42 replies to this topic

[1994alex]

I was wondering what people use to wash their mini, polish,wax, clay and so on...

Alex

[cooperdan]

I rarely wash the mini, I use a water based showroom shine which does both cleans and polishes it, leaves it really smooth and gives lovely shine, and plus it means i can use 2/3 times a week to keep ontop of it, Wax i use a G3 liquid...

Edited by cooperdan, 07 February 2012 - 04:54 PM.

[jsiggee]

i use some green stuff from wilco direct to clean, turtlewax to polish and G101 to clean the wheels - its evil stuff but does the job well!

[Tahiti Joe]

Ooooh, a detailing thread...!

Washed using 2 bucket method, Auto Glym shampoo.
Have several different polishes and methods that go with them... If just doing him 'quickly' I'll start by using AG super resin polish, AG glass polish on glass, Megs metal polish on chrome and anything stainless, AG tyre care on tyres and anything rubber. I also use a dodo juice wheel wax too keep the revolutions looking brand new... For waxing the body work I use a bilthamber finis-wax, seals paint excellently! This is all applied by hand using either pads or microfibres... The whole car will take me more than 5 hours...

I also have a mop... But it's a whole different story when using that!

[fattail95]

I'm a bit of a Meguiars enthusiast...







I've got Meguiars Gold Class Shampoo on the way too!

Edited by fattail95, 07 February 2012 - 05:01 PM.

[puggered]

Turtle wash N wax which I bought in a 5 gallon drum a few years ago lol

[dark]

I use showroom shine as well, tis awesome

[1994alex]

I use autoglym myself but i came across this brand earlier today
http://www.zymol.co.uk/index.aspx

very expensive if im honest....

[richw911]

I use this clay

http://www.bilthambe...uto-clay%20soft

Wash with this :

http://www.cleanyour...o/prod_490.html

Polish with Autoglym Super resin

seal with Autoglym extra gloss protection

Wax = http://www.elitecarc...-wax-no-845.php its amazing stuff

Edited by richw911, 07 February 2012 - 05:18 PM.

[puggered]

Polish with Autoglym Super resin

seal with Autoglym extra gloss protection

Likewise but I also have been using another autoglym, deep ultra shine I think its called. The first polish of the mini was G3 and mopped to remove the dead paint and scratches.

[richw911]

Polish with Autoglym Super resin

seal with Autoglym extra gloss protection

Likewise but I also have been using another autoglym, deep ultra shine I think its called. The first polish of the mini was G3 and mopped to remove the dead paint and scratches.

The deep shine is good too

[Tahiti Joe]

The deep shine stuff is okay, but has a wax element built into the polish... Stops the polish cutting so well, and the wax isn't strong enough too cure and seal properly, not bad stuff, but super resin used with a 'proper' carnauba or similar wax is almost always better where applying by hand is concerned!

Edited by Tahiti Joe, 07 February 2012 - 05:28 PM.

[1994alex]

I say this is what i have posted on another forum after using my mates stuff might be some help to others


WASHING THE PAINTWORK

Pre wash
This process is extremely important as it loosens all the dirt from the car and removes it safely (if done correctly). The best way to do this is to use a product called Super Snow Foam mixed together with a high foam shampoo such as Chemical Guys Maxi Suds. This can be used through a foam lance or with a “super sprayer” hose attachment.

The most common mixture is 1-2 inches of snow foam with ½ to 1 inch of maxi suds. A foam lance will produce a lot more pressure and therefore create more foam, which is safer for the paintwork although I find the super sprayer to be adequate. Once the foam has been applied and left to dwell for 5-10 minutes it needs to be fully washed off.

At this point it is good to check for any parts that are still heavily soiled; the bottom of the car, side skirts, wing mirrors and bumpers are common areas. For any tar spots or flies use a dedicated cleaner such as Autoglym Intensive Tar Remover or Autoglym Active Insect Remover.

For cleaning wheels I use an Autoglym Wheel Brush and Autoglym Clean Wheels, cleaning and rinsing each wheel at a time. The foam mixture can be sprayed onto the wheels, although I prefer not to.

Exterior plastics and tyres are often left out of the pre-wash stage but I clean them every time to prevent product build-up, it also allows you to get a better finish as your dressing will be able to stick much easier and last longer. To do this I use Meguiars All Purpose Cleaner (APC) and a soft brush.

Door shuts and wheel arches look a million times better when they are clean. I use a long handled brush (cost about £1 from wilkos) and Autoglym Engine and Machine Cleaner. When you come to rinse the dirt off, start the hose/jet wash “off the job” and move it “onto the job”. This shouldn’t create any spray onto the interior. When you rinse the boot shut, close the boot so it latches but doesn’t fully cloth and then rinse. This prevents any water entering the inside due to it sitting on the rubber seal.

Arches: These can be cleaned using a degreasing product like AG Engine and Machine Cleaner. I use Megs APC diluted 4:1. The same dilution rate can be used for scrubbing the tyres and exterior plastics.

Wheels: I've now moved onto Autoglym Custom Wheels as it is an alkaline based products as opposed to the traditional acid based. It's available in 5 litre bottles aswell from www.elitecarcare.co.uk


The Actual Washing Process
The next step is to fully wash the exterior of the vehicle; this is done using a wash mitt and the 2-bucket method. Mix up 2 buckets of car shampoo diluted to the manufacturers recommendation, over concentrated shampoo will not improve results and may strip wax and other protective layers off the paintwork. Using 2 bucket with soapy water stops the mitt loose suds when placed in the dirty bucket.

One bucket is used as the “clean” bucket and the other as the “dirty” one. Soften your wash mitt in the clean water and wash a panel (or half), then dunk your mitt in the dirt water and wash it out so it is perfectly clean before repeating the process on another panel. I prefer to wash the top half of the vehicle (above the rub strips) on the 1st trip around the car, bottom half on the 2nd and a full wash on the 3rd.

Grit guards are a useful item to use as they will remove grit from your mitt and prevent it floating around in the water. Most guards are quite big (about 10”), once I can find ones that fit my buckets I will start using them.

Once all areas have been washed, the car needs to be fully rinsed to remove the suds and dirt.


Drying Process
A traditional chamois leather has the potential to create swirl marks and scratches as it has no where for any dirt (not that it should remain) to go. The best drying towels are the Sonus Der Wunder ones. Dry using a pulling action on large areas and “pat dry” on smaller areas. I then use a synthetic leather on my plastics, wheels, tyres, door shuts and windows (also wipe around the windows on 3 door versions).

During the drying process I apply a very basic wax, called Wax it Wet from Turtle Wax, to the vehicle which adds shine but no real protection.

Spraying the vehicle with Detailing Spray before drying helps with the process as it repells water and makes it run down to the bottom and off the car. Drying the roof last is a good idea as you don't want to soak your towel early on then try to dry the rest of the car with a wet towel.


CLEANING THE PAINTWORK
Claying the vehicle
If it is your first time claying then I would recommend you buy a clay kit as it will come with a mild clay and detailing spray (also known as lube) which will work perfectly together. I use Meguiars Last Touch as my lube and Meguiars clay from my original kit. Sonus “green” clay is also perfect for beginners.

The idea behind clay barring is to remove all the bonded on contaminates that are in the paintwork such as industry fallout, bird mess and tree sap. It’s a simple process that involves spraying the lube onto a panel and rubbing it with the clay bar. Some tips for claying are:

• Make sure you use enough lube, if the clay doesn't slide across easily then use more as you don't want to create marring lines in the paintwork
• Use little bits at a time and as soon as it's dirty remould it until a new bit shows
• Once it’s fully dirty or you drop it on the floor, throw it away and use a new piece
• Use a piece a couple of cm’s across and place it "flat" between your hand and the paintwork so it looks like your hand is wiping the paint
• Apply a little bit of pressure as it'll have more effect
• If the clay isn’t mouldable then hold it between your hands to warm it up
• Be careful around the bottom of the car/bumper etc as it'll get dirtier a lot quicker than you think and it might remove any tar spots which could cause scratches
• I tend to do the top half of the car (above the rub strips) and then the bottom

Once the claying is finished you will have to re-wash the car again to remove all the lube and dirt. The pre-wash obviously isn’t necessary but a quick rinse is then start the 2 bucket method.

If you are claying then miss out the basic wax, as it’ll be a waste of product and time. Also drying the car 100% is pointless so I just give it a quick wipe over with the towel. Once the 2nd wash is complete the car must be 100% dry before continuing.


Polishing
Before polishing you can apply a paintwork cleaner such as Meguiars Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner. The 2nd step (or 3rd if you use a cleaner beforehand) is to polish the paintwork. This will add a shine as the polish removes an extremely fine layer of clear coat. But it will not add any protection; regardless of what myths you have heard. One of the best polishes is Autoglym Super Resin Polish as it contains fillers, which will mask swirl marks for a short period of time.

The easiest applicator for polish is an Autosmart Polishing Sponge (couple of quid from ebay). Soften the sponge under hot water (the hotter the better) and dry it using kitchen towel so it is warm and damp. This allows the product to go further and let it cure easier. I use a standard foam applicator pad for the paint cleaner so you don’t mix products on the sponge.


PROTECTING THE PAINTWORK
Glazes
As the name suggests these are products that add to the shine. They are extremely easy to work with and are best applied using a foam applicator pad or the Autosmart sponge but make sure it has been washed out after applying the polish.

I use Chemical Guys Ez Créme glaze if working by hand or Meguiars #7 Show Car Glaze if working with the machine, although Megs #7 works fine by hand."

Sealants
These products seal the paintwork and other products (such as glazes) into the paintwork. As the glazes they are easy to work with and should be applied using the same methods. I use Chemical Guys Wet Mirror Finish for my car.

Wax
Another very important stage to a detail is waxing. It is always the final stage as it provides the most protection and will seal everything (including sealant) into the paintwork. There are loads of different makes to choose from and 3 different types.

Spray Wax: Such as Meguiars spray wax, these are easy to apply as you just spray it on and work around with a foam pad but they offer the least protection and are more suited to just “topping up” the shine and protection, like at a car show.

Liquid Wax: I regularly use Meguiars Carnauba Wax, which is a “soft” wax. Soft waxes are normally liquid form, which allows them to be applied and removed very easily. This type of wax adds quite a good protection to the car.

Paste Wax: This is the hardest wax to work with, as it takes longer to apply and remove, although it will offer the best protection. Paste waxes are available in soft and hard form. I have just bought a bottle of Collinite 845 and applied it to paintwork that hadn't been detailed and was impressed with the results after one coat.


Applying the wax

• Spray waxes are best applied with a foam pad or a new applicator from Meguiars called “even coat applicators”.
• Liquid waxes can be applied using either a foam pad or a clean Autosmart sponge.
• Paste waxes are best applied using a foam applicator pad.

The wax needs to be left to cure on the paintwork until it is ready to be removed. The way to tell when it’s ready is by doing a swipe test.

• Swipe a clean finger across the first panel that you applied the wax to
• If it removes the wax fully then it is ready to be removed, if it leaves it smeary then it needs longer to cure.

Applying a thin coat of wax will do a lot more than whacking on loads as only the layer that is touching the paintwork is doing the work. Two thin coats are better than one thick coat. If you are using both hard and soft waxes then it is best to apply the hard one first as it will protect the paintwork, then the soft wax will seal in the hard layer. It is easier, quick and probably cheaper to replace the soft layer.

A trade secret is to apply the 2nd layer using the “spit shine” technique.

• Once the 1st coat has been removed spray cold water (colder the better, shove a bottle in the fridge) onto a panel.
• Apply the 2nd coat over the top of the water and rub until you can’t see any more water.
• Allow 2nd coat to cure and remove when ready, using the swipe test to tell when.
• You will have to turn your cloth more or use a new cloth, as the water will create a small smear when removing the 2nd coat.

Once the wax is fully removed you can then “quick detail” the car using your clay lube and a clean towel/cloth. Spray a panel at a time, wipe, then dry fully, 2 or 3 cloths maybe required as they will get damp quite quickly.


FINISHING TOUCHES

These are the little jobs, which make a huge difference to the final finish and appearance of the car.

Dressing the tyres
There are plenty of different tyre dressings on the market but I highly recommend Autoglym Instant Tyre Dressing as I have found it gives the most shine and lasts the longest (including a 400 mile round trip on holiday along dual carriageways). It starts out as a white liquid, which dries within about 45 minutes. Don’t worry about getting any on the wheels as it dries smear free.
Tyres: When applying tyre dressings it looks alot better if you cover upto the first line of tread, instead of just the wall. If you're using a spray dressing then move your bottle around the tyre as the spray so you get a nice even covering.

Dressing the plastics
As above, plenty of products to choose from, I use Autoglym Bumper Care applied with a foam pad. If there is any white residue from the polish etc then a quick rub with a pencil eraser will remove it or a clean with a product called Wax Blaster is a good idea.

Exhaust Tail Pipes
Like the other 2, a few different products on the market, I Use Autoglym Metal Polish and an old rag. If the exhaust is covered in stubborn dirt then using glass polish and some fine wire wool will remove it, then use the metal polish.

Doorshuts
As you dried them at an early stage there shouldn’t be any water marks but a quick coat of polish (and wax if you want) will add a shine. I use Meguiars Cleaner Wax as it polishes and waxes at the same time.

Wheels
Once any tyre dressing has dried you can protect the wheels using polish, sealant and wax. You can get dedicated wheel sealants, which will be better than the ones used on the bodywork. Removing the wheels and cleaning the insides every so often is a good idea to prevent dirt/brake dust build up and to check the inside edge of the tyres.

Glass
The last stage is to clean the windows to remove any watermarks or products (such as wax) that have made there way onto them. If I’m doing a full detail I also do the same to the windows. I use Autoglym window cleaning products.

• Spray window with cleaner, work product around so window is fully covered using kitchen towel
• Using fine wire wool, rub the whole window to remove any dirt, watermarks etc etc.
• Wipe clean using kitchen towel and buff dry using a micro fibre cloth.
• After every window (inc. wing mirrors) has been cleaned I then go round and apply a water repellent called RainX.
• Once each window is coated I then remove using the first 3 steps.
• The windows are then polished to make sure any remaining cleaner or product is removed.

Glass: When using the wire wool squirting white vinegar instead of glass cleaner will remove the "invisible" dirt from the window. It'll run extremely quick so don't soak the glass.

The whole car is then given a final wipe over with a microfibre cloth.




General Tips

• If any item is dropped on the floor then use a new one. Or give it a full wash out before re-using it.
• Once a pad or cloth is dirty use a new one.
• Use quality, deep plush micro fibre cloths.
• Don’t store your cloths on the floor, I place them on a large tray or in a clean bucket.
• Follow manufacturer instructions if in doubt.
• After the detail wash out your equipment fully.
• Look after your products, don’t store them in a really cold place such as the garage (especially in the very cold weather due to condensation)
• Research of products is always good to get people’s opinions and reviews before buying

[cooperdan]

Thats bit heavy, bloody hell,

Washing car or whatever, isnt exactly rocket science

[1994alex]

Thats bit heavy, bloody hell,

Washing car or whatever, isnt exactly rocket science

I know but it is always nice to have a clean car ;)