what happened to using a bucket and a sponge?

[anonymous-user]

That comment on the 5 bucket method :lol:

[bad company]

jamei303 said:

Might wash my car out of boredom today. However it hasn't been washed since last June so has a thick layer of grime and I don't have access to a pressure washer.

Any suggestions on how I can get this grime off without rubbing it against the paintwork?

I’d wait a week. The East Europeans should be back then.

[MikeM6]

jamei303 said:

Might wash my car out of boredom today. However it hasn't been washed since last June so has a thick layer of grime and I don't have access to a pressure washer.

Any suggestions on how I can get this grime off without rubbing it against the paintwork?

Before I had a pressure washer I used a foam that just attached to the hose pipe and covered the car in a half decent amount of foam. I left it for a bit and it loosened the dirt off ok.

Was a green bottle in Halfords, I think it might have been demon foam or something like that?

[swisstoni]

MikeM6 said:

jamei303 said:

Might wash my car out of boredom today. However it hasn't been washed since last June so has a thick layer of grime and I don't have access to a pressure washer.

Any suggestions on how I can get this grime off without rubbing it against the paintwork?

Before I had a pressure washer I used a foam that just attached to the hose pipe and covered the car in a half decent amount of foam. I left it for a bit and it loosened the dirt off ok.

Was a green bottle in Halfords, I think it might have been demon foam or something like that?

I’d just make sure the dirt was well soaked first to soften it and then use the 2 bucket method with those shaggy microfibre wash mitts.
And use separate ones for the lower part of the car and the upper panels.

[cib24]

[toasty]

Our local hand wash place is great for the price.

Wheels are sprayed with cleaner.
Car sprayed with prewash and rinsed with pressure washer
Mitt washed.
Rinsed with pressure washer
Sprayed with wax.
Air and chamois dried.
Windows cleaned.
Wheels hand finished.
Final going over with quick detailer.

For £12.

Yes, you’d get a better result from a detailer at 10-20x the price or you could do it yourself. But for a daily driver I know where my money and time is going.

[Court_S]

I spent Good Friday giving my car it’s post winter clean.





It was a long way from a bucket and sponge and took ages but I was pretty happy doing it. Even managed to do it without getting collared by the annoying bloke over the road who thinks car washing is a spectator sport.

[bad company]

Court_S said:

Even managed to do it without getting collared by the annoying bloke over the road who thinks car washing is a spectator sport.

Now you’ll find out if he’s a PH’r.

[JS2015]

5 Pound a time car washes do a good job for a short space of time BUT they tend to feel under the wheel arches and underside with their wash mitts then skate them back over the upper panels, dragging grit around the car. This is a problem even with a blanket of snow foam.

If you shine an led torch close to the paint of the car and see fine scratches you're washing it wrong. White paint takes the most abuse however so if you don't care about cars and car care it's the best 'colour'.

Edited to add that bright silver also quite swirl resistant.

Also, never take a classic car to the public car wash. The car will fill with water, chemicals such as tfr peel the paint and corrode the metalwork, especially if you have stonechips. Once cringed seeing a Jag XJ40 recently purchased by its owner being taken for a cheap wash!

Whilst I'm on my soapbox.. in Bangers and Cash the TV program - they're always dusting the cars away vigorously like they're a lump of brass on a steam engine. Paint must be ruined. Really boils my urine!

Edited by JS2015 on Monday 5th April 11:58

Edited by JS2015 on Monday 5th April 12:05

[Court_S]

bad company said:

Court_S said:

Even managed to do it without getting collared by the annoying bloke over the road who thinks car washing is a spectator sport.

Now you’ll find out if he’s a PH’r.

He’s certainly opinionated enough!

He pounced as soon as I came home in my M140i and basically told me it was crap like all BMW’s. A Hyundai i20 is apparently all you need. He’s a penis.

[bad company]

Court_S said:

He’s certainly opinionated enough!

He pounced as soon as I came home in my M140i and basically told me it was crap like all BMW’s. A Hyundai i20 is apparently all you need. He’s a penis.

If he thinks his Hyundai i20 is better than your M140i I doubt he’s on PH.

[320d is all you need]

Court_S said:

He’s certainly opinionated enough!

He pounced as soon as I came home in my M140i and basically told me it was crap like all BMW’s. A Hyundai i20 is apparently all you need. He’s a penis.

Sorry. I told my Cousin not to be annoying again.

[TheRainMaker]

I quite enjoy car cleaning, through these restrictions I've had a fair bit of free time so got myself some kit, it all started with a DAS-6 Pro.

For me, it's just another part of owning a car.

The polishing side started with burnt in bird poop.











I'm sure my neighbours think I'm nuts, but I don't care.

[SWoll]

Ver nice and well worth the effort.

The Vantage is gorgeous BTW, still don't understand where they are going with the styling of the new one..

[stogbandard]

swisstoni said:

MikeM6 said:

jamei303 said:

Might wash my car out of boredom today. However it hasn't been washed since last June so has a thick layer of grime and I don't have access to a pressure washer.

Any suggestions on how I can get this grime off without rubbing it against the paintwork?

Before I had a pressure washer I used a foam that just attached to the hose pipe and covered the car in a half decent amount of foam. I left it for a bit and it loosened the dirt off ok.

Was a green bottle in Halfords, I think it might have been demon foam or something like that?

I’d just make sure the dirt was well soaked first to soften it and then use the 2 bucket method with those shaggy microfibre wash mitts.
And use separate ones for the lower part of the car and the upper panels.

You could use a garage jet wash. Don’t use the brush, just get the worst of the muck off so all you’re left with is the residual grime that will be easier to wash off. Maybe use a double dose of car shampoo to maximise lubricity and of course two buckets and a wash mitt.

A trick I use is to apply soapy water with one side of the mitt which also wipes the worst of the grime, then flip the mitt over and use the cleaner side to wipe properly. Then rinse the mitt and repeat on the next section.

[Taita]

TheRainMaker said:

I quite enjoy car cleaning, through these restrictions I've had a fair bit of free time so got myself some kit, it all started with a DAS-6 Pro.

For me, it's just another part of owning a car.

The polishing side started with burnt in bird poop.











I'm sure my neighbours think I'm nuts, but I don't care.

That looks fantastic! Especially the side profile.
Readers car thread?

[anonymous-user]

TheRainMaker said:

I quite enjoy car cleaning, through these restrictions I've had a fair bit of free time so got myself some kit, it all started with a DAS-6 Pro.

For me, it's just another part of owning a car.

The polishing side started with burnt in bird poop.











I'm sure my neighbours think I'm nuts, but I don't care.

How have you affixed your CTEK without the plastic bracket? Heavy duty velcro?! I am still using my Megs G220 v2 DA. The handle broke long ago but it actually feels more flexible without it.

[anonymous-user]

JS2015 said:

5 Pound a time car washes do a good job for a short space of time BUT they tend to feel under the wheel arches and underside with their wash mitts then skate them back over the upper panels, dragging grit around the car. This is a problem even with a blanket of snow foam.

If you shine an led torch close to the paint of the car and see fine scratches you're washing it wrong. White paint takes the most abuse however so if you don't care about cars and car care it's the best 'colour'.

Edited to add that bright silver also quite swirl resistant.

Also, never take a classic car to the public car wash. The car will fill with water, chemicals such as tfr peel the paint and corrode the metalwork, especially if you have stonechips. Once cringed seeing a Jag XJ40 recently purchased by its owner being taken for a cheap wash!

Whilst I'm on my soapbox.. in Bangers and Cash the TV program - they're always dusting the cars away vigorously like they're a lump of brass on a steam engine. Paint must be ruined. Really boils my urine!

Edited by JS2015 on Monday 5th April 11:58

Edited by JS2015 on Monday 5th April 12:05

I feel this should be edited again to change from ‘swirl resistant’ to masks swirls in certain light. In that sense white paint can be more forgiving but equally painful when dirt/mud is kicked up off the road on to it. Then it becomes more work.

Each time a car is washed new scratches are introduced. Even with the best contactless methods. Sorry just had to add that.

[TR4man]

TheRainMaker said:

I'm sure my neighbours think I'm nuts, but I don't care.

Love the floor covering and lighting!

The Aston’s not too shabby either!

[Ninja59]

Super_G said:

How have you affixed your CTEK without the plastic bracket? Heavy duty velcro?! I am still using my Megs G220 v2 DA. The handle broke long ago but it actually feels more flexible without it.

If it is like some models there is holes in the mouldings on two corners just screw it through them, that is what I have done with mine right next to the bonnet charge point.