How do you wash a car?!

[carrmrc96]

Right may seem stupid but how do you wash a car properly. all i do is just use a bucket and shampoo. never used polish or wax and other stuff. whats the diff between wax and polish? what sort of order are you supposed to do? getting a new car soon so i wanna keep it clean and tidy from day 1.

 

[2thumbs]

Do you use a sponge too? If so, you should donate your car to me for a better life.

Ideally a pressure washer is best as there is no friction on the paintwork.

Failing that, two bucket method. One with warm water and shampoo, another with clean cold water. Buy a good washmitt.

Clean a panel or two at a time with a good dip of the shampoo bucket, and then rinse in the clean bucket. Never put the washmitt in the shampoo bucket before rinsing it first. Repeat untill whole car is done.

Polish traditionally polishes away a small layer of top coat to get rid of swirl scratches and such. Now it's not really the case as most shelf bought Polishes have filler which hide the scratches rather than remove them. SRP is a good one to start off with for the novice. Easy to use (if a bit dusty) and gives good results.

Waxes and sealants traditionally only protect the finish that you gained previously with the Polish. They add a protective layer that you may have removed with the polish.

 

[carrmrc96]

cheers for that. yeh i use a sponge as well. sometimes if im lazy i just put my car thru a car wash. lol heard they can b bad but ive used one for ages and never had ne probs wiv them. Think santa is gonna bring me one those auto glym kits, the 1 in a big red bag wiv like everything in it. lol

 

[2thumbs]

Please, please buy a washmitt then! You wont look back.

 

[carrmrc96]

think i'll have to invest in one. y are cleaning products so expensive lol a full kit is easily over £100 or more. I'll save up and get 2 sonus grot guard and buckets, wash mitt, mirco fibre towel, shampoo, polish, wax, wheel cleaner, wheel cleaning brush, metal polish for exhaust, tar remover, bug remover, auto glym bumper care, clay etc

whats better to wash with, mircofibre or lambs wool? wash mitt or sponge? dont really see it making a diff which ever i get really.

 

[2thumbs]

Most people use microfibre mitts for the dirtier area's (below bumpstrips) because they are machine washable and use the lambswool one for the rest as they can only be hand rinsed under the tap.

I assume you're looking at Meguiars ones?

 

[carrmrc96]

yeh i am. not sure which make to buy. auto glym, sonus or meguiars.

 

[Ali]

Pah! Zymol Sponge is miles better than any washmit, lambs wool mit, mf sponge, Schmitt... People will believe anything. Get a couple of grit guard buckets and your dancing.

As for the polish wax etc, detailed write-ups on www.detailingworld.com

 

[james7471827906]

Yer like the other guys saying wash mitt - 2 bucket method - do a search Rich has wrote a Holy Washing Bible on how to give you car a good wash !!! You won't find a better guide than that !!! Includes shampooing,waxing, claying everything !!!

 

[carrmrc96]

yeh heard Rich is the God of cleaning. lol i'll do a quick search to see if i can find it.

 

[Rich]

Worth a read - http://www.cliosport.net/forum/showthread.php?t=148366

Wash method for me at the moment is:

Pre rinse with a hose pipe.
Foam the Car with the Gilmour Foam Gun.
Wash witht he two bucket method and lambswool mitts and a decent shampoo.
Rinse.
Second Rinse with filtered water to avoid drying (excluidng the door shuts, wheels and arches which I dry).