Car cleaning tips, Cheap and quick.
Discussion
Hi , I was after advice on good products that I can use to keep my car and its tyres looking clean... I Just got a new car and would like to try and keep it looking like it did when I picked it up from the showroom - PLEASE NOTE - I am extremely lazy , So I do not want a lecture on how to fully detail and clay bar a Ferrari !!! , Just a quick bit of advice on whats quick cheap, works well and makes it shine - am new to forum so feel free to move this post to another area if needed. Thanks in advance.
FORGOT -To mention its a rag roof , so any products for keeping the canopy looking black and free from bird crap marks also very gratefully received....sun fading - bird strikes - tree sap etc.
FORGOT -To mention its a rag roof , so any products for keeping the canopy looking black and free from bird crap marks also very gratefully received....sun fading - bird strikes - tree sap etc.
Edited by billy wobbly neck on Friday 15th November 16:41
I’m sure there’s will be a lot of people along to give their opinions on detailing; everyone has their own methods.
As far as tyres and trim are concerned it’s a good idea to buy some very cheap micro fibre cloths. You can get them from eBay for a pittance. Clean your car, wheels and tyres in whatever method you settle on, using the microfibres to scrub the remaining dirt from the sidewall of the tyre.
I use Carpro PERL for the tyres and trim as it gives a much nicer, satin finish on them to my eyes than a lot of other products. You can dilute it down for different purposes around the car so it works out to be versatile and good value.
The bulk microfibre cloths also come in handy for those little bits you miss on the initial wash or things like door shuts.
It’s worth spending the time to get some decent, long lasting protection on the paint as it’ll make your life down the road easier. You’ll have to get on it sharpish with the weather changing unless you’ve got an indoor space to apply it.
Things like Gyeon bathe+ and their wetcoat product allow you to clean the car well, whilst adding gloss to the paint and laying down a water repellent layer that helps keep the car clean in my experience.
Buy a few wash mitts, swap them out through the wash if you’re not going to go to extreme lengths to keep the car decontaminated before you touch it. 2 bucket method with plasterers buckets instead of the expensive ‘detailing’ ones; they’re the same thing.
After washing each section, squeeze the mitt out on the ground or down the drain, if you think it’s got dirt in it, rinse it it with the hose and then in to your rinse bucket. If you’re still not confident it’s clean, use another.
As far as tyres and trim are concerned it’s a good idea to buy some very cheap micro fibre cloths. You can get them from eBay for a pittance. Clean your car, wheels and tyres in whatever method you settle on, using the microfibres to scrub the remaining dirt from the sidewall of the tyre.
I use Carpro PERL for the tyres and trim as it gives a much nicer, satin finish on them to my eyes than a lot of other products. You can dilute it down for different purposes around the car so it works out to be versatile and good value.
The bulk microfibre cloths also come in handy for those little bits you miss on the initial wash or things like door shuts.
It’s worth spending the time to get some decent, long lasting protection on the paint as it’ll make your life down the road easier. You’ll have to get on it sharpish with the weather changing unless you’ve got an indoor space to apply it.
Things like Gyeon bathe+ and their wetcoat product allow you to clean the car well, whilst adding gloss to the paint and laying down a water repellent layer that helps keep the car clean in my experience.
Buy a few wash mitts, swap them out through the wash if you’re not going to go to extreme lengths to keep the car decontaminated before you touch it. 2 bucket method with plasterers buckets instead of the expensive ‘detailing’ ones; they’re the same thing.
After washing each section, squeeze the mitt out on the ground or down the drain, if you think it’s got dirt in it, rinse it it with the hose and then in to your rinse bucket. If you’re still not confident it’s clean, use another.
Edited by Demelitia on Friday 15th November 12:08
I've been impressed with Turtle Wax Hybrid Sealant Hydrophobic Wax recently. Really easy to put on and take off, makes the water bead on the paintwork nicely. You can get away with a waterless wax to clean the car if you do it regularly enough - this makes a good alternative to wash the car, dry it, then apply a sealant.
billy wobbly neck said:
Hi , I was after advice on good products that I can use to keep my car and its tyres looking clean... I Just got a new car and would like to try and keep it looking like it did when I picked it up from the showroom - PLEASE NOTE - I am extremely lazy , So I do not want a lecture on how to fully detail and clay bar a Ferrari !!! , Just a quick bit of advice on whats quick cheap, works well and makes it shine - am new to forum so feel free to move this post to another area if needed. Thanks in advance.
I think it's one of those cases where you get out what you put in. If it's cheap and fast, it'll not be done well. You could just take it to a hand wash - £5 and your car will look clean (from a distance), most people won't even tell the difference. But it'll swirl and damage the paint over time.
If you don't want to put the effort in, get a detailer to do it. It'll be done well and will be safe on the paintwork, but that won't be cheap.
If you want it done well, without too much cost, you'll need to put the effort in.
I'm lazy too, so I feel your pain. But there's really no shortcuts if you care about doing it well. I would advise you don't worry about a bit of dirt and just give it a proper safe wash every week or two.
But to answer your question how you want - get a Quick Detailer spray. E.g. Sonax BSD. You can use that to shine it up between washes. But if you're using that to 'clean' the car it'll swirl the paint over time.
billy wobbly neck said:
I Just got a new car and would like to try and keep it looking like it did when I picked it up from the showroom
Personally, I would just try to keep it clean and prevent swirls, without going overboard into the vast world of detailing.You car probably came from the dealer with a few swirls but if you want to do as you say 'try and keep it looking like it did when I picked it up from the showroom' you need to prevent further swirls.
Buy a couple of decent buckets, proper wash mitts and drying cloth(s). Watch a couple of YouTube vids of how to clean a car using a proper technique and that's it.
Automated washers and the 'local hand-wash' will add swirls and god knows whats in there magic sprayer of TFR regarding what it will do to your paint.
Unless you are willing to pay, wash it yourself. Cheap and swirl free washing are mutually exclusive IMHO.
Williams racing waterless wash and some micro fibre cloths. It'll make detailers cringe no doubt but it's convenient and likely won't put any more swirls on the car than you'd do washing with water.
When heavily soiled you can use some water and bucket / two buckets your hand/sponge to get the worst off first.
When heavily soiled you can use some water and bucket / two buckets your hand/sponge to get the worst off first.
Re the rag roof, I got the autoglym two part cleaner / sealer this summer for mine and it's working well, but this will require a reasonable amount of work but yours should be unsoiled at present?
You need to be careful where you park it, hopefully anywhere you leave it for long periods isn't under trees (bird crap, moss/algae and sap!)
You need to be careful where you park it, hopefully anywhere you leave it for long periods isn't under trees (bird crap, moss/algae and sap!)
billy wobbly neck said:
Hi , I was after advice on good products that I can use to keep my car and its tyres looking clean... I Just got a new car and would like to try and keep it looking like it did when I picked it up from the showroom - PLEASE NOTE - I am extremely lazy , So I do not want a lecture on how to fully detail and clay bar a Ferrari !!! , Just a quick bit of advice on whats quick cheap, works well and makes it shine - am new to forum so feel free to move this post to another area if needed. Thanks in advance.
FORGOT -To mention its a rag roof , so any products for keeping the canopy looking black and free from bird crap marks also very gratefully received....sun fading - bird strikes - tree sap etc.
The basics for me in terms of keeping it looking decent quickly and cheapishFORGOT -To mention its a rag roof , so any products for keeping the canopy looking black and free from bird crap marks also very gratefully received....sun fading - bird strikes - tree sap etc.
Edited by billy wobbly neck on Friday 15th November 16:41
Cheap but good wash mits: https://www.amazon.co.uk/EMVANV-Waterproof-Cleanin... Similar on eBay they're a couple of quid each.
Get a bucket out of B&M bargains or the likes.
For maximum gloss from washing alone I like chemical guys auto wash: https://www.in2detailing.co.uk/chemical-guys-gloss...
For less gloss but better cleaning strength and better value for money (you only use 5ml in a bucket, buy some plastic 5ml syringes off eBay): https://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/bilt-hamber-auto-wa...
Depending on the colour of the car (mines are both black) and the water hard was in your area you might find if you don't dry it then water marks ruin the work you've put into washing, so carefully dry it off with a drying towel. Microfiber is always recommend but I use waffle weave as I find they leave a mirror finish behind. These Amazon basics ones are what I use https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00EVY2LKI/ref=cm_sw_r...
When drying use some quick detailer as it helps drys it quicker and tops up the gloss . Bouncers done and dusted has won awards over the years for gloss levels https://www.in2detailing.co.uk/bouncer-s-done-and-... .
Wheels, use a seperate bucket and seperate soft cloth with diluted car shampoo.
For the paint, I'd say the minimum is
For cloths and towels, suggest in2detailing, Carpro and Paragon for good quality at reasonable prices. Korean trumps Chinese and 70:30 mix trumps 80:20 or worse, 90:10 (cheap supermarket stuff).
It is possible to get all of that stuff delivered for just the one supplier. PM me if you want the recommendation.
Wheels, tyres, interior, glass and rag top will all require different regimes to the paint, and getting all of the appropriate cleaning and dress liquids could get expensive. I've found Clean Your Ride samples and CarChem picknmix to be a very affordable way of picking up consumables in weekend warrior quantities.
- (optional) Prewash (with garden pump sprayer) and rinse
- shampoo with a pure shampoo (not wash and wax) and rinse
- dry and seal with a spray sealant and quality drying towels
For cloths and towels, suggest in2detailing, Carpro and Paragon for good quality at reasonable prices. Korean trumps Chinese and 70:30 mix trumps 80:20 or worse, 90:10 (cheap supermarket stuff).
It is possible to get all of that stuff delivered for just the one supplier. PM me if you want the recommendation.
Wheels, tyres, interior, glass and rag top will all require different regimes to the paint, and getting all of the appropriate cleaning and dress liquids could get expensive. I've found Clean Your Ride samples and CarChem picknmix to be a very affordable way of picking up consumables in weekend warrior quantities.
Also see "Beginners Detailing Setup : Everything you need on a budget" by Forensic Detailing channel.
https://youtu.be/I7q5E8Kz-CY
Mr Forensic may have a different concept of "budget" to you, but his recommendations and tips are usually pretty good.
https://youtu.be/I7q5E8Kz-CY
Mr Forensic may have a different concept of "budget" to you, but his recommendations and tips are usually pretty good.
A decent snow foam (Bilt Hamber)
A wheel cleaner (Bilt Hamber)
Shampoo (ph neutral)
A good wash mitt
A spray sealant (AngelWax or Stjarnagloss are both impressive and easy to use)
A drying towel
A fabric sealant for the roof (303 or Nanolex are good)
That would be a decent kit to get you started and wouldn’t be a mammoth task every time you wash. A spray sealant is easy to apply and should last you a few months, but so easy to apply when you need to top it up.
The Piston Works was doing a winter wash kit which included some of the above but not all of it.
https://www.thepistonworks.com/collections/detaili...
Give them a shout because they’d probably put a starter kit together for you, they’re a bit more human than most other online places
A wheel cleaner (Bilt Hamber)
Shampoo (ph neutral)
A good wash mitt
A spray sealant (AngelWax or Stjarnagloss are both impressive and easy to use)
A drying towel
A fabric sealant for the roof (303 or Nanolex are good)
That would be a decent kit to get you started and wouldn’t be a mammoth task every time you wash. A spray sealant is easy to apply and should last you a few months, but so easy to apply when you need to top it up.
The Piston Works was doing a winter wash kit which included some of the above but not all of it.
https://www.thepistonworks.com/collections/detaili...
Give them a shout because they’d probably put a starter kit together for you, they’re a bit more human than most other online places
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