Cleaning rituals & products

[JW027]

I've been reading up and then got bored from all the billions of cleaning products. So I thought I'd seek advice!

I was thinking about doing a wet clean to get the most off then switching to a dry clean method there after.

Currently I:
-Rinse water only. Low pressure hose
-Pre-wash soapy water (turtle wax). 2 bucket method lambs wool mitt
-Main wash soapy water (turtle wax). 2 bucket method lambs wool mitt
-AG Super resin polish
-Chamois Dry

Do you need to do anything special because of the fibre glass construction?
Either way what does everyone prefer to use and do?

[jdearden]

I get it wet. Wash down with sponge n shampoo. Shammy job done. N that's sinse it's been wrapped. Before it was give to the polish n let them do it. Lol.

[mrpbailey]

Replace the chamois with a microfibre drying towel

[mgbond]

I use the maguiers clay and 3 stage wax, When I can be bothered to spend the day cleaning it. Otherwise it's wash dry and a bit of polish.

[stevegto3]

I wash it with a autogym wash and then when I can be arsed and dont have a list of jobs To do I use this :-)

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

Its really good and found it gave a deep polish.

[jdearden]

The day that is nice enough to wash the car in detail are the days I soend driving mine n waisting petrol. Coz burning petrol for no reason is just the best fun.

[Adrian W]

Am I supposed to clean it?

[steveobes]

I use Greased Lightning waterless spray on stuff
Bloody great
No need to get car wet.
Can be used on trim and glass and I know I goes against what most of you are used to
but iv been using it for years and found that it doesn't cause swirling or scratch paintwork.
Mate of mine has a deep black cobra and wouldn't use anything but 2 bucket method with polish and wax
and is very anal about his car.
tried this stuff on his car and doesn't use anything else now.

[Blu3R]

I've polished mine once in 5 years, by hand. The absolute best tip I was given for keeping paint in good condition was to not get it dirty. If it gets dirty, wash it. Regularly.

There's a million products on the market for doing various fancy things and you can achieve a good result with most of them. Everyone will have their own products of choice so as long as you understand what you're trying to achieve, you will probably be fine with any of them. Decide what you want to spend and how much time you'll be able to devote, then you'll know how far you want to go.

[andygtt]

Adrian W said:

Am I supposed to clean it?

only if it's got dusty!

[JW027]

For the most part not the responses I was expecting!

The greased lightening looks like a pretty good solution for what I want to achieve. I can't believe it didn't scratch the paint wiping the amount of dirt of the cars in the video!

[Ant3R]

If ou polish it don't forget to wax it otherwise its all a waste of time. Once it has a couple of coats of wax on, its so much easier to wash.

[Adrian W]

I use this stuff, it seams to repel water and dirt very well.

http://www.armorall.eu/uk/products/item/id/206/shi...

[2802th]

I'm with Steve on this one, Grease Lightning all the way for me. If it gets really really dirty a standard wash and wax but I've only used Grease Lightning over the last four months and it's fantastic.

Change the Tac cloths regularly and there are NO scratches present.

I tried it on a filthy dirty Landrover in dark green and it still gave a great finish!

[JW027]

I have ordered some of this new fangeld "grease lightning". I'm skeptical and difficult to please so we will see!

I can't see how it will be substitute for good old fashioned polish & wax. I live to be proved wrong!

[JW027]

2802th said:

I'm with Steve on this one, Grease Lightning all the way for me. If it gets really really dirty a standard wash and wax but I've only used Grease Lightning over the last four months and it's fantastic.

Change the Tac cloths regularly and there are NO scratches present.

I tried it on a filthy dirty Landrover in dark green and it still gave a great finish!

Can you apply this to a wet car or do I have to dry the car first?

[AverageMPH]

steveobes said:

I use Greased Lightning waterless spray on stuff
Bloody great
No need to get car wet.
Can be used on trim and glass and I know I goes against what most of you are used to
but iv been using it for years and found that it doesn't cause swirling or scratch paintwork.

+1

[2802th]

Wet or dry it works fine, the tac cloth picks up the moisture and the dirt. I know it sounds far fetched but this stuff IS VERY GOOD.
A good friend with a fetish for Jags watched me do the front wing on our Freelander it was filthy dirty, and after I had finished he looked closely for scratching and guess what, none found, and boy did he look for it!

[hoyin]

Surely if I don't wash it I will never get any swirls and scratches???

[hoyin]

Surely if I don't wash it I will never get any swirls and scratches???