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Author: Subject: who to clean a new car without scratching it?
bi22le

posted on 24/9/14 at 04:19 PM Reply With Quote
who to clean a new car without scratching it?

I have been given a new company car. A spanking new mondeo estate titanium X in black.

its very smart and I want to keep it that way. The problem being i am lazy and never clean my own car.

I have watched and read various horror stories about "professional" car valeters scratching paint work, always minor but over time ruins new paint.

I would probably do the same with an old sponge and well loved leather.

so, any recommendations? I currently use a £20 odd quid inside and out hand jobby, but they still stick it through a car wash.





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Wheels244

posted on 24/9/14 at 04:27 PM Reply With Quote
Power wash
Snow foam with foam branch
Rinse with power wash

Works great





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Wheels244

posted on 24/9/14 at 04:31 PM Reply With Quote
Example here

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ksthzBBHVfg





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loggyboy

posted on 24/9/14 at 04:38 PM Reply With Quote
Foam lance prewash, Double bucket wash, with wooly mitt not sponge, and preferably a grit guard.
Hose rinse, then dry with large soft towels draped over surface and lightly pulled off. Detail spray on microfibre to clear an drying stains. Good quality wax to ensure longevity of finish and make future washing easier..





Mistral Motorsport

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owelly

posted on 24/9/14 at 04:39 PM Reply With Quote
Rain.





http://www.ppcmag.co.uk

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StevieB

posted on 24/9/14 at 04:40 PM Reply With Quote
If you go over to the Detailing World forum you'll find plenty guidance, examples and professionals on auto detailing.

I got a little bit into it, as I'm a bit OCD like that myself, but you can spend a whole heap of cash on stuff (and a lot of time too!) if you want anything like the results you can see on the forum. It'll cost a lot more than £20 for a pro to do it too!

That said, I have a new company car heading my way in a couple of months and am thinking of getting one of the pro's to do a new car detail/protection job for me too.






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nick205

posted on 24/9/14 at 04:40 PM Reply With Quote
Unless you plan to buy the car at the end of the lease or can claim back the cost of washing it I'd not be worrying too much about it. The lease cars I've had in the past have all been put through the car wash once every 2-3 months. No complaints from the lease companies on return, typically 3 years and 80-100k miles on them. I've found the ARC attended car washes are pretty good as they have people to pre-wash and brush the cars. That said modern vehicle paint with clear over base is IMHO rubbish and black is the worst possible colour for showing up damage.






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mark chandler

posted on 24/9/14 at 04:50 PM Reply With Quote
If the local hand car wash does not use blades and you see them rinsing out the clothes regularly then if being lazy use them.

One in Uxbridge was excellent, power prewash, soft mitt going over with foam followed by a power wash and dry with micro fibres, bit of black on tyres and interior Hoover was £10

Plenty of people offer this service these days, just watch how they behave and pick the best one.

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Nickp

posted on 24/9/14 at 05:42 PM Reply With Quote
I've always found one of the big advantages of a company car is it doesn't need washing
It's only those pesky dealers that ever wash mine, probably to keep their workshop clean

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nick205

posted on 24/9/14 at 08:28 PM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Nickp
I've always found one of the big advantages of a company car is it doesn't need washing
It's only those pesky dealers that ever wash mine, probably to keep their workshop clean




That's one of the benefit's I'd forgotten about.






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bi22le

posted on 24/9/14 at 08:43 PM Reply With Quote
Some good advice here, cheers.

Some of you have seemed to get the wrong end of the sick though, I cant be bothered to do it myself!

The ARC style company I normally use does spray the car pre wash and does not use one of those terrible blades so I don't think I am going to far wrong.

I do get away with a slightly grim looking car but it is brand new and smart looking, I also like having a clean car.





Track days ARE the best thing since sliced bread, until I get a supercharger that is!

Please read my ring story:
http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/forum/13/viewthread.php?tid=139152&page=1

Me doing a sub 56sec lap around Brands Indy. I need a geo set up! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHksfvIGB3I

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ReMan

posted on 24/9/14 at 08:54 PM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by mark chandler
If the local hand car wash does not use blades and you see them rinsing out the clothes regularly then if being lazy use them.

One in Uxbridge was excellent, power prewash, soft mitt going over with foam followed by a power wash and dry with micro fibres, bit of black on tyres and interior Hoover was £10

Plenty of people offer this service these days, just watch how they behave and pick the best one.


+1. There is one near me that does a better job than me for £10 even the wheels. and saves me an hour+





www.plusnine.co.uk
∙،°. ˘Ô≈ôﺣ

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stevebubs

posted on 24/9/14 at 09:27 PM Reply With Quote
Ditto...
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simonrh

posted on 25/9/14 at 08:46 AM Reply With Quote
What is this "washing your company car" you speak of? Buy one in the many shades of the colour known as "dirt" that all large cars now come in and then all you have to do is drive through puddles to keep the wheels clean.
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Alfa145

posted on 25/9/14 at 09:10 AM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by bi22le
I currently use a £20 odd quid inside and out hand jobby.


Can I have her number

It's a company car, the colour chosen should match the colour of road muck so it will need a wash once every 12-18months. And then just the bits you're likely to come in contact with

[Edited on 25/9/14 by Alfa145]

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simonrh

posted on 25/9/14 at 09:27 AM Reply With Quote
quote:
..... match the colour of road much so it will need a wash once every 12-18months.


Except if your boss needs collecting from somewhere, emergency rush to car wash

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nick205

posted on 25/9/14 at 10:45 AM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by simonrh
quote:
..... match the colour of road much so it will need a wash once every 12-18months.


Except if your boss needs collecting from somewhere, emergency rush to car wash



Unless your boss shares the same cleaning habits as my old one did. He used to scuff the dirt off the rear number plate and lights with his shoe in the winter after being pulled over for illegible plates.






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bi22le

posted on 25/9/14 at 11:51 AM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by nick205
quote:
Originally posted by simonrh
quote:
..... match the colour of road much so it will need a wash once every 12-18months.


Except if your boss needs collecting from somewhere, emergency rush to car wash



Unless your boss shares the same cleaning habits as my old one did. He used to scuff the dirt off the rear number plate and lights with his shoe in the winter after being pulled over for illegible plates.


What is it with you lot and driving dirty cars?!?

I like my car to be clean, it p!$$es me off when I get a dirty hand from shutting the boot. My bosses hate us having dirty cars.





Track days ARE the best thing since sliced bread, until I get a supercharger that is!

Please read my ring story:
http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/forum/13/viewthread.php?tid=139152&page=1

Me doing a sub 56sec lap around Brands Indy. I need a geo set up! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHksfvIGB3I

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