How to make a taxi look immaculate in less than an hour?
Discussion
At the moment I'm using a local hand car wash to clean my cars.
I've spent the bank holiday weekend giving all the cars a right spruce up, polishing the paintwork, shampooing the interiors and cleaning the glass and trim etc.
The difference it has made is amazing. I mean, it doesn't really compare to a quick truckwash and a jetwash.
Trouble is, it takes forever - we easily spent 4 man hours per car and that wasn't cleaning to my own high standards (my personal cars get a little bit of extra lurrve).
So basically my question would be - what products/techniques/order would you use to clean a cab on a daily basis, and then a weekly deep clean?
I'm not fussed about carnuba this and dodo b
k that, I just want speed and a high lustre. Something that comes in a spray bottle that doesn't need buffing too much and can be used on paint, plastics and wheels would be great, as well as a fast dressing for door shuts etc.
I'd like to keep my cars looking new for as long as possible - I know it's possible with the old school products but they take a lot of time that I just don't have
Also, I'd like the process to be as simple as possible if I employ a lad to do it for me
Oh, and no shiny silicone interior sprays. They stink and coat everything in the never to be removed oily sheen
I've spent the bank holiday weekend giving all the cars a right spruce up, polishing the paintwork, shampooing the interiors and cleaning the glass and trim etc.
The difference it has made is amazing. I mean, it doesn't really compare to a quick truckwash and a jetwash.
Trouble is, it takes forever - we easily spent 4 man hours per car and that wasn't cleaning to my own high standards (my personal cars get a little bit of extra lurrve).
So basically my question would be - what products/techniques/order would you use to clean a cab on a daily basis, and then a weekly deep clean?
I'm not fussed about carnuba this and dodo b
k that, I just want speed and a high lustre. Something that comes in a spray bottle that doesn't need buffing too much and can be used on paint, plastics and wheels would be great, as well as a fast dressing for door shuts etc.I'd like to keep my cars looking new for as long as possible - I know it's possible with the old school products but they take a lot of time that I just don't have
Also, I'd like the process to be as simple as possible if I employ a lad to do it for me
Oh, and no shiny silicone interior sprays. They stink and coat everything in the never to be removed oily sheen
If you are giving the cars a deep clean every week, and they are well protected (wax etc) then they shouldn't be too difficult to clean with a Quik Detailer spray, which takes 10-15 minutes, perhaps a Wheel spray and if you dress the tyres on a weekly basis, they should look ok.
For the interior, perhaps a hand held car vac? I'd just use an all purpose cleaner for the dash, door trims etc.
I'm no expert but this is what I'd do. I'm sure someone will be along shortly with a better solution
ETA: Just remembered you were giving me advice on what car to buy for £500 earlier this year, I got a Scirocco, unsure if you saw the thread or not.
For the interior, perhaps a hand held car vac? I'd just use an all purpose cleaner for the dash, door trims etc.
I'm no expert but this is what I'd do. I'm sure someone will be along shortly with a better solution
ETA: Just remembered you were giving me advice on what car to buy for £500 earlier this year, I got a Scirocco, unsure if you saw the thread or not.
Edited by sensa on Tuesday 26th August 15:37
Well if you want to clean them to the standard of our local Taxis then I would follow the regime they must use to get it "just right".
Start off the process with a load of drunken Geordies who have been drinking all day and have eaten a Kebab in the taxi, leaving scraps of it down the seats.
Then give a lift to 2 wilderbeast with chronic diarrhoea and an elephant with bad wind.
Follow this up with a pair of fat birds with rancid flanges rubbing themselves vigorously over the seats.
And then get a job transporting a particularly potent cheese curry which slops out in to the interior.
Follow up by taking earlier Geordie drunks home who proceed to decorate cab inside and out with aforementioned eaten and partially digested kebab.
Admittedly it does take slightly longer than half an hour, but for that special finish I think you'll agree it's been worth it!
On a serious note (not that the taxis round here aren't really that bad!!) Megs do a quick detailer for exteriors which might be worth a look.
Start off the process with a load of drunken Geordies who have been drinking all day and have eaten a Kebab in the taxi, leaving scraps of it down the seats.
Then give a lift to 2 wilderbeast with chronic diarrhoea and an elephant with bad wind.
Follow this up with a pair of fat birds with rancid flanges rubbing themselves vigorously over the seats.
And then get a job transporting a particularly potent cheese curry which slops out in to the interior.
Follow up by taking earlier Geordie drunks home who proceed to decorate cab inside and out with aforementioned eaten and partially digested kebab.
Admittedly it does take slightly longer than half an hour, but for that special finish I think you'll agree it's been worth it!
On a serious note (not that the taxis round here aren't really that bad!!) Megs do a quick detailer for exteriors which might be worth a look.
sensa said:
If you are giving the cars a deep clean every week, and they are well protected (wax etc) then they shouldn't be too difficult to clean with a Quik Detailer spray, which takes 10-15 minutes, perhaps a Wheel spray and if you dress the tyres on a weekly basis, they should look ok.
For the interior, perhaps a hand held car vac? I'd just use an all purpose cleaner for the dash, door trims etc.
I'm no expert but this is what I'd do. I'm sure someone will be along shortly with a better solution
ETA: Just remembered you were giving me advice on what car to buy for £500 earlier this year, I got a Scirocco, unsure if you saw the thread or not.
Yeah, I saw... For the interior, perhaps a hand held car vac? I'd just use an all purpose cleaner for the dash, door trims etc.
I'm no expert but this is what I'd do. I'm sure someone will be along shortly with a better solution
ETA: Just remembered you were giving me advice on what car to buy for £500 earlier this year, I got a Scirocco, unsure if you saw the thread or not.
Edited by sensa on Tuesday 26th August 15:37
How are you getting along with it?wildoliver said:
Well if you want to clean them to the standard of our local Taxis then I would follow the regime they must use to get it "just right".
Start off the process with a load of drunken Geordies who have been drinking all day and have eaten a Kebab in the taxi, leaving scraps of it down the seats.
Then give a lift to 2 wilderbeast with chronic diarrhoea and an elephant with bad wind.
Follow this up with a pair of fat birds with rancid flanges rubbing themselves vigorously over the seats.
And then get a job transporting a particularly potent cheese curry which slops out in to the interior.
Follow up by taking earlier Geordie drunks home who proceed to decorate cab inside and out with aforementioned eaten and partially digested kebab.
Admittedly it does take slightly longer than half an hour, but for that special finish I think you'll agree it's been worth it!
On a serious note (not that the taxis round here aren't really that bad!!) Megs do a quick detailer for exteriors which might be worth a look.
Start off the process with a load of drunken Geordies who have been drinking all day and have eaten a Kebab in the taxi, leaving scraps of it down the seats.
Then give a lift to 2 wilderbeast with chronic diarrhoea and an elephant with bad wind.
Follow this up with a pair of fat birds with rancid flanges rubbing themselves vigorously over the seats.
And then get a job transporting a particularly potent cheese curry which slops out in to the interior.
Follow up by taking earlier Geordie drunks home who proceed to decorate cab inside and out with aforementioned eaten and partially digested kebab.
Admittedly it does take slightly longer than half an hour, but for that special finish I think you'll agree it's been worth it!
On a serious note (not that the taxis round here aren't really that bad!!) Megs do a quick detailer for exteriors which might be worth a look.
My cabs, however, are gorgeous
The drivers aren't even allowed to eat in them
Will check out the meguirs detailer
Hooverings and things might be worth seeing if you can get a second hand garage vacuum or similar to live in the yard.
As far as polishing goes, I hate to mention the nasty brand, but has anyone tried the Ice stuff from Turtlewax? While I suspect it wont give the deep cleaning finish you are after, it'll do on a daily basis.
:hmm: Further thought - is there a spare yard anywhere you could open your very own hand car wash, and do the public when your cars aren't in, to keep revenue flowing in? Dont employ English people though - the quality just isnt there, IME.
As far as polishing goes, I hate to mention the nasty brand, but has anyone tried the Ice stuff from Turtlewax? While I suspect it wont give the deep cleaning finish you are after, it'll do on a daily basis.
:hmm: Further thought - is there a spare yard anywhere you could open your very own hand car wash, and do the public when your cars aren't in, to keep revenue flowing in? Dont employ English people though - the quality just isnt there, IME.
KingRichard said:
Yeah, I saw... How are you getting along with it?
Pretty well, had it checked out by my local mechanic, he advised me to change the cambelt, one of the wheel bearings had gone, someone had fiddled with the carb so it was running on occasionally when turned off, and idling higher than normal. Oh and the wiper blades were awful, so he changed them. All for £195 How are you getting along with it?Its going extremely well now. I'm so chuffed, it still makes me smile when I go out to it/get in it/ get out of it/think about it!
randlemarcus said:
Hooverings and things might be worth seeing if you can get a second hand garage vacuum or similar to live in the yard.
As far as polishing goes, I hate to mention the nasty brand, but has anyone tried the Ice stuff from Turtlewax? While I suspect it wont give the deep cleaning finish you are after, it'll do on a daily basis.
:hmm: Further thought - is there a spare yard anywhere you could open your very own hand car wash, and do the public when your cars aren't in, to keep revenue flowing in? Dont employ English people though - the quality just isnt there, IME.
eah but I'm fairly busy as it is... Suppose it's worth checking out though.As far as polishing goes, I hate to mention the nasty brand, but has anyone tried the Ice stuff from Turtlewax? While I suspect it wont give the deep cleaning finish you are after, it'll do on a daily basis.
:hmm: Further thought - is there a spare yard anywhere you could open your very own hand car wash, and do the public when your cars aren't in, to keep revenue flowing in? Dont employ English people though - the quality just isnt there, IME.
Or even better, sub-let it to some kosovans
KingRichard said:
Looking for quick and decent spruce up
Power washer (invest in hot water version preferably) and foam lance, stack of Bilt Hamber AutofoamMight as well get an Autoclay and Surfex HD too.
Bilt Hamber Autobalm
First time round, clay the cars after washing, then apply 'balm.
Weekly job - foam, rinse, wash, rinse, dry.
bi/tri-weekly - foam, rinse, dry.
Mix Surfex HD to 10% strength in a manual sprayer, spray on wheels, leave 5 mins, then power rinse off. Might need a bit of tickling with a wheel brush to be absolutely spotless.
You could add Zaino Z-8 (or Z-CS for wowa*) after the weekly drying or fortnightly. You could use Z-CS for the wheels, but Surfex HD should make them pretty easy to keep clean without Z-CS or Autobalm on them.
- wipe on walk away
You'll be suprised how much clearer the cars stay now they are really clean as opposed to just looking clean(ish) after a fiver handwash! Maybe have a chat with a local valeting firm about a maintenance contract, if they can work it around their availability and you get a good quote, everyone is a winner. Try BritishValeters.ORG .I certainly do alot of similar business. The Megs Quick Detailer is a great top up on clean or cleanish cars but if your guys start using dirty old cloths etc you will have swirling issues. I use a mix of AG, Megs and AS products, contact your local rep for best deals on all of the above.
oj
oj
Valetco said:
You'll be suprised how much clearer the cars stay now they are really clean as opposed to just looking clean(ish) after a fiver handwash! Maybe have a chat with a local valeting firm about a maintenance contract, if they can work it around their availability and you get a good quote, everyone is a winner. Try BritishValeters.ORG .I certainly do alot of similar business. The Megs Quick Detailer is a great top up on clean or cleanish cars but if your guys start using dirty old cloths etc you will have swirling issues. I use a mix of AG, Megs and AS products, contact your local rep for best deals on all of the above.
oj
Hi, I'm not concerned about some swirling... they are working cars at the end of the day. It's just so, so nice when you get a phonecall to compliment you on the cleanliness of your car.oj
It say's to me that it's worth the effort. Great prices with the cleanest, freshest fleet in the area
That's a reputation I intend to build on
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