How best to wash cars correctly
Discussion
Hi ALL,
Don't think me dull for asking what might seem like a simple question but, I have read so many different articles on this, also, I seem in-capable of accumilating swirl marks of some shape or form when washing my cars, in particular my TVR which is naturaly fibreglass, and it's black. What's the general consensus of opinion here, any help is much appreciated.
Rich.
Don't think me dull for asking what might seem like a simple question but, I have read so many different articles on this, also, I seem in-capable of accumilating swirl marks of some shape or form when washing my cars, in particular my TVR which is naturaly fibreglass, and it's black. What's the general consensus of opinion here, any help is much appreciated.
Rich.
There's some info over at cleanyourcar.co.uk and loads of very in-depth discussions, and photo how-to's from pro detailers over on the detailing world forums.
You'll find there's endless debate over what products are 'best' - which can be a bit silly - each owner's budget and schedule for car cleaning and cosmetic care are going to be different. I couldn't care less if Zymer UberWax (not a real product!) is made from wax harvested only from angel wing-feathers, if it's £1000 for a small tub, it's not relevant to me... (etc!)
Tol
You'll find there's endless debate over what products are 'best' - which can be a bit silly - each owner's budget and schedule for car cleaning and cosmetic care are going to be different. I couldn't care less if Zymer UberWax (not a real product!) is made from wax harvested only from angel wing-feathers, if it's £1000 for a small tub, it's not relevant to me... (etc!)
Tol
Right, simple answer; there is no simple answer.
I am heavily into my car detailing and have a black car. It's such an enemy!!! I have made a (very very long) post about this before I'll try and hunt it out and repost for you, but to summarise - you will NOT get a shine/scratch free wet look yourself; it will need to be professinoally detailed.
You can, however, get a very good look if you use the rights -importantly- in the right way.
www.detailingworld.co.uk is a great place to have a look to start to udnerstand the intricacies of cleaning your car
I'll hunt out that post for you now, too
I am heavily into my car detailing and have a black car. It's such an enemy!!! I have made a (very very long) post about this before I'll try and hunt it out and repost for you, but to summarise - you will NOT get a shine/scratch free wet look yourself; it will need to be professinoally detailed.
You can, however, get a very good look if you use the rights -importantly- in the right way.
www.detailingworld.co.uk is a great place to have a look to start to udnerstand the intricacies of cleaning your car
I'll hunt out that post for you now, too
This thread's got some good questions and answers in it.....
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t=256646
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t=256646
These are the basics
Get car properly wet before starting
Two buckets (one to rinse and one to soap-up before putting on car)
Lambswool wash-mit (for the top 3/4)
Sponge x2 (one for lower quarter one for wheels)
Silicone blade for drying (microfibre cloth fo the bits a blade will not do)
Obviously use a good quality shampoo
Renew sponges on a regular basis
Get car properly wet before starting
Two buckets (one to rinse and one to soap-up before putting on car)
Lambswool wash-mit (for the top 3/4)
Sponge x2 (one for lower quarter one for wheels)
Silicone blade for drying (microfibre cloth fo the bits a blade will not do)
Obviously use a good quality shampoo
Renew sponges on a regular basis
Must admit when I first started with the blade I did worry about it scratching but I've had no problems with it on a freshly washed and rinsed area (always run my thumb over the edge between swipes).
May be my imagination but I have found that a wax finish lasts longer with a blade than when dryed with a cloth.
Even if you don't want to use it on the paint its great for glass.
May be my imagination but I have found that a wax finish lasts longer with a blade than when dryed with a cloth.
Even if you don't want to use it on the paint its great for glass.
)...it's probably one of those great discussion topics that will run for ever - personal preference is where it will lie, I guess!Have a look for a Grit Guard too. They're plastic grilles that go in the bottom of the bucket and the idea is that the grit/dirt settles at the bottom of the bucket and the grilles on the Grit Guard stops the dirt being stirred up and picked up by the wash mitt and getting rubbed into the paint.
On the face of it it's an expensive piece of fairly ordinary looking plastic but they do work going from the amount of crap in the bottom of the bucket when I've finished washing my car.
As Muzzer says it's easier (and cheaper) to keep it clean and swirl free than it is to make it clean and swirl free
On the face of it it's an expensive piece of fairly ordinary looking plastic but they do work going from the amount of crap in the bottom of the bucket when I've finished washing my car.
As Muzzer says it's easier (and cheaper) to keep it clean and swirl free than it is to make it clean and swirl free
Richybaby said:
I know, I am quite in touch with that emotion, the don't wash it one that is, but it's black! shows up everything, and I do like it when it's shiny.
Cheers.
Cheers.
Yeah mine's Black to - and it shows up all the dirt - but on the bright side the dirt's from summer so it hasn't got any salt in it, and it stop the dirt from winter getting in. Just jet the wheelarches.
I can think of about 79,034 things I'd prefer to do than wash my car. And of those 45,327 involve being in it.
A lot of the detailing addicts do a pre-wash on the car as a replacement for "just" wetting the vehicle. Essentially you can get a foamer to spray wash foam over the car, leave it to work and then rinse off.
For regular cleaning it is possible to clean the car this way without touching it if the soiling isn't too heavy.
For regular cleaning it is possible to clean the car this way without touching it if the soiling isn't too heavy.
Yeah I have one of those (Gilmour Gun). Only had it a week but it does make a big difference IMHO, much less dirt left on the car to wash off with a mitt.
Depends how you look at it, some people will think £50 on something to spray foam on the car is a lot of money, I tend to see it as a small part of how much my car cost me and I want to keep it looking like new so it's money well spent IMHO - there's the self justification for those that think anything beyond a bucket and an old bath towel is sad
Depends how you look at it, some people will think £50 on something to spray foam on the car is a lot of money, I tend to see it as a small part of how much my car cost me and I want to keep it looking like new so it's money well spent IMHO - there's the self justification for those that think anything beyond a bucket and an old bath towel is sad
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