Thread: Cleaning Product Choices

I just purchased snow foam and a lance so will be interested in giving that a go.

For me my washing technique depends of how dirty the car is. The only difference being I don't get the Karcher out if I haven't been off road.

• Pressure wash the underside using Karcher Underbody cleaner
• Pressure wash the entire vehicle (this will now change to snow foam then pressure wash)
• Wash sections of the vehicle at a time (I break the car up into 10 sections, roof, windows right, windows left, windscreen, bonnet, back of vehicle, left then right sides, front bumper/grill and then swap sponges and do wheels and wheel archers), rinsing thoroughly between each section. I use Supercheap car wash and a supercheap microfibre noodle sponge (truck wash is a big no no for me as most of them are harsh enough to strip wax from the paintwork check the label, kitchen divergent is also a big no no for me as most contain salt)
• This is when I get funny looks from the neighbors. Once all washed and rinse I get the petrol leaf blower out and brow all the excess water off the car I can before using a Supercheap microfiber towel to dry the car. On a sunny day I do this in sections to avoid water spots, on a cloudy cool day I can blow the excess water from most of the car before using the towel.
• I then grab an old microfiber towel and open and wipe down all the door jams and rubbers. Depending on how dirty she was this towel may get hosed off then put in the wash or thrown out.
• Grabbing another microfiber towel I wipe down the dash and seats, console etc
• Next is cleaning the windows if required, good old Windex the non-tinted windows/outside and just a microfiber towel or chamois on the window tint
• Finally vacuum and tuck her away ready to play another day.

I am yet to clay bar her (only 750km on the clock) and polish and wax but that will come after our first trip next month. For this I have Meguairs gear to use up before I look at the Autoglym products.

Soooo many products to choose from it's ridiculous. So it seems is 1. Clean, 2. Polish 3. Protect.

So much to choose from. I guess i just pick one and go with it.

Meguiars Ultimate was and wax is half price so going that way. I think. Lol

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Yep so focus on the cleaning, application and polishing process which means you need these things;
1. a wash/cleaner that matches the wax/polish you will use
2. something to wash with and we use a wool and mesh mitten the mesh helps remove small solids without scratching the surface
2a. a decent chamois to remove the water and it really makes a difference getting a decent one
3. a polish or wax and they are different. A question was asked if there is a polish that does not leave a white stain and I am sure other makers have them but in the meguirs range ultimate liquid wax and ultimate quik wax. We use the former on the town car and it does work
3a. To remove the white wax build up use gold class trim detailer
4. cloth to remove the polish/wax. we have a set of two that have different characteristics
5. glass cleaner and wheel cleaner come into play now

So yes around a $100 investment in all of that should see you set for at least a year

Enjoy the chase

Rob

I use Maguires "Soft Wash", it does not take off so much of the wax you have previously put on, therefore you can apply the wax less often.

OK I'm set to go.

Will use this until it runs out and see how i go. I got the wash and wax instead of just ultimate wash because knowing how lazy i am i hope it will be better between waxes. Now to enjoy my day.

Thanks for the advice everyone. Hopefully it helps others too.

Smocky

PS in the picture is Meguiars Ultimate Wash & Wax, Ultimate Liquid Wax, Bowden's Wheely Clean.

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I use Chemtech CT20 to wash our cars (it's basically CT18 Truckwash with a wax added). For polishing and paint protection, see comments in this thread.

http://http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/230468-paintwork-stains-mud-bird-poo.html

I use the same products on the wheels as on the paintwork - brake dust is not an issue for me, as I replaced the pads on all four wheels with Akebono some time back, and have not seen black brake dust since.

I washed mine with meguiars today - was just finishing off the wheels & Huey sent it down!! Had to go over the whole car with the chamois again

All pretty again. Now for a wax.

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