Washing the car.

[blaked93]

Hi everyone. Just wondering how to clean the car so it is lovely and shiny. Its black so the water marks are easier to see. Cleaned it yesterday with a tiny bit of fairy liquid. (No bloody car wash left) and it just has horrible dry bits of water over it now. What are the best products to use and how to go about making it shiny clean. Cheers guys.

 

[maggi200]

If you want a nice wax I can sell you one I've got a few for sale ATM

As for the best, no such thing. There are some that offer beat vfm, some rinse better than others, some leave a finish nicer than others, some more lubricated and some just smell nice. Depends how much you wanna spend

 

[Courtney]

I would recommend the dodo juice born to be mild i went from turtle wax stuff to this and for the amount you get out a bottle good vfm i think and left a nice finish!!

When you've washed it, if you dry it then it stops most water marks.

Polish i would say AutoGlym super resin polish

and wax i would recommend mer hybrid wax as its lasted pretty well on mine (with no after care now) and if not that then the dodo panel pots are only about £7 ish

 

[Monster Detail]

Welcome to the forum!

I definitely wouldn't recommend using washing up liquid again. I've sent you a PM

 

[Courtney]

(and if you buy your dodo stuff from matt ^^^^ then he will do you a good deal I'm sure

 

[ECG1000]

Use car shampoo, a lambs wool mitt and grit gaurd bucket to wash.
Then dry it with a big waffle weave towel.

 

[maggi200]

Why not guys... justify

And Salt content is NOT a valid argument. (please go look at the contents of other popular shampoos...)

 

[blaked93]

Fairy liquid was all i had.

 

[Leanne]

Why not guys... justify

And Salt content is NOT a valid argument. (please go look at the contents of other popular shampoos...)

Tell us why its ok then! If thats what you are saying.

 

[maggi200]

It's not okay for a number of reasons.

It's not particularly well lubricated, doesn't rinse very well and it contains a number of degreasers that will likely strip any protection on the car. However, if a car hasn't got any in the first place... there isn't actually anything wrong with using it, especially if the grease removing properties are what you're after. It will remove grease and traffic film with ease, just needs a lot of rinsing compared to say a dedicated car shampoo. It's also quite concentrated so people tend to go ott and use too much making it even harder to use. But it really is not as bad as made out to be.

 

[Monster Detail]

It's not okay for a number of reasons.

It's not particularly well lubricated, doesn't rinse very well and it contains a number of degreasers that will likely strip any protection on the car. However, if a car hasn't got any in the first place... there isn't actually anything wrong with using it, especially if the grease removing properties are what you're after. It will remove grease and traffic film with ease, just needs a lot of rinsing compared to say a dedicated car shampoo. It's also quite concentrated so people tend to go ott and use too much making it even harder to use. But it really is not as bad as made out to be.

I agree that it's maybe not quite as bad as it's made out to be. However, speaking from experience not theory, I've worked on cars that have been regularly washed with washing up liquid. Paintwork can become dull and bizarrely pasty-looking.

If you know what you're doing and you're using it for a particular purpose, do it. Otherwise, I'd steer well clear and just use a high quality shampoo. The poor lubrication factor is also very important, as it may allow damage to be inflicted which a high quality shampoo may have prevented.

 

[Leanne]

Ahh right I see now, makes more sense now! Thanks guys

 

[maggi200]

It doesn't dry the paintwork out any quicker than a regular shampoo. Improper use and dilution ratios. In fact, drying paintwork out isn't really an issue with anything these days. If you were talking about flame red single stage vauxhalls perhaps, but even they're clear coated these days

 

[Monster Detail]

It doesn't dry the paintwork out any quicker than a regular shampoo. Improper use and dilution ratios. In fact, drying paintwork out isn't really an issue with anything these days. If you were talking about flame red single stage vauxhalls perhaps, but even they're clear coated these days

As I said, I wasn't speaking theoretically, just sharing my experience of cars I've seen which have been regularly washed with washing up liquid. I've also worked on red Vauxhalls with single stage paint and they do fade very badly.

 

[maggi200]

I agree, I've noticed it too. But I won't attribute it to poor products. Poor use of products, and exposure to the elements more likely. The fact they use washing up liquid rather than a dedicated shampoo probably gives an idea of their idea of looking after cars

 

[ClioSXT]

Blaked93 ... To stop the Marks left when the water drys on the cars paint/windows. Once you have rinsed the car, Try to get as much standing water off the car. use something very absorbent e.g something like a window leather or Micro-fiber like cloth.

I believe (what i was told a while ago) that the marks left is caused when the water evaportates and leaves behind calcium (limescale). Much like on the elements in kettles. So the quicker you can get the standing water off, the less marks should appear. (This theory works for me!) But please make sure your car is spotless before hand, and the cloth you use is also clean!

How ever i might be wrong with this ... But it does seem to work

 

[blaked93]

cheers guys