Washing Your Car!

There is nothing wrong with AG products and they work well...

Probably easies, tell me what you've got product wise and what you do and what you'd like to do, I'll see if I can help / suggest options...

Well, I had quite a few AG things i one of those AG bag things but that was in the boot of my car when it was stolen! so not got a great deal as of yet, just the bodywork shampoo and some resin polish.

Generally, I just hose down the car, then soap from the top to bottom, doing maybe bonnet, roof and one side a time, rinse and complete. Sometimes dry with a cloth and polish when it needs it.
I'd like to get into the regime of putting a good protection coat on 2 or 3 times a year (think that's enough?) then keep them nice and clean. I my head they'll be easier to clean if they have a good coating on them.
 
Well, I had quite a few AG things i one of those AG bag things but that was in the boot of my car when it was stolen! so not got a great deal as of yet, just the bodywork shampoo and some resin polish.

Generally, I just hose down the car, then soap from the top to bottom, doing maybe bonnet, roof and one side a time, rinse and complete. Sometimes dry with a cloth and polish when it needs it.
I'd like to get into the regime of putting a good protection coat on 2 or 3 times a year (think that's enough?) then keep them nice and clean. I my head they'll be easier to clean if they have a good coating on them.

Okay - so, you've got the basics and fair plan of action...


A traffic film remover / pre wash can assist with helping to remove some of the cr@p on the car before you actually touch it.

AG shampoo / conditioner is good stuff.
The SRP is a decent product - tip: if you apply with a slightly damp applicator pad, you'll find it spreads easier, further and with less dust when buffing off :)
Drying off - I'd use a drying towel and some drying aid - see further a bit below - drying towel wise - one of the Kent ones from B&Q etc work very well - just make sure you don't use it if you drop it, until you've washed it...

Added protection - you can use a sealant or wax (or both) - depends on how long you want to spend doing it and budget...

Once you've sealed / waxed the car, it will be easier to clean and maintain...so to give you an idea of some options...

Power maxed do a very good traffic film remover.
AG do a very nice HD wax which is on offer at Halfords at present - which will work very nicely with your AG shampoo / conditioner
AG also do a product called Aqua wax - which is a spray on wax to be used on a wet car (just after washing it) - this acts as a drying aid, will assist in drying the car with the drying towel and top up your protection.

Another very good wax and cheap is BH Double speed wax...

Another alternative to wax is a sealant and AG do their extra gloss protection and this works well

Then you can get into the depths of detailing and it's expense and the obsession that it is :)

Hope this helps...
 
@andyred Thanks for the info, had a look around and ordered the Power Maxed stuff and the AG HD wax, just need a decent day to have a go now. Bet it chucks it down all weekend :)
 
@andyred Thanks for the info, had a look around and ordered the Power Maxed stuff and the AG HD wax, just need a decent day to have a go now. Bet it chucks it down all weekend :)

Great stuff, the aqua wax is def worth while getting as well to help top up after each wash...

Of yes, def going to rain !!! :D
 
I used Bilt Hamber auto foam in a garden pressure sprayer and then pressure washed off yesterday as that was all I could be bothered to do. Quite pleased at how clean it's come up, even the wheels, although I did wax some of the wheels at some point last year so that helps.
 
I used Bilt Hamber auto foam in a garden pressure sprayer and then pressure washed off yesterday as that was all I could be bothered to do. Quite pleased at how clean it's come up, even the wheels, although I did wax some of the wheels at some point last year so that helps.

Yes it's good stuff, especially through a sprayer it's very economical and works very well.

PowerMaxed TFR is another great product to use via a sprayer and very economical to use :)
 
Well, I managed to have a go at mine yesterday.
Used the Power Maxed TFR first, it took a lot of the top layer of crap off the car, don't think I used enough of it though to be honest. It did make the car a lot easier to clean with the AG shampoo though.
Didn't get chance for any more than that but the car was pretty shiny afterwards, it's still got a decent wax coating on it at the moment.
 
Well, I managed to have a go at mine yesterday.
Used the Power Maxed TFR first, it took a lot of the top layer of crap off the car, don't think I used enough of it though to be honest. It did make the car a lot easier to clean with the AG shampoo though.
Didn't get chance for any more than that but the car was pretty shiny afterwards, it's still got a decent wax coating on it at the moment.

Yes, you can use more on the car, but don't go for too strong a mixture, otherwise it'll start to strip the wax / protection you've got on the car...
 
PowerMaxed TFR is another great product to use via a sprayer and very economical to use :)

Up until a couple of weeks ago I have steered clear of Power maxed products, purely because the packaging looks cheap and nasty and doesn't give a good impression like other products too. However after seeing videos on Facebook for a couple of their products and being cheap I decided to try them. First was a product called jet wash and shine or something like that. I think it is a milder version of their tfr. Just spray on straight from the bottle and then jet wash off
It doesn't foam up like snow foam or at least not using the trigger spray on the bottle but it certainly lifts the dirt.
The other product I have is Winter Coat. If does collect on the car any rain and it just rinsed itself off.
Quite impressive.
 
Up until a couple of weeks ago I have steered clear of Power maxed products, purely because the packaging looks cheap and nasty and doesn't give a good impression like other products too. However after seeing videos on Facebook for a couple of their products and being cheap I decided to try them. First was a product called jet wash and shine or something like that. I think it is a milder version of their tfr. Just spray on straight from the bottle and then jet wash off
It doesn't foam up like snow foam or at least not using the trigger spray on the bottle but it certainly lifts the dirt.
The other product I have is Winter Coat. If does collect on the car any rain and it just rinsed itself off.
Quite impressive.

Yes totally agree about the package, but the products are good. Had the jet wash and using it through a sprayer works well as it does through foam gun - doesn't foam up like shaving foam, but does clean. Just got the TFR to use via sprayer for winter...

Not tried the winter coat, but have read about it and quite fancy trying it - they also do a summer coat...

Going to pick up some glass cleaner shortly :)
 
Yes totally agree about the package, but the products are good. Had the jet wash and using it through a sprayer works well as it does through foam gun - doesn't foam up like shaving foam, but does clean. Just got the TFR to use via sprayer for winter...


Not tried the winter coat, but have read about it and quite fancy trying it - they also do a summer coat...

Going to pick up some glass cleaner shortly :)

I have bought some tfr, but weather as been to grotty to try it yet. I see it is concentrated so may dilute it first before trying.
 
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I have bought some tfr, but whether has been to grotty to try it yet. I see it is concentrated so may dilute it first before trying.

Def dilute it - 10 to 20% otherwise it’ll strip everything off if used neat and potentially mark / damage trim.

Main thing is to not let it dry on the car.
 
Well went out yesterday morning and gave my wife (and probably some neighbours as well) a good laugh - started to clean her car and then down came the snow and hail in a blizzard - along with thunder.

Needless to say I wasn't stopping and she has a clean car now, oh and had tears running down her face from laughing at me so much :p

Anyone else brave it ?

Anyone else as stupid :D
 
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Nope didn't brave the snow!

I managed to give mine a very quick wash when I got home on Friday just before it went dark though.
Used some Bilt Hamber auto foam (the stuff you're supposed to use as a pre-wash I think?) left it for 5 minutes and jet washed it off. It did a very good job of cleaning the car considering I didn't actually touch the car and it was absolutely filthy beforehand, as in couldn't see through the side windows properly there was that much salt and crap on it!

Needless to say, the car is mucky again now!
 
Nope didn't brave the snow!

I managed to give mine a very quick wash when I got home on Friday just before it went dark though.
Used some Bilt Hamber auto foam (the stuff you're supposed to use as a pre-wash I think?) left it for 5 minutes and jet washed it off. It did a very good job of cleaning the car considering I didn't actually touch the car and it was absolutely filthy beforehand, as in couldn't see through the side windows properly there was that much salt and crap on it!

Needless to say, the car is mucky again now!

Yes, the BH stuff is great especially if you’re going for a quick touch less wash.

And yes, her car is filthy again with all the salt and crud on the road...
 
I made the mistake of spraying the car with Power Max Winter sealant instead of the jet wash and wax. It ended up drying on the paintwork. Took ages to get it off. :(
The sun out on Sunday morning did give me the chance to use my Ryobi cordless rotary polished though. Certainly makes life quicker and easier.l
 
I made the mistake of spraying the car with Power Max Winter sealant instead of the jet wash and wax. It ended up drying on the paintwork. Took ages to get it off. :(
The sun out on Sunday morning did give me the chance to use my Ryobi cordless rotary polished though. Certainly makes life quicker and easier.l

Oops !

Bet it’ll be very well protected now though - what the end result like now ?

Interested in the cordless polisher - did you do the full car on 1 charge ?
 
Oops !

Bet it’ll be very well protected now though - what the end result like now ?

Interested in the cordless polisher - did you do the full car on 1 charge ?
It certainly seems to be repelling the water. . ;) The only bit that doesn't is a flat area on the rear bumper at the bottom of the hatchback opening as no air passes over it when driving.
Yes the polished managed it on one charge. I think the battery is either 4ah or 5ah. I don't think a 1.3ah battery would do it. The polished is quite large though at around 10" diameter. RYOBI do make a smaller one but that only seems to be on sale in America.
 
So, having given the Honda a wash and brush up, I have a new question: what's as good as the old Armor All?

I had an ancient bottle of Armor All which lasted years. It ran out so I bought a trigger pack of Armor All. Something has changed.... It used to be one wipe and all the dash etc looked shiny and clean. Now it seems to make very little difference. I even bought the glossy one. It also doesn't seem as slippy as the old one (which was a nightmare if you got it on pedals of the wheel....). Maybe they have changed it for safety purposes.

Anyway, what interior cleaner is as good as the old Armor All?

(and yes, it pains me to keep spelling Armor like that....)
 
So, having given the Honda a wash and brush up, I have a new question: what's as good as the old Armor All?

I had an ancient bottle of Armor All which lasted years. It ran out so I bought a trigger pack of Armor All. Something has changed.... It used to be one wipe and all the dash etc looked shiny and clean. Now it seems to make very little difference. I even bought the glossy one. It also doesn't seem as slippy as the old one (which was a nightmare if you got it on pedals of the wheel....). Maybe they have changed it for safety purposes.

Anyway, what interior cleaner is as good as the old Armor All?

(and yes, it pains me to keep spelling Armor like that....)
Never used Armor All, but I swear by Autoglym Vinyl and Rubber cleaner.
 
So, having given the Honda a wash and brush up, I have a new question: what's as good as the old Armor All?

I had an ancient bottle of Armor All which lasted years. It ran out so I bought a trigger pack of Armor All. Something has changed.... It used to be one wipe and all the dash etc looked shiny and clean. Now it seems to make very little difference. I even bought the glossy one. It also doesn't seem as slippy as the old one (which was a nightmare if you got it on pedals of the wheel....). Maybe they have changed it for safety purposes.

Anyway, what interior cleaner is as good as the old Armor All?

(and yes, it pains me to keep spelling Armor like that....)

The AutoGlym Vinyl and Rubber is very good - I find best sprayed onto a cloth and wiped on, rather than spraying onto surface as you get less unwanted spray.

Halfords are also selling some Meguiars and Auto Finesse - both of which do interior cleaners and both are good - kind of depends on preference and finish required...
 
Lovely day today so new Civic washed, machine polished and waxed:

Before - looked like it had only ever been cleaned with a pan scourer.

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During: Left side after a dose of Scholl S2 vs right side as washed.

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After: Sun's moved round so you can't really tell, but it looks good! Still a few deep swirls/scratches but on the whole it doesn't look too shabby at all.

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The AutoGlym Vinyl and Rubber is very good - I find best sprayed onto a cloth and wiped on, rather than spraying onto surface as you get less unwanted spray.

Halfords are also selling some Meguiars and Auto Finesse - both of which do interior cleaners and both are good - kind of depends on preference and finish required...

Yeh, and don't get any on a lino floor, or you'll be skating for weeks!
 
Did father in laws car for him today, full wash, some tar removed and a new layer of wax as I polished it few weeks ago. Very pleased with the results and he’s very happy [emoji4]

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And a nice sunset reflection from wife’s car bonnet after waxing it this afternoon [emoji41]

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Bought some AG Aqua Wax to speed up the weekly clean - can any users comment on what exactly they mean when they say to apply till it's even? Once you spray it on you can't see it, so do you just keep going till the panel is free of water?
 
Bought some AG Aqua Wax to speed up the weekly clean - can any users comment on what exactly they mean when they say to apply till it's even? Once you spray it on you can't see it, so do you just keep going till the panel is free of water?
Glad you asked that, I've got some too and may be using it today so will be interested in the answer.
 
Bought some AG Aqua Wax to speed up the weekly clean - can any users comment on what exactly they mean when they say to apply till it's even? Once you spray it on you can't see it, so do you just keep going till the panel is free of water?

Hi, use it regularly as a drying aid (spraying on wet car) - first thing, don’t over apply it as it can be a bugger to remove, I tend to do 1 sweep spray per panel, 2-3 on roof / bonnet.

Wipe over all the car with towel, which starts to dry it and spreads it around. Then go over again with clean, dry towel and buff up.

Comes up lovely, smells really nice and adds some good protection / water beading - you’ll probably see the water start moving as soon as you spray.

As I said, less is more with this.

Hope it helps, any more questions, please ask :)
 
I need to give my drivers door a bit of paint correction. A bird (I suspect it's a magpie) keeps using the door handle as a perch and leaving marks in the paint between the handle and the window rubber.
Tried Poorboys SR1 but not all the marks came out. Going to give SR2 a try later.
Anyone know what scares magpie so I can put a picture in the window?
 
I washed my car last week (white Alfa), got caught in a heavy shower earlier this week and the car looks filthy again. It looks as though the rest of the day is going to be foggy but dry and next week - sunny!
I may well get out there again - or do the garden instead - choices what to do????
I also noticed last week, that whilst most of the paintwork is in really good condition, the front panel and bonnet are suffering from stone chips, so I will have to see to that some time. Another job in the offing are the wheels. They are 182 silver multispoike (Alfa Jetfins) and I really want to get them refinished in gloss black. The wheels suffer from kerb damage if the nut behind the wheel (me) isn't careful when parking, so I tend to reverse into every parallel parking space at a slight angle to the kerb, let the rear wheels just touch the kerb, put the fronts on half lock towards the kerb, go forward until the front wheels just kiss the kerb, straighten up and that in theory leaves me about two to three inches from the kerb.
However, I noticed that someone in the village has a nice 16 reg M3, and the wheels on that allow the tyres to touch the kerb, not the rims (runflats maybe?). Maybe it is best that I continue with my method, because I don't really want to kerb the tyres either.
 
Think it’s the tyres with what they call rim guard built in. Do work well, but if you hit the kerb at an angle, your still going to bash the alloy - kind of better for stopping brushing scuffing (if that makes sense)
 
Sort of the same subject. My pressure washer doesn’t seem to be working since trying to use it this morning. Only two years old!

Does anyone have any recommendations? I would want a decent one.
 
Sort of the same subject. My pressure washer doesn’t seem to be working since trying to use it this morning. Only two years old!

Does anyone have any recommendations? I would want a decent one.
Depends how much you want to spend. I have a Karcher K2, basic model with no bells or whistles but more than adequate for car cleaning. Had it for about 5 years with no problems.
 
Sort of the same subject. My pressure washer doesn’t seem to be working since trying to use it this morning. Only two years old!

Does anyone have any recommendations? I would want a decent one.

Which pressure washer - make / model ?

What’s the issue with it ?

If it’s only 2 years old, might be under warranty ...

I’ve just picked up a new Karcher K4 as my old one sprung a leak and the part was going to be too expensive for economical repair considering it’s age.

Pleased with new one :)
 
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Which pressure washer - make / model ?

What’s the issue with it ?

If it’s only 2 years old, might be under warranty ...

I’ve just picked up a new Karcher K4 as my old one sprung a leak and the part was going to be too expensive for economical repair considering it’s age.

Pleased with new one :)

It’s a Nilfisk 130 compact.

When I pull the trigger, it doesn’t kick in. Checked water feed and filter with no issues.


Depends how much you want to spend. I have a Karcher K2, basic model with no bells or whistles but more than adequate for car cleaning. Had it for about 5 years with no problems.

My father in-law has a Karcher than has gone for years without issue but I’ve seen a fair amount of negative stuff online about them.

Would also like a powerful one so it makes easy work of doing the drive a couple of times a year.
 
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It’s a Nilfisk 130 compact.

When I pull the trigger, it doesn’t kick in. Checked water feed and filter with no issues.
.

Might be worth looking into if it's covered under warranty - not sure of they offer 12 months or more as standard...

Edit: A quick search online , seems to suggest a 2 year warranty on the 130 - could be worth a quick phone call to them to see if they can help...
 
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Might be worth looking into if it's covered under warranty - not sure of they offer 12 months or more as standard...

Edit: A quick search online , seems to suggest a 2 year warranty on the 130 - could be worth a quick phone call to them to see if they can help...
Thanks. Just dug out the receipt, bought in June 16 so if they’re good at honouring warrantee, hopefully they might sort it. Email sent.
 
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