Absolute car-cleaning newbie - help!

[Gilles27]

I have been the proud owner of a hyper blue MCSC (see, I'm learning the lingo!) for just over a week now. Hopefully I have managed to attach a picture.
I love the car and have had loads of fun with it so far. My problem is that it is no longer as shiny as it was in the picture (which you can hopefully see!) and I haven't cleaned a car by hand since my Dad gave me 5p to clean his Mk1 Escort in 1978!
I haven't a clue where to start. Is there a thread somewhere that tells me the basics? I was thinking about getting one of those Flash spray things. Is there anything I need to know about cleaning the roof? Do I need to bear anything in mind when washing the stripes?

My guess is that the right course of action would be:
1) Hose the whole car down and try to squirt as many bugs off as possible.
2) Using a big sponge and a bucket of soapy water give the whole car a good wash, probably best to start at top and work my way down.
3) Hose all the bubbly bits off.
4) Give myself 5p and a pat on the back.

If any of that makes you scream "Noooooo!" at your computer then please let me know where I'm going wrong. I'd appreciate some advice on polishing and, I believe it's called, 'detailing' aswell.

Or should I just stick it through the carwash?

Thanks

[:: Jon ::]

Get yourself over to Halfords or somewhere and buy some Products..



then just use them in order may take some time

and your results should be someting like

[PW/B_JCW210]

Welcome to the wonderful world of car "detailing", to use the US term...

There is a fantastic site with all the info you could want on detailing:

www.autopia.org

What you list as a process is okay, but if you want to bring back the shine you will need to do more, I would suggest the following (list of suppliers at the end...):

1) hose car down to soften the dirt
2) apply a bug remover (I use the one by 1Z) to the front and wing mirrors, this will soften the bugs and make them easier to get off
3) wash wheels with a fresh bucket of water using a good quality auto shampoo and a sponge
4) wash with a good quality microfiber wash mitt, and a quality auto shampoo
5) rinse with clean water
6) dry off with a waffle weave microfiber towel
7) dry door jams with a separate cloth

that will get the car clean, the next step would be to polish it....

1) some people suggest that you "clay" a car to get rid of particulates on the paint, I am not a great believer in this, but others will say that it is mandatory. At least the first time you do this I would suggest you skip this step and see how the car tuns out....
2) use a good quality all in one polish/cleaner to clean the paint (AIO by Klasse is good) using a microfibre application pad, buff off with a microfibre towel.
3) apply polish (I use Zaino Z5) with a microfibre application pad, buff off with a microfibre towel.
4) apply a couple of layers of quick detail (QD) spray (I use either Z6 or Z8 by Zaino), and buff off each time with microfibre towels.
5) spray some Z6 onto the allys and buff off with a microfibre towel, this will make them shine and also make them easier to clean the next time.

Phew, after all that your car should look a lot better

Next time you wash the car you won't need to do all the polishing just spray on the Z6 or Z8 QD and the shine will be there.

Some good places to buy all the stuff on the web are:

Zaino: http://www.advancedcarproducts.com/products.asp?cat=11

Bug remover: http://www.cleanandshiny.co.uk/ they also do the best microfiber products available

Klasse: http://www.seriousperformance.co.uk/...polish_wax.php

Hope this helps, let me know if you need any more info/clarification.

Brian

[Gilles27]

Thanks Brian!

That's exactly the kind of info I was after - an idiots guide! I'll let you know how I get on.

[PW/B_JCW210]

np

Since putting up that reply I have dug out a picture of my previous car which had the process I described done to it and have attached it.

I have used the same process on my MINI but as it is white it doesn't show the results as well as on a dark colour, I think that your Blue will look very wet with a deep shine if you use the Zaino products.

[BlackMiniMac]

[quote=Jonmorgan]Get yourself over to Halfords or somewhere and buy some Products..



then just use them in order may take some time

Errrr whats that pink thing in the left of the picture Jon !!!!

[:: Jon ::]

Quote: Originally Posted by BlackMiniMac

Quote: Originally Posted by Jonmorgan

Get yourself over to Halfords or somewhere and buy some Products..



then just use them in order may take some time

Errrr whats that pink thing in the left of the picture Jon !!!!

it works wonders

[Gilles27]

Two more questions!

1) Is the Flash Carwash System worth buying?

2) Any danger areas with a convertible?

[PW/B_JCW210]

hmm, not sure about the Flash system, I haven't tried it so can't really comment.

Ayway where I live we have a hosepipe ban, so I wouldn't be able to use it anyway

I don't have any experience with cabriolet roofs, but I would say that it would be good to keep most polishes well away from them as they are likely to leave white marks on the fabric.

There are special products available for treating soft tops and keeping them in good nick. Have a look on the Autopia site, there are bound to be threads on there about this.

[Gilles27]

Quote: Originally Posted by PW/B_JCW210

hmm, not sure about the Flash system, I haven't tried it so can't really comment.

Ayway where I live we have a hosepipe ban, so I wouldn't be able to use it anyway

OK. Let me know if you want to have some Yorkshire water - you'll just need a long hose!

Quote: Originally Posted by PW/B_JCW210

I don't have any experience with cabriolet roofs, but I would say that it would be good to keep most polishes well away from them as they are likely to leave white marks on the fabric.

There are special products available for treating soft tops and keeping them in good nick. Have a look on the Autopia site, there are bound to be threads on there about this.

Cheers, going to Autopia now.

[Root Ginger]

[quote=BlackMiniMac]

Quote: Originally Posted by Jonmorgan

Get yourself over to Halfords or somewhere and buy some Products..



then just use them in order may take some time

Errrr whats that pink thing in the left of the picture Jon !!!!

I know, I know!

It's Rain Wizard. A better version of Rain X although sadly no longer available. You unscrew the bottom and it has a sponge applicator. You do get funny looks from the neighbours when you apply it though.

[Root Ginger]

The most important tip I can give Gilles77 is ditch the sponge. A sponge plus a dirty car turns into a fine grade of sandpaper causing scratches and swirls all over your car. Visit http://www.detailingworld.com/ this is a UK site dedicated to detailing. They're all very friendly and there's all sorts of discount codes for cleaning products too.

[shedend]

Quote: Originally Posted by Gilles27

Two more questions!

1) Is the Flash Carwash System worth buying?

2) Any danger areas with a convertible?

The flash car wash system works very well IMO, and means you don't need to spend time with a leather to get it dry and stain free.

[NickG]

Quote: Originally Posted by Root Ginger

The most important tip I can give Gilles77 is ditch the sponge. A sponge plus a dirty car turns into a fine grade of sandpaper causing scratches and swirls all over your car. Visit http://www.detailingworld.com/ this is a UK site dedicated to detailing. They're all very friendly and there's all sorts of discount codes for cleaning products too.

I second this, loads of simple guides over at detailing world. I use the flash system as a water filter before drying with a microfiber towel and find it works well to reduce water marks.

[Hartge220]

Totally agree

Detailing World is a font of knowledge & can be very addictive, make sure you take your credit card with you.