Soapy Soap Soap

[platinumpeebo]

So today i decided that it was about time that i washed the two Aygos. I used tesco's car wash maybe i didnt use enough but i had to use two different buckets full and wasnt impressed. Then i chamoied it down to remove the runs. I was told that i shouldnt wax them yet because the paints still drying off is there any truth to it? And how dirty does it get under the back window! all in all i decided that i need a hose pipe

Peebo

[AygoYugo]

I recommend Wash 'n' Wax from Poundland.

It's worth looking at their car section: wheel cleaner, tyre shine,

sponges, chammies, polish, cloths, air fresheners, tools and loads more...

...all for a quid.

[gordonh]

I use the guys in Sainsburys Car Parks whilst I'm in the shops, much easier.

[IrishRob]

So today i decided that it was about time that i washed the two Aygos. I used tesco's car wash maybe i didnt use enough but i had to use two different buckets full and wasnt impressed. Then i chamoied it down to remove the runs. I was told that i shouldnt wax them yet because the paints still drying off is there any truth to it? And how dirty does it get under the back window! all in all i decided that i need a hose pipe

Peebo

That depends on how new they are? Most top coat lacquers reach full hardness after about 3 weeks, but if it is sprayed thinly like car lacquers are then it should be less than that, in answer to your question though: yes there is truth to it as if you apply wax to soon it will go streaky and patchy get a patchy haze, but like I said thats always being on the safe side you can cut it short and get a good result but I wouldn't recomend risking your shiny new paintwork.

Out of interest how long did they tell you to leave it?

[feldman]

The amount of damage 'Handy Washes' and automated car washes can do to your paint/clearcoat means I wouldn't worry about wax damage.

Most clearcoats take 3-5 weeks to fully harden but Toyota paints in general, including the Aygo, are very very soft.

To wash mine I either use Autoglym Bodywork Shampoo or Dodo Juice Born To Be Mild (comparatively expensive but you only need a tiny drop, it won't strip wax, smells great and cleans very well).

I would also advise against using a chamois or sponge on your car. As I said, Toyota paintwork's very soft and prone to marring. It depends whether you just want to get the car clean or you want to try and maintain as few scratches & swirls as possible? It honestly doesn't take a lot more to keep it (relatively) scratch-free.

A good site for advice, products etc is detailing World. It may all be a tad in-depth for you, most of it is for me. But there's lots of good advice in there all the same.

I can definitely recommend this guide: http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=4637

As I said, you might just want your car clean and not be bothered about swirls but it's always nice to have a little more knowledge. ;)

(NOTE: apologies if this post sounds a little preachy, but before I knew better I used sponges, chamois, waterblades etc on my car and it took me an age and a lot of elbow grease to correct the damage once I'd learned from my errors. Washing a car to minimise scratching doesn't take much longer than a 'normal' wash and doesn't cost that much more. Also, once you learn good washing technique, how to apply good wax etc you'll find it easier to wash your car.)

[platinumpeebo]

That does make sense after reading that blog i will buy a mitt! thought about letting the tesco's guys do it but i think i would murder them if they marked it. Athough i did mark the mrs's blue :( but i fixed it the rose came of the watering can and hit the back! But thankfully it was the paint off the watering can not the car. My polo was washed every week and polished but i just dont have the time or the driveway, How long do you leave yours or is it just when its dirrrrrty people?

[feldman]

I do mine once a month, if it needs it. About 3 or 4 times a year I've give it a serious cleaning, polish and a couple of layers of good wax. In between that it's just a rinse, wash, rinse, dry and a spray product called Red Mist to 'top-up' the wax.

I can sometimes get away with less in the summer, but winter's a bugger for the grit and salt building up on the back and sides.

[Angryhatter]

That does make sense after reading that blog i will buy a mitt! thought about letting the tesco's guys do it but i think i would murder them if they marked it. Athough i did mark the mrs's blue :( but i fixed it the rose came of the watering can and hit the back! But thankfully it was the paint off the watering can not the car. My polo was washed every week and polished but i just dont have the time or the driveway, How long do you leave yours or is it just when its dirrrrrty people?

I usually clean mine weekly (weather permitting) but only polish it every 8 weeks. Doesn't need a polish every week.

clean it with Turtle wax car shampoo and use turtle wax polish, although i am looking into finding a better quality polish.

[toyboata]

I use meguairs Gold class wash - although that turtle wax stuff is pretty good too.

I was the car using a lambswool mitt - not a sponge *cringe*

Dont use jet washers or hose jets - just a running hose to rinse sudds off.

& i dont use alloy wheel cleaners on the wheels either - just a good coat of wax, and the dirt rinses off (well almost!)

[Morden]

I Jetwash down, then use Autoglim car Shampoo and Jetwash off.

As long as you have an adjustable jetwash and use it at a sensible pressure with an ajustable head they are fine.

I then finish off with a leather chamois, which leaves a skin on the car for a few weeks. If you use one get a quality chamois not a cheapo one.

And there are no swirls, the paintwork is the same as it was when new.

[viper262]

I use a nice sponge with a bucket of hot water with some fairy liquid on and wash everywhere then i hose it off and use a polishing rag to buff the paintwork to a nice shine