Two Bucket Method - Where Am I Going Wrong?

[Andysan]

I used to wash my car with a hose brush attachment with a little compartment for soap, but have moved away from this as I feel that the two bucket method with a decent mitt is better for the paint.

With the hose I would start from the bottom where there is the most dirt and work upwards. Now I do the reverse and do the dirty parts last but I'm seeing a lot of the water streaking through the dirt lower down. Furthermore, much of the dirt on the door panels just doesnt come off with a mitt regardless of how much attention I pay to it, whereas it did with a brush. Where am I going wrong?:bang:

 

[Andy Monty]

it depend what the dirt is and how well protected the car is....

if the car is prepped well with a decent claying session followed by a polish and a decent quality wax or sealent you will find less dirt sticking to the car...

however a car without any protection with a build up of contamination will be harder to shift road tar been one of the most stubborn and with the amount of instant road repair been used at the moment to patch holes it gets everywhere

so first thing to do is wash the car very well use a strong cleaner/ degreaser such as a mix of star drops in a sprayer then rinse with your hose then wash the car well then clay ( can get meguires clay kit for about £10 then rewash and dry next polish my choice by hand would be autogylm super resin polish £6 a bottle ish followed by autoglyms extra gloss protection £8-10 all can can be had at most car shops. any tar spots treat with wd40 or tar remover on a soft cloth don't rub too much more soak the spot with a tar remover dampeded cloth rub it too much and any grit will be ragged over your paint..



more info here

https://www.fiatforum.com/car-care/188996-basic-guide-how-clean-your-car.html

 

[Andysan]

OK, looks like I need to invest in better protection post-wash rather than washing the car any differently then. It does seem to get horrendously dirty but I put that down to 75 miles of motorway driving per day.

Cheers for the tips!

 

[Andy Monty]

if you have get a pressure washer a foam lance and decent foam is worth its weight in gold


see here

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showpost.php?p=1291474&postcount=22

 

[Ziggy122]

As said - sounds like a contaminant

Even a Cheap Wax will Help with keeping ontop if done regulary

Best if you can apply a Couple of Protection Layers

In My Case - i seal the paint with a Sealant and then i wack a couple of layers of cheap wax over the top giving 3 layers to protect the paint work

Thats after the cleaning stage

Ziggy

 

[Frazer435]

Personally, i've just got into the whole detailing my car stuff.

I would highly recommend a good foam lancer with some good detergent, let it settle for 10-15 mins and you will see the the dirt coming off.

I would then give the car a good shampooing.. i just use AG Shampoo as its just a simple shampoo..

I havnt got round to claying my car yet but as far tar remover this is the best stuff you can buy

http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/autosmart-tardis.html

I also recommend http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/sealants/carlack-68-nano-systematic-care-various-sizes-/prod_356.html

to seal your car.

Personally i would wash your wheels first for my wheels i use bilberry wheel cleaner at 1:10 ratio

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk have plenty of products.

Also read http://www.detailingworld.co.uk you will pick up plenty of info

 

[Andy Monty]

I would then give the car a good shampooing.. i just use AG Shampoo as its just a simple shampoo..

remember to clean your windscreen after washing and drying the residue it (the AG shampoo) leaves behind can smear like mad when you switch on the wipers

 

[Ziggy122]

remember to clean your windscreen after washing and drying the residue it (the AG shampoo) leaves behind can smear like mad when you switch on the wipers

wish i knew that when i used it lol
Yes it does leave that ""greasy"" Wipe effect
Never got my screen looking clean

Ziggy

 

[Andy Monty]

wish i knew that when i used it lol
Yes it does leave that ""greasy"" Wipe effect
Never got my screen looking clean

Ziggy

it says it on the back of the bottle but we all read the instructions dont we :doh:

i lift my wipers too to stop it getting on them (just wipe them over with a bit of fast glass when i have finished) dont go mad cleaning them or you will take the goodness out the rubber

 

[TwyRob]

polish my choice by hand would be autogylm super resin polish £6 a bottle ish followed by autoglyms extra gloss protection £8-10 all can can be had at most car shops. [/url]

I always use these products in this order. Excellent results, the car looks like a mirror when done!

 

[Rawb]

I always use these products in this order. Excellent results, the car looks like a mirror when done!

May I suggest a highly durable wax that I have used, it works fantastic and it's a bargain for the amount you get, a little goes a long way and the tub is huge!

http://www.i4detailing.co.uk/acatalog/Collinite_Super_Doublecoat_Auto_Wax_1.html

I've had it on my Punto longer than 6 months now, all during that horrible winter also and it's still beading moderately well

I usually use Super resin polish x2 then A coat of this.

 

[Vance]

Agree with rawb, collinite is amazing value.

 

[Beesley23]

I always use two bucket method good wash and dry(using micro fibers) then I use a clay bar to get any hidden dirt tough flys off etc,
Then a good polish and then wax on top and if am feeling in a good mood a nice sealant! always use autoglym dodo juice and smart wax! If you pay good money for a car then why not pay good money on cleaning it?

 

[Lloyd71]

I always use two bucket method good wash and dry(using micro fibers) then I use a clay bar to get any hidden dirt tough flys off etc,
Then a good polish and then wax on top and if am feeling in a good mood a nice sealant! always use autoglym dodo juice and smart wax! If you pay good money for a car then why not pay good money on cleaning it?

If you use an oily wax, sealant won't bond to it and you'll be wasting your time! They're not designed to be layered together, more used seperately. Some can be combined but generally it doesn't offer any greater protection than just using one!

 

[SamuraiDragon]

i only use one bucket.... bad i know but only have the one and keep forgetting to buy another. but i used ag shampoo with a fake wool wash mit working from the roof down leaving wheels till last, dry with a microfibre cloth, then srp, sometimes egp and a final smearing of collinite. i use a DA polisher to apply the polish, sealer and wax. at times then use ag window polish and fast glass too. ag stuff are great products.