox Grit Guard | Halfords UK

Shop the latest Martin Cox Grit Guard at Halfords UK
www.halfords.com www.halfords.com
www.halfords.com

Autoglym Bodywork Shampoo Conditioner 500ml | Halfords UK

Shop the latest Autoglym Bodywork Shampoo Conditioner 500ml removes grime and leaves a protective glossy film. at Halfords UK
www.halfords.com www.halfords.com
www.in2detailing.co.uk

MJJC Foam Lance (Cannon) Pro (V2)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING CONNECTORSIf you have a short trigger gun (or are purchasing a short trigger gun), you will need to 1/4 quick release option from the drop down menu.If you have a Kranzle Pressure washer, please check whether your connector is a D10 or D12 and select accordingly...
www.in2detailing.co.uk
 
VaderDSL said:
You could start off with something like a generic car shampoo and rinse off with just a hose, not a pressure washer, assuming you have decent pressure from the tap.

that way all you need to start is a bucket, some shampoo, a wash mitt, and a garden hose. Then you can see if you want to do more after that, rather than jumping in spending £100+?

you could probably get a bucket, shampoo, wash mitt for under £30, and could pick them up from Halfords etc.

Depends how far you want to go, how much £ you want to spend, how much time you want to spend etc.
Click to expand...

THank you for the reply. I absolutely hear what you're saying. Perhaps I'm just used to always having a pressure washer pointed at my car whenever it has been cleaned and wanted to join the echelons of the big boys :P. I think I'd still want a hose which seem to be around £20-30 which at that point is almost half of what the pressure washer I linked is. I'll have a think.

ShiWarrior said:
@exhashdotdot

if you want to start good to avoid scratches (that eyes can not see)


then in your situation, sounds like you have your own home , with a driveway, which is the best start as you can use a pressure washer to "pre soak" the car to loosen the dirt BEFORE a contact wash


so for me, i would buy :

Pressure washer
2 buckets
2 grit guards
Noodle mitt
Shampoo
Bilt Hamber touchless (for pre soak with pressure washer)
MJCC Foam Cannon
Wheel Brush


i need to post links for them , some you can get away with cheap, like noodle mitt and buckets
Click to expand...

Thank you for the suggestion and links. Am I being meme'd by the whole snow foam thing or is it definitely worth the extra effort? I'm not even really sure why it's done to be honest.
 
I have a Snowfoam Lance and Pressure Washer - I don’t actually use it every wash to be fair, it is extra effort depending on your setup.

A cheaper alternative to Snowfoam would be a decent Pump Sprayer and Citrus Pre-Wash - Essentially it’s there to break down stubborn dirt ensuring more grime is rinsed away prior to your contact wash, reducing the risk of inflicting any damage such as micro scratches/swirl marks.

Snowfoam does the same thing, although can dwell for much longer and it tends to drip the dirt and debris away as it slides off the car.
 
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Grr just moved my car into the driveway after leaving it across the road for 24 hours while family members visit. It's  covered in bird **** and fluffy seed/leaf things. I'm not super precious about the car or paintwork (2003 Yaris MPV, it's a workhorse) but it was all over the door shuts/edges, handles, and glass. Driving 2 hours tonight so need to be able to, er, see. Only got kitchen roll and Windex as I'm renovating this house so that's what I used!

Note to self, never park under that tree. Smug ******* is still tweeting from up there.
 
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LuckyBenski said:
Grr just moved my car into the driveway after leaving it across the road for 24 hours while family members visit. It's  covered in bird **** and fluffy seed/leaf things. I'm not super precious about the car or paintwork (2003 Yaris MPV, it's a workhorse) but it was all over the door shuts/edges, handles, and glass. Driving 2 hours tonight so need to be able to, er, see. Only got kitchen roll and Windex as I'm renovating this house so that's what I used!

Note to self, never park under that tree. Smug ******* is still tweeting from up there.
Click to expand...
I've recently taken to parking the Crown somewhere different to usual to avoid this... The E30 can stay in the usual spot though, the paint is already beyond a lost cause. :p
 
LuckyBenski said:
Grr just moved my car into the driveway after leaving it across the road for 24 hours while family members visit. It's  covered in bird **** and fluffy seed/leaf things. I'm not super precious about the car or paintwork (2003 Yaris MPV, it's a workhorse) but it was all over the door shuts/edges, handles, and glass. Driving 2 hours tonight so need to be able to, er, see. Only got kitchen roll and Windex as I'm renovating this house so that's what I used!

Note to self, never park under that tree. Smug ******* is still tweeting from up there.
Click to expand...
If it is proper grim stuff I would lay kitchen roll over it and soak it in Windex and let is rest for a bit.
 
Best Tar spot remover please?

I bought Gtechniq W7 Tar and Glue Remover but not finding its very good at shifting Tar spots at all!! Anything else I should get instead please anyone??
 
AWPC said:
Best Tar spot remover please?

I bought Gtechniq W7 Tar and Glue Remover but not finding its very good at shifting Tar spots at all!! Anything else I should get instead please anyone??
Click to expand...
Hardcore - bit of petrol
Softcore - AutoGlym Tar removal (unless they've changed the recipe, mine is like a decade+ old).
 
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