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General => Detailing => Topic started by: scanesare on 13 March 2018, 20:09
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So, after years with cars that did not seem that important to care for myself (meaning not with my own hands but still with my own money :tongue:) I made the mistake of trying to get into a washing routine with the Clubsport. I had always been skeptical about hand washing (like why lose my own time if it's going to become sh1te the next day) but for some inexplicable reason, I have now become attracted to it, go figure...
Just doing the very basic stuff for now (washing and drying, and a bit of the interior) as I think the ceramic coating on the car flatters my work, or at least doesn't make me feel I need to move into the polish, wax, seal field (yet...). On to the questions then:
I have this Sonax microfibre towel: https://www.sonax.com/Products/Accessories-and-Aids/(location)/15782-SONAX-Microfibre-drying-cloth (https://www.sonax.com/Products/Accessories-and-Aids/(location)/15782-SONAX-Microfibre-drying-cloth) In the beginning it works very well and I can do around 1/3 even 1/2 of the car leaving it super dry with just one pass, but after that it becomes so wet that I am merely smearing water all over, and it does not seem possible to continue using it. Is it normal for one 80x50cm towel to not be able to last the entire car meaning I need two of them, or I just need a towel with better absorption? (in any case I will need an extra product...)
For the interior I have the Gtechniq I2 tri clean https://gtechniq.com/products/auto/i2-tri-clean (https://gtechniq.com/products/auto/i2-tri-clean) which I mostly use on the dash. Now I noticed that this leaves a smudgy finish on the surfaces which is unpleasant to the touch so after I clean a surface I need to wipe it with a different cloth to dry it from the I2, and I mean I need to insist, it doesn't easily go away with a single pass. Is this how is it supposed to be applied /used?
Cheers
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Glad to hear you’re enjoying cleaning your car scanscare. It can be very satisfying to see the results of your labours.
I use a warm air blower to remove most of the water from my car, and I find that I only need 1 towel to pat dry any remaining water droplets from the paintwork that my blower hasn’t removed. Before I had a blower, I’d use two towels to dry the bodywork.
Before starting to dry my car, I always rinse it with an open-ended hose first to ‘sheet’ most of the water off the bodywork. This leaves much less water to dry off with a towel. I use a separate dedicated microfibre towel for my wheels too. I use the Wo-Wo drying towels. They’re quite small, so there’s minimal risk of them dragging on the ground when drying the lower sections of the car but they’re double thickness so can soak up a surprisingly large amount of water.
Twin layer drying towel;
https://wo-wo.co.uk/collections/wo-wo-car-detailing-products/products/twin-layer-drying-towel
Alloy wheel drying towel;
https://wo-wo.co.uk/collections/wo-wo-car-detailing-products/products/alloy-wheel-drying-towel
Discount Code GTIFORUM20 will get you 20% off the website prices.
I’ve never used Gtechniq i2 tri clean. I use Poorboys Natural Look Dressing on the interior trim in my car. It leaves a nice non-shiny, non-greasy finish and smells nice too (if you like the smell of marzipan). Just wipe on with a mcrofibre cloth and wipe off with a second microfibre.
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Thanks SRGTD. I was actually considering a leaf blower (is it the same thing or there are specific "car dryers"? ) to get rid of my towel issues, although getting a second towel is a much cheaper option I suppose. Was just wondering whether there are towels out there that can dry the entire car and I just got an average product, or it takes two towels for that. I understand what you say with removing as much water as possible, and consider that I have a ceramic coating as I said that makes water much easier to be removed from the car, still I can't use the towel after 1/3 of the car.
The I2 tri-clean was suggested to me as an odour-less option as I don't like any other artificial smell. It just needs three times the effort you made during application to remove it off the surface you applied it on. Guess I could switch to something else but I still got a lot of it to use!
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No, I don’t use a leaf blower. I use one of these;
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washing-and-drying/metro-vac-sidekick-blaster/prod_1152.html
It’s quite small but also quite powerful. With practice, I’ve perfected the art of blowing most of the water off the car, so very little is left to dry with a drying towel. I find that blow drying is easier if the car is well protected with a good layer of wax, sealant or a coating . It’s really great for blowing the water out of all those water traps too (mirror housings, door handles, grilles, badges etc). Rebecca Booth (Booth11) used to have one of these, but upgraded to the larger Metro Vac Vac n Blow which is a great machine, and is also a vacuum as well ad a blower.
There probably are towels that can dry an entire car, but they’re likely to need to be very large, so there is a risk of dragging them in the dirt on the ground. I prefer using a smaller drying towel, but that’s just my personal preference.
Hopefully someone will be along to advise you on applying and removing the i2 Tri Clean.
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I have three towels for the car and one for the wheels. Use an open ended hose as explained above and two will probably be enough. But, if you drop one, you will need the third. For the small cost it's worth it. As SRGTD, I haven't tried the Gtechniq (although I do use some of their other products and rate them highly) but do also use the Poorboys which is excellent and very easy to use. For the exterior plastics and tyres I'd recommend FinishKare Top Kote Tire Dressing.
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No, I don’t use a leaf blower. I use one of these;
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washing-and-drying/metro-vac-sidekick-blaster/prod_1152.html
It’s quite small but also quite powerful. With practice, I’ve perfected the art of blowing most of the water off the car, so very little is left to dry with a drying towel. I find that blow drying is easier if the car is well protected with a good layer of wax, sealant or a coating . It’s really great for blowing the water out of all those water traps too (mirror housings, door handles, grilles, badges etc). Rebecca Booth (Booth11) used to have one of these, but upgraded to the larger Metro Vac Vac n Blow which is a great machine, and is also a vacuum as well ad a blower.
There probably are towels that can dry an entire car, but they’re likely to need to be very large, so there is a risk of dragging them in the dirt on the ground. I prefer using a smaller drying towel, but that’s just my personal preference.
Hopefully someone will be along to advise you on applying and removing the i2 Tri Clean.
Nice weapons no doubt, but a bit steep for my level of detailing (actually washing) yet! For that amount of money I have a few other priorities higher up my mod list :tongue: Maybe in the future. I think for the time being I'll go for a second good towel.
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I have three towels for the car and one for the wheels. Use an open ended hose as explained above and two will probably be enough. But, if you drop one, you will need the third. For the small cost it's worth it. As SRGTD, I haven't tried the Gtechniq (although I do use some of their other products and rate them highly) but do also use the Poorboys which is excellent and very easy to use. For the exterior plastics and tyres I'd recommend FinishKare Top Kote Tire Dressing.
Thanks, second towel it is then. I was after something for the tires so I may give Top Kote a try.
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One towel is not enough to dry a whole car. You need two at least. As already mentioned air blowers are a good option but I’d leave that for a future purchase when and if you ever feel the need. Good quality drying towels are perfectly good for drying and even though I have a MetroVac Vac n Blo dryer/vacuum, 90% of the time I dry my whole car with drying towels alone. I generally use 3 towels for the body then two dedicated wheel towels on the wheels.
Also as said above, make sure your final rinse is done with an open ended hose, a free flow of water (no spray attachments) as this sheets off the paintwork, even more so if you have good protection on, and leaves considerably less standing water to mop up with towels. Even so, you need at least a couple of towels.
If you’re in the market for a great second towel, get this. Bought some of these last year. Very very good towel.
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washing-and-drying/drying-towels/gyeon-q2m-silk-dryer/prod_1630.html
My other long term favourite towels are. Small but twin layer so highly absorbent. Been using these for years. Excellent towels.
https://wo-wo.co.uk/collections/wo-wo-car-detailing-products/products/twin-layer-drying-towel
As a change to my usual Poorboys Natural Look Dressing and Swissvax Quick Interior Finish, I tried Gtechniq TriClean a few weeks ago on the interior and was not impressed. This is what I said in my post when I first tried it...
Gave it a thorough interior clean because it was totally disgusting. Tried Gtechniq Tri-clean on the whole interior. Found it very good on seats and textured plastics etc, but rubbish on piano gloss trim, left a smeary residue which required too much buffing to effectively remove. Was ok on carpet. Very antiseptic smell which I didn’t mind.
So not impressed with Triclean on certain types of trim, but good on seats, but still no match for my usual Gliptone Leather Cleaner tbh.
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Actually can I ask a slightly off topic question please. I have a Metro sidekick blaster for some years now, but can’t find the wide “fan” push on fitting (just the longer “snout” one) anyone know who sells these as replacements please ?
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Actually can I ask a slightly off topic question please. I have a Metro sidekick blaster for some years now, but can’t find the wide “fan” push on fitting (just the longer “snout” one) anyone know who sells these as replacements please ?
https://www.cardryers.co.uk/accessories-MVC-195AB.php
https://www.cardryers.co.uk/Car-Dryer-Accessories-Sidekick.php
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Body towels, wheel towels, tire dressing and a new interior cleaner, I reckon this thread has costed me already around 40eur and counting :grin: (at least I am not going for the dryer also)
Gave it a thorough interior clean because it was totally disgusting. Tried Gtechniq Tri-clean on the whole interior. Found it very good on seats and textured plastics etc, but rubbish on piano gloss trim, left a smeary residue which required too much buffing to effectively remove. Was ok on carpet. Very antiseptic smell which I didn’t mind.
That is exactly what I was describing! "Smeary" is the right word and if you say you also had to insist to remove it from the plastics then I understand I didn't do something wrong. So I think I'll keep it for the seats and carpets and get something like Poorboys Natural Look which seems to be everyone's favorite interior cleaner??
One more thing that I remembered, how do you guys clean the wash mitt and towels?
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Body towels, wheel towels, tire dressing and a new interior cleaner, I reckon this thread has costed me already around 40eur and counting :grin: (at least I am not going for the dryer also)
Gave it a thorough interior clean because it was totally disgusting. Tried Gtechniq Tri-clean on the whole interior. Found it very good on seats and textured plastics etc, but rubbish on piano gloss trim, left a smeary residue which required too much buffing to effectively remove. Was ok on carpet. Very antiseptic smell which I didn’t mind.
That is exactly what I was describing! "Smeary" is the right word and if you say you also had to insist to remove it from the plastics then I understand I didn't do something wrong. So I think I'll keep it for the seats and carpets and get something like Poorboys Natural Look which seems to be everyone's favorite interior cleaner??
One more thing that I remembered, how do you guys clean the wash mitt and towels?
Yeah stick to Poorboys for trim, much much better.
If lambswool mitt, hand wash as you might a cashmere jumper. Hand wash in mild detergent, rinse, gently squeeze out excess water, reshape and air dry then if you can be bothered, a brush with a pet brush.
For microfibre towels and cloths:
Non bio washing liquid. No fabric conditioner, as this affects the absorbency of the fibres. Coolish wash 30/40°. Line dry or tumble dry (no dryer sheets for same reason as fabric conditioner) to 80% dry then air dry last 20%.
I’ve been using this lately and it does really make a difference and brings the pile right back up, especially on plush microfibres. https://wo-wo.co.uk/collections/wo-wo-car-detailing-products/products/wo-wo-microfibre-refresher-500ml
This is worth a read about microfibres in general.
https://www.theclayclothcompany.co.uk/page_3289214.html
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Thanks, seems more reading and shopping is on the menu!
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Sounds like you've got most of the basics covered.
You can never have enough microfibres! I buy packs of 10 blue one as you use them for lots of different applications.
For drying, I currently using these and they are nice and well priced - http://www.slimsdetailing.co.uk/chemical-guy-workhorse-black-microfiber-towel-pack-of-3.html
Interior wise I don't ever use any dressings. A really effective way of cleaning all the plastics especially round the footwell and doors, use APC diluted in spayer and mist on a microfibre and wipe. Can be use to clean seats as well and carpets. I use the GTechniq one, which I use for cleaning engine bays, door shuts and it can be used on wheels.
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Suggestions between Meguiars Endurance and Autobrite Endurance Trim and Tyre Gel? Looking to add one more item to my order from UK so that I save on shipping and these two are available in the selected shop. Looking for something as easy to use and as eco-friendly as possible, can't stand heavy smells (even if it's only in my garage).
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Suggestions between Meguiars Endurance and Autobrite Endurance Trim and Tyre Gel?
Neither.
How about CarPro Perl ?
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No objection but it's just not available from the shop I'm buying and the whole point is paying only once for shipping. I basically haven't used any tyre dressing before so I thought I just add one such product in the basket because I'm making a big-ish order, I'm sure I could leave without one just as I have lived so far :tongue:
Is it that none of those items work well or you just prefer CarPro?
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Suggestions between Meguiars Endurance and Autobrite Endurance Trim and Tyre Gel? Looking to add one more item to my order from UK so that I save on shipping and these two are available in the selected shop. Looking for something as easy to use and as eco-friendly as possible, can't stand heavy smells (even if it's only in my garage).
I’d go Meguiars Endurance. It’s good stuff. My second favourite tyre dressing. Silicone based which means much more durable than water based.
A while back I posted a run down of tyre dressings I’ve tried in order of pref...
http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=280823.msg2570362#msg2570362
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Hmm, let's see if I can find your #1 preferred item. Seems Meguiars is kind of messy to apply and I'm after something as simple as possible. Or else I can scroll down your review list :smiley:
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Hmm, let's see if I can find your #1 preferred item. Seems Meguiars is kind of messy to apply and I'm after something as simple as possible. Or else I can scroll down your review list :smiley:
https://www.achemshop.co.uk/product/hi-shine/
Delivery charge is a bit steep but it’s worth it. But, you mentioned you don’t like strong smelling chemicals, so this will not be for you, as it’s potent stuff, very strong solvent smell, but brilliant potent stuff.
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Hmm, let's see if I can find your #1 preferred item. Seems Meguiars is kind of messy to apply and I'm after something as simple as possible. Or else I can scroll down your review list :smiley:
https://www.achemshop.co.uk/product/hi-shine/
Delivery charge is a bit steep but it’s worth it. But, you mentioned you don’t like strong smelling chemicals, so this will not be for you, as it’s potent stuff, very strong solvent smell, but brilliant potent stuff.
Hi-Shine does not seem easy to get here in Sweden so I gave a cheapo water based tire dressing from a local shop here a try, was more like a cream that i used a sponge applicator to evenly apply on the tires. Did two rounds and still once it dried after a few min there was no shine at all left on the tire... :sad: what a waste of time.
So, any other more widely available than A-Chem item that is recommended? Ideally i want to either spray it on the tire and apply it while wiping with an applicator, or pour it on the applicator directly and dress the tires. How is Meguiars Endurance more complex/messy to apply? That's available in most shops here.
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Hmm, let's see if I can find your #1 preferred item. Seems Meguiars is kind of messy to apply and I'm after something as simple as possible. Or else I can scroll down your review list :smiley:
https://www.achemshop.co.uk/product/hi-shine/
Delivery charge is a bit steep but it’s worth it. But, you mentioned you don’t like strong smelling chemicals, so this will not be for you, as it’s potent stuff, very strong solvent smell, but brilliant potent stuff.
Hi-Shine does not seem easy to get here in Sweden so I gave a cheapo water based tire dressing from a local shop here a try, was more like a cream that i used a sponge applicator to evenly apply on the tires. Did two rounds and still once it dried after a few min there was no shine at all left on the tire... :sad: what a waste of time.
So, any other more widely available than A-Chem item that is recommended? Ideally i want to either spray it on the tire and apply it while wiping with an applicator, or pour it on the applicator directly and dress the tires. How is Meguiars Endurance more complex/messy to apply? That's available in most shops here.
I’d go with Megs Endurance then. It’s thicker than Achem so a bit more effort to apply but not much. It doesn’t last as long but it’s the second best tyre dressing I’ve tried and as a silicone formula has better staying power than water based formulas. I can honestly say I think water based tyre dressings are just not up to the job at all ime. Meg’s is a thick purple gel. Apply the Megs with a foam applicator pad or a dedicated tyre dressing applicator, and I’d you want more of a satin rather than gloss finish wipe over with a microfibre after application. It’s good stuff.
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I’d go with Megs Endurance then. It’s thicker than Achem so a bit more effort to apply but not much. It doesn’t last as long but it’s the second best tyre dressing I’ve tried and as a silicone formula has better staying power than water based formulas. I can honestly say I think water based tyre dressings are just not up to the job at all ime. Meg’s is a thick purple gel. Apply the Megs with a foam applicator pad or a dedicated tyre dressing applicator, and I’d you want more of a satin rather than gloss finish wipe over with a microfibre after application. It’s good stuff.
Cheers Booth, Meguiars it is. Sounds exactly like the item I used earlier, it was quite viscous and it needed a few passes to completely apply on the rubber and not stay on the grooves of the tire pattern. Problem is it didn't just stay shiny at all after a couple of mins. Maybe needed more applications? How many passes do you need to do with Meguiars to get a glossy finish usually?
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I’d go with Megs Endurance then. It’s thicker than Achem so a bit more effort to apply but not much. It doesn’t last as long but it’s the second best tyre dressing I’ve tried and as a silicone formula has better staying power than water based formulas. I can honestly say I think water based tyre dressings are just not up to the job at all ime. Meg’s is a thick purple gel. Apply the Megs with a foam applicator pad or a dedicated tyre dressing applicator, and I’d you want more of a satin rather than gloss finish wipe over with a microfibre after application. It’s good stuff.
Cheers Booth, Meguiars it is. Sounds exactly like the item I used earlier, it was quite viscous and it needed a few passes to completely apply on the rubber and not stay on the grooves of the tire pattern. Problem is it didn't just stay shiny at all after a couple of mins. Maybe needed more applications? How many passes do you need to do with Meguiars to get a glossy finish usually?
You’ll get a decent gloss with one coat, but two coats is best.
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You’ll get a decent gloss with one coat, but two coats is best.
Ok. Did two with the other product i mentioned earlier and couldn't tell the difference, both times it seemed to fade out quickly but will check tomorrow again just in case.
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You’ll get a decent gloss with one coat, but two coats is best.
Ok. Did two with the other product i mentioned earlier and couldn't tell the difference, both times it seemed to fade out quickly but will check tomorrow again just in case.
This is Meguiars Endurance on my mk6 GTI. This is just a single coat left to dry for a gloss finish.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7391/13679626373_41b1424461_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/mQPEk8)
(https://s14.postimg.org/d3drnipc1/AF3_ADF79-367_A-4_CDE-_A4_E9-7_F51_E7231_BA7.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/f7y4olqyl/)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5474/10675151956_9fb62bdee0_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/hgjWL5)
(https://s14.postimg.org/sov37egox/B22_EB9_FD-_A665-43_B7-93_DD-31015_CDF45_FD.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/ieso85qt9/)
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That looks really good in fact, nothing like that dressing earlier so I guess it's down to the product, cheers.
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That looks really good in fact, nothing like that dressing earlier so I guess it's down to the product, cheers.
As I said, waterbased tyre dressing is not a patch on silicone or solvent based tyre dressing. That’s why your other stuff hasn’t delivered the results you’re wanting. But with silicone/solvent comes a string smell. Small price to pay for a decent dressing. Meg’s smell is better and not so strong as Achem. .