I've never seen the point in washing a clean car. So on average the car gets washed every few weeks unless it gets really muddy, when it gets a wash asap..
Edited by Sofa Spud on 30/12/2019 at 16:23
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If the car is dirty I leave it on the drive then first thing next morning if its covered in dew I have a pump up garden spray with car wash which I simply spray all over. I next give it a rinse with hose powered brush. I usually do this once a week. Bad back and lack of flexibility have forced this method on me. Usually give it a quick spin around the block to dry off most of the water.
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Marigolds AND FAIRY who wants a car "As soft as your face"
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Only after rain when still wet and dirt is not dry and clingy. Large bucket of water plus watering can refill from butt (we're on a meter). Soft brush and/or large cloth. No additional chemicals. Usually just waist down rinse-off at this time of year. No enthusiastic wiping clean and dry, as ten years of this will harm the surface gloss lacquer. It's good enough for me if it looks reasonably clean at ten paces.
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Doesn’t washing up liquid remove the wax protection?,
I use my pressure washer, with a hose from the rainwater butt, so no water marks, if it’s not too dirty I use a waterless wash and wax,
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As low mileage user the car doesn't get as dirty as it did when doing 4-500 miles a week and it has rained a lot which keeps the dust off.
It had a £2 car wash today to wash off yesterday's North Yorkshire Moors 'farmers' mud, it will be a few weeks before it gets another £2 spent on it.
We have a neighbour whose car is in the garage most of the week, but it is washed every week. He swaps every couple of years, but I doubt the trade in garage gives him any extra for the hours he spends cleaning it.
Edited by daveyjp on 31/12/2019 at 18:30
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Primus, yes washing up liquid is awfull for paintwork, the salt and grease dissolving agents strip wax, really can't see why anyone that cares about there car would use it?
As for "waterless " wash n go , you may as well use a scotch brite pad, I would love to see the state of some people's cars that follow this regime.
I'm not bosting but when my car went for it's service in september the dealer principle came to me and said they couldn't offer there normal complementary wash n vac as it was immaculate (it had just been clayed and HD waxed)... made me feel good that....
Oh and I would never touch a car with a sponge or chamy leather, noodle mitt for washing, micro fibre towel for drying.....told you I was sad!!! :)
Edited by paul 1963 on 31/12/2019 at 19:14
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We have a neighbour whose car is in the garage most of the week, but it is washed every week. He swaps every couple of years, but I doubt the trade in garage gives him any extra for the hours he spends cleaning it.
It's not always about the money.
Some actually like cleaning their car and enjoy the finished look.
Once a week whether it really needs it.
In summer it can almost get away without but it's cathartic. ;)
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We have a neighbour whose car is in the garage most of the week, but it is washed every week. He swaps every couple of years, but I doubt the trade in garage gives him any extra for the hours he spends cleaning it.
It's not always about the money.
Some actually like cleaning their car and enjoy the finished look.
Once a week whether it really needs it.
In summer it can almost get away without but it's cathartic. ;)
That's exactly how I feel
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but I doubt the trade in garage gives him any extra for the hours he spends cleaning it.
Same with most things...still clean my car once or twice a month...prefer it looking nice.
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Doesn’t washing up liquid remove the wax protection?,
Wax protection?
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Wax protection?
Yes, it's something OCDs do in the UK (OK, I confess to doing it once). They wash the car, polish it and then wax it. Although I do confess it made the next few washes easier.
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Wax protection?
Yes, it's something OCDs do in the UK (OK, I confess to doing it once). They wash the car, polish it and then wax it. Although I do confess it made the next few washes easier.
Don't need to be OCD to do it - protects the paintwork and helps keep your car looking good.
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Yes, fairy liquid ( other brands are available) , is great on plates, ect, it’s designed for removing grease and fat from crockery, using it on your car will remove any wax coating that’s on it, ok I suppose if you want to take it off, for starting again, and giving it a fresh coat of wax, but not for general car washing, it also contains salts, which isn’t good for metalwork, if you use waterless wash wax correctly, then it shouldn’t scratch the paintwork..I use it, but not all the time, I prefer to wash by hand..
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I never used to wash my car at all, now once every few days and sometimes once a day lol . its a driving school car and its black and can turn dirty in 1 hour. Hate washing it but I need to really. I use some kind of wax additive in the water and dry off afterwards . Takes about 15 mins total
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I get a lot of farm mud build up underneath at this time of year from the lanes that I travel on. I used to wash it off regularly, but I've decided to do it at the end of winter as I'm thinking it acts as a protective layer against all the salt that will no doubt be dumped on the main roads soon when/if it gets colder. The lanes in their defence don't get salted.
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Way back in the dim and distant past( 1970) when a company car was a real perk I worked for Marley. They ran their own fleet of mainly Ford models with travelling vehicle inspectors for the whole fleet HGV, LGV and cars. Woe betide anyone whose car was not in decent order if the inspector turned up. I found out the the inspectors would be notified of a sales or management meeting, given the location they would turn up while we were all inside and they would visually inspect the cars. Luckily I was quite proud of my car so kept it nice and often received compliments whilst others received a roasting. It was also drummed into us to always present a very clean car for service at the dealers. The thinking was a clean car is better looked after by the mechanics. Not sure about that but did it anyway. No hand wash places back then so it was DIY. Oh happy days. Cheers Concrete
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The thinking was a clean car is better looked after by the mechanics. Not sure about that but did it anyway.
Oh yes that works, and its a simple case of giving some common courtesy and respect to the mechanic.
Not only with our cars but whenever possible i always present my lorry for service or the six weekly inspection after washing it down and steam cleaning the chassis, i have done this for ever whenever i worked for an operator who hasd the sense to have their own washing facilities.
Always welcome at the agent and nothing is too much trouble for them, also if there are any issues they get a detailed report of symptoms and a note of any codes/miles that flashed up on the dash diagnos section even if they've since cleared, helping the mechanics to help you and treating them with respect is obvious or should be.
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I always present our cars for their MoT clean.
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I always present our cars for their MoT clean.
So do I, particularly giving the underside and wheel arches a good hosing. Did once drive over the garage's Alsatian turd - made me take it out and hose the tyre down.
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<< Did once drive over the garage's Alsatian turd - made me take it out and hose the tyre down. >>
I should think that might be almost as good a deterrent as the dog itself ....
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The thinking was a clean car is better looked after by the mechanics. Not sure about that but did it anyway.
Oh yes that works, and its a simple case of giving some common courtesy and respect to the mechanic.
Not only with our cars but whenever possible i always present my lorry for service or the six weekly inspection after washing it down and steam cleaning the chassis, i have done this for ever whenever i worked for an operator who hasd the sense to have their own washing facilities.
Always welcome at the agent and nothing is too much trouble for them, also if there are any issues they get a detailed report of symptoms and a note of any codes/miles that flashed up on the dash diagnos section even if they've since cleared, helping the mechanics to help you and treating them with respect is obvious or should be.
I agree GB. I only qualified my remark because once very soon after a service one of our inspectors turned up. Looked the car over and immediately demanded the dealer pick the car up on a low loader and repair it straight away at their cost. Something to do with the brakes. That was Ford main dealers in the 70's for you. So a clean car on that occasion did not get the required attention. I am a believer in presenting a clean car for service, MOT etc. It shows you care and engenders some respect from the mechanics. I do use proprietary product though to wash and clean. Don't risk damaging the paintwork, it is the cars complexion!!
Cheers Concrete
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For some reason I always find that my car drives much better after a wash and interior clean. It's quieter, smoother, more relaxing and even handles better after a wash....amazing!
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I just take the car to the automatic car wash when it gets too dirty. All clean in about 10 minutes. Life is much too short to wash it myself.
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TQ. I suggest as a way to check if your observation has any basis in fact would be for a friend to tell you they have cleaned your car. You are then blindfolded whilst you drive round the block. You work out if it's clean or not. It would need to be done several times to get a large enough sample and eliminate guesses.
;)
Edited by Chris M on 03/01/2020 at 13:39
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For some reason I always find that my car drives much better after a wash and interior clean. It's quieter, smoother, more relaxing and even handles better after a wash....amazing!
I find that as well...I'm going with it's either psychological (most likely) or the gloss finish makes the car that bit more aerodynamic!
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For some reason I always find that my car drives much better after a wash and interior clean. It's quieter, smoother, more relaxing and even handles better after a wash....amazing
Don't forget the loss of mass of all that crud you've removed ;>)
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For some reason I always find that my car drives much better after a wash and interior clean. It's quieter, smoother, more relaxing and even handles better after a wash....amazing
Don't forget the loss of mass of all that crud you've removed ;>)
It is similar to when you have been confined to barracks with a cold for a few days. A good shower and hair wash puts the world to rights and lifts the spirits. Psychological maybe, but it has the desired effect none the less. Cheers Concrete
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Those who care for their vehicle's appearance are more likely to keep it well maintained in my experience.
Unlikely to be the type who don't check the engine oil level until the low oil pressure light comes on, or leave an air filter in long enough for it to rot completely away.
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