Detailing chat

I was using Auto brute Direct clay at the time which is more elastic that any other clays I've used.

You'd be well advised to not wash or do anything to the car in direct sunlight. It just makes it a lot harder.

Great day for washing the car, got at it just after 8am this morning, washing black car in heat is just too hard! Washed the MIL's car as well using the half-arsed Irish approach even though I did use two buckets!

MIL's car was filthy, loads of finger prints, tar, scratches etc. The wheels are a joke, but it is looking a good bit better now. For a lady that keeps the house clean, I cant understand how she drives around in such a dirty car!

James from MX Valeting did a job on it before, i'd say he was exhausted after it!

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

You'd be well advised to not wash or do anything to the car in direct sunlight. It just makes it a lot harder.

Thats why I wish sometimes that I had a garage I could pull into to finish off detailing!

waraf wrote: »

Thanks Curran. Is it this one you mean? I notice it's a fine grade clay. How does it compare to the Bilt Hamber clay in terms of performance?

It was actually their medium one from a while back - Red Devil, but a similar consistency - didnt have a problem with the fine grade, but then I didnt use it with Demon Shine either as I suspected it was the reason it degraded slightly.
BH or it would be the two Id usually use. BH Auto Clay would be more aggressive though.

Curran wrote: »

Strange; as you are the 2nd person to experience similar in the last 2 weeks. Wonder if its the shampoo causing a bit of breakdown.
Shouldn't happen!
I've experienced clay breakdown and become sticky but not BH Auto Clay, and it was using diluted Demon Shine as a lube.

I was using bit hamber clay about a month ago and I also found it very difficult to mould and shape. It was cool enough weather but the car was in the shed. I cut the bar in to four and had them in hot water in plastic tubs, as I was rotating them I even had the other ones in the hot press but I had to break it and join it rather than knead it to get a clean bit.
I was using bilt hamber shampoo very diluted as a lube.
It didn't mar the paint but done what it was supposed to, just not as easy as I assumed it would be.

Danger781, if you like you can foam, let it dwell, pressure washer rinse, foam again, don't rinse this time, just wash over it using two bucket method, then pressure washer rinse. Wash from top down. Rinse from bottom up. And run a hose rinse over the car before drying.

Use a microfiber madness incredimitt and a good quality shampoo. Not a cloth or glove. And do the wheels separate with it's own bucket and mitt. You can use a lesser quality mitt here.

Any queries, just shout. Guys here are great. Definitely come on in the run up to the new car, always good to get off to a good start and keep the car in good shape.

Danger781 wrote: »

It's great keeping an eye on this thread picking up little bits and pieces of information. I was always the type to go get the car washed elsewhere until stumbling in here. Looking to upgrade the car some time in the next year so planning on picking up some essentials in the meantime..

Do you lads use a power washer on the car after foaming? Or just the usual bucket of water and a cloth / glove?

Yes indeed.
Great place here for hints and tips.

Curran has been a master in disguise to lots of members

As for Foaming.
Yes,
Pressure wash the foam off.
Then TBM wash.
Then rinse with garden hose.
Finish with open end on hose and literally let the water flow over the car, it will help remove more water than spraying it.

Danger781 wrote: »

Cheers lads, will look into a power washer so in the next few months. Would be handy to have one anyway for cleaning the garden and what not. I'll be back with my list for a seal of approval.

I bought this back in April
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00K6C5YZ8?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

I got it on offer for £79.99 delivered to my door.
It came to around €109 all in.
Great washer so far.

ratracer wrote: »

Curran,

Do you think could this have been a bad batch of BH clay??

I'll ask the question; hopefully they'll give a quick response, as they are sometimes slow in getting back to emails.

cena wrote: »

What is the best way for cleaning the door hinges etc.

Bilt Hamber Surfex HD is an excellent degreaser. Spray on, allow to dwell for a few seconds, agitate with a detailing brush and rinse off. Repeat as necessary.

Did you take any after pictures??

charcosull wrote: »

I have a feeling this is a never ending pursuit of perfection that I have got hooked on.

I've bad news for you!! You've been bitten, and its near impossible to shake it off...even the slaggings you'll get from your family and friends will niggle at you initially, but soon it will be like water off a waxed bonnet, or as most would say, water off a ducks back! :P

Curran wrote: »

...even the slaggings you'll get from your family and friends will niggle at you initially

not forgetting the neighbours standard "you can do mine next hahaha" comment every time too!!


H

vectra wrote:

Or the new one here now is "You wont be washing it when the water charges are in"

Or the "why do you bother, it'll only get dirty again straight away" or "you must have some amount of money spent on cleaning 'stuff'" or just blatantly say "you're obsessed"