Detailing chat

Mister Jingles

Do most power washers require a direct connection to a tap or are they capable of been used with a large bucket or water tanker as it's supply. As in suck the water up from the bucket ?

MetzgerMeister

Mister Jingles wrote: »

Do most power washers require a direct connection to a tap or are they capable of been used with a large bucket or water tanker as it's supply. As in suck the water up from the bucket ?

I think you can dip the other end of the hose into a bucket/water butt and have it suck it up but I'm not 100% sure.

ianobrien

Some draw from a bucket, others don't. The one at home doesn't create enough of an inlet vacuum to draw the water into the pump.

Yes I managed to avoid using the word "suck". I didn't want do say some s*** and others don't.

I always thought the water had to be fed into the pressure washer? This is why you see lads that have car washes using the big 500ltr drums, etc.

The tap for the water is at the bottom of the drum, so the weight of the water inside, pushes the water out the hole/tap and through the hose.

I've never seen a set up where the hose is fed in through the top of the water, as, naturally, gravity works against it.


Open to correction, of course.

markc1184

A little off topic but is there anyway of stopping birds sitting on wires? I've a phone line coming into my house which is directly over the driveway and they seem to like sitting directly over the cars. Getting a little sick of having to clean their droppings off every other day. Any quick fixes or some kind of deterrent?

What's the best way of cleaning the droppings off? I've been using the Autoglym wipes for the fresher ones that I've spotted or else soaking it with speed wipe or quick detailer to soften it before wiping off.

MetzgerMeister

markc1184 wrote: »

A little off topic but is there anyway of stopping birds sitting on wires?

Next we'll have someone asking how to stop clouds sitting in the sky

*Kol*

Most of the Karcher washers except the K2 can draw the water from a tank or water butt. There is an filter attachment you can get to put on the end of the suction hose to stop it drawing up dirt.

http://www.woodiesdiy.com/mobile/product/karcher-suction-hose-ecoogic/24959/4.1.8?&&gclid=cm728uuh_8scfytl2wodrbimxa#ctl00_ctl00__nestedContent__mainpageContent_ProductFamilyDetailsView1_liProductDetails

Mister Jingles

The one I have is a cheap Rok one from Woodies. Think is cost me about 30 quid a coupe of years back.

The outdoor tap that I have doesn't have great pressure anymore so I'm looking for some sort of alternative.

*Kol*

I would buy a water butt and use it with a wager that can suction water. The water butts are cheap and you want to buy a new washer anyway. It's a win win!!

MarkN

Lads a strange one - in the work car park, a lot of cats hang out. Despite a short journey to work, the cars assume my bonnet is as warm as the next car. We all spend quite a bit of time cleaning our cars, as soon as Monday comes, the bonnet is destroyed with paw marks, hair, muck etc it really is very annoying. Apart from buying a car cover to park in work which is a bit OTT, is there anything else that scares cats away or something?!

Mister Jingles

Lemon scented shampoo ?

vectra

MarkN wrote: »

Lads a strange one - in the work car park, a lot of cats hang out. Despite a short journey to work, the cars assume my bonnet is as warm as the next car. We all spend quite a bit of time cleaning our cars, as soon as Monday comes, the bonnet is destroyed with paw marks, hair, muck etc it really is very annoying. Apart from buying a car cover to park in work which is a bit OTT, is there anything else that scares cats away or something?!

Sprinkle olbas oil in an inconspicous place
Tyers or somewhere when you park
Cats hate that stuff.

I haveb't been doing much cleaning lately (car is filthy at the moment, but waiting til I can DIY it).

My own little 'detailing shed' is finally making some progress, though. Still not done yet, but should be good to go for tuesday (by 'good to go', i mean 'ready for painting' ).


When I cleared it out to use it last year:





Currently, with new walls, ceiling and doors (and a new floor has been poured, but I don't have pictures of that yet as it's still wet):





And the car, as it awaits it's cleaning (which, oddly enough, looks cleaner in the picture than it does in real life :P ):




Looking forward to getting stuck back in

Noccy_Mondy

Every time I leave the car get as dirty as that, when I wash it, there is some form of mark or scrape somewhere. Seeing as it wasn't washed in a while, it does be impossible to determine how, where or when it happened. Needless to say I wash it regularly. My theory is, don't wash car, it gets damaged!!!

CIP4

@kkv looks like it will be a nice garage when it's done. Is it going to be a kind of man cave also although I suppose every shed is to a certain extent. You'll comfortably be able to fit the car in and work on it. What's the plans for fitting it out work bench / shelving I'd assume. It will be ideal for your detailing anyway.

It will be fitted with a long desk, drawers and shelving on one side. There's a roller door fitted where the MDF is in the picture (that pic was from 2-3 days ago, since then a new concrete floor was poured and the roller door went in).

I plan to throw 2 or 3 little heaters into it to warm it up a bit, but to be honest, i don't really have any plans to do anything else with it. I'll throw in a computer chair and something cheap and cheerful for a bit of music, but I'd say all it'll really be used for is cleaning the car (and storing it overnight).

I've been trying to think up other things to do with it but drawing a blank. There's another, smaller shed (about 11ft X 10ft) which has a little home gym inside it at the moment. So that aspect is covered (albeit the roof has a small leak, so that'll be fixed next).

The plan at the moment is to paint the big shed when the floor sets. Then put a small wooden floor in on one side (where the desk will be) that's about 6ft out from the wall, and then anti fatigue mats across the rest of the floor (where the car will be). Before I put any flooring down i'll be dousing the floor in floor paint to make sure it doesn't dust or chalk up at all. (made the mistake of not painting it before, won't make it again!).

high horse

markc1184 wrote: »

A little off topic but is there anyway of stopping birds sitting on wires? I've a phone line coming into my house which is directly over the driveway and they seem to like sitting directly over the cars. Getting a little sick of having to clean their droppings off every other day. Any quick fixes or some kind of deterrent?

What's the best way of cleaning the droppings off? I've been using the Autoglym wipes for the fresher ones that I've spotted or else soaking it with speed wipe or quick detailer to soften it before wiping off.

You can get decoy type plastic models of birds of prey (owls, falcons) that should keep other birds away. I've never used one and have heard varying reports of their effectiveness. Worth trying at least.

Mister Jingles

When fully de-contaminating a car should you first wash it an APC or car shampoo ?

Also is APC a good lubricant to use when claying ?

punisher5112

Mister Jingles wrote: »

When fully de-contaminating a car should you first wash it an APC or car shampoo ?

Also is APC a good lubricant to use when claying ?

Apc will strip any protection previously applied. Which is what you want.

I bought clay bar lube to try and had a bottle of special polish for it previous to that.
Some use a mix of washing up liquid and shampoo (car shampoo).
Main thing is keep panels wet at all times.


You need to get tar and as much heavy dirt and grime off as possible before claying.

If don't have do get tar remover at the very least you be surprised how much is actually on the car.

Mister Jingles

I have all the product here, tar x, iron x and a clay bar, just have to get some apc.

So basically, right up until the the waxing/sealant stage I can use apc to prepare the car for polishing ?

Is it possible to over do it and damage the paint work with apc ?

punisher5112

Mister Jingles wrote: »

I have all the product here, tar x, iron x and a clay bar, just have to get some apc.

So basically, right up until the the waxing/sealant stage I can use apc to prepare the car for polishing ?

Is it possible to over do it and damage the paint work with apc ?

Apc all purpose cleaner very similar to using washing up liquid.

If used all the time it wouldn't be good but for what you need not a bother work away as you will be protecting the paint.

*Kol*

Mister Jingles wrote: »

When fully de-contaminating a car should you first wash it an APC or car shampoo ?

Also is APC a good lubricant to use when claying ?

An APC or fairy liquid is a good start to remove old wax. De iron then de tar as you don't want any large dirt left before you clay. The clay is only to remove minute contamination. You can use quick detailer, shampoo in a little water, washing up liquid as a lube. Just keep it wet all the time!!

You won't damage the paint with APC. It's just a cleaner. As Punisher said you need to protect it after. After that you should use a PH neutral shampoo and top up the protection as required

Mister Jingles

Great thank you, now to find the weather and time to do it.

*Kol*

Mister Jingles wrote: »

Great thank you, now to find the weather and time to do it.

You need to brave the elements sometimes!! (Not this weekend though!!)

punisher5112

I would love a garage or shed that could actually fit something bigger then the original mini or smart car into.

Why were all garages built so damn small..

Mister Jingles

I wouldn't mind, it's only when I'm off work doesn't it lash out.

Curran

There kinda doesnt need to be one!

Only way to wash your car is with the 2 Bucket Method, a good wash mitt and pH neutral shampoo. Dry with a good quality microfiber drying towel.

Any other methods and you risk slowly damaging your paintwork and taking away from its overall appearance! That includes, washing with sponges, kitchen brushes, jet & brush washes at the petrol station (unless using just the rinse at the jet wash), using fairy liquid on every wash, drying with water blades or chamois, etc, etc!

Ryath

OSI wrote: »

Is there a "so you got a new car, here's how to not **** up the paint" tutorial thread?

This is pretty much the thread on how to make it easy to keep your new car clean!

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057408262

ronnie3585

Curran wrote: »

That includes, washing with sponges, kitchen brushes, jet & brush washes at the petrol station (unless using just the rinse at the jet wash), using fairy liquid on every wash, drying with water blades or chamois, etc, etc!

Ah nuts, I thought a chamois was safe. What's the issue with them?

Can you recommend a MF towel that can dry a whole car?

MetzgerMeister

Microfibre Madness Dry Me Crazy is the best drying towel I've ever used. Available from detailing shed.