1st time I have ever cleaned a car - C2S

[Jamie Garside]

Afteran emergency lunch meeting with my detailer www.elitedetailing.co.uk and armed with all a man needs for car cleaning I went about cleaning a car for the first time in my life - it was filthy.
I am so happy with the results which are thanks to excellent advice from G, the right equipment / lotions and potions which G was able to select and supply to me.
Not bad for a first attempt (2 hours):

 

[snarf]

ORIGINAL: Jamie Garside

. . . Not bad for a first attempt (2 hours):

Looks very good Jamie but how on earth did you managed it in so short a time? Takes me best part of 2 hours to clean the wheels - and another 2 weeks for the consequential bruises on my arms to heal[&:].

Allan

 

[Jamie Garside]

Taking expert advice and being armed with all the right gear I guess. This was only an external clean. Haven't done the inside yet.

The wheels are very easy to clean, and took an hour of the two

 

[Jamie Garside]

The wheels were surprisingly VERY easy to clean. G advised me to clean before the rest of the car
1) Hosed down - 1 min
2) G's magic wheel cleaner diluted 4 to 1 in a household spray bottle - 1 min
3) Maguires wheel brush between spokes - 5 min
4) Microfibre mit and G's magic shampoo - 5 min
5) Hose down - 2 min
6) G's magic wheel cleaner diluted 4 to 1 in a household spray bottle - 1 min
7) Hose down - 1 min
15 minutes per corner, no real effort - wheels look fab!!!
After I had finished the car, another hosedown and then dry with microfibre drying towel

 

[Jimberland]

Hi Jamie,

Any chance you can reveal the magic ingredients of G's shampoo and wheel cleaner.
Always good to know what a professional recommends.
Also, where did you purchase the microfibre mit, towel and wheel brush?

I had a look at G's site and think I will be giving him a call when the time comes, which will be sooner rather than later since my car spends most of its life outside in London

Thanks,
J

 

[Jamie Garside]

First off, G is Gurcharn - the detailer and he carries products that he retails to clients + is happy to give advice on how best to clean.

So, he supplied me with car shampoo, wheel cleaner and tire wall polish + sheepskin mit for cleaning the car + microfibre drying towel.
For the wheels, I purchased a Meguiars wheel brush from Halfords about £8 and a JML microfibre mit from ASDA about £3, they also sell the mits in Boots I think - it is green.

I would recommend getting him for a detail + Zymol Royale wax and then some tips + equipment for maintaining a standard thereafter.

 

[Dylan1]

jamie
were you advised to use wax to prevent brake dust from "sticking"to the wheels??i remeber seeing a thread somewhere that mentioned this as a good prventing measure??
thanks dylan

 

[snarf]

ORIGINAL: dyllan
jamie
were you advised to use wax to prevent brake dust from "sticking"to the wheels??i remeber seeing a thread somewhere that mentioned this as a good prventing measure??
thanks dylan

Handbook says use wax (or petroleum jelly []) to protect the surface finish, however, I use Zaino Z2 followed by Z6. This works well but washing and wiping followed by the two part Zaino process does take time and getting my arms through the gaps to clean the inside and calipers really bug*ers my hands and arms. BTW I find that gentle use of an electric toothbrush works really well on the small recesses of the calipers.

 

[Jamie Garside]

My wheels are treated to a coat of Zymol Royale - not every wash but before I picked the car up and then every quarter.

 

[Dylan1]

thanks allan and jamie
i`ll try this weekend after the 6monthly zymol glasur on the bodywork!!