We just got our new car delivered. Now I am worried about car cleaning. I am planning to clean the car at home. Can you tell me what should I be using to clean my car and where should I look for.
How about cleaning inside. Should I use vacuum?I don't have mats at the moment. Is it really needed.Thanks!
:-) I did some research on google but there are too many info….I couldn't decide on which hose should to use and where to look for
i don't do it properly but here's how i do it:
Steps:
1/ Rinse the car
2/ Fill both buckets with water, put washing liquid into one
3/ Use the sponge to apply the washing liquid, then rinse the sponge in the bucket with just water.
4/ Repeat step 3 for the whole car, I do the wheel last (yes i know people do use wheel cleaner but i just can't be bothered)
5/ Hose the washing liquid away
6/ Towel the car dry with the microfiber cloth
7/ Apply wax (the spray type)
8/ Polish using the second microfiber cloth.
I estimate it costs me around $5 per wash. I got all my stuff from supercheapauto + kmart.
Thanks for the reply. Which hose should I use? the garden one? google says I should use a hose with different settings.
I just use the garden hose with one of the multi head from bunning. This one http://www.bunnings.com.au/holman-8-pattern-trigger-spray-gu…
Of course i think if you use the purpose built hose it will be easier but I think mine do just fine on Spray mode.
Garden hose is fine.
Just so you know, Kmart stocks cheap and decent microfiber towels - cheaper than SuperCheap.
Kmart Drying Towel - works better than the SuperCheap one I bought for 3 times the price
Kmart Microfibre Towel Pack - great for detailing after using the sponge
As for cleaning products, it's hard to beat:
Meguiar's Gold Class Wash - Not cheap but it smells great and works better than all others I've used for getting gunk and bugs off
Meguiar's Quik Detailer - for when you need a quick clean of your car without giving it a full wash (do this once a week with a microfibre cloth and you won't need to fully wash your car very often)
And, although I usually avoid Armour All products:
Armour All Spray on Shine works really well for giving your car that "just waxed" look, smells great, and honestly makes your car feel like satin to touch. It also helps keep it cleaner for much longer. I find it better than the spray-on wax/shines from the pricier brands - it's also usually available from Kmart.
Thanks for the reply. How about cleaning inside? I don't have mats at present
Get a clay bar
There are few good info / videos here: http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?37320-Meguiar-s-5-Step-Paint-Care-Cycle-Updated!
^ignore the surface prep, I dont think necessary for new car.
The product to start: http://m.supercheapauto.com.au/Product/Meguiar-s-New-Car-Kit…
Also rain-x / rain clear for water repellent (windshield).
I'd head to Bunnings/super cheap/ Kmart as you can get everything you need between all 3 of those places.
A hose with a way of turning the water off at the end (either a trigger hose which in my experience never work properly or just a regular standard attachment with something that stops the water coming out and going everywhere.
I'd recommend a decent sponge for the car panels and a separate cheaper one for the wheels.
tell me what should I be using to clean my car
Your wife or GF or the girl next door
If you are super particular about your car then it is worth getting a pressure hose (eg. Karcher), snow foam lance (for pre wash), grit guards (for the buckets to ensure wash mitt is clean) and a leaf blower for scratch free drying.
Oh and don't use an ordinary sponge, use a microfibre wash mitt or Bowden's muffy microfibre sponge.
not that it matters, but what car did you get? and what colour?
Sandpaper and some elbowgrease.
If it is a brand spanking new car, be careful , don't use dish washing liquid, use a proper car wash,has correct additives to prevent paint damage etc. Never clay bar a new car you'll take off the clear coat too quickly
For true ozbargain washing,
Sorry but why do you say not to clay bar a new car because it'll take off the clear coat?
New cars can still take some time for it to be transported from factory to the dealership and may be sitting outside/inside where contaminants can embed itself onto the paint.
Clay barring a car will inevitably mar (scratch) the clear coat but it's not significant.
Didn't post to get into a pissing contest, but it's what I learned in doing a lot of detailing, speaking to people in the detailing business, panel beaters etc.
While you're point is correct it will not destroy 1 layer of clearcoat, I'd feel it unnecessary for the first 6 months at which time there'd be a greater buildup & more of a benefit to do a claying.
That's my opinion of course, guess the real concern with modern cars with so much clear plastic on headlights etc. is to watch automatic cars washes with those spinning brushes dulled the headlights on my VX years ago so bad it was polish buff like billyo to get it clear enough for roadworthy when I sold it
Not a pissing contest if it seemed that way haha. I detail myself so was curious as to why you mentioned that. Thanks for replying.
True ozbargain method: wait for it to rain, rub down with a 2nd hand kitchen sponge, wait for rain to rinse it off. Then while you are waiting, get on ozbargain for new eneloops.
Wonder what is the best way to take care of your car?
I wash and vacuum the car myself, at home. Normally just use the liquid detergent to wash and dry it afterwards. But not sure if this is the best way to go on a metallic paint.
Do you use any special car wash liquid? Do you apply any paint protection etc after washing?
Keen to use my weekend to look after my car, any advice will be appreciated.
wash it on the front lawn.
hose off a panel. bucket of water with some body wash. clean with a face washer and then immediately rinse off.
no after paint protection.
I have some wheel protection stuff that stops the hubs going black.
Wonder what is the best way to take care of your car?
Tomleonhart's comment above is great for enthusiasts that just want to wash their car and then apply wax for the temporary layer of paint protection. YouTube also has great videos about the two buckets car wash method.
I wash and vacuum the car myself, at home. Normally just use the liquid detergent to wash and dry it afterwards. But not sure if this is the best way to go on a metallic paint.
Sounds fine as long as its not dish washing detergent and dish scourers. I'd avoid vacuuming too meticulously in tight nooks since its very easy to scratch the car's interior plastics with the vacuum attachments. If you are super pedantic about dirt then its best to invest in proper car attachments for your vacuum cleaner.
Washing a car with metallic paint is identical to non-metallic. They both have a "clear" coat which is the surface layer that you want to preserve. Common rookie mistakes for damaging clear coat are polishing, incorrect use of motorised polishing tools, poorer quality car sponges that push the dirt around instead of holding it, etc.
Do you use any special car wash liquid? Do you apply any paint protection etc after washing?
I buy slightly more expensive branded "Wash and Wax" type car detergents as they automatically apply a tiny amount of wax. If I was following Timleonharts method then I'd be using a car detergent which doesn't contain wax since you'll be applying a newer and better layer of wax afterwards anyway.
Wax is your temporary layer of protection. The difference between any two clean cars is mainly the thickness of the layer of wax that's been applied onto the car.
http://bfy.tw/2LjE :)