Confused by Cleaning
Confused by Cleaning
Ok, im getting old and I need your help regards cleaning my car.
I notice that car cleaning has become big business and everyone is trying to sell thier miracle product. I dont have time to sit and machine polish my car, but want it clean and well protected.
I use a two bucket method, with a wool mit and buy Simoniz car wash and carnuba wax from Costco.
I rinse the car off using a standard hose and then dry with mircofibre. If i have time i apply a thin layer of Meguairs Gold class wax.
What am i doing wrong? How could improve this and waste less time and get better results without forking out mega bucks of swisswax? I notice that people are clay baring, DA polishing, de iorning.......
Any help appreciated.
I notice that car cleaning has become big business and everyone is trying to sell thier miracle product. I dont have time to sit and machine polish my car, but want it clean and well protected.
I use a two bucket method, with a wool mit and buy Simoniz car wash and carnuba wax from Costco.
I rinse the car off using a standard hose and then dry with mircofibre. If i have time i apply a thin layer of Meguairs Gold class wax.
What am i doing wrong? How could improve this and waste less time and get better results without forking out mega bucks of swisswax? I notice that people are clay baring, DA polishing, de iorning.......
Any help appreciated.
1999 #032 Alpina B3 3.3 saloon (UK Press Car) - Buchloe Beast
2000 Porsche Boxster S - Viola
2015 Audi A4 Avant Ultra - Wife's car
2002 VW Lupo 1.4 16v - Daughter's car
2000 Porsche Boxster S - Viola
2015 Audi A4 Avant Ultra - Wife's car
2002 VW Lupo 1.4 16v - Daughter's car
Re: Confused by Cleaning
Like most things in life, you need to have decent foundations. In the case of cars, that making sure the base paint layer is prepared and protected.
After that, it takes little effort to keep it looking good - and your routine is fine - but applying polish on a poor base surface won't solve the problem.
Clay bars, paint correction and the rest are what gives you that decent base - then it's a case of who's marketing spiel you like most when buying shampoo, wax, polish and any other sweet smelling concoction to throw on your pride and joy
After that, it takes little effort to keep it looking good - and your routine is fine - but applying polish on a poor base surface won't solve the problem.
Clay bars, paint correction and the rest are what gives you that decent base - then it's a case of who's marketing spiel you like most when buying shampoo, wax, polish and any other sweet smelling concoction to throw on your pride and joy
Charles
Teacher of Chemistry and driver of ALPINAs - not necessarily in that order
B3S Touring (49/116) - been to the moon and now on the way back!
Renault Grand Espace - not mine but the wife's!
Teacher of Chemistry and driver of ALPINAs - not necessarily in that order
B3S Touring (49/116) - been to the moon and now on the way back!
Renault Grand Espace - not mine but the wife's!
Re: Confused by Cleaning
As Charles’s states the prep is the important bit. Personally I was amazed the difference to the surface of the paint felt like after using a clay bar. You clean the car first then use a clay bar with a little quick detailer to help lubricate and the difference is night and day to before and after!
I got myself a cheap DA polisher and watched lots of YouTube videos on what to do. It’s actually a lot easier than you think, start slowly too build your confidence. Now it’s easier for me to run a finishing polish over the car a couple of times a year to keep the swirls away. The shine comes from the polishing beforehand not there was you put on top.
Once the car is clean and protected it’s actually really easy to keep clean, just give it a quick wipe over with a quick detailer and it’s like new again.
I can’t be doing too bad as I have won best Alpina for the last 2 years at the BMW national festival!
Give it a go, watch lots of videos and you will be surprised how easy and good the results are. The professional detailers make out like its some voodoo dark art but it’s not really.
Maybe just buy a clay bar and quick detailer first to see and feel the difference in the paint easily.
I got myself a cheap DA polisher and watched lots of YouTube videos on what to do. It’s actually a lot easier than you think, start slowly too build your confidence. Now it’s easier for me to run a finishing polish over the car a couple of times a year to keep the swirls away. The shine comes from the polishing beforehand not there was you put on top.
Once the car is clean and protected it’s actually really easy to keep clean, just give it a quick wipe over with a quick detailer and it’s like new again.
I can’t be doing too bad as I have won best Alpina for the last 2 years at the BMW national festival!
Give it a go, watch lots of videos and you will be surprised how easy and good the results are. The professional detailers make out like its some voodoo dark art but it’s not really.
Maybe just buy a clay bar and quick detailer first to see and feel the difference in the paint easily.
Range Rover SDV8.
E64 B6s #100 Cabriolet (Now Sold)
Maserati Gransport
E64 B6s #100 Cabriolet (Now Sold)
Maserati Gransport
Re: Confused by Cleaning
As has been said, spend a day or weekend getting the base right, then once done (or had done) your cleaning regime will be much reduced and the car would look great for some time to come. You don't have to spend big money (depends on what you call big thigh) but some meguires will help.
Basically the base you are working with isn't as good as you tough it was, put the effort in to start with and the benefits will be seen later on down the line.What am i doing wrong? How could improve this and waste less time
Former BMW CC 7 register chairman
2000 e39 B10 V8 Touring
1985 e23 B10 (sold)
1995 B3 saloon switchtronic (sold)
2000 e39 B10 V8 Touring
1985 e23 B10 (sold)
1995 B3 saloon switchtronic (sold)
Re: Confused by Cleaning
Maybe not for the purist but try the Farecia G3 clay mitt instead of a bar, available from Halfords amongst others as it really makes claying easy
2001 Alpina B10 V8 #185
1982 Krauser MKM1000 #121 - sold
1982 Krauser MKM1000 #121 - sold
Re: Confused by Cleaning
100% agree. So much easier than a clay bar. Some car shampoo in a bucket and away you go.
B3 E46 no.265
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Re: Confused by Cleaning
Great tips & advice all - much appreciated!
Alpina B5 Edition 50 - 49/50
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Re: Confused by Cleaning
Hi morning,
If you would like to improve the finish and give yourself a good base to work with I would recommend getting it detailed professionally. I've attached a pic from half way through the detail. I honestly thought my car was clean and had washed carefully, applied wax and often stood back thinking yes its clean. After getting in properly detailed the difference is amazing. As you can see in the pic I've attached the front door has been machine polished the back door not. The finish I have now is amazing, feels like glass, really easy to clean and keep clean. Rinsing off the car is almost funny as the water just sheets off and hardly leaves anything behind. Its a bit of an investment but really makes a difference.
If you would like to improve the finish and give yourself a good base to work with I would recommend getting it detailed professionally. I've attached a pic from half way through the detail. I honestly thought my car was clean and had washed carefully, applied wax and often stood back thinking yes its clean. After getting in properly detailed the difference is amazing. As you can see in the pic I've attached the front door has been machine polished the back door not. The finish I have now is amazing, feels like glass, really easy to clean and keep clean. Rinsing off the car is almost funny as the water just sheets off and hardly leaves anything behind. Its a bit of an investment but really makes a difference.
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E90 D3 Biturbo 2009 No114
Black with Gold Decals
Piano black interior trim - with Gold in lay dash trim.
Upgraded Stereo system -
Black with Gold Decals
Piano black interior trim - with Gold in lay dash trim.
Upgraded Stereo system -
Re: Confused by Cleaning
Wellsey,
Have you got Sackboy locked in the back of your car??
Have you got Sackboy locked in the back of your car??
Re: Confused by Cleaning
HA HA HA, sorry just seen this and took a few mins to realise what you meant.
E90 D3 Biturbo 2009 No114
Black with Gold Decals
Piano black interior trim - with Gold in lay dash trim.
Upgraded Stereo system -
Black with Gold Decals
Piano black interior trim - with Gold in lay dash trim.
Upgraded Stereo system -
Re: Confused by Cleaning
As Wellsy mentioned getting a professional detail at some point will help a lot. When I got mine it had lots of swirls and other paint issues. Had it all machine polished and then a ceramic coat for paint and wheels. Cleaning is now easy and have to work a lot less. Wheels only need snow foam and a wipe and clean all over, including dish. It wasn't cheap but pleased I did it.Wellsy wrote: ↑Fri Dec 20, 2019 10:05 amHi morning,
If you would like to improve the finish and give yourself a good base to work with I would recommend getting it detailed professionally. I've attached a pic from half way through the detail. I honestly thought my car was clean and had washed carefully, applied wax and often stood back thinking yes its clean. After getting in properly detailed the difference is amazing. As you can see in the pic I've attached the front door has been machine polished the back door not. The finish I have now is amazing, feels like glass, really easy to clean and keep clean. Rinsing off the car is almost funny as the water just sheets off and hardly leaves anything behind. Its a bit of an investment but really makes a difference.
Kevin
2022 G31 540i Xdrive Touring
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2022 G31 540i Xdrive Touring
2018 9YA Porsche Cayenne
2003 E46 B3 Coupe #270 Carbon Black
2002 E46 330ci Convertible
Previous
2006 E61 550i Touring. Carbon Black
2015 F32 D4 Coupe #51 Alpina Blue, Cognac Lavalina
2017 Mini Cooper SD, 2016 Smartfor2 White Edition, 2015 F31 Touring 320d, 2014 Outlander PHEV
2006 Volvo XC90 4.4V8, 2003 Volvo XC70 2.5T, Omega MV6 3.0 Estate, Astra GSI16v
Volvo360GLT, Austin MG Metro Turbo, Hillman Avenger 1260DL, Citroen 2CV/Dyane
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Re: Confused by Cleaning
From your technique, easiest thing to change is the way you apply the wax, don't apply it in a circular manner, apply in a liner manner, like the way the wind flows over the car.
1995 E36 B3.0 Convertible (rebodied)
1996 E36 B3.2 Touring No:20 - 1 of 5 made
1997 E36 B3.2 Touring No:36 - 1 of 5 made
1999 E36 323 Sport Touring
2011 E92 D3 Bi-turbo no.246 (santorini blue)
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Alpina, BMW and Detailing Enthusiast
1996 E36 B3.2 Touring No:20 - 1 of 5 made
1997 E36 B3.2 Touring No:36 - 1 of 5 made
1999 E36 323 Sport Touring
2011 E92 D3 Bi-turbo no.246 (santorini blue)
2019 Fiat Fullback
2020 Mini Countryman SE (PHEV)
Alpina, BMW and Detailing Enthusiast