Civic cleaning regime?

Robbieee · 27th January 2008, 23:19

As there has been alot of talk lately about waxing and making your car look the best, it got me thinking-i need to know everbodys civic cleaning regime!!!!

1. How often you clean/wax/polish
2. The process's used
3. The materials/products used
4. How long you take (on average)
5. How much you spend
6. Any tips

I really dont have a clue about waxing and cleaning a car as i have never had a car before worth spending time on. How hard can it be?? haha!

PJS · 28th January 2008, 00:20

It's not hard - just time consuming if you want to give it more than a lick and a promise.
If you want to try and keep the car's resale value up, then it's worth the effort. If you see the car as nothing more than a means to an end, then the effort or desire probably won't be there.

illegalhunter · 28th January 2008, 05:03

Well i usually take about 4 hrs to get it spot on
1 I start with Chemical Guys Citrus was diluted about 10/1 sprayed on as a pre wash
2 Wash off with presure washer
3 Then i snow foam with foam lance, & go over with my wash smitt twice & repeat the process
4 I use Autobrite wheel acid on my alloys (not an acid) wash off after 5mins
5 Towell dry with waffle towel
6 2 coats of Colinite wax machine applied
7 Windows with Chemical guys window cleaner buff by a paper towel
8 Tyres with Chemical Guys Blue shine
9 Interior surfaces with VRP dressing
10 I use Chemical Guys New car smell for interior
4 Hrs latter shinny as hell

robbo51 · 28th January 2008, 08:28

Ruddy Hell and I thought I was keen!!!!
1. Pressure Wash the whole car
2. Wash with Meguires XCT Car Wash using a Tesco Microfibre Sponge and seperate one for the wheels
3. 'Leather' off with a Meguires Microfibre Towel
4. Wax with Collinite (Every 4 to 6 weeks...Probably unecessary)
5. RainX on windows (Every 6 weeks)
6. Poorboys wheel sealant
7. Armourall Tyre mousse on tyres and plastic trim
8. Meguires Interior cleaner..NOT ON DASH (damp microfibre towel) Still scratches!!
Takes about 2 hours
I dont wax every week
I DO wash it every week regardless of weather
RESULT: Not bad

GHGH · 28th January 2008, 10:18

I don't like the word regime.....

Robbieee · 28th January 2008, 11:45

Thanks guys, just the info i needed!

and the word "regime" is very sinister isnt it? Espec when my gf does her beauty regime

Koen · 28th January 2008, 12:26

1. Depends. Once a week, or once every 2 weeks. The weather has to be ok when I have time to clean it. And in winter with the salt it 's sometimes neccessary to clean it every week. In summer it can last like 3 weeks sometimes.
Waxing: twice a year, polishing when needed. I mostly use Turtle Wax or Excalibur stuff. Maybe I'll look at this forum first when my current product run out, as there seems to be a general agreement on some particular producs.

2. Rincing with clear water first. When very dirty: with high pressure (from a distance!) Wash with water and decent car shampoo, then rincing again. Then drying with Vileda synthetic chamois.

3. See above. Also for the inside: vac cleaner, anti-static fluffy thing (don't know how you call that), soft paint brush, microfiber cloth for the dash, mild soap solution in spray botle.

4. Depends: a quick but thourough clean takes about 2 hrs, inside and out. Sometimes, before a wax for instance, it can take up to 5 hrs.

5. No idea. Not too much, but some af these products are really expensive.

6. Search the forum! And there is a site called "detailersworld" I think. And take care of the rims! Civics have a huge brakedust problem, and the rims tend to get so dirty you don't get it off after a while.

K.

Steeph · 29th January 2008, 23:45

You're going to be shocked

1: Never
2: The carwash at the local gasstation
3: See 2
4: 10 minutes, including buying the ticket
5: 7 euro
6: Nope, sorry

I never wash my car, just run it through the carwash every few months. Today was the 1st time since I got it 3,5 months ago. And even if it was my own car I wouldn't wash it often, certainly not every week. Not worth my time and it'll be dirty as soon as you start driving anyway.

sallytraffic · 30th January 2008, 00:15

1. Every day since I got it. OK, only 5 days but still. This will not continue.
2. Made stealer wash it. Polish, 3-4 coats of sealant, Wax
3. Klasse All-in-one, Klasse Sealant, Victoria Wax Collectors Yellow.
4. An hour to an hour and a half per session.
5. I spent about £50 on all the products, cloths, applicators etc.
6. Look at robbo's pics and do what robbo says

er.. up to a point

GHGH · 30th January 2008, 07:44

1. Every 14. days.
2. Local car wash.
3. Have no clue.
4. 7 min
5. NOK 70 w/wax, NOK 50 without
6. More frequently during winter (salting period). Interior only once a month (I am a grown up).

robbo51 · 30th January 2008, 08:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steeph

You're going to be shocked

1: Never
2: The carwash at the local gasstation
3: See 2
4: 10 minutes, including buying the ticket
5: 7 euro
6: Nope, sorry

I never wash my car, just run it through the carwash every few months. Today was the 1st time since I got it 3,5 months ago. And even if it was my own car I wouldn't wash it often, certainly not every week. Not worth my time and it'll be dirty as soon as you start driving anyway.

You lazy oik!!!!
Have entered the dirtiest Civic competition?
CARWASH!!!!
Shameful
God help the next owner!!
GET A GRIP!!!

Jabberwocky · 30th January 2008, 09:54

Hi Robbieee,

I have been using the guide provided by polished bliss. It looks complex but once you have got into a routine it is really simple and so far has proved very effective. The only thing that I do different is to not use a pressure wash, but a hose on a gentle setting to wash the car down and loosen any dirt before starting on the job of cleaning.

For anyone interested here is the link to the guide: Car Care and Detailing Advice - How to wash and dry your car safely and effectively

spile · 30th January 2008, 10:10

Quote:

You lazy oik!!!!
Have entered the dirtiest Civic competition?
CARWASH!!!!
Shameful
God help the next owner!!
GET A GRIP!!!

My guess that he'd rather have a life than a grip. I sympathise, life it too busy to spend washing cars. I'll be doing mine this weekend though

Homer Simpson · 30th January 2008, 10:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by illegalhunter

Well i usually take about 4 hrs to get it spot on
1 I start with Chemical Guys Citrus was diluted about 10/1 sprayed on as a pre wash
2 Wash off with presure washer
3 Then i snow foam with foam lance, & go over with my wash smitt twice & repeat the process
4 I use Autobrite wheel acid on my alloys (not an acid) wash off after 5mins
5 Towell dry with waffle towel
6 2 coats of Colinite wax machine applied
7 Windows with Chemical guys window cleaner buff by a paper towel
8 Tyres with Chemical Guys Blue shine
9 Interior surfaces with VRP dressing
10 I use Chemical Guys New car smell for interior
4 Hrs latter shinny as hell

Yep I'm the same as above

I use chemical guy's products and find them to be really effective.

If you use Colinite and find it a bit difficult to buff off, try using CG's Pete's 53 wax. It's 47% carnauba wax and goes on and off very very easily unlike the Colinite 910 which will render your arms completely useless after 30 mins (I think it's called that)

Clive242 · 30th January 2008, 11:52

Oh dear.

My 'regime' is to rely on the dealer cleaning the car every 12,500 miles.

I'm only 3,000 miles in, and everything seems to be going well. The rain last night helped.

Galaxy Grey was a deliberate choice, and based on extensive examination of dealer forecourts. Lookers in Nottingham had a Galaxy Grey which was absolutely filthy, but you could only tell from about 4 feet away.

My nightmare scenario is to get the Civic back from a service to find they've not cleaned it. It took 7 services, and three Nissan dealers before they cleaned my last car.

robbo51 · 30th January 2008, 21:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by spile

My guess that he'd rather have a life than a grip. I sympathise, life it too busy to spend washing cars. I'll be doing mine this weekend though

This is called a smiley:

This another one:

OK?

Good luck with the carwash at the weekend

Steeph · 30th January 2008, 23:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by robbo51

You lazy oik!!!!
Have entered the dirtiest Civic competition?
CARWASH!!!!
Shameful
God help the next owner!!
GET A GRIP!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by spile

My guess that he'd rather have a life than a grip. I sympathise, life it too busy to spend washing cars. I'll be doing mine this weekend though

Quite right

I love driving it, but just don't see fun in cleaning it for hours.

And I don't really care about the next owner, I assume the lease company will clean it before they sell it in about 4 years.

Oh and Robbo51: I AM a lazy oik. Lazy is good, you'll have more time to do funstuff.

Robbieee · 30th January 2008, 23:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steeph

Quite right

I love driving it, but just don't see fun in cleaning it for hours.

And I don't really care about the next owner, I assume the lease company will clean it before they sell it in about 4 years.

Oh and Robbo51: I AM a lazy oik. Lazy is good, you'll have more time to do funstuff.

I suppose to comes down to:
-do you like you home to look nice? yes! course! clean it? yes!
-would you go out the door in the morning without showering or putting on clean clothes? no!

The same should really apply to your car. If you spent 20k on a car, you should treat it right. Whats the point of buying a nice care then?? I will be cleaning my civic when i get it probably once every 2 weeks. a couple of hours. Thats nothing. Everyone talks as if they dont have an hour to spare. Each to their own i say, each to their own!

Steeph · 30th January 2008, 23:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robbieee

I suppose to comes down to:
-do you like you home to look nice? yes! course! clean it? yes!
-would you go out the door in the morning without showering or putting on clean clothes? no!

The same should really apply to your car. If you spent 20k on a car, you should treat it right. Whats the point of buying a nice care then?? I will be cleaning my civic when i get it probably once every 2 weeks. a couple of hours. Thats nothing. Everyone talks as if they dont have an hour to spare. Each to their own i say, each to their own!

Of course, but that also depends on your taste of what is 'nice'. For example, personally I don't like a very clean and empty house so to speak. I'd like my stuff at hand, newspaper on the table. The book I'm reading is still on the couch, etc. To others our house would look a bit messy I guess (not dirty, that's something else).

And the point of a 30K euro car for is
1: It is a transportation device, nothing more than that
2: I want fun driving it and the handling won't really improve if it's squeaky clean

So indeed, to each their own. I can only agree.

The Phantom · 1st February 2008, 21:29

Wash it every 2-3 weeks with Meg's Gold Class shampoo (used to be NXT but I ran out and had a big bottle of Gold Class on my shelf).
Pressure wash off the worst of the dirt and apply a weak mix of shampoo through the lance to soften the dirt. (No fancy snow foam unfortunately.)
Then a good old fashioned sponge down with a bucket of hot water mixed with shampoo, using Meg's Microfibre mit or Asda's Cheapo Microfibre mit for tough dirt/flies as it has a mesh side.
Use a brush on the alloys to shift the worst of the brake dust (using the last of the hot soapy water).
Pressure wash rinse.
Air dry (cos I'm lazy).

My plans are to give her a proper wash and wax in the spring at which time I'll sort out the stone chips and swirls which have accumulated. Wash - Clay - Wax - Polish (or is it Polish-Wax?) - Rotate the alloys and clean with Wonderwheels before waxing.

Then I'll try and carry out the same regime of quarterly polishes.

27th January 2008, 23:19	#1 (permalink)
Robbieee The Talented Mr. Robbieee Rocketship door handle Join Date: 27th September 2007 Location: Glasvegas Posts: 1,410 Thanks: 48 Thanked 34 Times in 33 Posts iTrader: (2)	Civic cleaning regime? As there has been alot of talk lately about waxing and making your car look the best, it got me thinking-i need to know everbodys civic cleaning regime!!!! 1. How often you clean/wax/polish 2. The process's used 3. The materials/products used 4. How long you take (on average) 5. How much you spend 6. Any tips I really dont have a clue about waxing and cleaning a car as i have never had a car before worth spending time on. How hard can it be?? haha!

28th January 2008, 05:03	#3 (permalink)
illegalhunter RELOADING FOR ELK Civinfo guru Join Date: 10th May 2007 Location: FILLING THE HILLS WITH LEAD Posts: 3,235 Thanks: 7 Thanked 39 Times in 38 Posts iTrader: (0)	Well i usually take about 4 hrs to get it spot on 1 I start with Chemical Guys Citrus was diluted about 10/1 sprayed on as a pre wash 2 Wash off with presure washer 3 Then i snow foam with foam lance, & go over with my wash smitt twice & repeat the process 4 I use Autobrite wheel acid on my alloys (not an acid) wash off after 5mins 5 Towell dry with waffle towel 6 2 coats of Colinite wax machine applied 7 Windows with Chemical guys window cleaner buff by a paper towel 8 Tyres with Chemical Guys Blue shine 9 Interior surfaces with VRP dressing 10 I use Chemical Guys New car smell for interior 4 Hrs latter shinny as hell Last edited by illegalhunter; 28th January 2008 at 05:51.

28th January 2008, 11:45	#6 (permalink)
Robbieee The Talented Mr. Robbieee Rocketship door handle Join Date: 27th September 2007 Location: Glasvegas Posts: 1,410 Thanks: 48 Thanked 34 Times in 33 Posts iTrader: (2)	RE: Thanks guys, just the info i needed! and the word "regime" is very sinister isnt it? Espec when my gf does her beauty regime

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This thread is about: Civic cleaning regime?, it's in Cleaning at the Honda Civic forum Civinfo; As there has been alot of talk lately about waxing and making your car look the best, it got me thinking-i need to know everbodys ...

28th January 2008, 00:20	#2 (permalink)
PJS Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 27th May 2006 Location: Belfast Posts: 479 Thanks: 0 Thanked 21 Times in 18 Posts iTrader: (0)	It's not hard - just time consuming if you want to give it more than a lick and a promise. If you want to try and keep the car's resale value up, then it's worth the effort. If you see the car as nothing more than a means to an end, then the effort or desire probably won't be there.

28th January 2008, 08:28	#4 (permalink)
robbo51 It's my fault! Civinfo guru Join Date: 1st July 2007 Location: Bingley, W.Yorks Posts: 3,874 Thanks: 66 Thanked 75 Times in 72 Posts iTrader: (0)	Ruddy Hell and I thought I was keen!!!! 1. Pressure Wash the whole car 2. Wash with Meguires XCT Car Wash using a Tesco Microfibre Sponge and seperate one for the wheels 3. 'Leather' off with a Meguires Microfibre Towel 4. Wax with Collinite (Every 4 to 6 weeks...Probably unecessary) 5. RainX on windows (Every 6 weeks) 6. Poorboys wheel sealant 7. Armourall Tyre mousse on tyres and plastic trim 8. Meguires Interior cleaner..NOT ON DASH (damp microfibre towel) Still scratches!! Takes about 2 hours I dont wax every week I DO wash it every week regardless of weather RESULT: Not bad

28th January 2008, 10:18	#5 (permalink)
GHGH Supporter Rocketship door handle Join Date: 13th March 2007 Location: Trondheim, Norway Posts: 1,045 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader: (0)	I don't like the word regime.....

28th January 2008, 12:26	#7 (permalink)
Koen Supporter Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 18th September 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 244 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	1. Depends. Once a week, or once every 2 weeks. The weather has to be ok when I have time to clean it. And in winter with the salt it 's sometimes neccessary to clean it every week. In summer it can last like 3 weeks sometimes. Waxing: twice a year, polishing when needed. I mostly use Turtle Wax or Excalibur stuff. Maybe I'll look at this forum first when my current product run out, as there seems to be a general agreement on some particular producs. 2. Rincing with clear water first. When very dirty: with high pressure (from a distance!) Wash with water and decent car shampoo, then rincing again. Then drying with Vileda synthetic chamois. 3. See above. Also for the inside: vac cleaner, anti-static fluffy thing (don't know how you call that), soft paint brush, microfiber cloth for the dash, mild soap solution in spray botle. 4. Depends: a quick but thourough clean takes about 2 hrs, inside and out. Sometimes, before a wax for instance, it can take up to 5 hrs. 5. No idea. Not too much, but some af these products are really expensive. 6. Search the forum! And there is a site called "detailersworld" I think. And take care of the rims! Civics have a huge brakedust problem, and the rims tend to get so dirty you don't get it off after a while. K.

29th January 2008, 23:45	#8 (permalink)
Steeph Strange Engineer Locking Wheelnut Join Date: 11th October 2007 Location: Delft Posts: 107 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader: (0)	You're going to be shocked 1: Never 2: The carwash at the local gasstation 3: See 2 4: 10 minutes, including buying the ticket 5: 7 euro 6: Nope, sorry I never wash my car, just run it through the carwash every few months. Today was the 1st time since I got it 3,5 months ago. And even if it was my own car I wouldn't wash it often, certainly not every week. Not worth my time and it'll be dirty as soon as you start driving anyway.

30th January 2008, 00:15	#9 (permalink)
sallytraffic Supporter Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 7th January 2008 Location: Sale, UK Posts: 465 Thanks: 8 Thanked 12 Times in 12 Posts iTrader: (0)	1. Every day since I got it. OK, only 5 days but still. This will not continue. 2. Made stealer wash it. Polish, 3-4 coats of sealant, Wax 3. Klasse All-in-one, Klasse Sealant, Victoria Wax Collectors Yellow. 4. An hour to an hour and a half per session. 5. I spent about £50 on all the products, cloths, applicators etc. 6. Look at robbo's pics and do what robbo says er.. up to a point

30th January 2008, 07:44	#10 (permalink)
GHGH Supporter Rocketship door handle Join Date: 13th March 2007 Location: Trondheim, Norway Posts: 1,045 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader: (0)	1. Every 14. days. 2. Local car wash. 3. Have no clue. 4. 7 min 5. NOK 70 w/wax, NOK 50 without 6. More frequently during winter (salting period). Interior only once a month (I am a grown up).

30th January 2008, 09:54	#12 (permalink)
Jabberwocky Supporter Wheelnut Join Date: 27th May 2007 Location: Wolverhampton Posts: 57 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	Hi Robbieee, I have been using the guide provided by polished bliss. It looks complex but once you have got into a routine it is really simple and so far has proved very effective. The only thing that I do different is to not use a pressure wash, but a hose on a gentle setting to wash the car down and loosen any dirt before starting on the job of cleaning. For anyone interested here is the link to the guide: Car Care and Detailing Advice - How to wash and dry your car safely and effectively

30th January 2008, 11:52	#15 (permalink)
Clive242 Sheep Worrier! Locking Wheelnut Join Date: 30th October 2007 Location: Lost in 1983 Posts: 113 Thanks: 11 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader: (0)	Oh dear. My 'regime' is to rely on the dealer cleaning the car every 12,500 miles. I'm only 3,000 miles in, and everything seems to be going well. The rain last night helped. Galaxy Grey was a deliberate choice, and based on extensive examination of dealer forecourts. Lookers in Nottingham had a Galaxy Grey which was absolutely filthy, but you could only tell from about 4 feet away. My nightmare scenario is to get the Civic back from a service to find they've not cleaned it. It took 7 services, and three Nissan dealers before they cleaned my last car.

1st February 2008, 21:29	#20 (permalink)
The Phantom Supporter Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 18th March 2007 Location: Scotland Posts: 245 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	Wash it every 2-3 weeks with Meg's Gold Class shampoo (used to be NXT but I ran out and had a big bottle of Gold Class on my shelf). Pressure wash off the worst of the dirt and apply a weak mix of shampoo through the lance to soften the dirt. (No fancy snow foam unfortunately.) Then a good old fashioned sponge down with a bucket of hot water mixed with shampoo, using Meg's Microfibre mit or Asda's Cheapo Microfibre mit for tough dirt/flies as it has a mesh side. Use a brush on the alloys to shift the worst of the brake dust (using the last of the hot soapy water). Pressure wash rinse. Air dry (cos I'm lazy). My plans are to give her a proper wash and wax in the spring at which time I'll sort out the stone chips and swirls which have accumulated. Wash - Clay - Wax - Polish (or is it Polish-Wax?) - Rotate the alloys and clean with Wonderwheels before waxing. Then I'll try and carry out the same regime of quarterly polishes.