New Car - Cleaning list/how to wash?

[ChrisProth]

Hi

Picked up my ds3 yesterday in shark grey/Carmen Red and loving it!

However, I've never been one for cleaning my cars (usually by those hand car washers) but this one I will!

So far on my list
Some kind of degreaser to remove dirt etc
Car Shampoo
Polish
Wax
Windows Cleaner
Alloy Wheel Cleaner
Microfibre cloths to dry.
Normal sponge to wash?

Upholestry cleaner
Dashboard Wipes
Dashboard Shine

What recommendations do people have?

Any advice greatly appreciated

Thanks

[BeefMasta]

Replace normal sponge (shudder) with a lambswool wash mitt and I think you've got a pretty complete list.

I'm sure CliveP will be along shortly with product recommendations

Get some pics up of the car too

[CliveP]

Hi Chris,

Congratulations on the new DS3, you won't regret it, great little cars. As BeefMasta has said, your list looks pretty good as a starter - you definitely need to drop the sponge and get yourself a lambswool wash mitt - unfortuneately sponges trap dirt and inflict tiny scratches which look like circular 'swirls' in bright sunlight. Although you can't see thse normally they rob your car's paint of reflection and therefore depth of shine. Cars often have them when delivered new because manufacturer and dealer preparation means they do use these techniques.

You also need two buckets, one for wash and one for rinse - then each time you return for more wash solution, you rinse your wash mitt in the rinse bucket to remove as much dirt as possible before picking up more clean wash solution.

You can also get specific drying towels (made of microfibre but towel size) - again nice and soft so they do not trap any remaining dirt and inflict swirl marks.

I'd recommend you take a look on www.detailingworld.co.uk - but be warned it is a very addictive subject, and may initially blow your mind, but I love it.

If you're interested I also do machine polishing which is the only way to completely remove previouosly inflicted swirl marks and I also help run a back to basics training session which is designed to help people getting into the hobby understand proper wash technique and how to maintain that lovely look (I have machined BeefMasta's car).

I'm the same username on DW - if youlook in the Autobrite section, you'll see posts with details of the back to basics course.

Can also post some links here if you want to see what can be achieved with a little bit of effort (some will argue what 'little bit' means though, lol)...

Any questions, feel free to ask. If you want me to recommend specific products I can do, partly depends on your budget, but there's some very nice products for relative pocket money (once you've got 'set up' at least).

ps, where are you based Chris?

Regards,
Clive.

[ChrisProth]

Cheers for the replies!

So the sponge is out and the lambwools wash mitt is in.

Atm I've been considering buying the halfords brands as im assuming the branded names we are just paying for the name? I'm willing to pay whatever is neccessary but not over the top. Any recommended brands for the majority of the products Clive?

If I ever need a machine polish I know where to turn, however being from the valleys in South Wales it could be a good trek!

Oh and i'll get some pics up in the next few days, although I swear its looking dirty at just 1 day old! :rolleyes: maybe ill wait till after a wash!

Thanks

[ZACK]

Normal sponge to wash?

0.0

Glad you asked here 1st !

[Forest-sion]

Hi chris where abouts in south wales are you from, i'm from Chepstow/forest of dean

Recomended brands from me would be Chemical guys, autoglym, poor boys and of course autobright. Asda do great green drying towels.

if i was you i would leave any cheap brands allown, you spend all this money on a great car only to wash it with cheap rubbish.
spend a bit more its well worth it, as clive P said take a look on detailingworld, car cleaning is very very addictive when you get into it

hope this helps, Forest-sion

[CliveP]

Hi Chris,

I'm a big Autobrite fan (Christmas offers are on too - '12' days of Christmas - take a look in Autobrite section on DW - offers everyday are on!).....

As Forest-sion says it's worth a few quid for decent products, but technique and prep are equally as important (I've put a £20 wax on a fantastically prepped car and it's looked better than a £100 wax on a poorly prepped car, there again some expensive waxes are to drool for on a well prepped car!)....

Enjoy, welcome to the pending addiction!

Regards,
Clive.