Clean Car - What To Use?

big soft moose said:
Wrap the car in bubble wrap and keep it in a clean dry garage.
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I was thinking more along the lines of some sort of clear lacquer that repelled the dust or allowed it to be simply hosed off. If such a thing exists.
 
Mine get cleaned like the paintwork. Twice a year they come off the car, get snow foamed, cleaned with bilberry and a brush, then tardis, iron-x, and clay bar. Then a light polish on the show alloys. Otherwise apply a wheel sealant.

Thereafter they are generally clean after a jet wash when I snow foam the rest of the car. Occasionally I may use a wheel cleaner, tardis and iron x during the year or just top up LSP.
 
well if you are going to be picky :lol:

personally I don't clean my alloys - I know they are going to get dirty again driving on a dirty ill maintained road so whats the point - and i wash my car once a year whether it needs it or not. - but then my focus is a conveyance from A to B , it is not a status symbol (You'd have to be pretty desperate to be affirmed by an 05 plate focus with 140k on the clock and an odour of bwet dog and chainsaw oil in the interior)
 
omens said:
Mine get cleaned like the paintwork. Twice a year they come off the car, get snow foamed, cleaned with bilberry and a brush, then tardis, iron-x, and clay bar. Then a light polish on the show alloys. Otherwise apply a wheel sealant.

Thereafter they are generally clean after a jet wash when I snow foam the rest of the car. Occasionally I may use a wheel cleaner, tardis and iron x during the year or just top up LSP.
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A few questions if I may:

What is "snow foam"?
What is "bilberry"? Tardis? Iron-X?
What/where to get the wheel sealant and previous bits mentioned?

LSP?

Many thanks.
 
I use Poorboys alloy wheel wax paste to help protect the wheels from brake dust. But it's also worth using decent brake pads like EBC Redstuff pads. They are more expensive at about £70 for fronts and probably similar for the rear if you have rear discs. But you will get better braking, less dust and mine lasted 3.5yrs on my previous car before I had to replace the fronts, so they're not really going to break the bank.
 
DorsetDude said:
A few questions if I may:

What is "snow foam"?
What is "bilberry"? Tardis? Iron-X?
What/where to get the wheel sealant and previous bits mentioned?

LSP?

Many thanks.
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Google will answer those questions for you. I've just bought some snowfoam, tried it last night with mixed results. I think it really needs to be applied with a pressure washer to get the best results.
 
DorsetDude said:
A few questions if I may:

What is "snow foam"?
What is "bilberry"? Tardis? Iron-X?
What/where to get the wheel sealant and previous bits mentioned?

LSP?

Many thanks.
Click to expand...
This all comes down to detailing and how much you want to go into things.

Snowfoam - basically a prewash that was designed for trucks but is now also used for cars. You need to use a dedicated snowfoam lance with a jetwash. I consider it the equivalent of soaking the dishes in the sink overnight - it makes it easier to clean the car with less scrubbing required.
Bilberry - a wheel cleaner
Tardis - a tar remover
Iron-X - an iron fallout remover - remember that brake dust will consist largely of this
Wheel sealant - I like using Poorboys but it doesn't last as long. Very easy to apply. Planet Polish and FK1000P would also be fine.
LSP = last step product/protection/process (depending on where you pick up the term from) - the last layer to go on the car typically wax or sealant.
 
Thanks for the info and links omens. A whole different world!
Definitely have to try and find some wheel sealant stuff somewhere.

I imagine there would be issues using snowfoam at home and letting it run off down roadside drains.
 
omens said:
Are there any specific issues?
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Well you're not even supposed to let the run off from washing a car normally go down the drain are you. I know most ignore it but i think the rule's there.

While you're here :) is there a good wheel sealant you can suggest that I might find in a Halfrauds or motabitz or somewhere on the "high street"? Thanks.

I did look through detailing world to see if there was a numpties guide to waxes, sprays, brushes, cloths etc to use but couldnt find anything.
 
There is no ideal guide - like a lot of things in life, it's all down to personal choice.

Any particular reason it has to be high street? I do all my buying from online stores like elitecarcare and cleanyourcar.
 
We use the Eastern European crew who took over the closed Texaco garage a few years back and do an astonishing job.

The full wash and valet for our 7 seater is £15 (£12 for smaller).

Usually 4 guys on each vehicle, with the bossman doing quality control (and he is tough on the team). Includes waxing polish and alloy and tyre clean. Engine bay gets a work through along with the dust and grime areas (door mirror pods).

I have not bothered using anywhere else and its worth the wait to get in.

S
 
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Snow foam all the way. Followed by a quality car shampoo,preferably two bucket method,dry off with microfibre towel then polish/wax



image by M1RVW, on Flickr
 
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