Washing the Car

Nikkisun

I have only ever owned old bangers- you know the sort where you don't dare wash them cos it's only the dirt keeping them from falling apart!!

Well I am now the proud owner of a shiny 3 year old car and need some washing advice.

If I wash with a bucket and sponge it ALWAYS dries streaky and looks worse than when I started!

I've heard that the car wash does more bad than good!

This leaves the jet wash (never used one).

Which is the best way to wash my new beloved one??

Also is it true that you should remove bird poo asap?? I live on the south coast and the seagulls really don't seem tolike me!!

thescouselander

Nikkisun wrote: »

I have only ever owned old bangers- you know the sort where you don't dare wash them cos it's only the dirt keeping them from falling apart!!

Well I am now the proud owner of a shiny 3 year old car and need some washing advice.

If I wash with a bucket and sponge it ALWAYS dries streaky and looks worse than when I started!

I've heard that the car wash does more bad than good!

This leaves the jet wash (never used one).

Which is the best way to wash my new beloved one??

Also is it true that you should remove bird poo asap?? I live on the south coast and the seagulls really don't seem tolike me!!

Goog lord! Dont wash the car with a bucket and sponge! You will just end up putting loads of swirl marks in the paint. I suggest getting a sheepskin wash mitt or a synthetic alternative and wash the car using the "two bucket method". Use a good quality car shampoo but make sure you use the right concentration or you will get streaks.

Give the car a good rinse afterwards and dont let the water with shampoo in it dry on the car - its best not to wash the car in direct sunlight.

Next dry the car with something like a microfibre cloth - patting dry is better than rubbing it across the surface.


I get my stuff from here - there are also loads of tips too.

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/

Hintza

No one use a Chamoix leather these days?

jacobsdaduk

Hintza wrote: »

No one use a Chamoix leather these days?

Synthetics leathers are used by the trade. They're not leather, but they have lots of holes in them (look like this).

My advice (my families garage valet cars as part of the service) is that once you have cleaned the car (suggest a good hose with lots of pressure - brushes and brooms will scratch), use a good synthetic leather as follows:

- get the leather wet in plain warm water
- wringe it as try as you can by twisting it with both hands
- sweep the bodywork in small areas - about 1m a time - and squeeze any water out
- rinse the leather every 4-5 sweeps

You need to make sure the water is soaked up by the leather and you will find that as long as you rinse the leather and squeeze it dry, it will absorb the water.

I also suggest that you clean the car in the shade. If you clean it in direct sunlight, you'll find it dries too quickly and leaves watermarks, especially in a hard water area. Try to do it in the morning/evening and out of the sun...it will take longer to dry and give you more time to clean it.

To really get a long-term finish, you should wax the car a few times a year. DON'T use T-Cut which removes a layer of paint. Use a good quality wax like Autoglym. Yes it is expensive, but it's better than the average in my opinion. Apply it sparingly following the manufacturers instructions. A well polished car will also be easier to clean and will be protected from salt, etc.

In my area of Essex there are vans which drive around and supply the local garages with trade polishes, etc. Try and find one who can sell you a decent polish (in 5 litre containers) for less money.

moonrakerz

Put a drop of dishwasher rinse-aid in the water you use to rinse the car off.

thescouselander

Hintza wrote: »

No one use a Chamoix leather these days?

Not me. Ulness you can be sure there are absolutely no particles left on the car you risk rubbing scratches into the paintwork. As I said in another thread - if I wouldn't use it on a baby I dont use it on the car. Would you use a Chamoix Leather to dry a baby?

jacobsdaduk

thescouselander wrote: »

Not me. Ulness you can be sure there are absolutely no particles left on the car you risk rubbing scratches into the paintwork.

....which is why you rinse it.

thescouselander

jacobsdaduk wrote: »

....which is why you rinse it.

Even with a good rinse there could still be some stuff left. If you use someting like a large microfibre drying towel you can pat the car dry and not risk dragging any sharp particles across the car. I dont find leathers are as effective at doing this.

vaio

thescouselander wrote: »

......if I wouldn't use it on a baby I dont use it on the car. Would you use a Chamoix Leather to dry a baby?

Nope, but then I wouldn't use a pressure washer on a baby either (although with some of the nappies DS used to produce I have been tempted)

jacobsdaduk

vaio wrote: »

Nope, but then I wouldn't use a pressure washer on a baby either (although with some of the nappies DS used to produce I have been tempted)

No, I also wouldn't paint my baby, fill her full of petrol and drive her at 80mph.

jacobsdaduk

thescouselander wrote: »

Even with a good rinse there could still be some stuff left. If you use someting like a large microfibre drying towel you can pat the car dry and not risk dragging any sharp particles across the car. I dont find leathers are as effective at doing this.

You are using the wrong leather.