[siross]

Morning all,

My experience of cleaning cars is limited and that's probably being kind. The Vectra got a good clean every 6 months or so and that was with a yellow sponge, 1 bucket and whatever car shampoo was cheapest in Halfords. If it was lucky I'd also try and dry it.

I'd like to put a bit more effort into the BMW and it looks as though it's going to be dry(ish) today which gives me a good opportunity to wash my new acquisition and take some pictures

Now I've done a lot of reading around this forum and some others and I think I've cornered the basics as:

• Clean interior: wipe dash with matt wipes, give leather a quick clean then hoover.
• Rinse car with watering can (I don't have a hose pipe/external tap)
• Wash wheels first with wheel cleaner, something like this
• Wipe inside the door sills etc
• Wash car using 2 bucket method with a sheepskin mitt like this. Using mild shampoo to avoid creaking seals? Even though I'm not entirely sure what that means. Is this OK?
• Dry car with drying towel like this

My main questions are:

1) Have I got the above right? The correct method/products etc?
2) What on earth do I do after that? It's an absolute minefield, should I be claying? Waxing? Polishing? Or all 3 of them? Ideally I'd like to spend a lot of time and effort now and then try to maintain for the rest of the winter but money is tight and I don't really want to be shelling out tons of money on detailing products

As far as I'm aware no finishes have been applied to the paint by BMW.

Thanks for any help guys.

Simon

[....,,,,..,,..]

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/foru...ead.php?t=4637

Explains it all.

[siross]

Thanks mate, I did read that but it doesn't give any advice post drying?

[Mark1966]

Take it down to your local Poles and let them take the strain............... only joking

[siross]

Originally Posted by Mark1966

Take it down to your local Poles and let them take the strain............... only joking

This would be my preference but from what I've read they don't exactly do a good job!

[dobbo99]

Id suggest this for you (based on Halfords products):

Interior as you suggest.

Rinse car with watering can (I don't have a hose pipe/external tap) - or go to you local jetwash and spray the car down first???
Wash wheels first with wheel cleaner - either get the Autoglym or Mer wheel cleaner.
Wash car using 2 bucket method with a sheepskin mitt - yep, that ones fine.
Shampoo - use Meguiar wash and wax, its bright yellow
Dry car with drying towel - yep, that ones fine

finish using Meguiar's Ultimate Quik Wax (its got a yellow GTR on front) - spray on and buff off, can use it all over the car, doesnt stain rubber or trim etc
get something for your tyres, megs endurance gel is decent enough, or the autoglym tyre dressing for less shiney shiney.

start reading Detailing World and you'll have spend £200 on stuff you dont actually need!

[Mark1966]

Originally Posted by siross

This would be my preference but from what I've read they don't exactly do a good job!

To be honest I won't mind chucking the dog waggon (soon to be 340i) through the Poles car wash but my other two cars are taken care of by the husband of a lady that works for me who does a brilliant job.

[JustChris]

Summary seems about right but stops at a clean car.

After that not so exciting bit the polish and was stage is fun

[siross]

Originally Posted by dobbo99

Id suggest this for you (based on Halfords products):

Interior as you suggest.

Rinse car with watering can (I don't have a hose pipe/external tap) - or go to you local jetwash and spray the car down first???
Wash wheels first with wheel cleaner - either get the Autoglym or Mer wheel cleaner.
Wash car using 2 bucket method with a sheepskin mitt - yep, that ones fine.
Shampoo - use Meguiar wash and wax, its bright yellow
Dry car with drying towel - yep, that ones fine

finish using Meguiar's Ultimate Quik Wax (its got a yellow GTR on front) - spray on and buff off, can use it all over the car, doesnt stain rubber or trim etc
get something for your tyres, megs endurance gel is decent enough, or the autoglym tyre dressing for less shiney shiney.

start reading Detailing World and you'll have spend £200 on stuff you dont actually need!

Thanks mate appreciate that.

Does the Meguiar wash and wax prevent seal creak? I've heard some people on here have bad experiences with it?

In terms of the quick wax, I've seen this and it looks ideal. Is this instead of polishing?

Originally Posted by Mark1966

To be honest I won't mind chucking the dog waggon (soon to be 340i) through the Poles car wash but my other two cars are taken care of by the husband of a lady that works for me who does a brilliant job.

I don't think I could trust them, I'd be cringing!

Another option is a local detailer but they're very expensive!

Originally Posted by Chris The Manx

Summary seems about right but stops at a clean car.

After that not so exciting bit the polish and was stage is fun

Yep, not really sure what to do after that point but a quick wax spray sounds good!

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by siross

Thanks mate appreciate that.

Does the Meguiar wash and wax prevent seal creak? I've heard some people on here have bad experiences with it?

In terms of the quick wax, I've seen this and it looks ideal. Is this instead of polishing?




I don't think I could trust them, I'd be cringing!

Another option is a local detailer but they're very expensive!



Yep, not really sure what to do after that point but a quick wax spray sounds good!

Quick wax spray = Aqua wax by autoglym.

[Mark1966]

Originally Posted by siross

I don't think I could trust them, I'd be cringing!

Another option is a local detailer but they're very expensive!

I don't blame you, if it is going to be your pride and joy, do it properly it is not worth taking the risk. Having said that my local Poles do quite a good job but if you look up close it is not a patch on a proper detail.

[simon the pieman]

If you can get yourself a jet washer. Makes things easier also gets right up in the arches and gets rid of all the crap, especially now winter is upon us.

Also if you have a light colour or white (like me) I find myself using autoglym bug and tar remover quite often.

You really need to be using mains water pressure to clean/ rinse with if possible, through a hose or jet washer.

[davyk31]

Another vote for Autoglym Aqua Wax - great for a quick shine up.

I would be concerned at trying to wash a car without an outside tap. You really need to be powerwashing the car before you put a wash mitt anywhere near it to remove as much of the grit as possible. Your watering can will do nothing and all you will be doing is rubbing the grit into your paint all over the car, will be swirl city.

[dobbo99]

Originally Posted by siross

Does the Meguiar wash and wax prevent seal creak? I've heard some people on here have bad experiences with it?

In terms of the quick wax, I've seen this and it looks ideal. Is this instead of polishing?

never had the seals creak. ive been using it for years.
i dont think you need to be worrying about polishing, just use a spray wax to give yourself some protection and a bit of extra gloss at the end.

Originally Posted by davyk31

Another vote for Autoglym Aqua Wax - great for a quick shine up.

I would be concerned at trying to wash a car without an outside tap. You really need to be powerwashing the car before you put a wash mitt anywhere near it to remove as much of the grit as possible. Your watering can will do nothing and all you will be doing is rubbing the grit into your paint all over the car, will be swirl city.

yes forgot about aquawax, is dead easy to use as well.

echo other people, you could really do with something a bit more aggressive than a watering can!

[siross]

Originally Posted by Brigand

Quick wax spray = Aqua wax by autoglym.

Thanks, will check it out.

Originally Posted by Mark1966

I don't blame you, if it is going to be your pride and joy, do it properly it is not worth taking the risk. Having said that my local Poles do quite a good job but if you look up close it is not a patch on a proper detail.

Yep, it certainly is my pride and joy.

It's tempting to spend the money on a detailer but I think I should learn to do it myself, it will be more beneficial in the long run I think.

Originally Posted by simon the pieman

If you can get yourself a jet washer. Makes things easier also gets right up in the arches and gets rid of all the crap, especially now winter is upon us.

Also if you have a light colour or white (like me) I find myself using autoglym bug and tar remover quite often.

You really need to be using mains water pressure to clean/ rinse with if possible, through a hose or jet washer.

How much water pressure do pressure washers need? I'm looking at getting an external tap fitted but it's one of those that taps the water from the sink feed, the pressure isn't great.

Originally Posted by davyk31

Another vote for Autoglym Aqua Wax - great for a quick shine up.

I would be concerned at trying to wash a car without an outside tap. You really need to be powerwashing the car before you put a wash mitt anywhere near it to remove as much of the grit as possible. Your watering can will do nothing and all you will be doing is rubbing the grit into your paint all over the car, will be swirl city.

I've read differing opinions on this. Some say that a pressure washer forces dirt into the paintwork because of the pressure? The detailing world thread recommends a watering can in the absence of a hose/pressure washer

[simon the pieman]

You mentioned using a detailer but imo it's money spent on something you can quite easily do your self. You don't need lots of expensive stuff. The only thing I would say is buy a good quality polish. Apart from that halfords brands are good enough although I use mostly autoglym products. These are the things I use if it's any help.
Jet washer
Good quality sponge
Car plan shampoo (5ltr from Costco dirt cheap)
Pre rise car then clean with warm water and shampoo.
Apply a alloy wheel cleaner spray and rinse off
Power rinse off
Rubber/silicon squeegee excess water
Leather off
Use my polish if needed. A good quality wax won't need applying that often.
Autoglym exterior rubber/vinyl applied where needed ie black trim etc
Tyre dressing applied.
Vacuum and clean inside. Car plan dash cleaner and microfibre cloth is good for me. Leather cleaned if needed
Job done.
Escaped the wife and kids for a few hours.

[siross]

Originally Posted by simon the pieman

You mentioned using a detailer but imo it's money spent on something you can quite easily do your self. You don't need lots of expensive stuff. The only thing I would say is buy a good quality polish. Apart from that halfords brands are good enough although I use mostly autoglym products. These are the things I use if it's any help.
Jet washer
Good quality sponge
Car plan shampoo (5ltr from Costco dirt cheap)
Pre rise car then clean with warm water and shampoo.
Apply a alloy wheel cleaner spray and rinse off
Power rinse off
Rubber/silicon squeegee excess water
Leather off
Use my polish if needed. A good quality wax won't need applying that often.
Autoglym exterior rubber/vinyl applied where needed ie black trim etc
Tyre dressing applied.
Vacuum and clean inside. Car plan dash cleaner and microfibre cloth is good for me. Leather cleaned if needed
Job done.
Escaped the wife and kids for a few hours.

Thanks mate, appreciate the advice.

Need to look into a pressure washer now, even more expense

[siross]

Whilst on the topic of pressure washers, is this any good?

http://www.karcheroutlet.co.uk/produ...ct.asp?id=5086

What are the minimum requirements for a decent pressure washer? 110 bar?

[simon the pieman]

Originally Posted by siross

Thanks mate, appreciate the advice.

Need to look into a pressure washer now, even more expense

Unfortunately it's more expense but you'll be glad you've got one in the long run. Not sure on what the pressure is on my one (mines a Bosch).
Again you don't have to spend ££'s.
A good one £120ish.

[siross]

Hoping for some Black Friday deals, will keep my eyes on HUKD.

Decent Karcher for the money

[roshambo]

There are some brands that I swear by and detailing can end up costing quite a bit to get the stuff you want.
3 brands that I check regularly for discounts/deals - Auto Finesse, Gtechniq, Angelwax. Occasionally buy bits and bobs from other brands too like Dodo Juice and Sonax. Enjoy getting to know detailing a bit better, it can end up being an enjoyable therapeutic hobby.

[XAlp]

I'm failing to remember this properly - but it goes something like "pressure in bars is less relevant - it's more about the pressure and volume of water applied to a given area". Or something like that anyway. Maybe someone can add to that!
Other things - non-acidic wheel cleaner, maybe consider Rinse Aid before drying. Autoglym offer both but it's too cold right now to go out to check the exact names...