Having the right equipment makes the world of difference.

I simply can't be bothered with this two bucket faff, i invested a good wedge in a Kranzle pressure washer, which with the two sorts of TFR i use (depending on soiling and if i wish to wax afterwards) means i can wash all three cars properly in about half and hour, and the right angle extension nozzle sees the underbody's cleaned off in next to no time too.,,as a bonus i have a telescopic lance too so am able to clean out the house gutters from the ground too as well as a drain jet for, well, the drains...i recommend a good pressure washer as a big boys toy well worth having :-)

I get cleaning chemicals from either Bilt Hamber or Chemiclean, and use Autosmart's ''finish'' for exterior unpainted plastics and interoir plastics and Chemiclean's window cleaner makes the rest of window cleaning stuff redundant, and Poorboys wheel wax is absolutely the business and keeps yer plastic headlights nice too, White Diamond for any metal that needs polishing to a mirror finish, oh and Bilt Hambers AutoWheel wheel cleaner is just the dogs doodahs.

I love to see what the detailers get up to but they a bit over the top with it all, says he after the last paragraph, though the wholesalers who supply pro detailers/valetters are very handy for supplies often at a decent discount.

Going to have to get some BIgDug shelving and a new tool chest on wheels in the spring, hire a large skip and have a massive clear out of me garage and around the back of the house, its got a bit out of hand now, though i'm now down to only 25 litres of engine oil and me last 6 oil filters for the Landcruiser in stock, so must be thinking of fresh stock this winter when the sales kick off.

£1.99 seems to be common for the most basic wash at the automated carwashes - for £2.99 our local one gives the wheels individual cleaning too, which is the option I usually take.

Today, being fine (and feeling energetic), however, I washed mine at home, put a coat of ArmorAll Shield on and re-RainExed the windows, in readiness for the winter.