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General => Detailing => Topic started by: Bingham67 on 14 October 2013, 11:25
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I am a total noob for washing car so need advice in basic terms im not looking to go mad but a wash once before go back to work should do the trick.
I have been reading other threads here lambswool mitt, grit guard, drying towel can someone point me in direction of the best ones to buy. As for cleaners i read Autosmart duet is good so think i am going to buy some of that, also what the best method for cleaning wheels/alloy etc.
Also being not so great weather at moment the inside carpets already muddy and got bit of hay etc joys of living near country roads what do i need to clean carpets?
Also could someone explain the method please of cleaning in basic terms as possible many thanks in advance.
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Good that your looking to get into it mate, its very addictive once starting!
Mitt I would go for a Lambswool Ones or the Dooka Wash Pad. They arent cheap at £18.95 but will last you forever if looked after, and is well worth the pricetag! The Dooka ones are available of their own website.
Grit guards are available on all car cleaning sites, so just get whichever one, and 2 decent buckets.
Drying towel go for the large fluffy ones, such as http://www.i4detailing.co.uk/acatalog/I4D_Uber_Premium_Drying_Towel_1.html#aUBERDRY
As for shampoo., Autosmart Duet is good as it can be bought in large bulks, and will last you ages if just for your own car, and has an element of protection too it, but still get a good base wax on the car as the wax in Duet wont do the same as a decent wax on the car first.
Wheels use a non acidic product, something like Autosmart Smart Wheels or Auto Finesse imperial. You will probably need various brushes to get in all the gaps too, the EZ Detail brushes are ideal.
Best thing for the carpets is to wait until dried out, then hoover and see what comes up. If marks are left you will need some form of Upholstery Cleaner, doesnt have to be car specific, or a Wet Vac is always a good investment!
Method of cleaning should be -
- Rinse Car & Wheels Off with Water or Snow Foam if you have?
- Sponge into Shampoo Bucket, wash small section of car, rinse in rinse bucket of plain water. Start with the roof and work downwards.
- Rinse area shampoo'd.
- Clean Wheels & Exhausts, and rinse as you do each one.
- Once complete, pat car dry with drying towel, avoid rubbing over the paintwork as such.
Use a seperate mitt for wheels also and never do them first if your using the same bucket to wash them!
Should be a starter for you, enjoy and get some pics up!
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Good info, also read these good to understand the science behind it :cool:
http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=4637
http://paintcarendetailing.com/washing.html
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Thanks so much for taking time to help just what i need to get started also separate question anyone know a good detailer hertfordshire area?
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Auto Finesse are based there. Massive company with a huge range of their own products too.
May be shown in the price though. If not tap into Google and see whats around.
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Thanks whats a good base wax to use and how do you apply it?
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Have a look on DW for waxes and how to apply.
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Thanks seems everywhere sold out for Autosmart duet plus not sure on some sites any good alternative? seen Britemax clean max is good but its expensive in comparison.
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Get it on eBay!
As a wax depends on colour if your looking for gloss too. But something like Vic's Concours, Collinite or Dodo Juice Supernatural are all Good!
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You could always get a set of mats with the side bits slightly raised mud mats I think they are ,
I have a set and put them in the car when going to car rallies or muddy bits , They collect all (most of ) the small stones and crap that gets into the car .
Take them out quick hoover and done , keeps the carpets cleaner .
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Cheers guys for info but another question received the Autosmart Duet Duo on the bottle it says dilute with up to 250 parts water any idea in real world what that means?
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Its just a measurement for diluting it to water. Just pour a little bit in the bucket and fill it up, if its way to soapy, just use less next time. Or you can try doing 2 caps every wash.
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Well that was rapid response thanks my car needs clean now the joys of 12 hour shift and country roads cant clean it all time.
Looking to get that purple haze pro stuff as reading post further down good for deep pearl black that what i got.
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DJ Blue Velvet Pro also great for deep black pearl.
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Yeah the dodo juice stuff is good!
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Whats a good cleaner for the windscreen and also the inside of the car ie dashboard what should i use to clean the sat nav screen?
Leather seats i read them Dr leather wipes are good?
Here the pic of interior if helps
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/bingham67/WP_20131012_005_zps9b3f14f7.jpg)
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Dodo Juice Clearly Menthol or Angel Wax Glass cleaner. For leather try Angle Wax leather or Gliptone.
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Thanks im getting brown marks after i wash car using method AaronMc posted i got all the stuff now it getting annoying im washing and rinsing etc but specs of brown circles pop up all over car when look close up.
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The brown spots could well be fallout picked up in transit. It's quite common on cars that travel on a train. With them still being there, shows how poorly the dealers prepare new cars. A good soak with something like IronX should sort it out, but you will need to start all over again with your protection layers.
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Not sure what the brown marks are unless as said they are spots of Tar etc?
Unless your water is really dirty that your washing it with, making it look brown and streaky? The 2 bucket method should eiminate this though.
I clean the windscreen/windows regular with Autosmart Glass Clear, but if you protect it with something like G Techniq's range, then it will repel water at speeds above 30MPH, and help keep it clean.
I just use Poorboys Natural Look Dressing for interior plastics etc, and give the nav screen a wipe over with the same cloth once its dried up a bit. Always works wonders!
Leather wipes are ok, but the Gliptone kit is good also, but thats more if the leather is dirty and needs cleaning, then protecting.
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I use autoglym fastglass to clean the display screen, a little on a clean microfibre will get all the finger prints off, i always keep a bottle in the car cos it's an excellent all round product! Great for getting rid of bird poop or flies. 8)
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Thanks im getting brown marks after i wash car using method AaronMc posted i got all the stuff now it getting annoying im washing and rinsing etc but specs of brown circles pop up all over car when look close up.
Sounds like it could be dirty water spots drying on. Are you rinsing properly after washing? Always do the final rinsing with an open ended hose, starting with the roof, so that the water sheets off the car. And rinse it well. Make sure you dry each panel off with micro fibre towels BEFORE the clean water dries on, this is especially important if you're doing it in direct sunlight.
Otherwise, as said it could be tar or fallout, which IronX will sort. Though if the brown circles are appearing only AFTER washing it seems more likely to be dirty water.
For the interior, Chemical Guys Inner Clean works well. And baby wipes are great for leather as they clean and condition all in one. :smiley:
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I think open ended hose could be problem here been using hose with attachment used pressure washer aswell today take it shouldnt use that?
Also when you washed area do you rinse it straight after or do you wash it all then rinse?
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I do it in sections and rinse as I go. Roof, Rear Bumper/Screen, Front Screen/Bumper, Drivers Side, Passenger Side, Wheels.
Thats my routine, this stops the shampoo/water drying on leaving water marks, probably not very noticeable on white, but still.
Pressure wash is fine, alot of people use them, no problems with them if used correctly, and not too close to paint for long periods..
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I think open ended hose could be problem here been using hose with attachment used pressure washer aswell today take it shouldnt use that?
Also when you washed area do you rinse it straight after or do you wash it all then rinse?
Much in the same order as AaronMc, I rinse each panel as I go (open ended hose) and then give a thorough final rinse over entire car, from roof downwards.
It's fine to use pressure washer initially to get dirt off before shampooing, but imo when rinsing afterwards it's best to use an open ended hose. Black is terrible for showing up the slightest dried on water marks.
I think your brown spots are dirty water spray marks caused by rinsing with attachment and switching to open ended hose rinse may well resolve it. Let us know how you get on.
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I think my problem is hard water anyway to combat this soon as water dries leaves brown marks it looks awful?
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I think my problem is hard water anyway to combat this soon as water dries leaves brown marks it looks awful?
I find Mer car shampoo to be very good on dark cars but the key is to work quickly and never in direct warm sunshine, quickly wash the car and keep spraying the areas you have done with the hose pipe to keep it wet, then drive a short distance to get rid of most of the water and dry the car quickly using a drying towel. :smiley:
Worked on my old DPB MK6 GTI and on works well on my CSG MK7 GTI.
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Well i dug some info elsewhere and my problem is definitely hard water i bought this Race Glaze 0ppm filter and worked a treat no more big brown marks if look up close.
What a difference this has made plus the biggest plus is i dont need to use the drying towel at end saving more time. :)
http://www.raceglaze.co.uk/race-glaze/400-litre-0ppm-car-washing-filter/
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Interesting. Very hard water where I am. Are you using for just the final rinse, or for the full wash?
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quickly wash the car and keep spraying the areas you have done with the hose pipe to keep it wet, then drive a short distance to get rid of most of the water and dry the car quickly using a drying towel. :smiley:
Seriously Simon. I used to do that, but the crap off the road will stick to the wet car, meaning when you dry it, you end up rubbing it in.
You can virtually dry a well waxed car with the hose. Use an open hose pipe to "sheet" the water off the car, which leaves virtually nothing to dry with the towel. A quick spin around the block to dry the brakes, then back home to dress the tyres.
In the words of OCD Shelvey when we were cleaning my Mk2 for some photos yesterday, "feck the beads, it's all about the sheeting"
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quickly wash the car and keep spraying the areas you have done with the hose pipe to keep it wet, then drive a short distance to get rid of most of the water and dry the car quickly using a drying towel. :smiley:
Seriously Simon. I used to do that, but the crap off the road will stick to the wet car, meaning when you dry it, you end up rubbing it in.
You can virtually dry a well waxed car with the hose. Use an open hose pipe to "sheet" the water off the car, which leaves virtually nothing to dry with the towel. A quick spin around the block to dry the brakes, then back home to dress the tyres.
In the words of OCD Shelvey when we were cleaning my Mk2 for some photos yesterday, "feck the beads, it's all about the sheeting"
Seems to work for me ,the only place you need to be careful is the rear which seems to be a dirt and dust magnet, I might try sheeting method as my car is pretty well waxed and protected.
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Interesting. Very hard water where I am. Are you using for just the final rinse, or for the full wash?
Using it for final rinse :)