Washing and cleaning the car

Rebob

My dads car had a coat of diamond brite put on when he bought it. It is washed regular with a bucket of water and a couple of caps of vinegar and then leathered off and still looks after 5 years like a showroom model.

My dad was in the motor trade for over 50 years and he always recommends a little vinegar instead of shampoo as most shampoos remove a lot of the wax.

HTH

like-saving-money

Rebob wrote:

My dads car had a coat of diamond brite put on when he bought it. It is washed regular with a bucket of water and a couple of caps of vinegar and then leathered off and still looks after 5 years like a showroom model.

My dad was in the motor trade for over 50 years and he always recommends a little vinegar instead of shampoo as most shampoos remove a lot of the wax.

HTH

car washing chemicals have come on a bit since then, as for vinegar on your car :eek: vinegar is an acetic acid, :eek: on windows yes this cuts throught the traffic film and grease,oil that builds up on your windows from day to day driving, but on car body work this is a big no no, this is worse than using fairy liquid as this will cut all the wax off your car

Grumpysally

I remember someone, years ago using a special brush to wash their car. It was similar to the ones you fit to the end of a hose. It had a large resevoir on the back and you dipped it into your bucket of water / shampoo and washed the car without needing a hose pipe. I think it was from betterware but Ive never been able to find one. Does anyone know where I can get one and are they any good?
Our car needs washing a lot more frequently than it gets as we park on a busy main road and gets absolutely filthy, even when it's been in the jet wash it comes out with a thin layer of muck covering it.

Thanks, Alison

jackieb

Is it a wash matik? http://www.deathwagon.co.uk/index.php?section=reports&page=washmatik

There's a link at the bottom of that review.

Grumpysally

jackieb wrote:

Is it a wash matik? http://www.deathwagon.co.uk/index.php?section=reports&page=washmatik

There's a link at the bottom of that review.

Thank's Jackie, Ive just had a look, but no it's not one of those. This is just a brush with a short handle taht you dip in the bucket
Alison

gettingitsorted

I hate car washing. I find the best way to look after our car is to wash it at the local supermarket jet wash once every 4 to 8 weeks for £2.50. If I want it to look extra nice |I go to the hand car wash for a £5 ( This hardly every happens). One a week I clear the rubbish from the inside and shake the floor mats. Then once a year I pay £45 for a professional valet this includes a full exterior wash and polish, interior hoover and wash and treat the leather. steam clean the engine. treat the alloys polish the windows and they also put this machine inside for half hour that deodorises the whole interior and leaves the car smelly like new. The best bit its once a year I feel like have just brought a new car. It may seem a huge expensive but for a car that cost the best part of £30k £45 a year seems a good investment.

Shez

I have been told to use a decent shampoo "without detergent" and then regular applications of the old fashioned "cream" (turtle wax) max - didnt think about the sponges keeping hold of dirt though, will definately try the micro fibre cloths, thanks!

My kids, 4 and 2, love to put on their wellies and wash the car - at least it stops them fighting indoors between themselves!!!

todderz

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.

G

If you don't clean your car the paintwork deteriorates, you increase the likelihood of rust and serious paint fade. Most of all you can significantly reduce the value and saleability of your car for the future.

Would you allow your house to go uncleaned? It just gets dirty and you have to clean it again.

Would you allow your clothes to go uncleaned? They'll only get dirty again.

Would you advise someone not to bother brushing their teeth as they'll only need to do it again the next day?

Not washing your car (for the sake of 5 litres of water, a squirt of car shampoo and 10 minutes effort once a week) is poor economics - your car won't sell for as much, and it won't look as good so you'll consider it less attractive and want to replace it sooner, not to mention not enjoying the experience. Maybe you don't care, but I'm sure if you cleaned it you would notice the difference, same as if you clean the house.

And as for letting the rain clean it - Rain isn't clean!!!!

Rant over. It's just one of those things that bugs me.....

todderz

jackieb wrote:

I think it costs about £160 to get it done but when we bought the car the garage did it as part of the deal.

I'm telling the truth! Honest.

...which is probably just what the dealer said to you, but would you really believe anything a car salesman tells you?

Same as Supaguard and various other products with the same claim. Load of rubbish, all of them.

ginchyqueendangle

Hey people,

Wasnt quite sure where to post this, but i have a little query that i hope can be solved.

Iv finally got round to washing my car after buying it beginning of february, lol. And all the black plastic bits ie at side of wing mirrors, trim on door and part of bumpers have gone sort of white. I hunted for back to black and polished that on, but it hasnt worked very well!

My dad reckons its because the garage polished the car up with tcut and that i should just keep applying b2b till its looking good. Any ideas? or just follow daddy's advice?

Thanks in advance

Ginch