Washing Your Car!

Ben6 said:
I'd highly recommend gtechniq c4 for the trim. It's a semi permanent coating that last about 2 years and keeps it jet black.
Click to expand...
That's the trouble, mines grey and all trim restorers seem to target black. A good scrub with a magic sponge and apc works quite well as a prep. Adams has some stuff I want to try.
 
foggy4ever said:
That's the trouble, mines grey and all trim restorers seem to target black. A good scrub with a magic sponge and apc works quite well as a prep. Adams has some stuff I want to try.
Click to expand...

Have to you tried the Autoglym bumper and trim gel ?

Spec says restore to original finish and revives colour ? Doesn't say back to black as it were...

I recommend it to my neighbour as he had polish on the plastic trim on his mini - dark grey I think they were and it worked a treat...
 
andyred said:
Have to you tried the Autoglym bumper and trim gel ?

Spec says restore to original finish and revives colour ? Doesn't say back to black as it were...

I recommend it to my neighbour as he had polish on the plastic trim on his mini - dark grey I think they were and it worked a treat...
Click to expand...

The auto glym isn't a bad idea at all. The only problem Ive had with that is that it doesn't last very long at all.
 
Ben6 said:
The auto glym isn't a bad idea at all. The only problem Ive had with that is that it doesn't last very long at all.
Click to expand...

And Halfords have it on offer at the moment for £6.39 so not going to break the bank...
 
Honestly, the best thing I ever used for bumper/trim was ................ liquid shoe polish. :cool:
 
Of all the different Fallout/Iron removers, which is the best one do we reckon?
 
Alan Clogwyn said:
Of all the different Fallout/Iron removers, which is the best one do we reckon?
Click to expand...

I've been using valet pro's dragons breath for quite a while now and don't think anything I've used before beats it.
 
Ben6 said:
I've been using valet pro's dragons breath for quite a while now and don't think anything I've used before beats it.
Click to expand...
Ive got this, first one Ive bought, its very thick and doesnt "spray" that well when I put into an atomiser. Ok-ish for use on wheels but for bodywork there would be problems I think. Bilt hamber Korrosol gets good reviews on detailing sites.
 
DorsetDude said:
Ive got this, first one Ive bought, its very thick and doesnt "spray" that well when I put into an atomiser. Ok-ish for use on wheels but for bodywork there would be problems I think. Bilt hamber Korrosol gets good reviews on detailing sites.
Click to expand...

Ive got two bottles for mine. A neat bottle for wheels and it's that thick it clings to the Wheels. And then a bottle diluted by about 10% that I used for the bodywork. I don't feel the need to use it much on the body work though.
 
Alan Clogwyn said:
Of all the different Fallout/Iron removers, which is the best one do we reckon?
Click to expand...
I've used Carpro Iron X in the past but I once had bad brake dust (excellent brake pads but they produced a lot of dust) to the point where even the paste version couldn't clean them adequately

Ben6 said:
I've been using valet pro's dragons breath for quite a while now and don't think anything I've used before beats it.
Click to expand...

DorsetDude said:
Bilt hamber Korrosol gets good reviews on detailing sites.
Click to expand...
I'm ordering Korrosol though Dragon's Breath was a close second.
 
omens said:
I've used Carpro Iron X in the past but I once had bad brake dust (excellent brake pads but they produced a lot of dust) to the point where even the paste version couldn't clean them adequately




I'm ordering Korrosol though Dragon's Breath was a close second.
Click to expand...

Funnily enough I keep thinking of trying iron x next.
 
Ben6 said:
Funnily enough I keep thinking of trying iron x next.
Click to expand...
I think for "normal" purposes, it's fine. But I couldn't shift the dirt on the wheels with Tardis or Iron-X. It was when the car when in to the bodyshop for warranty work that they came up gleaming. What did they use? Just a pressure washer. I reckon they'd have had to use a power blaster setting!
 
I like Sonax Wheel Cleaner.


Not bad for 7 years old.

ZBDybqI.jpg


YwsMuUH.jpg
 
omens said:
I think for "normal" purposes, it's fine. But I couldn't shift the dirt on the wheels with Tardis or Iron-X. It was when the car when in to the bodyshop for warranty work that they came up gleaming. What did they use? Just a pressure washer. I reckon they'd have had to use a power blaster setting!
Click to expand...
Acid wheel cleaner, something like KKD devils juice.
 
omens said:
I think for "normal" purposes, it's fine. But I couldn't shift the dirt on the wheels with Tardis or Iron-X. It was when the car when in to the bodyshop for warranty work that they came up gleaming. What did they use? Just a pressure washer. I reckon they'd have had to use a power blaster setting!
Click to expand...

Past experience with using jet washes and high power settings on alloys resulted in jetting the balancing weights off my alloys so i'll always very cautious now.

I was also amazed when buying a new car recently that the main dealer didn't wash the car them selves they took it to one of the side of the road £3 washes that scratch your car to no end and use highly aggressive acids to strip the dirt too.
 
Alan Clogwyn said:
Might have to get some of that first, A couple of years of EBC Red Pads is murder to wheels.
Click to expand...
It can be diluted diluted at 1:1, spray on and gently agitate with a soft brush or a soft toothbrush for stubborn areas. A good wheel sealant will make cleaning much easier.
 
Alan Clogwyn said:
Might have to get some of that first, A couple of years of EBC Red Pads is murder to wheels.
Click to expand...
I ran EBC Red Pads for almost 4yrs on my previous car and never had a problem with brake dust.
 
nilagin said:
I ran EBC Red Pads for almost 4yrs on my previous car and never had a problem with brake dust.
Click to expand...

Had the same problem with them on all cars I've used them on - it just eats into and wrecks the finish on wheels very quickly. No such problems with yellow or blue pads, which are considerably dustier too. Blue are my new favourite pad.
 
andyred said:
And Halfords have it on offer at the moment for £6.39 so not going to break the bank...
Click to expand...

Secret insider tip: don't buy it (or anything Autoglym) until this Tuesday. I'm pretty sure there will be a much better deal then.
 
JonathanRyan said:
Secret insider tip: don't buy it (or anything Autoglym) until this Tuesday. I'm pretty sure there will be a much better deal then.
Click to expand...
Halfords always have deals on car washing items around Bank Holidays
 
JonathanRyan said:
Secret insider tip: don't buy it (or anything Autoglym) until this Tuesday. I'm pretty sure there will be a much better deal then.
Click to expand...

Prob the 3 for 2 offer they have occasionally- wasn't on last bank hol, so hopefully this time - not really sure what I need though, sure I'll find something :)
 
Viewers of other threads may know that I've just done my first "proper" clean of Smartacus so I can sell him. I've picked up a load of tips here and elsewhere (thank you!). 2 products I had never used before which just amazed me today:

1. Bilt Hamber Auto Wheel. Spray on, jiggle with brush and wait until it turns red then hose off. Did that twice on the back wheels and 3 times on the front. Never had such clean wheels with so little effort. Amazing.

2. Autoglym glass polish. I have always struggled getting windows clean - you spray, wipe spray, wipe, rub, polish, notice a smear and....repeat. Today put polish on all over the glass, waited for it to haze and wiped off. Absolutely spotless! Then I followed up with some RainX to try to keep it that way. About 15 mins for the whole job including the panoramic roof and even in strong sunlight it looks perfect.
 
JonathanRyan said:
Secret insider tip: don't buy it (or anything Autoglym) until this Tuesday. I'm pretty sure there will be a much better deal then.
Click to expand...

Well the 20% off Autoglym at Halfords has now gone...

They've introduced a 3 for 2 on Meguiars now, so wait to see if they do it on Autoglym as well for the bank how weekend...
 
Last edited:
JonathanRyan said:
1. Bilt Hamber Auto Wheel. Spray on, jiggle with brush and wait until it turns red then hose off. Did that twice on the back wheels and 3 times on the front. Never had such clean wheels with so little effort. Amazing.
Click to expand...
Sounds like it has iron fallout remover in it. Does anyone know whether this is more effective than say Dragon's Breath or Iron-X, or even BH's own Korrosol?

JonathanRyan said:
2. Autoglym glass polish. I have always struggled getting windows clean - you spray, wipe spray, wipe, rub, polish, notice a smear and....repeat. Today put polish on all over the glass, waited for it to haze and wiped off. Absolutely spotless! Then I followed up with some RainX to try to keep it that way. About 15 mins for the whole job including the panoramic roof and even in strong sunlight it looks perfect.
Click to expand...
I've always loved AG's fast glass and glass polish. They're both usually the things I buy when Halfords have special offers on Autoglym products. I have found though that using a dedicated glass cloth produces a better result with glass cleaners than standard microfibres.
 
Best thing I have found for polishing windows is Autobrite Hellshine, The Abyss. It's a sealant meant for paintwork but works brilliantly on the whole cars exterior. I've not tried the spray on version but the "solid" version has a consistency like petroleum jelly. A small pot cost around £13 off ebay and is enough for two wax treatments on my Focus. As I said it works brilliantly on the whole of the car exterior including windows and black trim. On the paintwork it produces a deep shine, and beading for months after. Rain just beads up and rolls away on the windows and the wipers don't smear after either. Because it doesn't have to dry onto the car before polishing off, it is very easy and quick to wax the car exterior.
Now available in a larger pot, I'll have to buy some.
http://www.autobritedirect.co.uk/index.php/the-abyss-new-hellshine-range.html
 
omens said:
Sounds like it has iron fallout remover in it. Does anyone know whether this is more effective than say Dragon's Breath or Iron-X, or even BH's own Korrosol?
Click to expand...

Nope :) But the reviews I read said that it was similar to Dragon's Breath without the smell. Since my wife commented on how pungent the Bilt Hamber was I would be scared to try Dragon's Breath.

Here is a wheel that hadn't been cleaned in a l-o-n-g time.....

smartacus_wheel.JPG
 
So after reading this thread I've splashed on a snow foam and some of this Belt Hamer Autowheel cleaner. Used to have loads of 'detailing' products but got disinterested when I had less disposable cash.
 
So.....now that I know how to clean wheels....any recommendations on something to keep them a bit cleaner? Not expecting miracles but extending the time between deep cleans would be great.

I was all set to get some Autoglym wheel protector until I read it wasn't suitable for dark wheels. My new Honda has the classic silvery wheels with black bits inside.
 
JonathanRyan said:
So.....now that I know how to clean wheels....any recommendations on something to keep them a bit cleaner? Not expecting miracles but extending the time between deep cleans would be great.

I was all set to get some Autoglym wheel protector until I read it wasn't suitable for dark wheels. My new Honda has the classic silvery wheels with black bits inside.
Click to expand...

I'll be coating mine with gtechnic c5 later in the summer. It's a ceramic coating for the wheels and makes them super easy to maintain.
 
JonathanRyan said:
So.....now that I know how to clean wheels....any recommendations on something to keep them a bit cleaner? Not expecting miracles but extending the time between deep cleans would be great.

I was all set to get some Autoglym wheel protector until I read it wasn't suitable for dark wheels. My new Honda has the classic silvery wheels with black bits inside.
Click to expand...

Might be worth a quick call to Autoglym to see if they'll be okay...

You can get various wheel waxes, Super Resin Polish works well as well.

If all else fails, you could always clean them more often :D
 
Ben6 said:
I'll be coating mine with gtechnic c5 later in the summer. It's a ceramic coating for the wheels and makes them super easy to maintain.
Click to expand...

Heard good things about this - fancy trying some - beat place to buy from ?
 
I've used gtechniq for windows and you don't need much. I imagine it's the same for wheels.

I used to use Poorboys wheel sealant which was easy to apply and remove, and great at protecting but poor longevity. I now use FK1000P which lasts around 4-6 months before reapplying.

The main thing is to keep on top of the wheels and don't let them get dirty or stay dirty for too long.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top