*** The Car Cleaning Thread ***

[NeverWinter]

Hey chaps, what's the consensus amongst you cleaning fanatics with regards to the best tyre/wheel cleaners?

Just ordered this for the tyres so I just need a wheel cleaner now!

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_199177_langId_-1_categoryId_165682

I've just ordered 5l of ValetPro Bilberry, just use that it's pretty awesome stuff. Also ordered a microfibre brush just because it's a PITA getting to the inside of the wheel with my big hands in a microfibre mitt.

 

[Raymond Lin]

Why do you guys put tyre protection on? It's designed to rub against the road so how is putting chemicals on the side wall help it apart from keep it black? Or is that the point?

 

[Mucky_Pup]

Why do you guys put tyre protection on? It's designed to rub against the road so how is putting chemicals on the side wall help it apart from keep it black? Or is that the point?

Just dresses it up a bit, that's all really. Why go clean all your car, then be let down with splashes of mud and crap running all around the side of your tyres?

 

[Raymond Lin]

I see that and fair enough but it's just when I read this

The Meguiars Endurance High Gloss Tyre Protection produces a rich, dark shine which lasts for weeks, not days, whatever the weather. The unique formula stops tyres from turning brown & eliminates overspray, drips, streaks & spotted driveways.

I can't see how some high gloss is going to help if i drive through a puddle. I guess I expect the tyres to get dirty as that's their job, it's like I wouldn't bother clean the mop.

 

[mrk]

I apply Chemical Guys New Look Trim Gel with a shoe polish brush on my tyres and it lasts a couple of weeks easily. Longer if the weather stays dry mostly. Stays nice and deep black.

New Look Trim Gel is such a versatile product

 

[ScarySquirrel]

Why do you guys put tyre protection on? It's designed to rub against the road so how is putting chemicals on the side wall help it apart from keep it black? Or is that the point?

It looks better

 

[Burned_Alive]

I've just ordered 5l of ValetPro Bilberry, just use that it's pretty awesome stuff. Also ordered a microfibre brush just because it's a PITA getting to the inside of the wheel with my big hands in a microfibre mitt.

Which brush out of interest?

I really struggle for wheel brushes. I have the EZ Detail brush set, but the large brush is a bit too big for my wheels/brakes and the small brush isn't very durable, although does an excellent job with my wheels which have lots of spokes that run close together.

 

[NeverWinter]

Which brush out of interest?

I really struggle for wheel brushes. I have the EZ Detail brush set, but the large brush is a bit too big for my wheels/brakes and the small brush isn't very durable, although does an excellent job with my wheels which have lots of spokes that run close together.

I bought a microfibre brush by kent, on the bay for less than a fiver. I use one of the small cream detailing brushes on the front and inbetween the spokes.

I do have a Monza Ultra Safe alloy brush but I don't like it at all, it's more suited to scrubbing pots and pans!

 

[CliffyBiro]

What do you guys recommend for removing tar? I've tried Halford's own brand spray on stuff and it's next to useless.

 

[PiKe]

Autosmart Tardis.

 

[ScoobyDoo69]

How should I clean my exhaust to get a really good shine out of it? Would a very fine wirewool with metal polish bring a mirror finish?

 

[CliffyBiro]

Autosmart Tardis.

Nice one. Cheers.

 

[NeverWinter]

How should I clean my exhaust to get a really good shine out of it? Would a very fine wirewool with metal polish bring a mirror finish?

Is it a chrome finish exhaust? Mine is and just some Autosol on a cloth brings mine up nicely.

 

[ScoobyDoo69]

Stainless - tried Autosol, doesn't really do much

 

[SoliD]

How should I clean my exhaust to get a really good shine out of it? Would a very fine wirewool with metal polish bring a mirror finish?

Pretty much, I use some of the wire wool stuff from a supermarket to get the big bits off then autosol the rest of it to bring it up sparkly, does the trick.

 

[ScarySquirrel]

Get some Autosol, it's brilliant for polish your exhaust (I don't mean masturbating, don't do that with Autosol, it'll burn)

 

[beermonster]

Got round to giving the interior a proper good clean, it's amazing how much dust and stuff gets trapped in the leather creases, trim joins, vents, switches etc, so went round with a small brush to dislodge the dirt and suck it up with the vacuum, its these little details that make your car look really clean, although black is a pain as dust shows up quite bad and i'm having to do it on a regular basis to keep it spotless.

I did however forget to scrub the pedals . Also cleaned the floor mats with a bucket of hot water with some household wash liquid and carefully agitated with a wheel brush, it brought masses of grime out and now look like new. Then onto the steering wheel using leather wipes, what I thought was just the grain in the leather was dirt , the tri-colour M stitching now looks fresh and the wheel is proper black rather than grey. The rest of the dash and trim got a good clean with matt dash wipes and also leather wipes for seats and door cards. Then finally the alcantara headliner, which was a pain as tiny hairs get trapped in the fabric and you have to tweezer them out.

 

[[TW]Fox]

Such an awesome interior.

 

[CliffyBiro]

Indeed. Very nice.

 

[beermonster]

Only thing niggling me now is the steering wheel has worn more on the right hand side but its not super shiny like the pic would suggest. Can't believe how well it cleaned up, cleaning wipes were proper filthy after giving it a good rub over, the coloured stitching was practically black before.