I don't really want to reignite the debate about the relative merits of the (myriad!) different ways of polishing a car, but I thought it might be useful to have a thread for particular items that BRoomers had found useful/effective.
This is prompted by my recent purchase of some Simoniz 'brake dust repellent alloy cleaner' which seems to combine a wheel cleaner with some sort of coating (silicone?) that leaves the surface a bit slippery. I was originally looking for wheel wax or similar, but this was on offer in Halfords, so I thought I'd try it, and I have to say that I am pleasantly surprised. The wheel cleaning bit is effective - not as fierce/acidic as some, but still OK - and so far (a few days) the wheels have stayed surprisingly clean. I might even try it in the engine bay...
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WonderWheels usually does the trick for Dad's & my alloys if you use it by what the instructions say, also using the proper brush helps otherwise you leave black marks in the hard to get to gaps.
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And rinse the wheels thoroughly, I'm given to understand its pretty acidic stuff.
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I don't like using strong wheel cleaners, but even if the weather is dreadful,i always give the wheels a wash weekly with normal car wash to remove brake dust etc, but mainly to keep the salt off, plus the obligatory weekly hose off under the arches (i dream my dreams away)
Think i've only had to use the proper wheel cleaners when i remove the summer/ winter set for storage.
This silicone type stuff, could it cause a problem with overspray going on the discs?
Does anyone have a good cure for getting the water drops off the bodywork after rinsing in sunny weather, without leathering off?
Could swear i've read somewhere about a chemical that stops 'spotting' on the bodywork, but can't remember now.
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>>Does anyone have a good cure for getting the water drops off the bodywork after rinsing in sunny weather, without leathering off?<<
I use the Flash shampoo/rinse/autodry system. The car can be left to dry with no watermarks at all. It's very good.
Before I had it I used to use the Autoglym wiper (like a wide window wiper) which worked well, only needing the "shammy" for odd areas.
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I use the Flash shampoo/rinse/autodry system. The car can be left to dry with no watermarks at all. It's very good.
Thanks for that i'll get some and give it a go.
I rarely use the large squeegy now, as even with extreme care, some lines appeared in the paintwork.
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Not much use to you but recently we have had a new window cleaner. He doesnt use a ladder but long water rods with a brush on the end. No drying off the windows of course.
I asked what about the drying off spots afterwards and he said it doesnt happen as we use de something or other water.
Sceptical, but he was right. They dry off absolutely clear.
Perhaps someone else can explain.
wemyss
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de-ironised ?
dvd
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de-ironised ? dvd
D-ionised.
Useful car products are:
Snow-foam
Decent car shampoo product
Wash mitt
EZ wheel brush
Swissvax detail brush
Various other soft brushes for doing awakward bits
Two buckets (one for washing away any grit picked up by the mitt
Watering can without rose or open-ended hose (to ensure that all the MF drying towel (see below) has only a few beads of water to pick up)
MF drying towel (various makes)
Clay bar
Polishes, eg various by Meguiar's, Mernzerna
Sealants, eg JetSeal 109, Menzerna Full Molecular Jacket
Waxes, Zymol Titanium, Poorboys Natty's Blue, Collinite 915
Applicators
MF cloths
Porter Cable 7424
AG glass and metal polish
Rain-X
Engine degreaser
Tyre dressing
Leather feeder
Leather conditioner
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That should have been de-ionised.
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Not much use to you but recently we have had a new window cleaner. He doesnt use a ladder but long water rods with a brush on the end. No drying off the windows of course
wemyss
I'm always suspicious of this method as all that grotty dirty water from the windows then runs down over one's house exterior which in my case has black tudor beams etc. thus leaving stains on these! It's a lazy method and nothing will beat doing one's own either from outside or from the inside (as I do) with some difficulty.
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gordonbennet,
you will have to buy the "system", gun,shampoo and de-ioniser in one. About £20.
It has its drawbacks.
1 It uses a hosepipe, cold water(unless you connect to hot tap!)
2 You still need a bucket of hot water + shampoo and sponge to do the door shuts, etc.(also usefull th keep the hands warm this weather.
3 In my opinion it is no faster than a "normal" wash.
4 Shampoo and drier cartridges seem to ba available on an ad-hoc basis, I have to buy when I see them.
It has its good points.
1 It is far less of a fiddle than a "shammy".
2 The rinse jet is stronger than a rose on the hose but not as "blasting" as a pressure washer.
3 It is easier to keep the whole car wet to stop watermarks appearing.
4 The turbodry really does dry totally smear free, glass looks brilliant! Even the runs which appear from the wing mirrors/body mouldings dry with no marks.
5 The shampoo and drier cartridges last well. In my area the 10 wash cartridge seems to do at least 15 washes
All things considered, I think it does a brilliant job.
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Thanks again mjm, will have a poke nose about and see if if our very reasonable access shops carry the kit.
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I second Mad's nomination of a clay bar. I've used one for the first time this year and the results are little short of miraculous. It makes the subsequent waxing so much easier too.
JH
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