Washing and cleaning the car

Prudent

There have been loads of good threads on cleaning, but I have never noticed one on car cleaning. In good MSE style I always wash the car myself. I just use washing up liquid outside and clean windows/ dust inside in same way as the house. Neighbour uses all kinds of fancy cleaners and I have to admit his cars do look better than mine. Any tips for cheap alternatives?

Rebecca22

I don't know much about what different products to use, but I was shouted at last weekend for using washing up liquid - apparently it strips everyting off, including the polish, so fine to do as long as you polish the car afterwards every time! Good excuse not to do it again though!

elona

Have a look in the pound shops for proper car cleaner and save a fortune!

very_skint

Hi there,
I used to be a valeter and I actually cringed when I read this post.
Please stop using washing up liquid to wash your car, even if you are going to wax it afterwards. It does a lot of damage.

It actually strips all protective layers from parts of the car you cannot reach or re-apply, as well as those you can.

You know when you see those cars - normally red ones where the bonnet or even the whole car is really faded and almost white, well thats the effect of washing up liquid.

You can buy cheapo shampoo in say 5 litres that will cost approx £2.99 but it has no 'detergant' and will do a better than than the most expensive washing up liquid. I would suggest getting a cheapo wash and wax shampoo and then waxing proper say every 1-2 months. Its not really necessary to wax/polish after every wash unless you have a 'show car'

Its a bit irronic really, I cant wash my own car really where I live now, so have to resort to those dreaded drive through petrol station car washes (dont do much good to your car either) but I do give it a quality wax and polish every six months.

Sponges are normally another no-no, they trap grit and cause lots of tiny scratches, I would recommend trying cheap micro fibre clothes from Tesco 89p for pack of three. They can be used for most car cleaning jobs including washing, trying, windows, interiors etc.


Have a read of this site, I seam to remember it has good info. I suppose it is really for the more advance/enthusiastic car cleaner but the ideas will help and do apply.

http://www.autopia-carcare.com/how-to.html

Hope this helps.

very_skint

elona wrote:

Have a look in the pound shops for proper car cleaner and save a fortune!

Thats a good point, I picked up some quite good trye cleaner/shine, works really, big size, lasted ages.

LumpyBumpy

Car plan do a decent wax and wash car wash liquid, its about £1.40 from Wilkinsons. Thats what i always use. In this weather I always wash my car first with some plain water to get the worst off, wash with the car wash liquid using warm water and then rinse with plain water and dry with a chamis leather- looks very nice and well worth the effort :-)

Prudent

I am so glad I made this post. My last car was red and your right, it was loosing its shine. I shall go out and buy some reasonably priced car shampoo and microfibre cloths.
Thank you everyone.

Graham_S_4

i have to park on the road - it isn't worth washing my car - 2 days later it is filthy. so i don't bother.

when i was little my dad used to let me wash his car with the hose pipe - never used any soap - just lots of water and force

G

very_skint

Prudent wrote:

I am so glad I made this post. My last car was red and your right, it was loosing its shine. I shall go out and buy some reasonably priced car shampoo and microfibre cloths.
Thank you everyone.

Thank you, I'm glad to hear that, your car will appreciate it.

You will notice your paint will be more 'slippery' to the touch and not rough. And you should see rain drops 'bead' on the paintwork instead of soaking in.

On top of that, (I realise it sounds really stupid) but as mentioned in another post, you wont notice the saving but your car will actually be more economical as it cuts through the air easier.(miniscule savings).

But really, has anyone noticed that your car does actually seem nicer to drive and feels different after you have cleaned it?

very_skint

Graham_S wrote:

i have to park on the road - it isn't worth washing my car - 2 days later it is filthy. so i don't bother.

when i was little my dad used to let me wash his car with the hose pipe - never used any soap - just lots of water and force

G

Funny you should say that. Mercades and ferrari and a few others still recommend only washing their cars with plain water, as even the best, mildest and most expensive cleaners have a small effect on paint finish. Why do you think cars never look same as they do in the showroom.

Prudent

Nobody's recommended white vinegar yet?