Finalising method of car wash steps

R

Ronnie_space

Member
Newbie to proper car detailing and first black car (ruby black coupe) has fast made it apparent the need to keep clean.

Realise there is an array of techniques, products and level of detailing. However, would be nice to see some kind of sticky article on a best methods practice. I will put together an infographic of my final method, with input from here if anyone is interested

My current technique:

Hose

Snow foam

Hose

2 bucket method- lambswool mitt and grit guards in buckets

Hose

Big purple monster micro fibre drying cloth

This is as far as I have got!

Looking for recommended:

Wheel cleaner

Tyre dresser

Polish

Wax

I have autoglym super resin polish... Are you meant to wax after this or it that it all in one?

Any props much appreciated.

Thanks

Ronnie
 
I wouldn't hose before the snow foam, just spray the foam on first and leave it for 10 minutes to do its job. Otherwise the snow foam will just run off without loosening any dirt.
 
mmm-five said:
I wouldn't hose before the snow foam, just spray the foam on first and leave it for 10 minutes to do its job. Otherwise the snow foam will just run off without loosening any dirt.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip. I've not used the snow foam just yet- so good to know.
 
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/generalImg/guide.gif

Polish before wax/sealant. Products like Collinite or Fk1000p are durable protections, or there are things like DodoJuice that IMO will give better shine but not last as long.

I never use a seperate wheel cleaner, just the same shampoo as the rest of the car.
Meguiars tyre dressing is readily available from halfords and works well for me. I have bottle that must be 3years old and will be buying another shortly.
 
Thanks for the help bony_13, especially the infographic link.

Blimey.. all this detailing could become quite owner-some, but I guess OK once you get into the routine.

OK- so am I correct that Autoglym super resin polish is a step before waxing, but is a bit of an all in one, providing some protection.

Pre-wax cleansers... blimey.

Ronnie
 
As above polish before wax but try claying the car first its very easy to do and the paintwork feels silky smooth afterwards and regular shampoo on wheels if you take them of give them a good clean and treat them to some wheel wax they are much easier to keep clean.

Have just detailed my Z and I used

Sonus ultra fine clay

AG SRP

AG EGP

VIC CONCOURS WAX

Chemical Guys New look Trim Gel on the tyres
 
I am going to do my first full-on clean, polish and wax tomorrow. Feeling a littler overwhelmed by the process and am thinking it will take a loooong time. Have never clayed or wax before either.

Here is what I am planning to do:

1. Snow foam

2. Hose

3. x2 bucket method- lambswool mitt and grit guards in buckets

4. Hose

5. Big purple monster micro fibre drying cloth

6. AG SRP

7. AG Clay Bar with Rapid Detailer

8. AG HD Cleaner

9. AG HD Wax


Sound reasonable? Any hints or tips?

If I can't get it all done... where is a good point to stop and then restart the next day?

Cheers

Ronnie
 
Hi Ronnie, my advice is to clay before polishing with AG SRP.

The clay pulls muck out of / off of the paint. If you polish first, the muck will be dragged over / pushed into the paint. Also, claying may lead to slight hazing (even with loads of detailer, regularly folding the clay) so polishing after claying is ideal.

You could pause after claying and polishing, then wax after the next wash, but I'd aim to wash, clay, polish and wax as soon as possible. The better the surface is when you wax the better. The wax will lock in your hard work.
 
Ronnie_space said:
I am going to do my first full-on clean, polish and wax tomorrow. Feeling a littler overwhelmed by the process and am thinking it will take a loooong time. Have never clayed or wax before either.

Here is what I am planning to do:

1. Snow foam

2. Hose

3. x2 bucket method- lambswool mitt and grit guards in buckets

4. Hose

5. Big purple monster micro fibre drying cloth

6. AG SRP

7. AG Clay Bar with Rapid Detailer

8. AG HD Cleaner

9. AG HD Wax


Sound reasonable? Any hints or tips?

If I can't get it all done... where is a good point to stop and then restart the next day?

Cheers

Ronnie
Click to expand...

Using your methodology but changed slightly

1. Snow foam

2. Hose

3. x2 bucket method- lambswool mitt and grit guards in buckets

4. Hose

5. AG Clay Bar with Rapid Detailer

6. Wash and then rise again to get rid of any clay residue

7. Big purple monster micro fibre drying cloth

8. AG HD cleaner

9.. AG SRP

10. AG HD Wax


For wheels I use bilberry wheel cleaner and have two coats of autosmart topaz on top. All of the above will take a while this took me most of the day
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=77566&start=30
 
Thanks all very much for the tips and advice. Especially from MHZ4C to clay before polishing.

I did a full-on clean today, washed, clayed, polished and waxed. It took 6hrs... and I'm sore and aching now. Probably won't be able to get out of bed tomorrow!

Hopefully I should just have to do a basic wash to keep it clean for the next 3-6mths!?

I was very pleased with the results and whilst a bit nervous about claying and waxing, it proved to be really quite simply and satisfying.

Amg01 I have only just read your message, I did the HD cleanse after polish. What is the reasoning to switch the order out of interest? Your car looks superb.

I degreased, rinsed, shampooed the wheels, then sprayed with AG Wheel Protector. Would like to take them off and properly clean/wax soon.

Pictures (my first post of my car):

Z4-7.jpg


Z4-8.jpg


Z4-9.jpg



Ronnie
 
yep, that looks nice and clean and shiny. You might find that sealant lasts a bit longer than wax and you can always put wax over the top of sealant. Sealant is fairly cheap. The key is, of course, to do the hard work of washing, claying and polishing then to put a top coat - sealant and wax or just one of the two - so that it seals in the finish you've achieved. I generally use sealant as its easier to apply and a bit less work, although on a big clean, I'll do both.
Stevo
 
stevo///m3 said:
yep, that looks nice and clean and shiny. You might find that sealant lasts a bit longer than wax and you can always put wax over the top of sealant. Sealant is fairly cheap. The key is, of course, to do the hard work of washing, claying and polishing then to put a top coat - sealant and wax or just one of the two - so that it seals in the finish you've achieved. I generally use sealant as its easier to apply and a bit less work, although on a big clean, I'll do both.
Stevo
Click to expand...

Ok, sealant then wax. Would AG Extra Gloss Protection, then HD wax be a suitable route to go?

If applying a sealent then wax or just a second coat of wax, how long should you wait, and do you need to rinse/dry I between?

Ronnie
 
I've been using Poorboys EXP and have had great results. It only needs a light wash for about 3-4 months after, so sealant about 3 times a year. You can wax it as much as you want but I don't do it often because of the decontamination work you should be doing prior to waxing - which effectively means you'd need to strip everything down (including all the protective coats) each time. Still, you'll find a method you're happy with and if you're happy with it, stick to it!
Stevo
 
Your car is looking great! The hard work shows.

Keep up the 2 bucket washes with a wool wash mitt, and avoid parking under trees that drip aphid dew and it'll be a while before you need to redo it.

Are you planning on drying with a towel after washes? I live in a hard water area, and for normal washing (not if prepping to wax / polish) the best thing I've found is to rinse with rain water (from a waterbutt collecting from the roof). The rain water dries spot free. No need to dry with a towel.
I found that however carefully I washed, there was always a risk of grit from somewhere picked up on the towel (like from panel gaps etc.) and rubbed acros the paint with the towel. Pat drying is better, but took ages. For me, using rain water stops the need for towel drying, which keeps a freshly polished car looking haze free for longer.

If I avoid parking under trees I can just wash well, and reapply wax between polishing to keep a good finish. There's onlpy so much clear coat to polish through, so anything to avoid having to polish pays off!
 
Sorry to hijack, but I have poor boys black hole, nattys wax and the EX sealant.

What order and frequency should I be using these please?
 
Its been 3 months since I last waxed the Z. Previously I washed, clayed, AG SRP, AG HD cleanser, AG HD waxed, and since have been washing every 3-4 weeks with AG shampoo.

So, when it comes to re-applying the wax, do I need to just wash and wax on top, or do I need to strip of the old wax and start again? Eg. HD cleanse, clay, SRP, HD Wax

Ronnie
 
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