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All these tips are for cleaning and maintaining the exterior. But for the interior, everything you need to know is in this video.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzR2WqUQ3tE
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.
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.
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.
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.
Wouldn't do unless you had poor technique with the pressure washer.
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.
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.
My own preference is Bilt Hamber snowfoam. Used with a proper HD lance, it does quite well in terms of removing dirt.
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???
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.
My Karcher came with one of those. It's rubbish. Getter a proper foam lance and you'll see the difference.
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.
All these tips are for cleaning and maintaining the exterior. But for the interior, everything you need to know is in this video.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzR2WqUQ3tE
First thing I'd have done if I'd seen her doing that, was ring the police. (defo looks like it could have been a crime scene )
I cleaned mine in the rain last Friday. Only a quick wash and used a liquid wax to finish, but took me less than half an hour.My car's not posh, but it's new to me (3 weeks).
I'm itching to clean her again but it's raining every hour.....
.....frustrating!
My car's not posh, but it's new to me (3 weeks).
I'm itching to clean her again but it's raining every hour.....
.....frustrating!
Lightweight - get out there and clean it
My car's not posh, but it's new to me (3 weeks).
I'm itching to clean her again but it's raining every hour.....
.....frustrating!
The sky had a couple drops of rain for like 5 seconds while I was waxing but than lucky it didn't rain more than that.
It is easy to put on but a right barstool to get off and I would advise to do a panel at a time. But the results are superb and beads water like no tomorrow.
Ye the Collinite stuff is Very good Wax and most the detailers I know use this http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/detai...brilliant-shine-detailer-750ml/prod_1178.html is also very good if not slightly better than both looking and reading all the reviews.
I still also use Simonz wax in liquid/cream form and Autoglym ....anything for an easier life
I use a quick detailer if I just wanted to give it a quick polish after a wash before I go on a day out. I always like to keep both front and back screens clean as I have dashcams front and back and always want to capture as much detail as I can.
View: https://youtu.be/wH836GWVTmA
View: https://youtu.be/_1VBoLH6d-U
Thanks a lot, in my little search I've found out that there is now a mk2 version, which comes with the bracket and 3M mount as standard, and also found a 8% off code online too so I think I'll go for that !
But no good as a dashcam not the same sensor
Any USB >Mini will work depends on where and how you install
Comparison Git1 Vs Git2 Night footage
View: https://youtu.be/bjxDHJsOKNA