Best way to clean and wax?

[CivicTypeRGT Owner]

Hello! Just wondering how everyone else cleans their car? Just got some Collinite 915 and wondering whats the best cloth to use? Do you all use chammys too?

[Speedy471]

pre-rinse with low pressure water, use hose or watering can with rose attachment.

Main wash using 2 bucket technique with microfibre mit or sheepskin mit - 1 bucket has shampoo the other just water for rinsing mit.

Sonus sheepskin mit

Rinse suds with lots of flowing water ie hose or watering can without rose attachment until the water sheets off roof of car.

dry with microfibre drying towel NOT 'chammy' as this could end up in swirls on the paintwork - and the microfibres are a lot more effective at the job.

Great drying towel

If you got the time put on a layer of paint sealant ie 'Carlack' with microfibres.

Carlack

Buff off sealant and apply a thin layer of wax. Let cure for 10mins or so and buff off again. A second coat with a soft wax such as petes 53, or Dodos would finish it off nicely.

Petes 53
Dodo

Dont forget to seal the wheels!

Poorboys wheel sealant

get all the kit from Cleanyourcar.co.uk

If you cant wait for the kit to be sent, Halfrauds have a selection of microfibres including megs if i remember correctly.

[robbo51]

I would agree but I always use a pressure washer first and dont use a sealant.
Collinite Wax doesnt need one.
(Just voted Best Buy in Auto Express)

[illegalhunter]

Use a UDM for the wax

[Bob H]

Originally Posted by CivicTypeRGT Owner

Hello! Just wondering how everyone else cleans their car? Just got some Collinite 915 and wondering whats the best cloth to use? Do you all use chammys too?

If only... Had the car for nearly 2 weeks and due to the bad weather have not even had a chance to clean it...

Cheers,


Bob...

[Speedy471]

If you use must use a pressure washer 1st make sure its on low pressure spray setting. High pressure on a dirty car is just going to force the dirt across the surface whilst potentially creating micro-scratches.

[Speedy471]

Originally Posted by robbo51

I would agree but I always use a pressure washer first and dont use a sealant.
Collinite Wax doesnt need one.
(Just voted Best Buy in Auto Express)

You may think Colly may not need a sealant because it it so durable, but by appling Carlack NSC, will prep and clean the paintwork for the wax. An acrylic sealant such as Carlack also offers protection that a natural wax cannot offer - and the finish with a sealant and wax looks better!

[Type S Bournemouth]

Which is why they often sell it as a pack. Carlack and Collinite.

[robbo51]

Originally Posted by Speedy471

You may think Colly may not need a sealant because it it so durable, but by appling Carlack NSC, will prep and clean the paintwork for the wax. An acrylic sealant such as Carlack also offers protection that a natural wax cannot offer - and the finish with a sealant and wax looks better!

I beg to differ.
Here is mine with JUST Collinite:

[MightyOne]

I agree with Robbo, a couple of layers of Collinite will be enough. But dont forget to clay your car first to get the crap off your paint.

I would also recommend you use two washmitts, one for the cleaner parts of the car and one for the dirty lower panels, plus a grit guard of coarse.

[Speedy471]

Well I guess we all have our own regimes! Either way is very good as the products are top notch, and will give great results. I must admit I been using the colly 416 over the winter and its great for the season (although over a sealant of course!) As soon as the weather picks up though I will be trying some Victoria wax concours.

[MightyOne]

Originally Posted by Speedy471

Well I guess we all have our own regimes! Either way is very good as the products are top notch, and will give great results. I must admit I been using the colly 416 over the winter and its great for the season (although over a sealant of course!) As soon as the weather picks up though I will be trying some Victoria wax concours.

Yeah fair enough, i was just thinking that it would be quicker and easier for CivicTypeRGTOwner to start off with a simple cleaning regime, ie. wash, clay (and wash again), dry and wax x2.

Im also looking forward to trying some Vics soon

[CivicTypeRGT Owner]

thanks for all the help people! whats clay?

[MightyOne]

Clay basicially removes the bonded contaminants from your paintwork leaving a smooth finish. Read more here:

http://www.polishedbliss.com/
(go to Care Care Advice, then Clean)

And you can buy the clay from here:
Detailing Clay from Sonus, Clay Magic and Meguires

[PJS]

Or use one which requires water only, and the one I recommend highly - Bilt Hamber Auto Clay.

Ps - MightyOne, it's Meguiar's!

[dragonglance]

Is it safe to use a pressure washer on the car, i have always been told it is very harsh on the paintwork, if not can anyone recommend a fair priced one that is worth using

[Speedy471]

I Use a Karcher K2 with a snow foam lance for a pre rinse. Use of a pressure washer is fine, as long as you spray a sensible distance from the paintwork. Any of th Karcher models tend to be good, and have the ability to use a bucket of water for the water supply rather than a tap.

[robbo51]

Originally Posted by dragonglance

Is it safe to use a pressure washer on the car, i have always been told it is very harsh on the paintwork, if not can anyone recommend a fair priced one that is worth using

Perfectly safe. Ive been using a Karcher one (Aggressively) for years without any problem whatsoever.

[Wyrd]

Originally Posted by Bob H

If only... Had the car for nearly 2 weeks and due to the bad weather have not even had a chance to clean it...

Cheers,


Bob...

I've also had mine for just over 2 weeks and washed it 3 times so far, but with all the crap weather it doesn't look like it's been done at all.

I've got a bottle of Jetseal that I'm dying to try out, but so far every time I've washed the car it's started to spit with rain just as I'm finishing drying it.