Calling Saphire Black owners: Cleaning!!!

J

jamiez

Senior member
 SW London
Hi

So ive just cleaned my zed again but I really dont like doing it due to the colour and it just not looking really clean once i come round to drying.

Im using a sponge and some carplan wash/wax and then a chammey to dry but im not getting a good enough result. The drying is a right pain as i just get bits left all over and i have to go over it again with a microfibre cloth

What do you guys use? I literally need to know so i can buy the same stuff and hopefully get the same results!!

Cheers
 
Believe it or not, I use a cheap electric leaf blower to dry my Black Sapphire Z4. Not only does it dry the car quickly, but it will push all of the water out of any cracks or crevices and around badges. It may look a little strange, but it works like a charm and is safer on the finsh since it is 'touchless'.
 
ay8306 said:
Believe it or not, I use a cheap electric leaf blower to dry my Black Sapphire Z4. Not only does it dry the car quickly, but it will push all of the water out of any cracks or crevices and around badges. It may look a little strange, but it works like a charm and is safer on the finsh since it is 'touchless'.
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Interesting approach :)
 
I use Megs Gold Class shampoo (two buckets, one with just clean water to rinse the mitt) with a lambs wool mitt. I have an old mitt I use for the alloys, which I clean with the dirty water at the end.

To dry I use a couple of microfibre waffle towel things, one to get the most of the water droplets off, the second one then stays drier and gets a nice streak free finish, a lot easier than a chammey.
 
Herminator said:
I use Megs Gold Class shampoo (two buckets, one with just clean water to rinse the mitt) with a lambs wool mitt. I have an old mitt I use for the alloys, which I clean with the dirty water at the end.

To dry I use a couple of microfibre waffle towel things, one to get the most of the water droplets off, the second one then stays drier and gets a nice streak free finish, a lot easier than a chammey.
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pretty much the same as me :thumbsup:

I also use P21S Wax which helps.

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=6749&p=103049&hilit=updated+pictures#p101888
 
Herminator said:
I use Megs Gold Class shampoo (two buckets, one with just clean water to rinse the mitt) with a lambs wool mitt. I have an old mitt I use for the alloys, which I clean with the dirty water at the end.

To dry I use a couple of microfibre waffle towel things, one to get the most of the water droplets off, the second one then stays drier and gets a nice streak free finish, a lot easier than a chammey.
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Ditto - when I can be bothered to clean the thing anyway! :D

Seems to be fairly widely regarded as the best way to clean your car without damaging the finish. Its a good idea to have a grit guard for your rinsing bucket too.
 
Another though, how hard is the water in your area, where I live it's very soft, if you have a water butt use water from it to rinse, it should help no end.
 
Microfiber for drying.
To help in drying, remove the hose nozzle and do your final rinse with with just the low pressure/high volume water from the bare hose end. Believe it or not, the water sheets off faster and with this method leaves less water on the car.

I have also found that the type of wax you use makes a big difference on black paint.

On Thursday, I washed (no clay or polish) the car and put on two coats of wax.

The first coat was Meguiars NXT Generation Tech Wax 2.0. While not strictly a wax, (its a polymer) it gives very long lasting protection from the elements. Three to five months.
One thing it does not do, it hide the small spider/swirl marks.

To make these go away (until it gets warmer and I can clay/polish) I use Pinnacle Signature Series II Carnauba Paste Wax or Pinnacle Souveran™ Car Wax.
Carnauba only last about a month, but all the swirl/spider marks are gone, and the dust does not cling to the car.

To make the Carnauba wax last longer, after every wash, I use Pinnacle Quick Detailer to make the Carnauba wax's last longer. It is very easy to use... Always makes the car look 100%.

I have heard very good things about P21S and Wolfgang Füzion. Especially the Wolfgang Füzion on dark cars.
 
Jamie, The first thing you MUST do is throw away that sponge!!!

Get yourself over on Detailingworld and have a good read up. :thumbsup:
 
Yea, i followed that link from srhutch and read that last night so will have a read on detailing world also

quite worried about ever taking it to a hand car wash again now, although they do use wash mits

I live in SW london with no drive and just the street and so dont really like washing the car there and attracting attention - plus its not convienent. I wash it myself once a month when i go visit the folks up in Burton On Trent - so like to do a proper job then!
 
I washed and waxed mine yesterday. I use Dodo Juice shampoo and wax:

Purple haze soft wax is specially for dark cars http://www.shinearama.co.uk/product.php?id=DOD-DJPH250
And i use the 'born to be mild' shampoo http://www.shinearama.co.uk/product.php?id=DOD-DJBM250

I find the car is very easy to do when using these products. And as already said, microfibre cloths to dry.

It also smells really nice, but don't eat it :oops:
 
Lucy said:
I washed and waxed mine yesterday. I use Dodo Juice shampoo and wax:

Purple haze soft wax is specially for dark cars http://www.shinearama.co.uk/product.php?id=DOD-DJPH250
And i use the 'born to be mild' shampoo http://www.shinearama.co.uk/product.php?id=DOD-DJBM250

I find the car is very easy to do when using these products. And as already said, microfibre cloths to dry.

It also smells really nice, but don't eat it :oops:
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Cheers!
 
davidch said:
Jamie, The first thing you MUST do is throw away that sponge!!!

Get yourself over on Detailingworld and have a good read up. :thumbsup:
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I cremated them last night - along with the rest we had in the garage!!!
 
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