Clean Car - What To Use?

Pookeyhead said:
Some modern cars have very soft paint. Don't take my word for it.. go ask a detailing professional.



Why recommend a system that damages the paint then?




You could say the same about cameras, but I bet most in here clean them, care for them, would worry if they scratched them. They''ll be many in here who would rather degrade the quality of their images with a filter than risk a small imperfection on their "glass" etc.... would send them away and pay a fortune for a "sensor clean".. all the usual madness. Cameras are just tools.. like a hammer or a chisel... use them properly and they'll become used.

Just because you don't care much about your vehicles, doesn't mean everyone is the same. The OP clearly wants to keep the car nice, or he'd have not created the thread... he'd have just washed it however he saw fit, so I think it's reasonable to give him advice that will help him keep it nice, and running it through automatic car washes is not great advice in such a thread.
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BillN_33 said:
there you go again yet another wrong statement - my car(s) are of vital importance to me as I travel about 25,000 + per year, mostly in Europe - we live in the country and it is essential that we have at least two vehicles - in fact we have two in France and two in the UK....... so I do care deeply about my vehicles

What are you on which is causing you to make such assumptions
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TP at it's best, bun fight over how to wash a car :rolleyes: :ROFLMAO: :clap:
 
Neil B said:
TP at it's best, bun fight over how to wash a car :rolleyes: :ROFLMAO: :clap:
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putting into practice lessons from the "you know where section" taught by the best, or have I
 
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Steep said:
For a quick spruce up, wash and apply Greased Lightning Showroom Shine it gives a lovely finish but doesn't last as long as a proper polishing. I've been told that Collinite wax is a good long lasting polish.
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unless you put wax on with your bare fingers it is not a "blow job' ..... sorry I mean't "pro job" ....... bloody predictive text on this Forum ... who is responsible for that
 
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Fine.. take it through car washes and apply wax with rotary polishers. Your cars. The OP's car isn't yours though: He may want some facts and not b******t.

Do not bypass the swear filter.
 
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Oh FFS David, just go and wash your effin car, do you have to turn every question into a scientific argument, is there anything you havent done better then ayone else, you need to spend more time cleaning your back garden than your car.
 
Pookeyhead said:
Fine.. take it through car washes and apply wax with rotary polishers. Your cars. The OP's car isn't yours though: He may want some facts and not b******t.

Do not bypass the swear filter.
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Hissy fit alert!! :lol:
 
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Gary Coyle said:
Oh FFS David, just go and wash your effin car, do you have to turn every question into a scientific argument, is there anything you havent done better then ayone else, you need to spend more time cleaning your back garden than your car.
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To be fair I'm with David on this one....using a rotary polisher to apply and take away wax is overkill and highly likely causes severe damage to the car in inexperienced hands...It is just not necessary and I think bad advice...Get an old door or bonnet from a breakers and practise on that first before doing that on a brand new car...

Just a simple wash as highlighted earlier....if so desired so manually apply a little bit of autoglym or meguiars wax and follow their instructions...will be just fine....Or if you want a tougher job then collonite is indeed very good....and if you want to have minor imperfections taken out, and properly sealed take it to a pro, should only be about £180 for a new car and it will be super easy to maintain thereafter....
 
dejongj said:
To be fair I'm with David on this one....using a rotary polisher to apply and take away wax is overkill and highly likely causes severe damage to the car in inexperienced hands...It is just not necessary and I think bad advice...Get an old door or bonnet from a breakers and practise on that first before doing that on a brand new car...

Just a simple wash as highlighted earlier....if so desired so manually apply a little bit of autoglym or meguiars wax and follow their instructions...will be just fine....Or if you want a tougher job then collonite is indeed very good....and if you want to have minor imperfections taken out, and properly sealed take it to a pro, should only be about £180 for a new car and it will be super easy to maintain thereafter....
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As I pointed out is not a Bosch HD rotary

http://www.theultimatefinish.co.uk/...variant=4817&gclid=CP7m_PvQx74CFfQQtAodNVIAPQ

"Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a casual user who demands show quality, swirl-free results, this is the tool for you.

Meguiar’s Dual Action Polisher greatly reduces the amount of time it takes to apply paint cleaners, polishes and wax and produces results far superior to applying these products by hand. And because of its dual action-rotation and orbit - you never have to worry about damaging the paint (pad not included)"

I have used it quite a few times on mine and other family cars without any problems - when I say something it is based on my personal experience - not some hearsay
 
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Gary Coyle said:
Oh FFS David, just go and wash your effin car, do you have to turn every question into a scientific argument, is there anything you havent done better then ayone else, you need to spend more time cleaning your back garden than your car.
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I took advice from someone who knows more than I do, and it paid off. I thought I'd pass that on for the benefit of the OP. It's not about doing anything better than anyone else, it's about seeking out the right information from those that know. There is at least one professional car valeter/detailer in this thread, I'm sure he'll back up everything I say just in case the usual people challenge everything I say on principle... you can get the info from him if it makes you feel any better. Same results. OP finds a way to keep his car looking awesome. Result either way so far as I'm concerned.
 
Pookeyhead said:
I took advice from someone who knows more than I do, and it paid off. I thought I'd pass that on for the benefit of the OP. It's not about doing anything better than anyone else, it's about seeking out the right information from those that know. There is at least one professional car valeter/detailer in this thread, I'm sure he'll back up everything I say just in case the usual people challenge everything I say on principle... you can get the info from him if it makes you feel any better. Same results. OP finds a way to keep his car looking awesome. Result either way so far as I'm concerned.
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Yep, I think you've been giving some good advice :D
 
Thanks everyone for your input

I just want to keep the new car looking clean and in good condition.

I am not going to be spending a fortune doing so, but neither am I going to be spending just £4.50 at the local car wash

The thread has certainly been an interesting read and has given me some food for thought.

Once again many thanks
 
BillN_33 said:
As I pointed out is not a Bosch HD rotary

http://www.theultimatefinish.co.uk/...variant=4817&gclid=CP7m_PvQx74CFfQQtAodNVIAPQ

"Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a casual user who demands show quality, swirl-free results, this is the tool for you.

Meguiar’s Dual Action Polisher greatly reduces the amount of time it takes to apply paint cleaners, polishes and wax and produces results far superior to applying these products by hand. And because of its dual action-rotation and orbit - you never have to worry about damaging the paint (pad not included)"

I have used it quite a few times on mine and other family cars without any problems - when I say something it is based on my personal experience - not some hearsay
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Do you just use it for wax?

I think the point being made, though much longer posts that mine will be, is that if you(anyone) need to use a polish to remove swirls paint on your paint then there is something wrong with your wash technique.

If it works for you, fine. But your initial recommendation of use an automatic car wash then polish once a year is not good advice for most people who are asking for advice on how to keep their car looking good. Automatic car washes leave swirls on the paint, meguiars polish removes said swirls by using cutting compound. So you are removing a small amount of the clearcoat every time you polish (if indeed that is how you use it).

Better to wash the car in a way that doesn't cause swirls in the first place :)
 
You have to be so careful. You can mark paint just by pushing to hard with a mirofibre.
To give people and idea here's what I do in my exterior Valets:

Mini exterior Valet
  • Basic clean wheels
  • Loose grime removed from bodywork using traffic film remover & rinsed
  • Wash bodywork using wash & wax shampoo, two bucket method & lambs wool mitt, pressure rinsed & dried
  • Buffed with wax enhancer
  • Tyre walls dressed
  • Basic clean door shuts
  • Windscreen cleaned in & out
Exterior Valet
  • Deep clean wheels including behind spokes on alloys
  • Deep clean wheel arches
  • Loose grime removed from bodywork using traffic film remover & rinsed
  • Road tar spots removed
  • Deep clean & dress door & boot shuts & fuel cap compartment
  • Wash bodywork using wash & wax shampoo, two bucket method & lambs wool mitt, pressure rinsed & dried
  • Tyre walls dressed
  • Rubber & plastic trim dressed
  • Paint waxed (add £5 for luxury paste wax containing carnaubathat leaves a long lasting, deep, ‘wet look’ shine)
  • Interior & exterior glass cleaned & buffed
The Mini Exterior is a great maintainance valet, stick to that and you'll be fine :)

Oh and when I say 'buffed' I mean with a mircofiber ;)
 
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Keith W said:
Thanks everyone for your input

I just want to keep the new car looking clean and in good condition.

I am not going to be spending a fortune doing so, but neither am I going to be spending just £4.50 at the local car wash

The thread has certainly been an interesting read and has given me some food for thought.

Once again many thanks
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What have you started :ROFLMAO:
 
A "machine" polish with the Meguiar’s Dual Action Polisher once a year will do no harm, and I did say once a year .........it will hardly remove the traffic film that has built up over the year

If we want to get technical, a new car needs a slight machine polish when new to get the best finish on the paintwork

If you want to spend half of each Sunday cleaning your car as a lot do, fair enough - but there are much more worthwhile things to do ....... which is really my point

so there must be quite a few "immaculately" kept cars on the forum judging by the comments above ....... I hope that you keep the mechanics and tyres in the same "immaculate" condition
 
The local Albanians do a fine job of cleaning mine.
 
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BillN_33 said:
As I pointed out is not a Bosch HD rotary

http://www.theultimatefinish.co.uk/...variant=4817&gclid=CP7m_PvQx74CFfQQtAodNVIAPQ

"Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a casual user who demands show quality, swirl-free results, this is the tool for you.

Meguiar’s Dual Action Polisher greatly reduces the amount of time it takes to apply paint cleaners, polishes and wax and produces results far superior to applying these products by hand. And because of its dual action-rotation and orbit - you never have to worry about damaging the paint (pad not included)"

I have used it quite a few times on mine and other family cars without any problems - when I say something it is based on my personal experience - not some hearsay
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Yes I have got that one but branded differently....yes sure dual action-rotation and orbit you never have to worry about damaging the paint my arse ;) If you honestly belief that sales spin...Well in that case I'm not surprised it got a little bit heated in here....Let's agree to disagree...
 
BillN_33 said:
A "machine" polish with the Meguiar’s Dual Action Polisher once a year will do no harm, and I did say once a year .........it will hardly remove the traffic film that has built up over the year

If we want to get technical, a new car needs a slight machine polish when new to get the best finish on the paintwork

If you want to spend half of each Sunday cleaning your car as a lot do, fair enough - but there are much more worthwhile things to do ....... which is really my point

so there must be quite a few "immaculately" kept cars on the forum judging by the comments above ....... I hope that you keep the mechanics and tyres in the same "immaculate" condition
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But the point is what works for you will not be best for everyone - surely you must agree with that?

The basic rinse/two bucket wash with shampoo & wax/microfibre dry takes me no more than an hour so hardly half a day! I expect that is what Keith was looking for and is a good level for most people who want to keep their cars looking top notch themselves.
 
RichardtheSane said:
But the point is what works for you will not be best for everyone - surely you must agree with that?

The basic rinse/two bucket wash with shampoo & wax/microfibre dry takes me no more than an hour so hardly half a day! I expect that is what Keith was looking for and is a good level for most people who want to keep their cars looking top notch themselves.
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i would agree, it depends on how much time you have available, but

it could be contended that a hand polish by an average owner every two months causes more damage to the paintwork than an annual polish with a Meguiar’s Dual Action Polisher

it could also be argued that a clean by an average owner can cause more harm that an auto or semi auto car wash

the professional detailer would argue that an average owner should not even touch a car

It you want to spend time "with your car" the time could be better used on other more important tasks than cleaning the thing
 
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Ok Bill, you've made your point.
 
Steep said:
Ok Bill, you've made your point.
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Thanks, I suppose that neatly brings us onto how we should "clean' our cameras and equipment, so that they always take the best photos
 
No need to be sarcastic, why not just let those who want to, discuss the subject in piece now?
 
I use Collinite polish and have had great results. I put one coat of it on my car a year ago and rain still beads up and rolls off the paintwork. Gives a lovely deep shine too. I wash the car about once a fortnight with just cheap Zipwax shampoo, sponge and bucket and it still looks brand new.
 
Meguiars, Autoglym, good quality chamois & cloths, and a wifey (me!!!) who doesn't mind breaking her nails to make sure the wheels/calipers/badge are dust free and tyre logos are painted!!!!!

14239675694_a6f86e7a68_c.jpg
 
I bought some Collinite a couple of weeks ago but not had a chance to give the car a good clean since so have not used it yet, all the reviews say it's excellent.
 
RichardtheSane said:
Do you just use it for wax?

I think the point being made, though much longer posts that mine will be, is that if you(anyone) need to use a polish to remove swirls paint on your paint then there is something wrong with your wash technique.

If it works for you, fine. But your initial recommendation of use an automatic car wash then polish once a year is not good advice for most people who are asking for advice on how to keep their car looking good. Automatic car washes leave swirls on the paint, meguiars polish removes said swirls by using cutting compound. So you are removing a small amount of the clearcoat every time you polish (if indeed that is how you use it).

Better to wash the car in a way that doesn't cause swirls in the first place :)
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Which was all I was saying. Watch out Richard... facts don't go down well in here.
 
It all depends on how far you want to go with your car. Parallels can be drawn with photography. Some people are happy with smartphone pics. Some people want point and shoot cameras. Some want more advanced point and shoot, others may want SLRs etc.

As others have pointed out, simply touching your car will inflict damage. I've probably spent over £4k over the years on various detailing products. If you want to keep the paintwork looking in mint condition, get it professionally detailed and chat with the detailer about maintenance. If you're not bothered, just use a bucket and sponge or a cheap car hand wash place.

FWIW I polish the car twice a year which involves a decontamination stage (tar removal, irom fallout, claying), as well as a light machine polish. Every few months, I clean the interior including door/boot shuts. Every couple of months I will top up the wax. Every couple of weeks I will clean the windows and treat the plastics/rubber. Every week I will snow foam the car, wash it with two bucket method, dry it and run over with a quick detailer.
 
Most important thing is to make sure the car's well RINSED...
 
Why is nobody cleaning under the bonnet as well? The engine bay should be cleaned too. For all black plastics, I use Armourall Tyre Foam, works brilliantly.
 
Mrs Keith did not get to pick up her new car today

After a lot of back and forth to the dealership to get them to give us a time to come over and finalise the paperwork and take the car away they inform us that we cant have the car because one of there staff pranged the rear bumper!

So it is now sitting in there body shop awaiting a new bumper.

Seriously not impressed.
 
Keith W said:
Mrs Keith did not get to pick up her new car today

After a lot of back and forth to the dealership to get them to give us a time to come over and finalise the paperwork and take the car away they inform us that we cant have the car because one of there staff pranged the rear bumper!

So it is now sitting in there body shop awaiting a new bumper.

Seriously not impressed.
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A brand new car? Thats now been pranged? I'd be telling them where to stick it.
 
First they said it hadn't arrived.

Then it was it had arrived but there valeting team needed to check it over?

Then it was there was a small, nothing to worry about, scuff mark that needed to be buffed off

Which then turned out to be a bigger scuff mark that would take longer to sort out.

And eventually they admitted that it was a major scrape caused by one of there employees and it was in the body shop having it's bumper replaced
 
I wouldnt be happy paying full price for a brand new car, for them to then prang it, repair it and give it to you at same price. Tell em to shove it or, maybe, drop £4000 off the price or something, depending on the price of the car new.
 
BillN_33 said:
Thanks, I suppose that neatly brings us onto how we should "clean' our cameras and equipment, so that they always take the best photos
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top tip - don't use a rotary polisher and wax to clean your sensor :LOL:

Also don't follow chri's instructions either ;)
 
Raptor Mike said:
You have to be so careful. You can mark paint just by pushing to hard with a mirofibre.
To give people and idea here's what I do in my exterior Valets:
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Hi Mike, any tips on cleaning alloys? And how to keep them clean?
I use wonder wheels when mine get really bad. But they get black with brake dust again almost immediately.

Thanks.
 
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