what happened to using a bucket and a sponge?
Discussion
TarquinMX5 said:
Do all of you posters on here live in the same area? I hardly ever see anybody washing their cars these days; a couple of people in my neighbourhood oocasionally have a valeter in to clean the cars, one chap occasionally powerhoses his cars but otger that, it's a rare sight.
Of course, the old hand-wash sites used to have massive queues, not so much recently.
It's made me try and remember when I last saw somebody checking their car, bonnet open etc?
I'm the only one that I know of local to me that doesn't pay for it (fnar fnar), I guess everyone else pays someone to do it, but mostly they don't own interesting cars, so maybe are not that bothered?Of course, the old hand-wash sites used to have massive queues, not so much recently.
It's made me try and remember when I last saw somebody checking their car, bonnet open etc?
Sway said:
Use two buckets to wash your car once - you'll not go back to one bucket. Carry on using sponge, I do.
When you see how utterly filthy the rinse water gets, you'll realise that all you're doing with one bucket washing is spreading dirty water over your car. Dirty water that's full of grit...
Everything else is pretty much the same as it's always been, just with more choice. I recall the days of the 'annual tcut' performed on the family car, prior to autoglym polish.
None of that is different, yes there's some new products (such as iron x, which makes such a difference on silver wheels) but ultimately it's merely clean/correct defects/protect in varying levels of care and effort/cost.
If your water is that dirty you not riniseing well emt befot the washWhen you see how utterly filthy the rinse water gets, you'll realise that all you're doing with one bucket washing is spreading dirty water over your car. Dirty water that's full of grit...
Everything else is pretty much the same as it's always been, just with more choice. I recall the days of the 'annual tcut' performed on the family car, prior to autoglym polish.
None of that is different, yes there's some new products (such as iron x, which makes such a difference on silver wheels) but ultimately it's merely clean/correct defects/protect in varying levels of care and effort/cost.
TarquinMX5 said:
Do all of you posters on here live in the same area? I hardly ever see anybody washing their cars these days; a couple of people in my neighbourhood oocasionally have a valeter in to clean the cars, one chap occasionally powerhoses his cars but otger that, it's a rare sight.
Of course, the old hand-wash sites used to have massive queues, not so much recently.
It's made me try and remember when I last saw somebody checking their car, bonnet open etc?
True I'm the only person on my road that I've ever seen use a bucket. If I can add a "sweeping generalisation " here without wishing to upset anyone the younger motorist uses mostly car washes, my children, who all have their own cars, have never washed their own car because they think it's beneath them, they all work long hours in well paid jobs so why should they?Of course, the old hand-wash sites used to have massive queues, not so much recently.
It's made me try and remember when I last saw somebody checking their car, bonnet open etc?
I used to be a chauffeur and washed my car by hand 2 or 3 times a week using one bucket and sponge. If not it went through a car wash and I dried it by hand. I can honestly say I never saw any scratches or swirl marks in the paint, although it never really got that dirty between washes. The vehicle was silver so I guess if it was black it might have been s different story but personally, 5 buckets? Nah mate
MikeM6 said:
TarquinMX5 said:
Do all of you posters on here live in the same area? I hardly ever see anybody washing their cars these days; a couple of people in my neighbourhood oocasionally have a valeter in to clean the cars, one chap occasionally powerhoses his cars but otger that, it's a rare sight.
Of course, the old hand-wash sites used to have massive queues, not so much recently.
It's made me try and remember when I last saw somebody checking their car, bonnet open etc?
I'm the only one that I know of local to me that doesn't pay for it (fnar fnar), I guess everyone else pays someone to do it, but mostly they don't own interesting cars, so maybe are not that bothered?Of course, the old hand-wash sites used to have massive queues, not so much recently.
It's made me try and remember when I last saw somebody checking their car, bonnet open etc?
I'm the only one out twice a week cleaning my cars in all temperatures. And Mrs V. gets lots of comments from other Mums that I'm out cleaning again, and in shorts when it's near freezing. I just like doing it. Relaxing, therapeutic, isolating, instant results and as far away from the bullsheet that is British TV.
Many moons ago as a teenager me and my mates were seriously into our cars, as a lot of lads were and we followed what we thought was the "correct" way to wash our cars.two bucket method, correct polish and cloths etc. Etc.
Well my mate Steve had a very nice 3.0 S Capri in black, and it was a stunning looking car and a nice drive too!
Well he wasn't completely happy with the finish on the bonnet and set to with the T-cut, over and over again until the black paint finally gave way to the grey primer underneath
Took into local ford body shop for respray and came back with blue over-spray from adjacent car in the shop.
Nah you haven't lived if you've not been down to the primer.
Well my mate Steve had a very nice 3.0 S Capri in black, and it was a stunning looking car and a nice drive too!
Well he wasn't completely happy with the finish on the bonnet and set to with the T-cut, over and over again until the black paint finally gave way to the grey primer underneath
Took into local ford body shop for respray and came back with blue over-spray from adjacent car in the shop.
Nah you haven't lived if you've not been down to the primer.
Edited by Down on the Farm on Sunday 28th March 19:26
I’ve ended up down the cleaning rabbit hole a wee bit, not to the extent of the Detailing World guys but it’s a long way from a bucket, sponge and a chamois.
I’ll even admit that I quite enjoy it. The effects on an older car can be very noticeable.
Washing your car yourself even with a bucket and sponge doesn’t really seem to be the done thing these days. Down my road (23 houses) one other guy keeps his cars nicely (Macan and a MINI) and a couple of others do it sporadically. Everyone else either goes to the local car wash or just leave it (my neighbours A Class is disgusting inside and out).
I’ll even admit that I quite enjoy it. The effects on an older car can be very noticeable.
Washing your car yourself even with a bucket and sponge doesn’t really seem to be the done thing these days. Down my road (23 houses) one other guy keeps his cars nicely (Macan and a MINI) and a couple of others do it sporadically. Everyone else either goes to the local car wash or just leave it (my neighbours A Class is disgusting inside and out).
vikingaero said:
Most people go for supermarket or Eastern European car washes. As a nation, we've evolved to do even less!
I'm the only one out twice a week cleaning my cars in all temperatures. And Mrs V. gets lots of comments from other Mums that I'm out cleaning again, and in shorts when it's near freezing. I just like doing it. Relaxing, therapeutic, isolating, instant results and as far away from the bullsheet that is British TV.
Glad I’m not the only one I'm the only one out twice a week cleaning my cars in all temperatures. And Mrs V. gets lots of comments from other Mums that I'm out cleaning again, and in shorts when it's near freezing. I just like doing it. Relaxing, therapeutic, isolating, instant results and as far away from the bullsheet that is British TV.
People always see for to comment when I’m doing it. The guy across the road who tells me his is round the back is boring though...it wasn’t funny three years ago and ta not got any better!
The chap with the Macan washes his in the dark in winter because his missus moans if he does it at the weekend. Sod that though.
My other half used to moan but she’s grown to appreciate a clean car and will drop less than subtle hints when it needs cleaning.
A wave of calm usually, spent thousands over 15 years. I don't do DW anymore but have set companies I use.
I will admit to owning a full size zymol vintage tub as well....i will let people Google if you want to.
3 hours yesterday to clean up, hopefully get my vintage out in a few weeks, needs a light polish this year.
I will admit to owning a full size zymol vintage tub as well....i will let people Google if you want to.
3 hours yesterday to clean up, hopefully get my vintage out in a few weeks, needs a light polish this year.
Paint / laquer is very soft these days, so never use a sponge as this drags dirt over the paint and scratches the laquer.
Invest £5 in a wash noddle mit. Then a half decent car shampoo, a hose and away you go. Bin the chamois leather and use microfiber cloths to dry. Asda ones are fine if not wanting to spend £.
Once or twice a year give it a polish then a wax or sealant.
It will pay off come trade time. Plus you have the satisfaction of seeing your motor in great condition.
Invest £5 in a wash noddle mit. Then a half decent car shampoo, a hose and away you go. Bin the chamois leather and use microfiber cloths to dry. Asda ones are fine if not wanting to spend £.
Once or twice a year give it a polish then a wax or sealant.
It will pay off come trade time. Plus you have the satisfaction of seeing your motor in great condition.
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