Tell me how to wash my car, please

[Fume troll]

I really need to learn how to look after my car's paintwork and wheels properly. All I've ever done is give it a rinse with the hose, and then a wash over with some turtlewax combined shampoo/wax stuff, using a microfibre type of sponge. Looking at manufacturers websites gives so many options it's bamboozling !

I don't want to go for some day long exercise involving hundreds of products, just some advice on a quickish routine that will clean and protect the car and give a good result.

Oh, and what product do you reccomend for giving the interior a quick wipe down?

Any advice please folks?

Cheers,

Tom.

[im]

Interesting question

I have problems with getting the car dry and not leaving water marks all over it.

[Plotloss]

A good chamois is the key...

[The_Burg]

Only £5 at your local Cosovan Carwash, coming to a closed petrol station near you soon!

[SS HSV]

The basic wash I do is as follows:

1) Soak the bodywork completely with a low pressure hose pipe and cold water.
2) Add (whatever) car shampoo into two large buckets and fill with warm water.
3) Using two sponges (one for clean and one for not so clean), start by washing the roof and working down the car.
4) Keep flushing the sponges regularly.
5) Apply suitable wheel cleaner and leave to soak into grime and brake dust etc.
6) When you get to the lower half, use the 'dirtier' sponge and keep that bucket seperate from the other.
7) Wash off everything with pressure washer (mine is the cheapest less powerful karcher I could find to avoid damage).
8) Use a chamois to remove excess water and marks - again, start from the top down.
9) Wait till dry then pollish.

I am sure others will improve on this, but this is my personal routine

[ali_kat]

Mr Heatherington!!

[sleep envy]

use two buckets - one with the soapy water and one to rinse the sponge otherwise you'll be rubbing a sponge with grit over the body work

start at the top and work down - roof, glass, bonnet, top of doors, boot and then bottom of doors

have a spare sponge to do the shut lines, wheel arches, sills, under bumpers and alloys

drop the windows a touch to get the edges of the glass that fit in the doors

use very hot water with the chamois - it's easier to wring dry

don't forget to clean the wiper blades

do the wheels first (with a running hose) otherwise the water will dry leaving streaky marks before you'll have finished

Edited by sleep envy on Wednesday 28th March 11:11

[sleep envy]

and if possible work in the shade

[sleep envy]

white cars are the easiest to keep clean

black cars are the worst

[fido]

[SS HSV]

sleep envy said:

white cars are the easiest to keep clean

black cars are the worst

Oh

fido said:

I think mine is even 'weedier' than that

Edited by SS HSV on Wednesday 28th March 11:22

[Fume troll]

Thanks folks, useful stuff.

OK, so it's clean. Now what? What is simple to apply and gives a good finish?

Cheers,

Tom.

[sleep envy]

tommfuller said:

What is simple to apply and gives a good finish?

the honest answer is nothing

if you want to get a good finish it will take time and effort - Zymol

[Fume troll]

OK.....what's simple and gives an OK result? I'd really rather be driving!

Cheers,

Tom.

[Graeme H]

Sounds like you want a quick all in one type treatment for after washes, try a round of Klasse All-In-One after a wash every so often. Will clean the paint, remove oxidation and protect it with a nice shine.

[Anatol]

Carefully maintained flexiblade and waffle weave microfiber beats chamois hands down IMHO...

Tol

[sb-1]

After washing use something like Meguiers Cleaner Wax.

A good product for the price IMO.

[jmorgan]

Been using P21s products of late and finding it quite good. Dumped the chamois leather for a micro-fiber towel but can't really tell the difference although the towel is easier to clean etc.

[TaylotS2K]

I've been told not to use sponges as these can put swirl marks on the paintwork. A washmit is a better option I hear.

[kidhaa]

Go to the site www.meguiars.co.uk

Click on Advise, then instant car clinic..

I've used their product and was happy with the results for the price paid for a new 997 i picked up in March