Car cleaning and valeting discussion

[sinlessUK]

Puma April 2021.jpg

I Diamondbrited mine after I bought it and now use Turtle Wax polish and then a top coat of Autoglym Extra Gloss Protection, keeps bird muck off shame it does not stop stone chips too! think I am a bit OCD always cleaning it.

Got to be illegal to be that shinny

[sinlessUK]

What's the wax preference amongst us? I've got some Autoglym SRP now just need some wax.

[NeilS]

It's the wheels I hate doing, firstly because they are so fiddly, and secondly this old man has to bend down. I am not keen on using the pressure washer, but I may snow foam the wheels and use the pressure washer on them only (although by the time I schlep out the pressure washer, connect the hose, plug it in, unwind the pressure hose, connect the foamer and so on, I could probably have used a sponge.)

Also, I simply cannot get as good a finish from a microfibre cloth as I can from a quality, genuine chamois. Is it me?

The preparation prior and cleaning up/putting away of everything afterwards is a job in itself. I have designated buckets, brushes, cloths and towels (all different colours which get assigned to a job or product) , all of which get washed in groups. I never mix wheel cloths with drying towels for example. Everything lives in designated boxes. Typing this makes me realise that I need help

What is it about using a pressure washer that you don’t like? Is it the time in setting it up or something else?
You could always use your cleaning product mixed with water in a foaming pump sprayer for the wheels and then rinse off with a hose. It’ll not be as thorough as being agitated with a brush or wash pad and blasted with the pressure washer but it’ll save you bending or kneeling. I have a stool for ease for when I’m doing the wheels/polishing/waxing and applying dressing.

Re the chamois vs microfibre, are you referring to drying the car?

My role is to supply ballast and brute force. I am not allowed near flowers.

I like that!

[NeilS]

What's the wax preference amongst us? I've got some Autoglym SRP now just need some wax.

Everyone needs SRP in their arsenal

I’ve used liquid waxes in the past (Autoglym Extra Gloss Protection is excellent) but recently I’ve decided to give paste waxes a go again, because I have the time and I enjoy the process of applying it. I’m currently using two different waxes (on different cars). Bilt Hamber Double Speed Wax and Detailed Online Surreal ceramic infused wax (that’s the one applied to my most recent pictures). Both are really good. Easy to apply, easy off and give the paintwork a lovely finish. Weather permitting, I leave it a day and either apply another coat for full coverage or use an appropriate detailer spray as a superficial layer of protection.

[sinlessUK]

Thanks NeilS. I do actually take note of your comments. Your costing me a fortune

[paulcurtis]

The preparation prior and cleaning up/putting away of everything afterwards is a job in itself. I have designated buckets, brushes, cloths and towels (all different colours which get assigned to a job or product) , all of which get washed in groups. I never mix wheel cloths with drying towels for example. Everything lives in designated boxes. Typing this makes me realise that I need help

What is it about using a pressure washer that you don’t like? Is it the time in setting it up or something else?
You could always use your cleaning product mixed with water in a foaming pump sprayer for the wheels and then rinse off with a hose. It’ll not be as thorough as being agitated with a brush or wash pad and blasted with the pressure washer but it’ll save you bending or kneeling. I have a stool for ease for when I’m doing the wheels/polishing/waxing and applying dressing.

Re the chamois vs microfibre, are you referring to drying the car?

Blimey Neil, you are clearly the master at this. Just thinking about your effort puts me to shame and makes me feel tired.

I suppose if the hose provides a good pressure (as mine does) and does a good job of wetting the car and then washing soap off, I see no reason to use the pressure washer. I tend to think of that as something you use when you want to force dirt and grime away from a surface, but then I worry that you are also forcing water into places you ideally don't want it. Or you can use it to do a quick job. Of course pressure washers often have two or more pressure settings or lances.

Yes, I am talking about drying the car. It seems to me a damp chamois leaves a streak free finish, and the microfibre doesn't. Or, I need to take most of the water off with one microfibre, and finish with the second one. And even then the results aren't that good. But it could be me, or the particular cloths I am using.

The only thing I don't like about the chamois is that it can't be machine washed, and I worry it harbours particles of grime. I try to hand wash it as well as I can.

[sinlessUK]

@NeilS - What polisher you got or do you do it by hand?

[Wdf76]

I don't have a pressure washer at the moment, I have pretty good mains pressure and I've always found it sufficient. With enough protection on the paint I tend to find that nothing sticks.

If the car is bad I take a pump sprayer to the local garage filled with citrus pre wash, coat the lowers and arches and blast away.

I'm still in therapy for using the local ARC car wash a couple of times over the winter to get the chassis clean with the underbody wash.

Long time since I used.a chamois but I think microfibres are not for drying. I have a couple of autoglym instadry towels. Great for drying panels with one pass.

[paulcurtis]

I think microfibres are not for drying, I have a couple of autoglym instadry towels. Great for drying panels with one pass.

Instadry is microfibre cloth, according to Autoglym. I thought drying was the whole point of microfibre cloths.

Mind you, it gets very good reviews. The main gripe seems to be the longevity.

[Wdf76]

A drying towel specifically designed to do so then rather than a boggo pack of Tesco microfibres..