Advice for a newbie cleaner

[Toxic]

These are a good price especially for 2 but can't guarantee that they are just wool

http://www.sheepskinshop.co.uk/produ...kin Wash Mitts

Thanks for the link...

[Clean Your Ride]

sport red/ black roof

This is the detail I posted on here when I took delivery in September 2012

Couple of gripes when it arrived though.

Loads of swirls on paintwork esp on the roof and about half a dozen bird dropping stains that proved difficult to shift. Looked they had been there for at least a few weeks.

I swapped over the front and rear indicator bulbs to give it a cleaner look at the front end, added the Citroën dust valves, put in 8 led bulbs in sidelights, number plate, interior foot mood lighting and interior bulb.

Suppose you want to see some pictures so before I add them, a brief summary of the first detail.

Bilt Hamber Surfex HD on gaps and badges etc
Snow foamed
Bilberry on wheels
Foam rinsed with open ended hose
2BM with gritguards using Farecla detox shampoo and Swissvax Waschpudel
Rinsed
AB Purple Rain detox
Rinsed
Clayed using Bilt Hamber soft clay
2BM with gritguards using Farecla detox shampoo and Swissvax Waschpudel
Rinsed
Dried with drying cloths
Das6 pro with Megs MF system with correction compound (great stuff)
Eraser
Das6 pro using Zaino AIO
Zaino ZFXed Z2 polish (by hand with tri colour applicator)
Zaino Z6 gloss enhancer (quick detailer)
Zaino ZFXed Z2 polish (by hand with tri colour applicator)
Zaino Z6 gloss enhancer
Zaino ZFXed Z2 polish (by hand with tri colour applicator)
Zaino Z6 gloss enhancer
Zaino Z8 Finale spray
Zaino ZCS sealant using Zaino cotton applicator
All chrome polished with Planet Polish Chrome Polish
Trim coated with AngelWax Elixir
Wheels sealed with Planet Polish Wheel Seal and Shine
Exhaust tip cleaned with Auto Finesse metal cleaner
Tyres dressed with Auto Finesse Satin
Glass cleaned with AngelWax glass cleaner
Glass finished with AngelWax H2go rain repellant (windscreen 3 coats)
Finished off inside with a California Scent Newport New Car Scent

Hope you like, was hard work but thoroughly enjoyable.


DS3 1 by Rabidracoon28, on Flickr


DS3 2 by Rabidracoon28, on Flickr


DS3 3 by Rabidracoon28, on Flickr


DS3 4 by Rabidracoon28, on Flickr


DS3 5 by Rabidracoon28, on Flickr


DS3 6 by Rabidracoon28, on Flickr


DS3 7 by Rabidracoon28, on Flickr


DS3 8 by Rabidracoon28, on Flickr


DS3 9 by Rabidracoon28, on Flickr


DS3 10 by Rabidracoon28, on Flickr


DS3 11 by Rabidracoon28, on Flickr


DS3 12 by Rabidracoon28, on Flickr


DS3 13 by Rabidracoon28, on Flickr

[vizzo]

Very nice.
I'm not gouing to have time for anything like that.
Got the car a week ago and condition is quite good. No swirls.
So thinking of something to give it long lasting protection and then maybe a quick top up once a month would be ideal.
I'm thinking a polish will not be needed but maybe something like autoglym aquawax?

[Toxic]

These are a good price especially for 2 but can't guarantee that they are just wool

http://www.sheepskinshop.co.uk/produ...kin Wash Mitts

got a couple of these a few weeks back, they states they are made from genuine sheepskin and quote they are made with wool fibres. wash up great and seem like the real deal.

[Clean Your Ride]

got a couple of these a few weeks back, they states they are made from genuine sheepskin and quote they are made with wool fibres. wash up great and seem like the real deal.

Excellent, thanks for that.

Get yourself along to PetSmart/PetsatHome and get a brush for long animal hair.

After using the mitt, rinse in a bucket of cold water, wring it out then grab one end of the mitt and flick it hard towards the floor to get rid of as much water as possible. Then give the mitt a brush with the pet brush. Leave mitt to then hang up to dry out of direct sunlight.

This will ensure the mitt lasts you years instead of months.

[MeganLeighx]

Going to give this a go on my next dry day off.. Not done it properly before so wish me luck 🍀

[Clean Your Ride]

Good luck [emoji106][emoji256][emoji106][emoji256][emoji106][emoji256]

[Bobbys Nuts]

Hi all, I'm going to attempt my 1st clean since buying my White/Black 62 plate in late December.

Reading the various posts, I plan to do the following:-

Pre-Wash Body & Wheels using Power Maxed TFR (1:19), leave to dwell
Rinse off using a Garden Hose (or would it be better to upgrade to a Pressure Washer?)
Use 2BM (Grit Guards) for cleaning Body (Lambs Wool Wash Mitt) & Wheels (Microfibre Wash Mitt) - using Meguiars Gold Class Car Wash
Pat dry with Meguiars Water Magnet Drying Towel
Maybe apply some Power Maxed QD (how is best to apply this?)

Any further advice would be greatly appreciated

[mk2k41]

That's a pretty good plan to follow . Considering the time of year, I would up the ratio of the TFR to 1:9 since there is a lot of dirt/salt on our cars at the moment, and that ratio probably wouldn't be enough to shift it. Also, it really only works best when it's jet washed off, so if you can upgrade to one of those then I would strongly recommend it. I would suggest doing the wheels first, and then replacing the water in the rinse bucket because you'll pick a lot of crap up off the wheels which will end up in there.

As for the QD, best way to apply that is with two MF cloths. Spray a small amount on to the panel and spread it around with one, then switch to the other one to buff it off.

Good luck .

[Bobbys Nuts]

Thanks for the reply,

I will up the ratio to 1:9 as you suggested and see how I get on, and I think I will have to bite the bullet and order a Pressure Washer, is this one any good?

http://www.cleanstore.co.uk/products...ct.asp?ID=7424

Is Pressure washing totally safe for the Paintwork?

Do you apply the QD when the car is wet or dry?

[mk2k41]

You can't go wrong with that pressure washer, Nilfisk are a great brand . It is safe on paintwork, but you do have to be careful if there is any paint damage. On my old car, before I knew any better, I took a spot of clear coat off the bonnet where I was trying to remove bird mess. The acid in the crap damaged the surface, and then the pressure took it off. I think that washer comes with a couple of different attachments which vary the power so just be aware of which one you've got on.

You generally apply the QD when the car is dry, but if there is a lot of moisture in the air (quite likely this time of year) and you're struggling to dry it you can use it as a drying aid on a wet car.

[Bobbys Nuts]

Thanks for the reply, and great advice.

Pressure Washer & cleaning products have been ordered, hopefully arrive in time for a weekend clean.

[Bobbys Nuts]

Just another quick question

Is it safe to use the TFR all over the car, including wheels etc... or would you recommend a special cleaner for the wheels?

[mk2k41]

You can use it everywhere with no problem. I personally use a dedicated frequent use wheel cleaner, as TFR doesn't always have the power required to shift the tougher brake dust. It depends on how often you clean your wheels, and whether or not they have been protected/sealed.

[Bobbys Nuts]

I will probably clean my car every 2 weeks, so might have a look at the PM frequent Alloy Cleaner.

Regarding the PM QD, can it be applied to all of the car (trim, glass etc...)?