Now I have a shiny new car, I need someone to point me in the direction of a general guide to keeping it look nice. I dont want to go overboard with billion pound waxing, but a general guide on how to wash a car without putting fine scratches in the paintwork etc, how to best look after interior trim, that sort of thing.
Quote from: GoblinNow I have a shiny new car, I need someone to point me in the direction of a general guide to keeping it look nice. I dont want to go overboard with billion pound waxing, but a general guide on how to wash a car without putting fine scratches in the paintwork etc, how to best look after interior trim, that sort of thing.
rain.
job done.
You want a nice non-salty car shampoo - dont use washing up luquid for instance - the two bucket method (http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=4637) and a nice wax to make sure your car is protected once clean. You dont have to spend megabucks.
Meh, washing up liquid for me. As I park under some pine trees my car looks like crap after 2 days. I gave up washing my car about 2 weeks after I got it! At least on the plus side, when I do wash it, It still looks pretty damn good, the layer of resin seems to help protect against other grime!
Quote from: zpyderMeh, washing up liquid for me. As I park under some pine trees my car looks like crap after 2 days. I gave up washing my car about 2 weeks after I got it! At least on the plus side, when I do wash it, It still looks pretty damn good, the layer of resin seems to help protect against other grime!
This. When Its clean mine looks awesome, but the expensive car shampoo I ended up using a couple of times back didnt even move the sap. Washing up liquid or some SERIOUS road degreaser are the only things that clean it off, and I can only get the road degreaser in 10 gallon drums.
I reckon if you kept up the washing/waxing procedure though you wouldnt find your standard washing failing. What youre doing is fine for an old car, but over time I would think youre more likely to do more harm than good with this method - youre having to use a far harsher process each time because youre not washing and waxing with any regularity.
Not that Im one to talk at all as Ive not washed my car since I bought it in February! But for a new car Id certainly put the effort in keeping the paintwork in order washing and waxing properly.
a good quality shampoo, like meguires gold class or NXT.
a lambs wool wash mit NOT A SPONGE
using the two bucket method
and drying with a proper drying towel NOT A CHAMOIS
that is a good washing technique, everynow and a again you should clay the car and use a good quality polish followed by a good quality wax. btw there is no such thing as a Polish/Wax combo product.
when i worked in royal mail we had a truck wash, so i just used that bugger
I might actually wash my Mazda when I get it, once we fork out the money to chop the trees down. Th neighbours had the nerve to complain to us about getting rid of the trees on OUR land damaging OUR property.
Fair enough she likes her wildlife, but these are conifers that arent native to this country and in terms of island habitats, have very little value whatsoever.
Generally i take mine down to the Hand Wash once a week / fortnight and it gets cleaned inside and out for a Fiver, bargain :D
Bah, they charge ~£10 here!
Quote from: BaconGenerally i take mine down to the Hand Wash once a week / fortnight and it gets cleaned inside and out for a Fiver, bargain :D
some of those places are sh*t tho, and £5 sounds like itll be a sh*t one
but then again £40 ones can be sh*t too
you either pay exorbitant prices for ones that have an excellent reputation, or do it urself and if you f**k up at least uve done it urself and not paid the price for a metre long scratch on ur bonnet
what care did you get ?
I DIDNT SEE A POST !!!!!
how dare you get a new car wihtout posting about it here first !!!!
Quote from: Clockd 0NeI reckon if you kept up the washing/waxing procedure though you wouldnt find your standard washing failing. What youre doing is fine for an old car, but over time I would think youre more likely to do more harm than good with this method - youre having to use a far harsher process each time because youre not washing and waxing with any regularity.
Not that Im one to talk at all as Ive not washed my car since I bought it in February! But for a new car Id certainly put the effort in keeping the paintwork in order washing and waxing properly.
I tried that, but its a Willow tree. In fact the entire road is lined with the bastard things. I used to park round the corner on the main road, but they recently put those to 1 hour no return, and thats from 6am - 10pm so pretty useless. Basically if I give the car a seriously good wash 2 days later its covered in sap again and no better than just before the wash. Ill wax it when I have a night off work and the weather is good. I kind of feel sorry for the dipsh*t with the BMW 100 Coupe. He rather stupidly bought a white one, and he seems to wash it pretty much every other day. He should have known better, hes been here longer than me.
Quote from: knightywhat care did you get ?
I DIDNT SEE A POST !!!!!
how dare you get a new car wihtout posting about it here first !!!!
I got a new car recently but Im saving up to write a post about how much it annoys me. Youll forgive me when it happens ;)
Quote from: BeakerQuote from: zpyderMeh, washing up liquid for me. As I park under some pine trees my car looks like crap after 2 days. I gave up washing my car about 2 weeks after I got it! At least on the plus side, when I do wash it, It still looks pretty damn good, the layer of resin seems to help protect against other grime!
This. When Its clean mine looks awesome, but the expensive car shampoo I ended up using a couple of times back didnt even move the sap. Washing up liquid or some SERIOUS road degreaser are the only things that clean it off, and I can only get the road degreaser in 10 gallon drums.
Washing up liquid works and usually just rinsing will remove any salt. Cars probably get more salt on them simply driving on the road for a day.
Worth waxing after though as the wash will remove any oil whatsoever on the paint surface. This should also make it easier to remove the sap next time.
build a few layers of a decent protective wax up and the sap will come off with proper shampoo. something like collinite would be good.
personally, any new car i get, gets
washed.
clay barred
lime primed
random orbitol buffed
waxed
waxed
maybe even waxed again
collinite sealed.
and that brings out a bloody good shine even when its dirty.
Matt
Id wash with a shampoo with one wool mit.
Use another wool mit and another bucket of water.
Dry off car
Wash again
Dry off again
Polish with some stuff.
Wipe off polish
Use glass cleaner and clean in and out of windows.
Use glass polish on inside and out
Take to hoover and give car hoover the car
Use duster to dust the dash down