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Post by randomfactor on Apr 2, 2016 18:20:09 GMT
Right, I'm not huge on cleaning cars, I prefer to spend the little free time that I have tinkering or driving. However my 5 looks horrendous, the paint is dirty, dull and flat and the wheels, despite having given them a couple of goings over with supermarket wheel cleaner, are a disgrace. Having done very limited reading I'm thinking the following might be a reasonable process... Snow foam wash Hand wash Fall out remover on body and wheels Polish Wax How does this sound? Baring in mind that I cba with lengthy faffy processes and am not looking for a perfect finish can anyone recommend any suitable products? Finally, this isn't something I'm going to be doing on anything approaching a regular basis, or on either of the other cars (apart from foam and wash). How far do the products go generally? Will I get through 250ml of fall out remover in one thorough go, or does it go a long way? Same for 1lt of snow foam... Thanks in advance for any advice  |
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Post by rich5660 on Apr 2, 2016 19:53:08 GMT
Add rainx once you're done, awesome stuff
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Post by randomfactor on Apr 2, 2016 20:38:15 GMT
Add rainx once you're done, awesome stuff Got some of that in the garage I think |
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Post by guitarjon on Apr 2, 2016 21:08:04 GMT
I'd probably advise you'd clay inbetween rinsing the fallout remover and the polish. It will help the paint look less dull before the polish.
Fallout remover will only remove fallout. There are other contaminents that's sticks to your car which clay barring will remove. If you don't want to faff then go and get a clay mitt for around 12 quid from halfords. Much quicker. You can just use clean water with some shampoo in. Carefully rub in one direction across the paint until you hear no more scratchy sounds.
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Post by randomfactor on Apr 3, 2016 18:00:33 GMT
Thanks Jon, I see halfords have a 3 for 2 on at the moment, so will pop in tomorrow. Probably not the best selection but will do what I need I should think. I can't see a fallout remover on their website so will probs just get a 250ml bottle online and see how I get on from there...
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Post by guitarjon on Apr 3, 2016 20:49:46 GMT
In halfords you could get the clay mit there. A can of quick detailer is always helpful to help finish things off and remove fingerprints or smears (meguiars ultimate quick detailer is awesome in a black bottle. Then look at what ever else you might want. They won't sell fallout remover in halfords as it needs safety guidance.
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Post by trackiebear454 on Apr 3, 2016 23:15:45 GMT
im still not convinced by snowfoam tbh i get fairly awesome results from just a 2 bucket wash, clay, wash again then polish and wax. as for wheels mine are particularly difficult so i wont say
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Clem
Chats A Bit
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Post by Clem on Apr 4, 2016 8:29:24 GMT
im still not convinced by snowfoam tbh i get fairly awesome results from just a 2 bucket wash, clay, wash again then polish and wax. as for wheels mine are particularly difficult so i wont say I find the same ... snowfoam doesnt do a whole lot. It is fun though ... I did buy a water filter thing though and that makes life a whole lot easier. Means you can get away without doing my most hated job, the leathering. |
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Post by rhyswh on Apr 4, 2016 8:40:17 GMT
Are those clay mits any good?
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Post by trackiebear454 on Apr 4, 2016 8:54:57 GMT
I bought a 5 quid attachment that goes on an air compressor you plug a hose in the bottom and get either Jet or mist it's a life saver and aload cheaper than a karcher
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Don
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Post by Don on Apr 4, 2016 11:28:43 GMT
Snow foam is just a pre-wash though, is it not? I only really expect it to take off the worst of the grit so I don't scrub it with my mitt and scratch my paint a bit, and that's legit, and I ain't got no other words that fit, so I'll just stop this prarrie canoe. Etc.
Yeah but, foam & leave it for a while to soften the dirt, rinse it off, then wash. I've never been able to clean a car using foam alone. Found it works best if there's a decent wax on the paint & can be used for a quick clean during winter when the weather doesn't lend itself to a proper wash.
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Post by randomfactor on Apr 5, 2016 8:05:35 GMT
Went shopping last night and purchased the following on the grounds of...
1. Cheaper than Megs
2. The G3 stuff looked better than the carplan stuff
3. I have the G3 scratch remover and it worked...
G3 shampoo (halfords)
G3 clay mitt
G3 polish
G3 liquid wax
G3 applicator pads
Carplan apc
I also ordered some Valet Pro Dragons Breath fallout remover from ebay.
So far I've spent £50, which whilst a pittance compared to what many spend is far more than I've ever spent on cleaning products before. I also have an Auto Glym hood cleaning/protecting kit which I bought ages ago which I'll put into action soon...
Now all I need is the time.and weather to make good use of them.
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Post by randomfactor on Apr 5, 2016 8:07:46 GMT
I decided against snow foam for now on the grounds that I would also need to buy a lance at around £15 so I'll see how I get on for now.
My understanding was as Don said above, a prewash, so I'm hoping washing twice will do the job for now.
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Don
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Post by Don on Apr 5, 2016 10:41:31 GMT
Randomfactor, to answer your question about how long snow foam lasts, it depends on the lance you have. For example, I have a Karcher one which uses about 2/3rd litre of mix per car. A mix being about 20% concentrate and 80% water. I also have a generic lance which I bought from Amazon & that uses about 1/4 litre of mix per car. If anything the latter produces more foam.
Do you have a powerwasher? If you do then I would have to recommend getting a foam lance and some foam concentrate. While the pre-wash dirt removal is clearly the primary goal, you cannot and should not overlook the foaming job itself. Let us be clear here - coating the car in foam is very satisfying. Spray an even layer of a thick shaving-foam-like-lather over your car and it rewards in the same way that powerwashing a dirty paving slab does. There is no explanation for why, it simply...is.
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Post by wannabe on Apr 5, 2016 11:16:11 GMT
I'm waiting for it to be warm yet slightly overcast to do mine properly - it's going to need at least a whole day, it's in a shocking state, and I'm a pussy who doesn't like the cold or the damp... I spent way too much on detailing gear late last year and then it got cold before I could use it, grrr  |
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