Car Cleaning Thread

[JohnJo]

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.

[JohnJo]

Here's our Q3 after similar treatment.



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).

[walpurgis]

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!

[struth]

the Romanian Mafia do mine £8 for a hand wash.. do a nice job. I have hoovered my side once with my new cordless....

[Macca]

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.

[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.

back to black. yup mine has a black skirt

[rmcin626]

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.IMG_1084.jpg


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[Gaz]

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]

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!

[JohnJo]

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?

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.