Car care??

[Amsy]

Hi guys

I've had the car a week now and enjoying every moment but it's only taken a few bouts of rain and the car exterior is looking a little worse for wear.

With it being a new car, I wanted to ask?

How often should I wash the car?
Is there such a thing as over -washing a car? Does the paintwork suffer if you do this?
What products should I use? I'm ready to make a small investment in car care products to keep my PHEV looking like new

Thanks
Amsy

 

[maby]

I don't think you can "over-wash" it if you are using clean water, clean cloths and a mild car shampoo. Some car polishes are mildly abrasive and I do think you can "over-polish" it. My policy (on a new car) tends to be a gentle hand wash with a bucket of dilute car shampoo every week and a waxing every month - avoiding abrasive polish products. As it gets older, I have to admit that the period between both washes and waxes extends.

As far as products are concerned, I've always tended towards the Autoglym range - they seem to be good quality and they have something for virtually every task. On the boat, we've been using Mer and that seems to do a very good job in a hostile environment - I may try it on the car when I've used up my stocks of Autoglym.

 

[Ozukus]

You can't over wash it however you can damage it if you use wrong products, or don't rinse cloths often enough etc.

Personally I

Park it in the shade first
Jet wash to remove excess grime/dirt
Wash and rinse the car in sections top down
Use Microfibre Mittens to wash the car
Two buckets one with the soap and one to rinse
Use a quality soap from someone like Turtle Wax
Jet wash for the rinse
Chamois cloths to dry it off
Microfibre cloths for a final polish

Avoid anything that acts as an abrasive as that's what gives you the light scratches.

 

[maby]

I'm always a bit leery about jet washes - the relatively cheap things that most of us buy don't have pressure controls and they really are vicious - plenty of scope to rip off trim, get water into places where it should not go, and drive gritty dirt into the paint rather than wash it off. A hose on a tap with reasonable water pressure may be slower, but it is a lot more gentle on your brand new car. A VERY soft brush is also good to remove stubborn dirt - much better than a cloth that will loosen the dirt, but then trap it and grind it into the paintwork.

 

[user 422]

All of above is sound advice - just don't use garage car wash -

 

[Ozukus]

I'm always a bit leery about jet washes - the relatively cheap things that most of us buy don't have pressure controls and they really are vicious

The one I have was extremely cheap however the head is adjustable from a fine spray to that vicious setting that is quite painful on the foot if your not wearing shoes and accidentally catch them.

The setting I use for jet washing the car is very different to the setting for the drive/patio!

 

[maby]

I'm always a bit leery about jet washes - the relatively cheap things that most of us buy don't have pressure controls and they really are vicious

The one I have was extremely cheap however the head is adjustable from a fine spray to that vicious setting that is quite painful on the foot if your not wearing shoes and accidentally catch them.

The setting I use for jet washing the car is very different to the setting for the drive/patio!

That sounds OK, but it is relatively rare on a budget pressure washer. I have a relatively mid-range Karcher, but it is effectively a single pressure device. It does have a light spray option on the lance, but that is intended for applying soap from its reservoir and is so low pressure that the hose unaided would be more effective.

 

[Ozukus]

That sounds OK, but it is relatively rare on a budget pressure washer. I have a relatively mid-range Karcher, but it is effectively a single pressure device. It does have a light spray option on the lance, but that is intended for applying soap from its reservoir and is so low pressure that the hose unaided would be more effective.

Mine was a sub £40 Powerbase washer from Homebase.

Features: Ergonomic spray gun with adjustable spray nozzle.

That's the bit that does the trick.

 

[BeerHunter]

Absolutes:

1. NEVER use a standard automatic car wash - it will scratch your paint
2. If using a public jetwash, NEVER use the brush on your paint. The brush will be full of stones and contaminants that will scratch your paint

My car arrived on the back of a truck having been driven the length of the country. It was filthy and it looked like it had been washed before that with gravel! :O
The paint was full of light scratches and swirls, so I performed a full detail which consisted of:

1. Pressure wash with water alone
2. Pressure wash with fairy liquid (to remove the existing wax finish)
3. Hand wash (microfibre wash mitt) with fairy liquid (to remove the existing wax finish)
4. Pressure wash with water alone
5. Clay bar to remove any remaining contaminants
6. Pressure wash with water alone
7. Hand wash (microfibre wash mitt) with Bilt Hamber Auto Wash Car Shampoo
8. Dry with microfiber towels
9. Light polish with Autoglym Super Resin polish to remove swirls and scratches
10. "Wax" (actually seal) with ArmorAll Shield on paint and wheels
11. Apply ArmorAll Shield for Glass to the windows

Granted, the above is probably far too anal for most folk and the whole process took about 6 hours, but it has prepared the car for its life and will make it very easy to look after from here on. My view is that if you are going to do something, do it right and do it once only
The result was completely flawless paintwork that actually looks liquid

From here on in, it will just be pressure washed followed by a hand wash with Bilt Hamber Auto Wash Car Shampoo as it needs it. Reapplying the ArmorAll Shield will only be needed every 6 months at most.

Kev.

 

[Ozukus]

Will remember this post for when mine eventually arrives, some time end of November, seems Black GX3h's are extremely popular, whereas GX4h's they are not, but can't justify the extra £90 per month.

 

[Amsy]

Thanks guys - I'm glad I asked the question - lots of great advice. It's good to know that you can clean it as often as needed.

I also have a Karcher and I can't remember it having an adjustable nozzle either but will check attachments

Weather permitting , I will should get 'bonding' time with my PHEV this weekend.

Kev my PHEV is also black - but your paint work finish is amazing - if I can achieve that in return for 6 hours of my time , I would be over the moon!

Or let me know if you fancy the challenge of detailing another black PHEV

 

[BeerHunter]

We've just had 3 days of torrential rain here and in the last 30 min the heavens opened like I've not seen for years! However the ArmorAll Shield is working well - beading is nice

...Or let me know if you fancy the challenge of detailing another black PHEV

Once a year is more than enough for me thanks

Kev.

 

[maby]

Absolutes:

1. NEVER use a standard automatic car wash - it will scratch your paint
2. If using a public jetwash, NEVER use the brush on your paint. The brush will be full of stones and contaminants that will scratch your paint

My car arrived on the back of a truck having been driven the length of the country. It was filthy and it looked like it had been washed before that with gravel! :O
The paint was full of light scratches and swirls, so I performed a full detail which consisted of:

1. Pressure wash with water alone
2. Pressure wash with fairy liquid (to remove the existing wax finish)
3. Hand wash (microfibre wash mitt) with fairy liquid (to remove the existing wax finish)
4. Pressure wash with water alone
5. Clay bar to remove any remaining contaminants
6. Pressure wash with water alone
7. Hand wash (microfibre wash mitt) with Bilt Hamber Auto Wash Car Shampoo
8. Dry with microfiber towels
9. Light polish with Autoglym Super Resin polish to remove swirls and scratches
10. "Wax" (actually seal) with ArmorAll Shield on paint and wheels
11. Apply ArmorAll Shield for Glass to the windows

Granted, the above is probably far too anal for most folk and the whole process took about 6 hours, but it has prepared the car for its life and will make it very easy to look after from here on. My view is that if you are going to do something, do it right and do it once only
The result was completely flawless paintwork that actually looks liquid

From here on in, it will just be pressure washed followed by a hand wash with Bilt Hamber Auto Wash Car Shampoo as it needs it. Reapplying the ArmorAll Shield will only be needed every 6 months at most.

Kev.

That's a real labour of love! Unfortunately it's something that has to be done in one sitting - no question of doing the first three steps this week and picking up where you left off next week!

 

[Hypermiler]

mmm, certainly looks great but the chances of getting a clear 6 hours to do it... :?

I might do mine in sections - doing a panel at a time. A bit like the Forth bridge and would probably take me till Xmas. Oh it's raining again - might not get round to making a start on it today then!

Thanks all for the great advice
H

 

[WattCar]

Get a life, save washing it every weekend, buy it in white - looks better as well :lol:

 

[Amsy]

Ok I've gone for it big time and completely gone over the top and brought the following:

Meguiars Lambswool Wash Mitt
Chemical Guys - Wooly Mammoth Drying Towel
Meguiars Gold Class Shampoo
Meguiars Foam Applicators X 2
Dodo Juice Fantastic Fur Microfibre Buffing Cloth
Valet Pro - Citrus Pre Wash
Meguiars Wheel Spoke Brush
Meguiars High Gloss Tyre gel

This has cost about £90.

I have put 6 hours aside on Sunday ...before and after picture to follow once done

 

[chindley]

I noticed Halfords had a Supagard type paint sealent in, but wanted to check reviews anyone used such a product.

 

[Hypermiler]

Gosh Amsy!
I thought I was spoiling my car when I got two micro fibre towels in Poundland today (£1 each, funnily enough!). And I've already bought a new sponge and chamois totalling around £4.
Then again I did spend about £60 on some paint protection online, just haven't got around to applying it...

Where did you buy all that lot - on the high street or online, out of interest. (not Poundland, clearly!!) :lol:
H

 

[BeerHunter]

Ok I've gone for it big time and completely gone over the top and brought the following:

Meguiars Lambswool Wash Mitt
Chemical Guys - Wooly Mammoth Drying Towel
Meguiars Gold Class Shampoo
Meguiars Foam Applicators X 2
Dodo Juice Fantastic Fur Microfibre Buffing Cloth
Valet Pro - Citrus Pre Wash
Meguiars Wheel Spoke Brush
Meguiars High Gloss Tyre gel

This has cost about £90.

I have put 6 hours aside on Sunday ...before and after picture to follow once done

Just missing polish, wax sealant, glass sealant, wheel sealant and you are ready to go :lol:

Kev.

 

[Amsy]

Hey Hypermiler

I got these products from cleanyourcar.co.uk online.

A mate of mine owns a TVR Cerbera and when I asked him the same question about car , he pretty much reinforced what has already been said on this thread (2 buckets , microfibres cloths, wax to protect paint)

But he also let on that he had becoming a bit of a detailing enthusiast and has offered to show me the ropes on Sunday - so I took his steer on which products but he also mention brands like Bilt Hamber and Autoglyn.

Kev don't tell me I need more stuff - I'm gonna struggle to keep hiding this spending spree from the good lady wife!!