[Darthbladerni]

I would normally wash the car twice a week, maybe more on the weekends.

I normally just use a bucket of warm water with soap and a new sponge (dont kill me for that) on the whole car. Then if their is any bits of tar or ground in dirt I would leave some tar/bug remover on it for a while and clean little bits that way.

For the wheels i actually have a proper wheel brush and use soapy water. Then after wax the car wheels and use blackener on the wheels. (not every wash but once every two weeks)

This is effective for me but are there better methods for acheiving higher results??

I am going to use clay over summer and wax properly but atm there is no point as it gets dirty in a matter of days.

Cheers for any help

[Tommo]

Some really good info on washing etc on here. Not promoting his site or sales in any way but the guides are excellent.

Car Care Advice - How to wash and dry your car safely and effectively

[..Blackadder..]

Some good reading to be had here Good Washing Technique - Detailing World

[Dawn]

Like this... http://www.mini2.com/forum/photos-ph...tailed-me.html

[Darthbladerni]

Thanks guys!

I will have a look at them later.

Also some of you may be able to help me with this. Under my boot on the top of the bumper there are curved small lines that look like age marks on classic cars. Will clay work on it to remove it?

[Dawn]

Quote: Originally Posted by Darthbladerni (original)

Thanks guys!

I will have a look at them later.

Also some of you may be able to help me with this. Under my boot on the top of the bumper there are curved small lines that look like age marks on classic cars. Will clay work on it to remove it?

See Andy's post Darth..my boot and bumper were evil ! its all good advice

[Darthbladerni]

very good advice!! I will stop using a sponge now as my paintwork has no swirls in it ATM and i dont want any!!!!

Cheers

[billy.batson]

What's wrong with using a sponge? I've used them for years without problem, so long as they are clean and contain no grit.

Of course if you drop a sponge on the ground, you might as well chuck it away as you never get all the grit out.

What about using a pressure jet? Anyone have any do's and don'ts?

[Posts001]

Quote: Originally Posted by billy.batson (original)

What's wrong with using a sponge? I've used them for years without problem, so long as they are clean and contain no grit.

Of course if you drop a sponge on the ground, you might as well chuck it away as you never get all the grit out.

What about using a pressure jet? Anyone have any do's and don'ts?

I use a sponge, I just keep rinsing it out.

As with the pressure washer, don't have the pressure to high.
Apart from that I have never had any problems

[Hugo]

As Posts001 said, 'use a sponge with plenty water' and I wouldn't use a power hose on alloys or bodywork just arches and underneath. My dad has used a sponge for over 50years and has had no problems and he as anal as me about these things.

I would just use water with no body shampoo, etc.

[ben__allen]

Exciting times: I got a clay bar and think it is amazing! Bloody hard work tho - I'll have arms of steel and legs of steel soon!! haha Hopefully the next time won't be such damn hard work!!

Not a 100% job done today, so will probs do it again in a week, or so, and then finish it off with a proper polish - this was like the practice run

Quick question: how do you store the clay once you have used it? I have wrapped it up in a bit of cling film as I don't think it should dry out - advice pls!

I bet it will rain now....

[RooniusMaximus]

Quote: Originally Posted by ben__allen (original)

Quick question: how do you store the clay once you have used it?

You don't...

When using it, tear off a small (50p-ish) sized bit and chuck it once finished with. You can 'demote' it to use on your wheels, but certainly shouldn't be reusing it again and again.

I've just picked up my Mini and need the time to do a 'proper' clean, polish and wax. Unfortunately its a full days' work and I simply don't have the time at weekends anymore.

[I love MINI, Laura]

I use my clay over and over again. If its too dirty then save it for the wheels. I just keep folding it and folding it and its fine for loads of uses. I keep my clay in a small plastic sandwich bag.

[ben__allen]

Hmmm, interesting as the instructions say to just keep on folding it over and to reuse - and it seems as if the dirt them disappears with the kneading process. It's like SIlly Putty all over again!

[RooniusMaximus]

Well, if you want to keep on reusing it then it's up to you guys.

What I would say though is that the dirt doesn't 'disappear' anywhere it stays within the clay. the more you use it, the more likely you are to get hairline scratches in your paint.

I'm certainly no expert, but consider this pic...

It's the A4 I sold to buy my Mini. At six years' old, and 114,000 miles I'd say it looks pretty good:

[r1_kde]

A clay only needs to be done twice a year and helps to keep the car clean and makes it cleaner every time you do it, mine was last done in september, after each wash the paint is as good as when I did it, "a perfect glass finish". PS my cars gets that dirty every week you can hardly see the paint...

helps in reducing the cleaning time, well worth it.

[Darthbladerni]

I use a sponge and a washmit now and it works well. They were both bought new for the car and are still like new. My parents always used a sponge with care and there cars are perfect.

15+ y/o Lotus Esprit Turbo in red is still perfect using this method and proper wax technique.

i am still going to clay it over summer to remove all bonded contaminents.

Thanks for everyones posts Good links posted

[RooniusMaximus]

I must admit, since I've started taking care of my cars a little more, I've really noticed how badly cleaned the majority of cars are.

Swirls marks and hologramming all over just about every car you see.

I'd love to know why it's so hard to keep a car clean without giving it the full treatment these days.

More pollutants in the air? More road grit?