what happened to using a bucket and a sponge?

[Centurion07]

I get that it's nice to think you're the clever one not being taking in by the smoke and mirrors of "detailing" and it's "extortionate cost" but this is my Insignia, bought with, IIRC, approx. 40K company miles on it so clearly only went to a local petrol station or scratch n' shine for cleaning:








And the one that really got me as I had no idea just how bad it was to the naked eye with no frame of reference:





As has already been mentioned, once your car has had a decent session of detailing like this then it only takes a modicum of care when washing it yourself in the future.

[TheRainMaker]

Ninja59 said:

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.

This is exactly how I did it, wall plugs and nice big screws

[TheRainMaker]

Taita said:

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

Never done one before, I guess I could

[320d is all you need]

T cut is awful.
You do that every time you wash your car?

Using a sponge with 2 buckets. Ooof :-)

[Alex_225]

You can still use a bucket and sponge, it'll get dirt off the car and the car will be clean.

That said there are a lot of better ways to do things that are a bit more sympathetic to shiny paintwork and you don't need to spend fortunes on kit or even buy fancy products to do so. A handful of products from Halfords would do a decent job.

I'm a hobby detailer and by no means a pro but I do get a sense of satisfaction from cleaning my cars and keeping them nice. For a standard clean I don't over complicate things though, pre-wash, two buckets, decent shampoo, wash mitt and decent drying towels.

[imperium]

I’ve had a mild interest in detailing for many years. Only ever by hand, but I’ve just picked up a Das 6 pro DA polisher.

Looking forward to trying it, slightly apprehensive about causing paint issues but I’m starting with a very very mild pad.

Must admit having a dark blue (basically black) drives me mad keeping it presentable. Cleaned it thoroughly yesterday only to wake up covered in dust and crap. Think it was a dust/sand cloud or something but so annoying.

[Alex_225]

imperium said:

I’ve had a mild interest in detailing for many years. Only ever by hand, but I’ve just picked up a Das 6 pro DA polisher.

Looking forward to trying it, slightly apprehensive about causing paint issues but I’m starting with a very very mild pad.

Must admit having a dark blue (basically black) drives me mad keeping it presentable. Cleaned it thoroughly yesterday only to wake up covered in dust and crap. Think it was a dust/sand cloud or something but so annoying.

I'm much the same as you and mainly apply and work by hand. But I did use a dual action polisher a few years back for the first time and actually found it surprisingly easy. I haven't done full correction as don't have an indoor space for the time it takes but certainly can remove marks and leave a great shine!

[Court_S]

imperium said:

I’ve had a mild interest in detailing for many years. Only ever by hand, but I’ve just picked up a Das 6 pro DA polisher.

Looking forward to trying it, slightly apprehensive about causing paint issues but I’m starting with a very very mild pad.

Must admit having a dark blue (basically black) drives me mad keeping it presentable. Cleaned it thoroughly yesterday only to wake up covered in dust and crap. Think it was a dust/sand cloud or something but so annoying.

It’s surprisingly easy, I was bricking it at first but you soon become pretty confident.

This might be worth a watch...

https://youtu.be/MI_m2rO-OpM

[imperium]

Alex_225 said:

I'm much the same as you and mainly apply and work by hand. But I did use a dual action polisher a few years back for the first time and actually found it surprisingly easy. I haven't done full correction as don't have an indoor space for the time it takes but certainly can remove marks and leave a great shine!

Yes it does help to have the right lighting and interior space for it. I have a local detailing shop near to me that rents out indoor detailing bays, might be worth looking into if ever you want to do the full correction. I intend on machine polishing a few times a year, but it has the potential to be slightly obsessive all this detailing malarkey.

Court_S said:

It’s surprisingly easy, I was bricking it at first but you soon become pretty confident.

This might be worth a watch...

https://youtu.be/MI_m2rO-OpM

Thanks will have a look. I might have to practice on my wife’s car first !

[Pan Pan Pan]

Super_G said:

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.

Oddly white cars seem to show dirt the least, and can still `look' clean even when they are filthy.
Conversely Black cars look superb, when they are clean, but go through a rain shower, and they can look like they have just finished a stage of the Paris-Dakar.

[Pan Pan Pan]

imperium said:

I’ve had a mild interest in detailing for many years. Only ever by hand, but I’ve just picked up a Das 6 pro DA polisher.

Looking forward to trying it, slightly apprehensive about causing paint issues but I’m starting with a very very mild pad.

Must admit having a dark blue (basically black) drives me mad keeping it presentable. Cleaned it thoroughly yesterday only to wake up covered in dust and crap. Think it was a dust/sand cloud or something but so annoying.

The hot air blower driers, from the States are great for blowing all the water out from seams. under door handles, door rubbers etc, which are what usually cause water run marks on dark cars.

[Chubbyross]

imperium said:

Alex_225 said:

I'm much the same as you and mainly apply and work by hand. But I did use a dual action polisher a few years back for the first time and actually found it surprisingly easy. I haven't done full correction as don't have an indoor space for the time it takes but certainly can remove marks and leave a great shine!

Yes it does help to have the right lighting and interior space for it. I have a local detailing shop near to me that rents out indoor detailing bays, might be worth looking into if ever you want to do the full correction. I intend on machine polishing a few times a year, but it has the potential to be slightly obsessive all this detailing malarkey.

Court_S said:

It’s surprisingly easy, I was bricking it at first but you soon become pretty confident.

This might be worth a watch...

https://youtu.be/MI_m2rO-OpM

Thanks will have a look. I might have to practice on my wife’s car first !

Renting out detailing bays is a great idea. I’d love to do that in London if anyone knows of a company that does it. I know there’s a place in Essex that does it but that’s a bit far for me. I have a rented parking space with power but the lighting isn’t great and I’m mindful of cheesing off the residents with constant polishing noise.

[Ranger 6]

imperium said:

...Must admit having a dark blue (basically black) drives me mad keeping it presentable. Cleaned it thoroughly yesterday only to wake up covered in dust and crap. Think it was a dust/sand cloud or something but so annoying.

I used the one bucket method at the weekend with some polish and it looked lovely for a couple of hours.

The next morning it was covered in saharan dust from said cloud and looked sh*t, mind you not half as bad as it will be when I drive it up the lane - there's a stable on each corner and a Polo club down the lane. I'll leave the rest to your imagination.......

[swisstoni]

Ranger 6 said:

imperium said:

...Must admit having a dark blue (basically black) drives me mad keeping it presentable. Cleaned it thoroughly yesterday only to wake up covered in dust and crap. Think it was a dust/sand cloud or something but so annoying.

I used the one bucket method at the weekend with some polish and it looked lovely for a couple of hours.

The next morning it was covered in saharan dust from said cloud and looked sh*t, mind you not half as bad as it will be when I drive it up the lane - there's a stable on each corner and a Polo club down the lane. I'll leave the rest to your imagination.......

I’ve got a riding school up my road and cattle are free roaming over the common land it runs through.
Not great.

[rampageturke]

Ranger 6 said:

I used the one bucket method at the weekend with some polish and it looked lovely for a couple of hours.

The next morning it was covered in saharan dust from said cloud and looked sh*t, mind you not half as bad as it will be when I drive it up the lane - there's a stable on each corner and a Polo club down the lane. I'll leave the rest to your imagination.......

you need to wax as well as polish otherwise its a bit of a wasted endeavour. Personally I got one of my last cars properly cleaned, polished and waxed and then did the upkeep myself until it started to look a bit ropey and then got it properly done again.

Edited by rampageturke on Tuesday 6th April 13:31

[Ranger 6]

I gave you the edited version - bits of it were compounded too

[nuttywobbler]

I still use a sponge, although I do replace it twice a year. I also try to wash my car when it's raining, as it saves me having to dry it. 2 year old leased Mercedes.

[swisstoni]

nuttywobbler said:

I still use a sponge, although I do replace it twice a year. I also try to wash my car when it's raining, as it saves me having to dry it. 2 year old leased Mercedes.

Good tip, no water spots. Neighbours think you’re nuts though.

[TurboHatchback]

I started using a bucket and sponge, then after a while I discovered there were more 'products' available to make cars look shiny and bought/used a selection. Then I realised I couldn't be bothered because washing cars is a total waste of time, now my cars are washed once in my ownership, to take pictures for sale. Otherwise they are cleaned by the rain and driving through puddles, if the lights become obscured I'll wipe them clean but that's it.

[Prohibiting]

TurboHatchback said:

I started using a bucket and sponge, then after a while I discovered there were more 'products' available to make cars look shiny and bought/used a selection. Then I realised I couldn't be bothered because washing cars is a total waste of time, now my cars are washed once in my ownership, to take pictures for sale. Otherwise they are cleaned by the rain and driving through puddles, if the lights become obscured I'll wipe them clean but that's it.

What about the rear number plate?