malkiserow Posted September 9, 2014 Report Share Posted September 9, 2014 (edited) I saw a waterless wash today and It got me thinking about what wash process you all use when you do it yourselves. The old one was washing up liquid in a bucket and a cloth or sponge followed by a blast with the hose. But then there is wax in soaps now....l special microfiber cloths, soft rubber blades to pull the water off afterwards. It goes on. What happened to chamois leathers? What promised the 'worlds best wash' but was a marketing gimmick? What is the dogs danglies and you still use? What is your chosen method? Edited September 9, 2014 by malkiserow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Mat Posted September 9, 2014 Report Share Posted September 9, 2014 I wait untill it rains or drive through a few puddles. The only time i will wash it is in the winter when the mud starts to cover the windows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brown Sauce Posted September 9, 2014 Report Share Posted September 9, 2014 Pressure wash to rinse off dirt, then bucket of warm water with turtle wax wash, pressure wash off the foam, then chamois leather down til nice and shiny. Oh and wonder wheels for the alloys. Or allow the Poles to do the job for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davyo Posted September 9, 2014 Report Share Posted September 9, 2014 (edited) Was the main car every couple of weeks,but the 4x4 never,only keep the lights and number plate clean on that, never been washed in 3 yrs,dont need to hoover it out either as I ripped out all tbe carpets and roof lining out. Probably get a few more mpg if I could be ***** to pick all the brass of the floors Edited September 9, 2014 by Davyo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Essex Keeper Posted September 9, 2014 Report Share Posted September 9, 2014 "But then there is wax in soaps now....l special microfiber cloths ' My mate sells this stuff and it's awesome but it's good practice to wash the car first Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin lad Posted September 9, 2014 Report Share Posted September 9, 2014 Pressure wash to rinse off dirt, then bucket of warm water with turtle wax wash, pressure wash off the foam, then chamois leather down til nice and shiny. Oh and wonder wheels for the alloys. Or allow the Poles to do the job for me. +1 for the poles they do a great job in a fraction of the time it takes me and for £15 colin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onatangent Posted September 9, 2014 Report Share Posted September 9, 2014 (edited) Here is how I get it done, wash wheels, snow foam the car and sash brush crevices, door jams, grills badges etc. Pressure washer rinse then two bucket method wash the car followed by pressure wash rinse and then dry. I use meguiars professional range for most things with micro fiber cloths. I used to professionally valet and detail, gave up two years ago as moved out of my patch. Lots of choices for products. Like most things you get the best results by using dedicated products for the job instead of a three in one affair. Tried waterless and is fine for a motorbike but that's it I felt. If your car was that clean you could just use a quick detailer and save a wad of cash compared to gimmicks you see. Glad I have a permission now as its too muddy for me to care to clean it. Snow foamed it last week and used a split bristle brush all over, rinsed it down and thought job done. Nice to do it properly but not on the work horse. Edited September 9, 2014 by onatangent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
four-wheel-drive Posted September 9, 2014 Report Share Posted September 9, 2014 I gave my Jeep its yearly wash w short time age when I got my new pressure washer and it seemed to do the job fine but only the other day I noted that some of the silver paint has gone off one of the rear wheels as it has stayed on for fourteen years I can only think it was the pressure washer that did it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luckyshot Posted September 9, 2014 Report Share Posted September 9, 2014 Unless its something nice dont wash it, my van has never been washed in the 4 years Ive had it plus its white doesnt look bad at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V8 90 Posted September 9, 2014 Report Share Posted September 9, 2014 Another vote for the Poles - they do a sterling job - £8.00 for my Evoque - I always give them a £2.00 tip too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted September 9, 2014 Report Share Posted September 9, 2014 £3 for a car wash in the North West. They are mainly staffed by Iraqis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beeredup Posted September 9, 2014 Report Share Posted September 9, 2014 put a few quid in the local 24 hour pressure washer thingy at the garage takes 5 mins and the Disco looks nice and clean its a quid for 2.5 mins use i prob spend about £3 when ever she is looking a bit unkept Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pistolgrip Posted September 9, 2014 Report Share Posted September 9, 2014 Hang on I'll ask the wife Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beeredup Posted September 9, 2014 Report Share Posted September 9, 2014 Hang on I'll ask the wife Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted September 9, 2014 Report Share Posted September 9, 2014 If my son don't do it, it sometimes goes to the local immigrants car wash or in summer I'll do it a few times with one dry wash as it looks great after. Washed it with some of my sons expensive detailing stuff this weekend as it was filthy. My little rav gets a rub over with a brush and whatever is left in the bucket after finishing the car, then a quick rinse. Have found if waxed a few times a year it stays cleaner and the paint don't chip and scratch as much. Figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodeer Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 £20 for a big 4wd to be cleaned inside and out. Takes 3/4 Romanians 45 mins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxie Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 I use the local Romanian car wash they are absolutely brilliant,it comes back gleaming and smelling lovely.It`s not worth bothering doing it yourself any more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onatangent Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 (edited) I use the local Romanian car wash they are absolutely brilliant,it comes back gleaming and smelling lovely.It`s not worth bothering doing it yourself any more.[/quote It is really if you don't like the foreign wash brigade doing your car with cheap products. My real complaint with them is from my experience when working Bristol was not one complied with water waste regulations and dumped into the open drains where as bunded my waste and disposed of it properly with written permission. Murphys law, if I didn't was a possible 50k fine and or a custodial sentence. Being mobile you never knew who was going to be the next customer. My luck would have been my local water rep Edited September 10, 2014 by onatangent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntsman Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 Hose Pipe soak the car and get the washing up liquid into a bucket of warm water liberally doosh the car with the sponge wash off and rinse with water clean the wheels with TFR jOBS A GOOD UN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentalmac Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 I take the family carrier to the local Romanian one in our Homebase, great job in and out n about 15 mins for a £12 (outside wash and polish and inside hoover and clean)... Then the Vitara get's the rain treatment, couldn't take it to the Romanian guys, the pressure washers may make a door fall off haha. Also, I worry a little about pressure washing under a 4X4, don't like the idea of pushing mud further into the joints etc... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les*1066 Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 I visit the local 'hand wash' place. £5 for a wash, wax and dry. I've no idea where the blokes come from, and I don't care. They do a good job so good luck to them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxie Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 If the immigrants all get sent home who would wash our cars? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onatangent Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 If the immigrants all get sent home who would wash our cars? Plenty of people would still do it and come to your home at a time that's good for you. I never lost any customers to pop up car washes but then I am a bit ocd and therefore represent good value for money lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malkiserow Posted September 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 What is a "detailer" that some mention ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imperfection Posted September 10, 2014 Report Share Posted September 10, 2014 Never used one,but whenever i see cleanen cars at hand carwash places they shine like new. Am curious to know what shampoo or additive they use to get that glossy shine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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