Spec Me a Step-by-Step Guide On Cleaning My Car...

[nickl360]

Hello all,

I've got a 2002 172 ph2 in flame red. The condition of the paintwork is pretty good, and it's only done 27k miles to date.

To give you an idea of what knowledge I have about car detailing and what I want to obtain are:

- I've got some Collinite 476 wax with a pre-lacquer as part of a kit from cleanyourcar.co.uk that I've used a few times. Very impressed with the look it gives my car and the longevity of it's beading. This wax will also seal my car for the rainy season.

- Turtlewax car shampoo.

- Meguirs (really old car wash shampoo that can be used as a polish on all sorts of materials) - comes in an old style blue bottle with a silver lid, don't know the name.

What I don't know about:
- Wash mitts - cheap ones, value for money. Where can I pick them up from and how much shall I expect to spend?

- Clay bar. Why would I need to 'clay' my car? What risks are there from using a clay bar, and how do I use one? Any recommendations for my colour car?

- Back to Black - I'm not spending loads on this, what can I use that might be lying around already to CLEAN the black plastic trims, and also treat them.

I want to spend a day in the not so distant future cleaning the car from tyre to roof, inside and out instead of getting the local immegrants giving it a wash and then waxing it myself when I get home.

I'm not willing to spend loads, but if there are some products which would prove useful them I'm all ears.

Also, how to I avoid / remove previous white marks inbetween the body panels from the wax?

Over to you guys!!

 

[aceface]

Hello all,

I've got a 2002 172 ph2 in flame red. The condition of the paintwork is pretty good, and it's only done 27k miles to date.

To give you an idea of what knowledge I have about car detailing and what I want to obtain are:

- I've got some Collinite 476 wax with a pre-lacquer as part of a kit from cleanyourcar.co.uk that I've used a few times. Very impressed with the look it gives my car and the longevity of it's beading. This wax will also seal my car for the rainy season.

- Turtlewax car shampoo.

- Meguirs (really old car wash shampoo that can be used as a polish on all sorts of materials) - comes in an old style blue bottle with a silver lid, don't know the name.

What I don't know about:
- Wash mitts - cheap ones, value for money. Where can I pick them up from and how much shall I expect to spend? Lambswool/sheepskin are better but microfibre ones are cheaper. You can get a brown sheepskin one from Halfords for £7 or £8. Or you can get two for £12 (I think) from www.sheepskinshop.co.uk.

- Clay bar. Why would I need to 'clay' my car? What risks are there from using a clay bar, and how do I use one? Any recommendations for my colour car? Claying removes bonded on contaminants that have stuck onto the paint over the years (new cars also generally require claying too though). Only risks are causing marring on the paint by using an aggressive clay or not enough lube. To use you just run a 1/3 of a bar along the paint a panel at a time whilst spraying on either QD or a shampoo and water solution. Try Meguiar's Quik Clay, Sonus Green or Bilt Hamber clay (you just use water as lube for this).

- Back to Black - I'm not spending loads on this, what can I use that might be lying around already to CLEAN the black plastic trims, and also treat them. WD40 or smooth peanut butter.

I want to spend a day in the not so distant future cleaning the car from tyre to roof, inside and out instead of getting the local immegrants giving it a wash and then waxing it myself when I get home.

I'm not willing to spend loads, but if there are some products which would prove useful them I'm all ears.

Also, how to I avoid / remove previous white marks inbetween the body panels from the wax?White marks between panels are generally due to polishing or using too much product. Just use a microfibre wrapper around your finger and some QD. You couls also use APC and a small soft brush whilst washing.

Over to you guys!!

 

[papman]

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washing-and-drying/sonus-sheepskin-wash-mitt/prod_32.html for your washmit. Use this myself.

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/detai...ltra-fine-detailing-clay-sampler/prod_83.html this clay is the best for beginners as it wont leave scratches like more abrasive ones.read the blurb beneath this product as it tell you what clay does. Once you have used it you will keep coming back to it, unbelievable finish on your paint afterwards. Just bear in mind that after claying your car you will need to seal and wax the paintwork. There are lots of forums out there to help you, clean your car has a very friendly one...

also colli 476 is the best value wax you can get, good choice. Put this on at the very end. 2-3 coats will give you more depth of paint- shiny!

 

[aceface]

Clay isn't abrasive, but I agree with the rest of the above.

 

[mattjk]

Clay isn't abrasive,

Yes it is.

 

[aceface]

Clay isn't abrasive,

Yes it is.

Explain? It doesn't abrade the surface or wear it down. It shears off contaminants.

 

[mattjk]

How do you think it shears off contaminants if its not abrasive?

 

[aucky]

I use Autoglym High Definition wax
Best iv used so far and very little white residue. Last so much longer than your regular Halfords waxes too..
Expensive but you dont need to use much, iv used about 1/5th of a pot in 8 months =]

 

[AlexG]

How do you think it shears off contaminants if its not abrasive?

it moulds around them so it gets a good grip. it may be a little bit but it would take millions of passes to wear through the paint

 

[nickl360]

Thanks for the replies.

What kind of action do I need to do with the clay bar? Do I dab it on (like you do with blu-tac to remove the little bits left after pulling it off a wall) or drag it across the paintwork?

How much should I be looking at spending on a clay bar?

As the clay bar gets dirty, do I need to re-mould it like bread dough to get another clean surface or wash it?
Once I've used a bit of clay do I have to throw it away?

 

[Rhino172]

Thanks for the replies.

What kind of action do I need to do with the clay bar? Do I dab it on (like you do with blu-tac to remove the little bits left after pulling it off a wall) or drag it across the paintwork?

How much should I be looking at spending on a clay bar?

As the clay bar gets dirty, do I need to re-mould it like bread dough to get another clean surface or wash it?
Once I've used a bit of clay do I have to throw it away?

spray on the lubricant....rub the bit of clay across the lubed area...keep lubing untill it just glides across...if it's juddering/gripping too much you need more lube....

once smooth dry off the area

keep remoulding the clay as you say like bread doe

I've used the same bit a couple of times on my car, once of my bro's and once on my mates...now it's propper scuddy so time for a new bit.

only need a small bit too...the whole bar is about 7-8cm long and 5cm wide...I just use a stip like 1cmx5cm , roll it to a ball and push it flat

 

[nickl360]

Does claying leave white residue marks on plastics?

So basically a thorough arm knackering car clean would involve...

- Wet car with hose,
- Wash with mitts using 2 bucket method,
- Rinse off car with hose,
- Chamois?
- Polish,
- Buff off,
- Lube and Clay,
- Wax on a seal of Collinite 476 wax and buff off (x2)
- Stand back with numb arms whilst sweating immensly and admire your handywork...

That will probably take a good 4 or 5 hours!!

 

[Ex-User (19928)]

I use Autoglym High Definition wax
Best iv used so far and very little white residue. Last so much longer than your regular Halfords waxes too..
Expensive but you dont need to use much, iv used about 1/5th of a pot in 8 months =]

Yep, very nice product, £31.95 @ SpeedReligion for your next lot

 

[Rhino172]

Does claying leave white residue marks on plastics?

So basically a thorough arm knackering car clean would involve...

- Wet car with hose,
- Wash with mitts using 2 bucket method,
- Rinse off car with hose,
- Chamois?
- Polish,
- Buff off,
- Lube and Clay,
- Wax on a seal of Collinite 476 wax and buff off (x2)
- Stand back with numb arms whilst sweating immensly and admire your handywork...

That will probably take a good 4 or 5 hours!!

probably longer than that lol

Clay before polish, other than that spot on I'd say...

clay doesn't leave any residue as long as you keep the surface wet. if it dries you'll know about it...imagine rubbing some blue tack acorss your body work...it would just judder...sometimes if you do this it might leave bits of clay behind so just make sure it stays wet and you'll be fine

 

[aucky]

I use Autoglym High Definition wax
Best iv used so far and very little white residue. Last so much longer than your regular Halfords waxes too..
Expensive but you dont need to use much, iv used about 1/5th of a pot in 8 months =]

Yep, very nice product, £31.95 @ SpeedReligion for your next lot

I blagged 2 free pots from Pistonheads when they were giving it out to members who have exhibited in shows =P

 

[mradam87]

- Wash mitts - cheap ones, value for money. Where can I pick them up from and how much shall I expect to spend?

- Back to Black - I'm not spending loads on this, what can I use that might be lying around already to CLEAN the black plastic trims, and also treat them.

I have a lambswool wash mitt and its fantastic, picks up more dirt than a sponge and doesn't create swirl marks. Got it from http://www.detailedobsession.com and didn't cost me too much, something like 12 quid.

As for blacking the trims, a little normal clean engine oil on a rag does wonders if you don't want to pay for a specific cleaner, cleans the plastic and treats it. I use some stuff called Black Wow! and its amazing, quite expensive for the amount you get but you only need to use a pea sized amount each time and it covers loads, got it from the same site mentioned above...

 

[Rich]

Black Wow initially looks good but does not last any longer than Autoglym Bumper Care.


Best lambswool mitt I have found and only 8 quid - http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washing-and-drying/eurow-sheepskin-wash-mitt/prod_452.html

 

[nickl360]

I used a WD40 alternative. WD40 is a water based lube, therefore it dries up.

My Dad has this oil based grease, comes in a spray can like WD40, so I applied some of that and WOW, a week later and all my trims are still nice and black. They were covered in white marks from my car lacquer and wax from a couple of months ago.

I'm definitely going to tape the car up next time.

Do you tape up the body panels too? e.g. where the bonnet meets the wing, where the bottom of the door meets the sill?

 

[nickl360]

Is this no good as a wash mitt? Only £3.50..

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...mb_33958-33974-123040_parentcategoryrn_123044