Wash & Wax?
Discussion
It might be worth having a look at www.detailingworld.co.uk, i personally use a car wash from costco, only cost about £6-7 for 5 litres but will try something better when i run out.
I’m a bit OCD about this area so here goes… There are a lot of for’s and against using sponges apposed to hose pipe brushes and viser versa but I personally prefer sponges. Choose the best part of the day, either early morning or early evening and definitely out of direct sun light… Hose the car down 1st to get rid of any heavy residue then use 2 buckets and sponges (with proper car body shampoo)… The 1st bucket for the lower part of the bodyline and wheels then the 2nd for the rest of the car, use plenty of scoops from the bucket to keep your sponge soaked it will prevent moving possible grit around causing swirley scratches . My preference for cleaning products is Autoglym, though some say they are a waste of time. However, my Ro is always admired for the deep shine so, Autoglym can’t be all that bad!!! I use the Aqua dry (synthetic leather) which takes about 2 or 3 goes around the car to get all the water off, then I use the Autoglym Hi-tech finishing cloth to buff… When its ready for a polish try the Autoglym Ultra deep shine (black label) applying and removing with a separate and clean 100% cotton hand towels but make sure they are washed regular then tumble dried to fluff them up… In my opinion if you use any of the Autoglym products you cant to wrong – easy to use with good end results… Happy polishing 
I'm also a bit ocd when i get time to wash the ro but i use a different approach. I use 2 buckets with car shampoo in one bucket and clean water in the other, i use a sponge for the alloys and wash them first, rinsing the sponge often in the clean bucket of water. I then wash out and refill my buckets, fire up the jetwash and foam lance and snowfoam the car, usually about 4 times until i run out of foam. I then let the foam dwell for a few minutes and clean the arches/calipers/exhaust. I then rinse the car, wash using a lambswool washmitt, 2 bucket method. Final rinse and then dry using microfibre drying towels. I normally use something like zaino z8 once ive finished to add a bit to the finish. Polish exhausts, hoover the interior, clean glass and dress the trim and tyres. Thats only a usuall wash, takes forever when i actually polish it.
gsd2000 said:
I'm also a bit ocd when i get time to wash the ro but i use a different approach. I use 2 buckets with car shampoo in one bucket and clean water in the other, i use a sponge for the alloys and wash them first, rinsing the sponge often in the clean bucket of water. I then wash out and refill my buckets, fire up the jetwash and foam lance and snowfoam the car, usually about 4 times until i run out of foam. I then let the foam dwell for a few minutes and clean the arches/calipers/exhaust. I then rinse the car, wash using a lambswool washmitt, 2 bucket method. Final rinse and then dry using microfibre drying towels. I normally use something like zaino z8 once ive finished to add a bit to the finish. Polish exhausts, hoover the interior, clean glass and dress the trim and tyres. Thats only a usuall wash, takes forever when i actually polish it.
+1 (aside from the foam lance bit which is almost too ocd unless you charge for your services)
A quick wash with turtle wax shampoo, rinse with hot water, then a polish and a buff with Autoglym 'Aqua Wax'.
I only spend about an hour once a week doing it - and that includes a quick run over the interior with a cloth and a check under the bonnet too. It's all they need!
I only spend about an hour once a week doing it - and that includes a quick run over the interior with a cloth and a check under the bonnet too. It's all they need!
Edited by davegreg on Monday 24th August 18:57
I used to wash mine with the two bucket method, one with suds and one clean water to rince the microfibre wash mit off in, then dry using microfibe cloths or a good chamis leather. If its new to you then clay the car (I use meguires), then wash again then dry again then polish, then wash and dry again then wax a few times!
gsd2000 said:
It might be worth having a look at www.detailingworld.co.uk, i personally use a car wash from costco, only cost about £6-7 for 5 litres but will try something better when i run out.
Ye me too, CostCo stuff is usually always good, they get the good stuff in. Turtlewax liquid or they are doing the simoniz tablets which i think are actually really good, they do not remove your previous wax just the grime. Halfords are 8.99 for two packs of the tablets. CostCo have them for 90pence. lol. Crazy cheap i got a box of them...If you value your paintwork DO NOT use sponges, use a lambs wool washmitt. Any small bit of grit/dirt gets stuck on the surface of the sponge. As you wash the car you'll be rubbing this grit/dirt all over your car resulting in swirl marks all over the bodywork. By using a washmitt grit/dirt is trapped in the mitt making it much less likely to leave swirl marks. Also my using the 2 bucket method you can further reduce the risk of swirl marks.
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