Basic Guide: How to Clean your Car

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Basic Guide: How to Clean your Car

yes you have to wash the car after claying, don't worry about drying it after the first wash though

you can use a clean micro fibre to apply super resin its just easier with an applicator and i find more economical

i personally use collinite 467s its nice and durable but i bit hard to apply, you can get better depending on budget
 
the clay dislodges bonded contamination and leaves "trace" behind so the re wash removes all that safely



no foam pad...... wrap a microfibre round a small bath sponge and use that (although foam pads are cheap)


the SRP isnt a long life sealent or wax so if your stuck for products use Autoglyms Extra gloss protection......
 
Just stumbled across this thread - awesome !!! Really informative without dipping into obsessiveness - as happens far too often on those other detailing forums

OK - I think I have got the wash, polish, seal, wax routine understood (I am still in the product acquisition mode - while waiting for my new car)

Now the question I have is with the on-going maintenance for the lazy detailer. I have heard that once the wax is in place then a regular wash is all that is needed. If lightly dirty - a foam and wipe down would be fine. Heavier dirt, then foam, followed by a wash, followed by a proper drying towel....yes ??

If the beading looks like fading or want a shine boost then I am planning to use a wax based QD ....yes ??

Thanks :)
 
In preparation for our new arrival, we've just been out today and stocked up on Meguiars products.
We are now ready to wash, polish, wax and detail!
Always liked cleaning my cars, but this is the first time with a brand new one (well my wife's anyway).
 
You can do it with a manual pressure spray bottle, but as I've found out not only do you use a lot more solution it's not nearly as effective. Try and not do it when it's windy or the bubbles get blown into your Karcher and kill it ... :eek:
 
You can do it with a manual pressure spray bottle, but as I've found out not only do you use a lot more solution it's not nearly as effective. Try and not do it when it's windy or the bubbles get blown into your Karcher and kill it ... :eek:


you dont get anywhere near the same level of foam though as you do with a proper Foam lance even the Gilmour "foam gun" is naff even with half decent water pressure....



If you cant afford a foam lance cheap car shampoo mixed with water put in a pump up sprayer...

spray on leave for a short while then wash off will get rid of the thickest before you manually clean
 
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hi guys im just getting into detailing. my sei's paint is quite shiny but id like to get some serious reflections!
just wonderig, after a wash, polish then wax, what should my weekly wash consist of?
how can a create a great shine?
should i/can i polish after previously applying wax not long ago?
any help appreciated :)
dom
 
hi guys im just getting into detailing. my sei's paint is quite shiny but id like to get some serious reflections!
just wonderig, after a wash, polish then wax, what should my weekly wash consist of?
how can a create a great shine?
should i/can i polish after previously applying wax not long ago?
any help appreciated :)
dom

Rather than polish mate, look at 'detailing spray'. This is designed to be used in between washes and will not remove your wax :)
 
I'm looking for some guidance as to whether what I'm thinking of doing will achieve the desired results.

I've recently purchased a new'ish(6months old) panda and it has some very light swirls. I've washed the car a couple of times with a wash and wax type product and I tried some meguirers quick shine. However the swirls are still visible, my GF doesn't think they are noticeable but after spending 45-90mins washing the car they certainly are...

Anyway I've read through a few threads and I think I have a plan of action but want to check there isn't a better way of going about sorting this. I was planning on washing the car and then applying either a SRP or maybe Bilt hamber auto balm. Then applying the quick shine.

I don't have the cash or experience for machine polishing but will the SRP/autobalm get rid of the swirls and will I be able to achieve a deep shine with these products?

After this should I just use a wash and wax product every 7-14days? I'm looking into a snow foam lance but I don't think any fit my pressure washer.
 
im hoping to get my [first] brand new fiat in a few weeks [having driven bangers for years which didnt need looking after] so when i get the car home is the advice given at the start of this thread what i should be doing to my new car? or should something else be done to protect a new car at the start
 
im hoping to get my [first] brand new fiat in a few weeks [having driven bangers for years which didnt need looking after] so when i get the car home is the advice given at the start of this thread what i should be doing to my new car? or should something else be done to protect a new car at the start

Your car will have made a whole Journey from the Pomigliano plant (assuming it's a new Panda), catching all kinds of nasty stuff already.

You would want to take all the steps described in the FIPO of this thread.

After you have clayed, polished and waxed the car. Keep a good washing and drying routine. I use a spray wax every 6 weeks or so and it keeps it good for a year.

I clay, polish and wax our cars once a year.
 
It is a good topic. Learn the process of vehicle washing through this post. Also tell me about how to use recycled water for vehicles. Thank you.
 
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