Protecting / cleaning a new car

leosayer

You're already off to a great start by using the two bucket method with a grit guard and wool mitt. That'll stop swirl marks.

In addition make sure you deal with any bird droppings as soon as possible.

As mentioned earlier look at some car detailing sites, there's a whole world to explore. Meguars is good, but there are many cheaper and more expensive alternatives.

B00st

Strider590 wrote: »

Nice one

The treatments they offer are purely aimed toward lazy people who can't be bothered to clean their cars and just want something that'll stay clean(ish) for longer.

Clean it once every week or so, use a decent polish, buy some alloy wheel cleaner (for removing brake dust) and use a tyre treatment every month or so.

Best way to clean a car is one panel at a time, sponge in one hand, hose in the other to avoid streaks. Start with the roof and work downwards. Use a different sponge for wheels/tyre's and non-painted trim.

I personally use Mer polish, it's not the best but it does go on wet and polish off dry (which saves enormous amounts of time).

If you value your paintwork I would avoid Mer as it is highly abrasive, it also leaves chalky residue around the place as well. As it is a polish you still need to use a wax or sealant afterwards to protect the paintwork anyway.

NeverAgain_2

White hides the inevitable marks and scratches better than most colours.

I use whatever wash'n'wax I can find and try to do the car once a week.

Stays reasonably shiny.

Detailers will probably have a fit, but my car is dark blue and the coloured 'Color Magic' polish is as good as any.

Goes on and comes off easy and doesn't leave white marks, just dark ones which are not so easy to see.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

micro fibre mits from aldi for £2 for 2 are brill, i use one to wash then the other to buff over with, then apply some carnuba wax panel at a time looking for any scratches so i can buff them first with ferracla G3 then cut back with a normal wax then carnuba waxed. i did my dads car all over in carnuba october last year and provided that he takes care washing it stilll has a glass finish on it and dirt comes off easily, waiting for the weather to break for me to do my car now.

auto glym for the leather to protect it and condition youll be suprised how much dirt can get into a leather stearing wheel in just a few days get yourself an application cloth and an off cloth or youll be flying around in your seat!

meguires tyre shine lasts weeks and prevents cracking.

try not to use anything that will shine your dashbourd up sun its and give off glar of your dash in the screen. NO greasy solvents, no wax type gels or creams, damp cloth and elbow grease only.

in the summer those leather seats will get hot and thats when they start to dry out and cracking/creasing can ocure in hot sun light, get some window visors and prevent uv getting at them when your not using the car and use the leather conditioner/cleaner every week or so to keep them conditioned.

boyse7en

Buy a cheap second hand car and don't bother washing it.

Spend the time you save every week doing something more enjoyable with your time.

Works for me

Limey

Halfrauds are doing 3 for 2 on G3 products at the moment. The Wax is pretty damn good, brought our Hilux and MR2 up a treat. Although the scratch remover is pretty harsh and needs plenty of water with it.

Lum

Have a look at the Detailing World forum. Sure many of the people there are somewhat OCD but there will be plenty of informed opinions on various products.

I have to confess I'm lazy and I get someone else to do it. The guy I use is a lot better at it than I ever would be and comes to my works car park.

I spent a lot of money getting my paintwork all fixed (18 year old car) and it's worth it just to keep it looking shiny. Hopefully help preserve the car's value too, not that I intend selling it.

vikingaero

One of my friends is a car salesman and he hates selling this snake oil stuff. He really only recommends it for people who live in flats, have no access to a hosepipe or are stupendously stupid and/or lazy.

If you wash your car weekly you won't need this stuff. If you wax your car every few months you definitely don't need it. If you really must do something then buy a decent shampoo/wax/paint sealant. If you want to sort out the inside then buy a spray can of Scotchguard for the fabric/carpets.

Strider590

vikingaero wrote: »

One of my friends is a car salesman and he hates selling this snake oil stuff.

Thing is it's costs the garage around £80 or so (stuff + labour), they sell it on for some £300-£400 :mad:

"yes sir we'll give you a great deal on this new car, £400 off the retail price!! Now would you like to buy XYZ for the bargain price of just £400?"