Cleaning, Washing

[PapaEcho]

Expectant father (Yaris) due next month, so googling 'care care' and stuff. This one's got me perplexed http://www.carwaxreviews.net/things-you-should-not-do-while-washing-your-car/

"Avoid air drying"??? Living on planet earth, I didn't think there were any options - but to air dry. What do they mean. TIA.

Paul

[GIDDLEPIN]

I think the mean you should use a chamois or microfibre cloth to dry off after washing instead of just leaving it ;)

[PapaEcho]

I think the mean you should use a chamois or microfibre cloth to dry off after washing instead of just leaving it ;)

Ah thanks, so it's chamois leather versus a quick blast down the A38

[KPARRIS-JONES]

Well if you air dry you get yourself a lovely pattering of water marks and often some dirt with drop from the window seals, leaving muddy streaks just below them.

It is best to use a chamois and/or a cloth. But it is your choice.

Not to mention the grit and things it will leave behind... when you go to ppaint clean, polish and wax you rub it all into your paintwork and scratch it which over time dulls it off and matts it.

Not a good move IMO... :P

[PapaEcho]

Thanks, I've ordered one of those Kent 5 ft square microfibre drying towels plus mitts and some auto shampoo.

Each time I read a thread on waxing, I keep changing my mind as to which brand to buy. No doubt it will leave the showroom with a nice thick layer, so there's no rush.

[Jamesbelfast]

I wouldn't bet on it having a nice thick layer of wax when leaving the showroom. Many car showrooms use a polish especialy for just that and it ain't really weather-proof.

A few years back a mate gave me a 5 litre can of show-room shine and in all honesty it didn't last much more than a couple of rain showers.:)

[jw67]

On sites such as detailing World,I have seen posts where people have taken delivery of new cars and insisted on removing the protective wax and detailing the car themselves as a lot of dealerships don't know how to prepare a car properly.The so called valetors cause more damage by there poor cleaning methods that the car car is covered in paintwork defects before the 1st owner takes delivery .

I would check your car very carefully before taking delivery then get some decent polish and wax on there as soon as you can

[PapaEcho]

I hope the paintwork and mechanics are A1. I got a good deal through carquake.co.uk and the Toyota dealer is a 5 hour drive away. The thought of returning empty-handed, gives me the shakes.

If I were to splash out on a Meguiars High Tech Yellow Wax (supposed to work well on black paint) - is it necessary to get a sealer as well? Which brand?

What's the best stuff for removing showroom wax? TIA.

[PapaEcho]

I hope the paintwork and mechanics are A1. I got a good deal through carquake.co.uk and the Toyota dealer is a 5 hour drive away. The thought of returning empty-handed, gives me the shakes.

If I were to splash out on a Meguiars High Tech Yellow Wax (supposed to work well on black paint) - is it necessary to get a sealer as well? Which brand?

What's the best stuff for removing showroom wax? TIA.

[PapaEcho]

Update : Surprisingly, the showroom shine was pretty good, but 2 weeks and a 1000 miles later, I decided to give my new car a complete wash and wax.

For no particular reason, my newly purchased kit comprised : 2 wash mitts (one for shampooing and the other for rinsing), a bottle of Sonax Gloss shampoo, an extra large Kent microfibre towel and the Turtlewax Black Box.

The Box comprises - paint cleaner, detailer spray and black tinted carauba wax. It took about 2 hours, I think the result is pretty good, but my wife thinks my neighbours' 20 year old, black MR2, has a deeper shine.

My neighbour believes that paint was probably hand-buffed between coats, whereas nowadays, it's total robot application. Anyhoo here's a slide show of the new baby-

http://s222.photobucket.com/albums/dd220/BertieDoe/?action=view&current=e1c19d49.pbw

Paul

[jw67]

Looks like the effort was worth it

[PapaEcho]

Looks like the effort was worth it

Thanks JW, lots of elbow grease required and you only get about 3 sessions from the TW Black Box. Perhaps I'll do one more polish this Autumn and save the rest till Spring.

Apart from the weather, one of the main things that spoils the shine, is the amount of dust that swirls round the garage. The garage is a bit ancient and the corrugated iron is rusting. Won't be able to afford a new garage till 2011/12. The garages made from concrete panels seem a good bet.

Meanwhile I've bought one of those dust covers for £50. It arrived yesterday, it's got a breathable polyprop outer layer and a cotton inner. At that price there has to be a catch. Well it's lighweight and wafer thin, but if I can get 3 years use out of it, I'll be a happy bunny.

[PapaEcho]

Lidl & Large

I'm very pleased with the Kent microfibre towel. At nearly 5 sq ft it absorbs a lot of water. Take a look at this baby at 3 sq meters!! for only £7.

http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/lidl_uk/hs.xsl/index_16000.htm

You could cut it into 4 and they should last a lifetime

My nearest Lidl is 30 miles away, will be in the area Wednesday - hope they're not sold out :censor:

[Jan&tone]

Looks like the effort was worth it

Thanks JW, lots of elbow grease required and you only get about 3 sessions from the TW Black Box. Perhaps I'll do one more polish this Autumn and save the rest till Spring.

Apart from the weather, one of the main things that spoils the shine, is the amount of dust that swirls round the garage. The garage is a bit ancient and the corrugated iron is rusting. Won't be able to afford a new garage till 2011/12. The garages made from concrete panels seem a good bet.

Meanwhile I've bought one of those dust covers for £50. It arrived yesterday, it's got a breathable polyprop outer layer and a cotton inner. At that price there has to be a catch. Well it's lighweight and wafer thin, but if I can get 3 years use out of it, I'll be a happy bunny.

I have a couple of old cotton sheets that cover my Prius in the garage. Stops the dust and doesnt mark the paintwork whrn you put them on