Haven’t cleaned my car in a month

[budgie smuggler]

Belle427 said:

Probably works out cheaper to get a respray every few years then get into the detailing game.

Haha, ain't that the truth!

[cuprabob]

Ask your Dad to give it a clean.

[Tommo87]

OP, If you’re lucky someone will buy you a special mitt at Xmas made from the wool of a baby unicorn, harvested during the zenith of a full moon.

Otherwise, you might risk leaving micro scratches that are actually visible under a laboratory microscope.

[Lester H]

808 Estate said:

Gordon Hill said:

I don't bother from November to March, it's a complete and utter waste of time, a thankless task and quite frankly I've got better things to do.

This ^

Unfortunately, this is also the worst period for corrosion. The majority of us will have better things to do, but may I suggest that a visit to a well sheltered jet wash with screens will enable you to wash the bodywork to an adequate standard, and, more importantly, rinse out the wheel arches and any underside crannies. Clearly, advanced valeting is not likely to occur in the rain! Also most standard single garages are too cramped in which to dry and polish the car, added to which you have hazards of items falling on to the car, or scratching it with your own belt, buttons,etc.

Edited by Lester H on Monday 20th November 16:42

[Lester H]

cuprabob said:

Ask your Dad to give it a clean.

No good, sorry, as I am the Dad.

[Iceblue]

My neighbour spends hours every week cleaning his Mercedes if he as to drive it in the rain which he avoids at all costs he will rinse and dry it before putting back in his garage he then trades it every two years for a new one, there will always be people that really care about cleaning there car and those that don't, some people see cars as just a way from A to B and others are totally obsessive, I'm somewhere in between never leave my car dirty inside or out, always use a good wash/wax, and treat it to a proper polish two/three times a year, the old saying was! they always drive nicer clean.

Edited by Iceblue on Monday 27th November 12:13

[Tommo87]

Iceblue said:

My neighbour spends hours every week cleaning his Mercedes if he as to drive it in the rain which he avoids at all costs he will rinse and dry it before putting back in his garage he then trades it every two years for a new one, there will always be people that really care about cleaning there car and those that don't, some people see cars as just a way from A to B and others are totally obsessive, I'm somewhere in between never leave my car dirty inside or out, always use a good wash/wax, and treat it to a proper polish two/three times a year, the old saying was! they always drive nicer clean.

Edited by Iceblue on Monday 27th November 12:13

I’m guessing it’s his way of making the car more personal to him.

Years ago, we got the spanner’s out and spent time tinkering on the cars swapping out some part or other (air filter, springs, carb etc)

That ability has lessened over time as cars have gotten more technical and that need for some has been replaced by deep cleaning.

Only another like minded person would notice when they bought it. They certainly wouldn’t pay an additional premium for a lack of paint damage they can’t even see in normal lighting.

[vikingaero]

budgie smuggler said:

Belle427 said:

Probably works out cheaper to get a respray every few years then get into the detailing game.

Haha, ain't that the truth!

I've stopped buying really expensive stuff and my limit per product is around £30 and I rarely go above £20. Since the improvement in Turtle Wax products, they are my go to. Their Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Spray is £11.83 on offer all the time from Amazon or Halfords and is so quick, economical and easy to use (10 mins per car) that I use it after every wash.

I pick up most of my car products from Facebook Marketplace. A 20 litre tub of car shampoo that I also use as snow foam for £15. Why buy the 2 or 3 items of Autoglym products from Halfords when for £25-£30 you can have the Autoglym Lifeshine Cleaning Pack from Facebook for £25-30? That's 8 bottles of stuff, a sponge, some cloths etc. all in a bag.

[Alex_225]

vikingaero said:

I've stopped buying really expensive stuff and my limit per product is around £30 and I rarely go above £20. Since the improvement in Turtle Wax products, they are my go to. Their Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Spray is £11.83 on offer all the time from Amazon or Halfords and is so quick, economical and easy to use (10 mins per car) that I use it after every wash.

I pick up most of my car products from Facebook Marketplace. A 20 litre tub of car shampoo that I also use as snow foam for £15. Why buy the 2 or 3 items of Autoglym products from Halfords when for £25-£30 you can have the Autoglym Lifeshine Cleaning Pack from Facebook for £25-30? That's 8 bottles of stuff, a sponge, some cloths etc. all in a bag.

This is a really good point, you don't need to spend hundreds on products and higher prices don't always equate to a better product.

A decent shampoo, polish and wax along with a couple of buckets, mitts and towels would come in well under £150. You'd get years of use out of the products.

There are other steps you can take with detailing but for the basics which would suit most, that's all you really need.

[VeeReihenmotor6]

I washed both my cars today at lunch. One was disgusting as I live in a rural area and it's mudfest waist down.

To make my life easier I wax them with colinite 845 (other products available) at the back end of summer. I like to think the product is pretty tough and gives an added layer of protection between the paint top coat and the grime. It certainly makes cleaning the car during winter easier.

I use an aqua spray wax to top up after each wash. Doesn't take long, probs an hour just doing the outside of both cars including the wheels (i have some long reach cleaning tools so I can do the inner parts without taking the wheels off) and I also give the arches, exposed areas of subframes a rinse and always clean under the sills.

To answer the OP I'm not sure how long the spray waxes last, perhaps a week of winter driving on the lower sections of the car? The car has a clear coat on it as well to protect the body but I like to have something extra on there to protect further. Really you want to be getting the salt and crap off the car at least every once a month, ideally weekly if heavily used. Equally though, it depends how long you are keeping the car. If switching out every few years there is probably no point.

[Alex_225]

VeeReihenmotor6 said:

I washed both my cars today at lunch. One was disgusting as I live in a rural area and it's mudfest waist down.

To make my life easier I wax them with colinite 845 (other products available) at the back end of summer. I like to think the product is pretty tough and gives an added layer of protection between the paint top coat and the grime. It certainly makes cleaning the car during winter easier.

I use an aqua spray wax to top up after each wash. Doesn't take long, probs an hour just doing the outside of both cars including the wheels (i have some long reach cleaning tools so I can do the inner parts without taking the wheels off) and I also give the arches, exposed areas of subframes a rinse and always clean under the sills.

To answer the OP I'm not sure how long the spray waxes last, perhaps a week of winter driving on the lower sections of the car? The car has a clear coat on it as well to protect the body but I like to have something extra on there to protect further. Really you want to be getting the salt and crap off the car at least every once a month, ideally weekly if heavily used. Equally though, it depends how long you are keeping the car. If switching out every few years there is probably no point.

That Collinite 845 is really good stuff, inexpensive and just works and lasts. Better than the 476 which is similar but just harder to apply.

I used to use a spray product to top up my waxes until fairly recently. I bought Car-Chem Ceramic Suds shampoo that applies a layer of protection whilst you wash. I can honestly say it's as good as any of the spray rinse/wipe products I've used. It will literally leave beading on a car with almost none the moment you rinse it off.

Worth a look as it's not expensive but will keep waxes topped up consistently with each wash.