Car wash newbie

TheMilkyPirate

Hi I've recently bought a new car and I'm wanting to pick up a few things to wash it at home. Not sure where to start really just looking for what I need to give it a wash and wax. It's black so I was thinking of picking up the Turtle wax black box detailing kit as well seems to have gotten good reviews

Curran

Congrats on the new car!

Firstly you'll want to keep it in its current condition and not to let the paintwork deteriorate. At the very minimum, you'll want to get yourself a good quality wash mitt, pH neutral shampoo, a good microfiber drying towel and two buckets....with the correct wash techniques, the paintwork will remain good for years.

Washing the car regularly with the Two Bucket Method (2BM) and drying with the microfiber towel will ensure that the paintwork doesnt pick up too many swirls.

After that, a wax or sealant to enhance the appearance. I'd look past the Turtle Wax Kit; there are better options out there for similar money, or not much more!

TheMilkyPirate

Curran wrote: »

Congrats on the new car!

Firstly you'll want to keep it in its current condition and not to let the paintwork deteriorate. At the very minimum, you'll want to get yourself a good quality wash mitt, pH neutral shampoo, a good microfiber drying towel and two buckets....with the correct wash techniques, the paintwork will remain good for years.

Washing the car regularly with the Two Bucket Method (2BM) and drying with the microfiber towel will ensure that the paintwork doesnt pick up too many swirls.

After that, a wax or sealant to enhance the appearance. I'd look past the Turtle Wax Kit; there are better options out there for similar money, or not much more!

Thanks for the quick reply. Would this be what I need to get started?

http://www.halfords.ie/motoring-travel/cleaning-body-repair/shampoo-polish-wax/simoniz-protection-car-wash-shampoo-2-litre#tab3

http://www.halfords.ie/motoring-travel/cleaning-body-repair/sponges-chamois-brushes-buckets/halfords-2-in-1-microfibre-mitt#tab3

http://www.halfords.ie/motoring-travel/cleaning-body-repair/sponges-chamois-brushes-buckets/meguiars-water-magnet-microfiber-drying-towel#tab3

And two standard buckets.

Mix the shampoo with the water wash the car with the mitt and then dry with the microfibre towel? Is that it Will I need a hose to rinse after I have shampooed it?

What wax would you recommend for a black car?

Thanks for your help.

Darraghmh91.

Check out currant site it's the detail shed man good prices and good products and hel recommend you what to get
I'm gonna buy the chemical guys citrus wash followed my chemical guys glossworks

Curran has good wash mitts and drying towels there aswell to prevent swirls on the paint

Be a good idea to get buckets off him with grit guards man

*Kol*

I picked up one of these which does the trick.

http://www.halfords.ie/motoring-travel/cleaning-body-repair/cleaning-kits/meguiars-brilliant-solutions-new-car-kit

Though since then I have picked up other products too but that was a good starting point and easy as it was all in the same box.

Curran

TheMilkyPirate wrote: »

Thanks for the quick reply. Would this be what I need to get started?


Mix the shampoo with the water wash the car with the mitt and then dry with the microfibre towel? Is that it Will I need a hose to rinse after I have shampooed it?

What wax would you recommend for a black car?

No problem!

The shampoo you linked would be average - you'd need to use way more solution to get similar results from better shampoos.
The wash mitt is well below average, Id only use them on wheels
The drying towel is probably OK, but I prefer ones with a bit of pile on the cloth so there is less risk of dragging dirt across the paintwork if you've not washed it perfectly.

I could recommend a wax, but it would be better for me to explain that the secret to achieving a well presented car, is in the preparation. No wax, no matter how expensive it is, will look better than an average wax that has been applied onto well prepared paintwork.
Yes, there are specific waxes that are designed to enhance black more, but they arent really necessary.

cintec

Curran wrote: »

No problem!

The shampoo you linked would be average - you'd need to use way more solution to get similar results from better shampoos.
The wash mitt is well below average, Id only use them on wheels
The drying towel is probably OK, but I prefer ones with a bit of pile on the cloth so there is less risk of dragging dirt across the paintwork if you've not washed it perfectly.

I could recommend a wax, but it would be better for me to explain that the secret to achieving a well presented car, is in the preparation. No wax, no matter how expensive it is, will look better than an average wax that has been applied onto well prepared paintwork.
Yes, there are specific waxes that are designed to enhance black more, but they arent really necessary.

I have never put much thought into washing my car but would like to start can you recommend what products to use i.e. shampoo,wash mitt and drying towel and wax.

I have a karcher k2 compact pressure washer but you mentioned using a bucket and mitt instead is that for keeping costs down or does the pressure washer damage the paint.

Curran

To limit initial costs. No harm to the paintwork provided you dont use it too close to the paint. No closer than 12". As long as you realise there is not such thing as a contactless wash in Ireland; our roads and weather dont allow it. You'll always wash the car with a mitt.

50Cal Detailing Tracer shampoo, Bilt Hamber Auto Wash or anything pH neutral.
Microfiber Madness Incredimitt / Incredipad, Bilt Hamber Auto Mitt are good wash mitts.
Microfiber Madness Dry Me Crazy is the drying towel to get.
Wax depends in lots of factors; cost, colour of car, appearance, durabilty, ease of application / removal, etc
Collinite 845 is excellent value.

By the way, the secret to getting a car looking well, is in the preparation! Wash, de-tar, de-iron and clay, polish if necessay and the protection; either wax or sealant.

cintec

Curran wrote: »

By the way, the secret to getting a car looking well, is in the preparation! Wash, de-tar, de-iron and clay, polish if necessay and the protection; either wax or sealant.

Thanks for the information what de-tar and de-iron product.
Does it matter if you mix and match products or is it best to use 1 brand from washing all the way through to polish.

I only have the car 3 months so I don't know if the previous owner waxed or detailed it it's a volvo s60 r-rated silver.

So to get the car looking its best I need a shampoo, de-tar, de-iron, clay, polish and wax.
Then I need something to clean the wheels and a glass cleaner.

Curran

No need to totally keep to one manufacturer. Though for the polish and wax it is advisable, as they need to combo well.

CarPro TarX and CarPro IronX for the detar and deiron.
Bilt Hamber Auto Wash Shampoo and Auto Mitt wash mitt.
Chemical Guys Pro Polish and Chemical Guys JetSeal109 to finish it off nicely!

cintec

reading these forums you get the impression detailing is fun i'll tell you now it is not over 4 hours it took me I don't work this hard in work.

LollipopJimmy

cintec wrote: »

reading these forums you get the impression detailing is fun i'll tell you now it is not over 4 hours it took me I don't work this hard in work.

4 hours? Takes that time to prep for polish

punisher5112

cintec wrote: »

reading these forums you get the impression detailing is fun i'll tell you now it is not over 4 hours it took me I don't work this hard in work.

4Hours to do the alloys and then the rest.

The results after are worth the hours though.