Washing and Polishing the RCZ

[Anonymous]

Hi People
Had a bit of time on my hands so decided to give my car a wash and treatment but would like your thoughts on the method or order I used the stuff I had. This was stuf I had laying around but haven't bought new as wanted to see what your thoughts were on order and products

1. Autobrite Snow Foam ( stand for approx 10 minutes)
2. Rinse
3. General APC
4. Rinse
5. Shampoo
6. Rinse
7. Dry Off
8. Meguiars NXT Generation Tech Wax 2.0
9. Poor boys Sealant

Looks good but not sure as good as the guys on here who are fabulous detailers of cars

 

[Anonymous]

Personally don't get snow foaming never worked for me some auto finesse citrus power if it's dirty other wise just power wash

 

[Anonymous]

I'm a little inclined to agree with Mac and I do think that there are better Snow Foam's than AB's. Personally, I prefer Valet Pro's PH neutral ones. That said, I also think that their Citrus Pre Wash is more effective (and far more economical than Auto Finesse's).

I'm not sure about your chosen wax (mostly because I don't really rate Meguiar's stuff) but the sealant should have been applied before the wax and the car out to have been decontaminated and polished (this is what provides the shine) before either. I generally wouldn't use both a wax and a sealant. You aren't really getting any benefits from doing both. Hope that helps.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi
Thanks for the replies, they are much appreciated.

I understand your comments on the procedure. So nothing wrong with the poor boys sealant, other than it should have been applied after the wash/dry?

I'm never sure what or how to decontaminate and how often as I've never tried it. So to make it clearer next time maybe this:
Citrus product
Rinse
Wash with shampoo
Rinse
Dry
Sealant?
Polish?

 

[RCZ1]

Hi People
Had a bit of time on my hands so decided to give my car a wash and treatment but would like your thoughts on the method or order I used the stuff I had. This was stuf I had laying around but haven't bought new as wanted to see what your thoughts were on order and products

1. Autobrite Snow Foam ( stand for approx 10 minutes)
2. Rinse
3. General APC
4. Rinse
5. Shampoo
6. Rinse
7. Dry Off
8. Meguiars NXT Generation Tech Wax 2.0
9. Poor boys Sealant

Looks good but not sure as good as the guys on here who are fabulous detailers of cars

Hi there,

Its always good to see someone wanting to take care of their cars. A couple of pointers to bear in mind.

Like mrizzle I've never rated Autobrite products. There are much better snow foams on the market. I, for one, do rate a good snow foam or pre wash before power washing down. But the power washing down isn't just a cursory rinse, it should be done thoroughly and you use the snow foam or pre wash to aid the cleaning process when power washing down. Starting from the bottom (the dirtiest areas of the car, where it needs it most) and working your way up. I find Car Chem snow foam very good or Valet Pro Advanced pH Neutral Snow Foam (used as a pre wash in a garden chemical sprayer) an excellent cleaner. Leave to dwell as per chosen product, then rinse as explained above.

Not sure why you are using an APC too unless you are intending on stripping all previously applied protection? I would wash after the pre wash, rinse and then fully decontaminate with a tar remover and iron contaminant remover (or clay whichever you prefer), then rinse again.

You do need to have a polish in your procedure after decontaminating and drying, to produce the shine. Then always, always, sealant first then a wax but I prefer to use one or the other.

What is it you want from the wax or sealant? Looks or long term protection perhaps for the winter ?

By the way, do you use the 2 bucket method? A necessity if you want to reduce inflicting swirls or scratches.

 

[Anonymous]

Polish before sealant. Your sealant/wax is generally our final stage product.

As a general rule, I decontaminate the paintwork around every 3 months or so.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the replies guys. When you say decontaminate do you mean use the tar remover all over the car or just car spots.
I like to wash my car every week and when I see cars that have been cleaned professionally I'm rather envious. If I do the above methods would I just need a shampoo wash every week or a pre wash/snow foam every time too.
I really appreciate the replies. I've just gotta work out which products I want now without costing too much yet.
Thanks people

 

[RCZ1]

You tend to use tar remover on the lower half of a car (up to window level) but it depends on the car and where the worst areas for dirt accumulating are. So on the RCZ, spray sides up to window level and the front bumper, bonnet, boot, rear bumper but particularly around the wheel arches too and don't forget the wheels (wheels should be washed and decontaminated before starting on the paintwork). And don't forget iron contamination. All cars will have some to a greater or lesser degree.

Every wash you need to use your chosen snow foam or pre wash. For me this is THE most important part of car cleaning. The pre wash is softening the dirt, dead flies, etc making it easier to remove when you power wash down AND avoids you have to rub hard at the paintwork trying to remove them in the washing stage. The last thing you want to do on the soft Peugeot paint.

Take a look at Bears Wax Factory on the forum, they sell products from many manufacturers and there also have a forum discount code.

 

[Anonymous]

Anyone tried one of these ?
http://www.halfords.com/motoring/cleani ... -mitt#tab1

 

[RCZ1]

Anyone tried one of these ?
http://www.halfords.com/motoring/cleani ... -mitt#tab1

Not tried that specific clay mitt but they do get good reviews. I much prefer a clay mitt /cloth to a clay bar now. It's so much quicker. However you do tend to get a bit of marring with a clay mitt / cloth but that's not really a problem as you should be following it up with a polish.

Always remember though to break the clay mitt / cloth in on the windows first. The sound is horrendous when you first start but at least you can tell its doing some good as the noise eases as you do each panel.

 

[Anonymous]

How do people clean their wheels. Mine are black glossy spokes with alloy edges, the problem is the black loos very dull in some places. Certainly can't afford a refurb

 

[Anonymous]

Personally I'd thoroughly recommend Sonax's acid free alloy wheel cleaner (http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheels-an ... _1180.html) and a set of wheel woolies which won't scratch or damage the alloy. I'd also recommend that you seal the alloys. My personal favourite is Planet Polish's wheel seal and shine (http://www.planetpolish.com/index.php?m ... ducts_id=5). (I should point out that these are available elsewhere and that I'm not promoting these sellers explicitly.)

 

[RCZ1]

How do people clean their wheels. Mine are black glossy spokes with alloy edges, the problem is the black loos very dull in some places. Certainly can't afford a refurb

If you wheels are looking dull then it's best to give them a polish, just like you would with the paintwork.

First fully decontaminate the wheels for tar and iron contaminants. My favourites for wheels is Car Chem Revolt. The best wheel cleaner I've used by a country mile. It's also an iron contaminant remover too so does all jobs in one go.

Then polish using your particular favourite.

Again going back to Bears Wax Factory they sell Carbon Collective wheel sealant which in tests has been comparable to my favourite Gtechniq C1 and also look at the Carbon Collective Wheel Wands which are similar to Wheel Woolies but softer with thinner heads so easily gets between rim and brake , as well as being super soft on your black alloys. They are also cheaper than Wheel Woolies and particularly more so when you use the forum discount code for Bears Wax Factory.

The wheel sealant will last well beyond a year, nearer 18 months or so and all you will need is shampoo and water to clean them down. No wheel cleaner will be required until its time to renew the wheel coating again. It really couldn't be simpler and you don't have to spend time messing about with them every few months, if like me, it's one of your least favourite jobs. If you can take your wheels off to seal them, all the better for doing the insides.

Take a look at this thread for further suggestions / cleaning processes.

viewtopic.php?t=5286

 

[Bigleigh]

Yes, I use a clay cloth and it works a treat. Almost as good as a bar but so much less hassle. Last months as well :thumbup: