How do you clean your car? Drying/Wax/Polish questions

[iVTR]

And what products do you use?

Reason I ask is that whilst I always enjoy a good detail, I'm not completely anal about my finishes, having just been browsing 'detailing world' I feel inadequate as a man.

Having got a new car I want to wash it properly, I do this:

1. Rinse car with water
2. 2 bucket method & turtle wax shampoo (Roof first, then windows, etc.)
3. Once car all washed and rinsed in sections I move onto the wheels
4. Alloy cleaner on each and scrub ect...
5. Once car has dried windows I use window cleaner and kitchen roll to get it streak free
6. Polish any bits, exhaust tips ect with muc off speed polish.
7. Tyre dressing
8. Test drive!

I am usually satisfied with this method on my saxo. One thing I clearly overlook is drying, waxing and polishing!

The thing I'm clearly missing is that I don't dry my car after washing it - can someone point me in the right direction of what to use? I've read the guide on here but want to hear from the masses!

Then polish/wax's - this is applied after the car is cleaned and dried - right?

Has anyone got any recommendations of polish/wax. Autoglym 'super resin polish' seems to be highly regarded but unsure how long that will last?

This dodo juice shit - any good? I'm getting slightly confused lol.

Cheers boys!

[L33h]

rinse it, wash it, rinse it, wash wheels, rinse. Dry

Can't be arsed with all that 2 bucket method shit anymore tbh.

[manta]

1. Leave car outside
2. Roll windows up
3. Check out weather after the news
4. Weather girl bewbs
5. Wait till it rains

jk I get the romanians up the road to do it

[stevo67]

It's a saxo so get's a jet wash every 2-3 weeks,i have not waxed it in over a year due to the paint on the roof.the roof is covered in scratches from the local cat.

[simonsaunders]

If the car is filthy, I:

Pressure wash
Snow foam. Currently using some cheap stuff from Halfords. Smells of bubblegum, seems OK
Push the snow foam around the wheels with a paint brush
Pressure wash
2 bucket wash with a lambs wool mitt. Normally use Autoglym shampoo, bought in bulk online.
Hosepipe rinse
Dry with two towels. One towel for moving most of the water, second towel for drying out.

All three of my cars are crying out for a clay and then I normally use Autoglym Super Resin Polish and the Extra Gloss protection sealant. I use proper polish applicators. Although I only do this annually TBH. But normally double polish (plus a bit of cutting on any scuffs) and triple seal.

I always wash my towels and mitt in the washing machine after. No point in pushing grit over lovely clean paint.

I'm a bit of an Autoglym whore, but that all started when I got given a load.

FYI, all their interior stuff is really good too. Especially their Interior Shampoo - suitable for just about any surface and gets sooooo much mucky shit out.

[iVTR]

Originally Posted by simonsaunders

If the car is filthy, I:

Pressure wash
Snow foam. Currently using some cheap stuff from Halfords. Smells of bubblegum, seems OK
Push the snow foam around the wheels with a paint brush
Pressure wash
2 bucket wash with a lambs wool mitt. Normally use Autoglym shampoo, bought in bulk online.
Hosepipe rinse
Dry with two towels. One towel for moving most of the water, second towel for drying out.

All three of my cars are crying out for a clay and then I normally use Autoglym Super Resin Polish and the Extra Gloss protection sealant. I use proper polish applicators. Although I only do this annually TBH. But normally double polish (plus a bit of cutting on any scuffs) and triple seal.

I always wash my towels and mitt in the washing machine after. No point in pushing grit over lovely clean paint.

I'm a bit of an Autoglym whore, but that all started when I got given a load.

FYI, all their interior stuff is really good too. Especially their Interior Shampoo - suitable for just about any surface and gets sooooo much mucky shit out.

Haha, cheers guys.

Ahh Simon great stuff thanks.

From what I'm gathering then I need some decent 'drying towels' for after the main shampoo wash. Which ones do you use / recommend? And I need an application pad for the polish!

I've been reading up on the Autoglym Super Resin Polish & Extra gloss protection sealant so will be buying them, I already have the AG shampoo.

So... once the cars dry, apply SRP all over (panel by panel, and buff out with microfibre yeah!)

Then how long do I need to wait to apply the Extra Gloss Protection? Or should I just leave the polish on for the first time so I don't seal it incase I've missed a bit lol!

Cheers dude.

[simonsaunders]

Originally Posted by iVTR

Haha, cheers guys.

Ahh Simon great stuff thanks.

From what I'm gathering then I need some decent 'drying towels' for after the main shampoo wash. Which ones do you use / recommend? And I need an application pad for the polish!

I've been reading up on the Autoglym Super Resin Polish & Extra gloss protection sealant so will be buying them, I already have the AG shampoo.

So... once the cars dry, apply SRP all over (panel by panel, and buff out with microfibre yeah!)

Then how long do I need to wait to apply the Extra Gloss Protection? Or should I just leave the polish on for the first time so I don't seal it incase I've missed a bit lol!

Cheers dude.

I think that both my towels are Merguiars, but I might be wrong. As much as possible I try to spread the towel out and pat it. Just in case there is any grit left; you don't want to drag it over the car. When you're finished the towel should be as clean as when you started, albeit wet; if the towel is getting dirty, you've not cleaned the car properly!

I just follow the instructions on the bottle! I normally do it all on the same day, but after I'm done with the polish I tend to have a little sit down and rest, come back, lift off any little spots of polish I've left and then get on with the sealant.

If you've not tried claying before, give it a go. It lifts off loads of crap that you'd never shift otherwise.

[L33h]

Yea you definitely need a good drying towel! stops you getting all the little water marks and helps you find the bits youve missed.

Something like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Meguiars-W...item35d54c3add

[iVTR]

Originally Posted by simonsaunders

I think that both my towels are Merguiars, but I might be wrong. As much as possible I try to spread the towel out and pat it. Just in case there is any grit left; you don't want to drag it over the car. When you're finished the towel should be as clean as when you started, albeit wet; if the towel is getting dirty, you've not cleaned the car properly!

I just follow the instructions on the bottle! I normally do it all on the same day, but after I'm done with the polish I tend to have a little sit down and rest, come back, lift off any little spots of polish I've left and then get on with the sealant.

If you've not tried claying before, give it a go. It lifts off loads of crap that you'd never shift otherwise.

Thanks mate.

Halfrauds got it all at 3 for 2 at the minute. Unsure whether their own branded microfibre 60x60 towel is worth £14 quid though. Looks like I can get 2 relatively big ones off ebay for £11 so might do that and stock up with more AG goods instead.

Claying I haven't even read into that was mind-boggled enough as it is haha. Is it difficult? I'll check it out.

Cheers L33h will investigate towels on ebay tonight. Man I'm becoming exciting talking about wet towels

[simonsaunders]

Originally Posted by iVTR

Thanks mate.

Halfrauds got it all at 3 for 2 at the minute. Unsure whether their own branded microfibre 60x60 towel is worth £14 quid though. Looks like I can get 2 relatively big ones off ebay for £11 so might do that and stock up with more AG goods instead.

Claying I haven't even read into that was mind-boggled enough as it is haha. Is it difficult? I'll check it out.

Cheers L33h will investigate towels on ebay tonight. Man I'm becoming exciting talking about wet towels

Claying is easy - just follow the instructions. You run the clay, normally with a bit of water for lube, over the whole car. That is a bit more of a once a year thing though.

[stevo67]

Originally Posted by iVTR

Thanks mate.

Halfrauds got it all at 3 for 2 at the minute. Unsure whether their own branded microfibre 60x60 towel is worth £14 quid though. Looks like I can get 2 relatively big ones off ebay for £11 so might do that and stock up with more AG goods instead.

Claying I haven't even read into that was mind-boggled enough as it is haha. Is it difficult? I'll check it out.

Cheers L33h will investigate towels on ebay tonight. Man I'm becoming exciting talking about wet towels

Asda do something like 3 microfibre towels in a roll for a stupidly cheap price.

[OMGASAXO]

if you got costco membership, they do a massive pack of microfiber towels, only £12 inc vat. and a massive tub of turtle wax shampoo for £15, lasts months

[johnnyg_vts]

Wait for it to rain. Hey Presto!

[L33h]

edit. Wrong thread haha

[JamieConway88]

Originally Posted by manta

1. Leave car outside
2. Roll windows up
3. Check out weather after the news
4. Weather girl bewbs
5. Wait till it rains

jk I get the romanians up the road to do it

great idea haha

[Jizanthapus]

I found using clay makes a huge difference.

Do it after you wash the car, but before you polish it.

I do find it can be fiddly to use if you're using actual clay, however the place I work at uses a clay bar mitt which makes the whole process so much easier and quicker. I'd really recommend one. https://www.amazon.com/AutoCare-Surf.../dp/B01KWOM0HY

[9Freedman9]

Originally Posted by khouji

For Air Filter, I advise everyone to clean it once every 3 months to prevent accumulation of dust that may lead to engine failure.

What would you say is better, a Gallo 12 or a Gallo 24?

[MartinObviously]

Originally Posted by 9Freedman9

What would you say is better, a Gallo 12 or a Gallo 24?

24 because that's twice as good as a 12.

obviously