View Full Version : Car Cleaning Thread
Thought I'd start a thread to share and learn a few tips about car cleaning/valeting/detailing call it what you like. Let's see your efforts!
I like a clean car inside and out but I'm not a total OCD about it, if it doesn't get done for a couple of weeks so be it. I don't consider myself a detailer or anything like that and I don't go mad on fancy Jap waxes and the like but I do like to use some reasonably decent products. After a bit of trial and error I've settled on the Meguiars Ultimate range for most things as they give a good result, are relatively easy to apply and not too dear. Most importantly they don't leave a white streaky mess if you get them on black plastic trim so you don't have to be too careful at the edges.
I done our little Fiat at the weekend as follows;
Wheel clean with Greased Lightning wheel cleaner (OK not fabulous, don't like the Meguiars stuff, too gloopy) and then hot soapy (wash and wax) water and a paint brush.
Full car wash with Meguiars Ultimate wash and wax.
Every panel sprayed and wiped with Autosmart Tardis tar remover (excellent stuff, never felt the need to try anything else).
Meguiars Ultimate polish
Meguiars Ultimate Liquid Wax
Two coats of Meguiars Ultimate Fast Finish.
Tyres dressed with Meguiars purple gel stuff, can't remember the name
Windows polished with Autoglym glass polish.
Good hoover out and dust down inside.
http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee462/castle48/Mobile%20Uploads/C5B2089E-2B3F-4827-9C34-CC615E575E38.jpg
Here's our Q3 after similar treatment.
http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee462/castle48/Mobile%20Uploads/C47A8253-7A75-4AC8-BA8A-32BAFB7BCD96.jpg
Anyone with an Audi S Line with a similar interior to this will know they are prone to white dust coming up through the fabric of the seat bases with use which looks terrible. A liberal spaying of Carplan interior foam cleaner and agitation with a stiff bristled brush will bring it back to its former glory in no time - like this (oh and Sainsbury's have it at £1.50 a tin instead of £5).
http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee462/castle48/Mobile%20Uploads/6F7933C8-9462-4D6B-8587-DE237380E8FB.jpg
walpurgis
22-04-2019, 09:52
Tesco auto carwash two or three times a year (cheapest). Dealer vacuums inside annually at its service. Job done!
It's a tool, not a trinket! :)
the Romanian Mafia do mine ;) £8 for a hand wash.. do a nice job. I have hoovered my side once with my new cordless....
I used to valet cars and can confirm you've done a good job on those two.
At least cars today don't have all those black plastic trim strips and bumpers that gradually fade to grey. Used to go through a lot of that stuff that made them black again, can't recall what the name of it was. But that used to make a big difference to how the car looked. Used to annoy me on the old Wheeler Dealers that they would leave those strips all faded.
I used to valet cars and can confirm you've done a good job on those two.
At least cars today don't have all those black plastic trim strips and bumpers that gradually fade to grey. Used to go through a lot of that stuff that made them black again, can't recall what the name of it was. But that used to make a big difference to how the car looked. Used to annoy me on the old Wheeler Dealers that they would leave those strips all faded.
back to black. yup mine has a black skirt
rmcin626
22-04-2019, 10:25
I either do my Q5 myself, usually power washed then snow foam and then hand washed. The car is also detailed twice a year professionally, it never goes anywhere near any of the local car washes.25860
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the Romanian Mafia do mine ;) £8 for a hand wash.. do a nice job. I have hoovered my side once with my new cordless....
Aah yes, the people who kindly grind the dirt from the previous customers car into your paintwork lol
Pigmy Pony
22-04-2019, 15:42
Anita leaves the Civic with the Tesco tykes every couple of weeks while she does a big shop. And some bloke comes to the house to valet the interior every few weeks. Good enough for us.
Never let anyone go near the bike though - Pony Express gets the personal touch! :)
Tesco auto carwash two or three times a year (cheapest). Dealer vacuums inside annually at its service. Job done!
It's a tool, not a trinket! :)
Vacuumed out once a year!! Yikes, do you clean your feet on the way OUT? :D
I guess we could say everything in life is a tool but it's nice to take a pride in something, should it be your hifi, car, food, whatever but I completely understand your viewpoint, each to their own.
I used to valet cars and can confirm you've done a good job on those two.
At least cars today don't have all those black plastic trim strips and bumpers that gradually fade to grey. Used to go through a lot of that stuff that made them black again, can't recall what the name of it was. But that used to make a big difference to how the car looked. Used to annoy me on the old Wheeler Dealers that they would leave those strips all faded.
You're right, they never looked good until you'd dressed all the faded plastic bumpers and trim and yip "Back to Black" was the spray stuff. I liked the Autoglym bumper gel stuff, sort of a green slime, lasted a lot longer than B to B. Interesting resume you have their Martin :)
I either do my Q5 myself, usually power washed then snow foam and then hand washed. The car is also detailed twice a year professionally, it never goes anywhere near any of the local car washes.25860
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Nice motor Robin, those wheels look like a pig to clean though...
Never let anyone go near the bike though - Pony Express gets the personal touch! :)
Honda 90 isn't an easy clean though Steve....those spoked wheels :doh::D
rmcin626
24-04-2019, 11:56
Nice motor Robin, those wheels look like a pig to clean though...
They are indeed John, my detailer hates it when I book the car in. The alloys were not my choice but came with the spec I ordered, I might change them in the future.
be getting mine cleaned today so will take a pic of it gleaming
You're right, they never looked good until you'd dressed all the faded plastic bumpers and trim and yip "Back to Black" was the spray stuff. I liked the Autoglym bumper gel stuff, sort of a green slime, lasted a lot longer than B to B. Interesting resume you have their Martin :)
I remember spending an entire day cleaning the fabric on the rear seat of a Fiesta. It was black to start with. The previous owner must have been using it to transport loose coal is the only explanation I can think of. It came up quite well in the end. Wheeler Dealers just would have put a new interior in, bloody cheats.
I remember spending an entire day cleaning the fabric on the rear seat of a Fiesta. It was black to start with. The previous owner must have been using it to transport loose coal is the only explanation I can think of. It came up quite well in the end. Wheeler Dealers just would have put a new interior in, bloody cheats.
Yeah, cheeky Mike isn't as thick as he lets on, he seems to do alright for himself.
All spotless for 5 minutes
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/921/mm5NmR.jpg
All spotless for 5 minutes
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/921/mm5NmR.jpg
Struth!!!
I used to valet cars and can confirm you've done a good job on those two.
At least cars today don't have all those black plastic trim strips and bumpers that gradually fade to grey. Used to go through a lot of that stuff that made them black again, can't recall what the name of it was. But that used to make a big difference to how the car looked. Used to annoy me on the old Wheeler Dealers that they would leave those strips all faded.
Smooth peanut butter or Linseed Oil are both good for bringing grey plastic trim back to black.
Another good trick is running a hot air gun (paint stripping type) over then but being careful not to melt the trim or, on some cars, the glue holding them on.
walpurgis
24-04-2019, 15:42
All spotless for 5 minutes
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/921/mm5NmR.jpg
Looks classy Grant. :)
Looks classy Grant. :)It different, which in this time of sameness is a pleasure.
Since I got it there seems to be quite a few folk got one in the area recently.
walpurgis
24-04-2019, 18:02
It different, which in this time of sameness is a pleasure.
Since I got it there seems to be quite a few folk got one in the area recently.
Is it self charging or do you need to plug in?
Self charging. Freewheel, braking and engine when spare power is available. Its not a huge battery but it does give a boost to the mpg and reduces emissions etc.
It can go quite quick at times and the multilink suspension keeps it from wiggling.
Look what I found in the garage today, it's 10 years old according to the date on the can.
http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee462/castle48/Mobile%20Uploads/ECD75157-E800-4C7D-97AA-5F73FAA647C0.jpg
Gave the engine bay a quick wipe with a baby wipe then lashed on the Back to Black, came up not too bad.
http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee462/castle48/Mobile%20Uploads/90039BDF-D5CD-47DE-BDBA-7063A08A217E.jpg
http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee462/castle48/Mobile%20Uploads/BA536FB7-3015-4697-A660-76D7E6C8B211.jpg
Not exactly great as there's plenty of grubby stuff if you look close but good for 10 minutes work. So I can confirm Back to Black should be good for 10 years if you see a tin going cheap at a car boot sale :)
Gave the drivers seat a bit of a clean up with foam cleaner. :cool:
http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee462/castle48/Mobile%20Uploads/530A3E46-8585-46C3-9848-DB1A6BC815D6.jpg
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