I've been away and only just cottoned on to this thread. Like others, I have spent time and money on detailing ever since I bought my first car eleven years ago. It's only since I got married last year that it's taken a huge back seat (as well as my pressure washer breaking down). I think I've washed my car three times in the past twelve months, compared to 50 or so times in the preceding year.
There's cleaning your car and there's detailing. A bit like how there's taking snapshots and photography. Same sort of OCD-ness in aiming for perfection, same sort of gear acquisition syndrome, can involve similar levels of scrutiny of products. So it really depends on how far you want to take things.
Snow Foam - Yes or no? I have heard good things, but is it too good to be true. Someone said just get a TFR as it does the same thing for cheaper. Is this correct. Would you only use one or the other, or would you use both? Would using both be overkill?
I've always used snowfoam as my prewash and have always used the analogy of soaking the dishes in the sink overnight - it makes it easier to clean to muck off. I've found TFR can strip wax so I use it for this purpose every time I give my car a thorough clean which involves machine polishing.
Mitt, sponge, or Karcher brush attachment? - I know the brush is designed to be used to clean a car, but what has your experience been? Has the bristles scratched the paintwork before or left swirl marks?
As others have pointed out, these attachments can cause damage to the paintwork. You may have noticed a spider-web type reflection on car paint. These are swirls induced by poor wash technique. Detailing is all about eliminating/reducing these marks and maintaining the end result. Use a wash mitt. I've found lambswool better than synthetic but the former needs care - if the lamsbwool doesn't dry out fully, it can start to moult.
Waxing - How often do I need to wax the car? Would waxing it after each wash be overkill and even detrimental to the paint? What to choose? I was in Halfords and was left confused by the selection available. Some were in multiple stages, natural waxes, polymer wax? Also, would a detailer spray/liquid wax/demon shine be just as good as a regular wax? Would you apply by hand or use a rotary polishing mop etc to do the job?
A wax can last a few months. So once the car is cleaned, waxing will make it easier to keep clean the next time. There are multiple ones so try one out and see what you think. For most people, I've always suggested collinite 476s. It's more of a hybrid wax/sealant but lasts around six months. I've found "proper" waxes need topping up every month or so. Ideally the base needs to be clean before applying.
Be very very careful with the pressure washer, ours took the paint of the sills on Mrs Gubbys Fiesta
Wouldn't do unless you had poor technique with the pressure washer.
If it's a nice looking car get a clay mitt and clay your car after washing, rinse it off and apply protection after. You will be amazed at the difference claying your car makes. It takes off ingrained dirt that makes your paint dull and rough.
Completely agree with claying. Again, you can get differing grades of clay bars. The harsher ones are more effective but also more likely to inflict damage on the paintwork. I also prefer to do this after detarring the car with tar remover, otherwise you can move tar spots around and inflict more damage.
One handy tip is to use the open end of a hosepipe (with a slow flow) to rinse from the roof down, this will have a better effect after waxing as the water will 'sheet' off.
I always recommend this. Once the car is waxed, cleaning it next time is so much easier. There's very little water left on the paintwork after sheeting it off (after rinsing off the shampoo) and I can usually get away with using a small microfibre to dry the car rather than the big towel.
Which snow foam do you guys use/recommend?
My own preference is Bilt Hamber snowfoam. Used with a proper HD lance, it does quite well in terms of removing dirt.
All this talk of clay bars, but no mention of this being a no no, if you have metallic sparkly finish paint on your car.
Read the instructions first.
My current car has been clayed at least three times a year for around eight years. It has metallic paint. What should I have been looking out for???
Sponges are safer as if any debris/grit gets under it, it will either sink into the sponge not the paintwork as its softer or it will drop into the cavity of the sponge.
I'd have thought this was down to the structure of the sponge. I've used Zymol sponges in the past which are supposed to be "open cell" and hence envelops the grit, rather than regular sponges which are "closed cell" and trap and rub grit against the paintwork.
I have this bottle attachment that I got with my Karcher. It does say that it is a foam gun attachment, holds about 500ml approx.
My Karcher came with one of those. It's rubbish. Getter a proper foam lance and you'll see the difference.
Valeters round here charge from £20 to £50 for different levels of clean and polish.
And there's me paying £300-400 for a proper detail.
For OP, my own routine would be:
Months 1 and 6: TFR, 2BM wash, tar remover, clay bar, machine polish, prewax cleanser, wax. Wheels come off and are cleaned thoroughly with non-acidic wheel cleaner. Wheel arches are cleaned. Interior gets cleaned. Glass cleaned, rubber and plastic trim cleaned and dressed.
Months 3 and 9: TFR, 2BM, tar, clay, prewax cleanser, wax. Interior, glass, rubber and plastic cleaned and treated.
Otherwise every week, I will use snowfoam, 2BM wash, dry and then one extra thing eg clean glass, clean wheels, dress rubber etc. Makes it easier to manage and maintain.