Bottom-up or Top-down?

[the dodger]

That is the question. No, I mean how do you clean your car? I have been cleaning cars for over 30 years so have some experience now. This is my method: First I loosen any dirt with a garden hose at mains pressure. Then with bucket of Zip wax-with Turtle-wax (Autoglym for the Trev), I start with the roof, unless it's off, drivers side, then passengers side. Then I start at the passenger rear wing from the top down, washing each panel in turn from the top down - rear door (?) pass. door, front wing, bonnet, round the other side finishing at the back but all from the top downwards. A friend of mine declared he always washes his Jag from the bottom up! Says he can see where he's washed it easier. I don't go with that.

Anyway, then it's a rinse-off with the hose, then leather it dry in stright lines.

What do you do?

[Pies]

Top down all cars,most dirt is at the bottom.You want to wash the car with clean water,wheels last.

[Don]

I think you have to accept that to clean the car properly you must do it twice.

Before washing it I get any tar/burnt rubber etc off with AutoGlym Tar Remover. Then...

I wash the car from the top down..finishing with the wheels. Then I do it again...once again from the top down. Then its leather it off (ooer)..and let it dry. Then I have a range of treatments for the paintwork (Zymol wax), seals (silicone lubricant) and glass (RainX outside, Glass cleaner inside).

Then I might do the interior. First dust then vaccuum. Then dash and trim cleaner. Then leather cleaner. Then Hide Food.

It takes all day so it doesn't happen often. Car looks wonderful after...although it still wouldn't win any Concours prizes - mainly because I don't care.

And after all that my general attitude is still "Driven - Not Polished!" - if you believe me!

[Colin L]

Driven not Polished !!

Don do you have any time for driving after all that effort.

Forget being blinded by headlights, Don coming over the hill catching the sun on the bonnet will be enough.

Bet she looks good.

Colin L

[v8tvr]

What a boring topic

[Don]

v8tvr said: What a boring topic

What a riveting contribution.

Come on. Neither you nor I are concours aficiandos I'm sure: I know I'm not. But there's no need to comment so negatively. I'm sure when going to a club event (or wedding or similar) you clean your car up too. How exactly do you do it?

And its a but of fun ribbing one another about the best way...

Everyone is pretty humourous about being "car geeks" so what's your gripe with that?

[RCA]

Don said:

v8tvr said: What a boring topic

What a riveting contribution.

Sorry Don, you owe me a keyboard!!!!!
Priceless comment!!

[david010167]

Top down, the only exception being the wheels as some wheel cleaners like to go on dry wheels.

David

[andyvdg]

Both. I now use two sponges, two buckets. I loosen the big stuff off with a hose, then use the first bucket and sponge to clean the bottom of the car e.g. sills, wheels and exhaust, and then use the other bucket and sponge to clean top down. This reduces the amount of grainy dirt and brake dust getting into the sponge that cleans most of the car and so reduces scratching.

I change my chamois every 2 months or so - once it gets a bit dirty I find it can leave a bit of a smeary finish.

[Davey Boy]

Wheels first for me. A good blast with a pressure washer and then Wonder Wheels. Then wash from top down with a few capfulls of Mer in warm water. I use one of those big cotton wash mits from Halfords.

After a rinse it's either apply Mer neat with the mit to the wet car or alternatively dry it and then use Meguires Gold Class polish.

Finish off with a good rub of Meguires Tyre Gel (excellent stuff - keeps them black and shiny for well over a week) with a good dollop of Autoglym to shine up my nob (oooeerr!)

[the dodger]

Don said:

v8tvr said: What a boring topic

What a riveting contribution.

Brilliant quote Don.
BTW - how much would you charge to do mine? I wouldn't trust any of my offspring let alone a cheap student!
Oh, and I forgot about wheels: Fist time, take off and clean thoroughly inside and out then Autoglym. After that, just Autoglym shampoo after the car and leather.

[beemer]

andyvdg said: Both. I now use two sponges, two buckets.

I take it you'll be bringing the full complement with you to Le Mans then Andy!!

cheers
sean



>> Edited by beemer on Thursday 29th May 18:33

[pistol pete]

Pressure wash top down, then scrub with sponge in any random fassion (needs scrubbed as it doesn't get washed often), then rinse bottom up with pressure washer.

Pete
[obviously immensialy thrilled by the topic, an not in the slightest bit board]

[bob the planner]

Top down. Rince first with water to get off all the road dirt using a clean sponge and plenty of water to prevent the sponge scratching the paintwork. Then wash with autoglym using a wash mitt and the same principle of loads of water to clean the mitt regularly. A final rince with the sponge and dry with a shammy.

The whole lot takes about 45 mins and then off for a drive.

Quick wash - once over wih a wet sponge, dry with a shammy and off to the races.

Full method once a month, quick method once in between or if out for a meet.

This may change as the Chim has become the day car. (It might only get done once a month but I will not let it know as it may sulk).

Bob

[andyvdg]

beemer said:

andyvdg said: Both. I now use two sponges, two buckets.

I take it you'll be bringing the full complement with you to Le Mans then Andy!!

cheers
sean

>> Edited by beemer on Thursday 29th May 18:33

Yeah - I can fill them with water and dunk the beers in to keep them cool!

>> Edited by andyvdg on Friday 30th May 08:52

[andyvdg]

Seriously, has anyone tried Autoglym Instant Show Shine ? Would that be any good after driving down to Le Mans ?