What do I need to start cleaning my car properly?

[blueovercream]

Winter is coming and as my longer commute has become a bit more regular I'd like to get into "proper" car cleaning. Not detailing just yet but if I enjoy it maybe that will come.

I'm getting a bit bogged down in physical decontamination, chemical decontamination, and all the various scented chemicals and bits of equipment I might need.

So what is a good starter kit list? I'm imagining an initial clean that will get a nice shine back to the paintwork and then keeping on top of it with regular less involved cleaning. Maybe something for a bit of paintwork protection over the winter too.

I'm prepared to buy good quality products but at the same time don't want to spend a fortune on stuff I don't really need. I've already got a pressure washer and some cheap buckets and sponges but that's about it.

Any advice very welcome! Thanks

[8bit]

• pressure washer
• hose
• buckets x2
• snowfoam attachment and foam (Angelwax snow-foam liquid is good)
• decent car shampoo (I like Gyeon Q2M Bathe)
• lambs wool mitts (Meguiars are good)
• microfibre drying towels and buffing cloths, foam applicator pads
• wheel brush set
• iron contaminant remover (Autofiness Iron Out is good, or Bilt Hamber have a better one but it's expensive)
• tar spot remover (Gyeon Q2M Tar works well)

That lot and some elbow grease will get the car nice and clean. The Iron remover sprays onto wheels to break down brake dust but can be used all over to remove inorganic contaminants, maybe once every few months. Tar remover, once every few months or as required (it's also good for removing stains left by leaves, bugs, bird crap etc.).

Google "two bucket method" for a start too.

For protection I'd say it depends on the colour and finish of the car. AMDetails have a good synthetic wax that's easy to use. Autofinesse Aqua Coat is good if you're a lazy sod like me - spray it on the paint while the car is still wet then rinse it off, do about 1/4 of the car at a time. Do this every wash to keep a layer of protection that'll help it stay clean longer. For glass I swear by Angelwax Vision to clean it and Angelwax H2GO to seal it. Do that once a year on your external glass and water just runs off.

Edited by 8bit on Friday 6th October 10:03

[Wills2]

blueovercream said:

and sponges

Any advice very welcome! Thanks

No sponges, thick washing towel or mitt and a soft wash brush for the detailed parts like gutters etc, use two buckets.

[LittleBigPlanet]

8bit said:

* pressure washer

• hose
• buckets x2
• snowfoam attachment and foam (Angelwax snow-foam liquid is good)
• decent car shampoo (I like Gyeon Q2M Bathe)
• lambs wool mitts (Meguiars are good)
• microfibre drying towels and buffing cloths, foam applicator pads
• wheel brush set
• iron contaminant remover (Autofiness Iron Out is good, or Bilt Hamber have a better one but it's expensive)
• tar spot remover (Gyeon Q2M Tar works well)

That lot and some elbow grease will get the car nice and clean. The Iron remover sprays onto wheels to break down brake dust but can be used all over to remove inorganic contaminants, maybe once every few months. Tar remover, once every few months or as required (it's also good for removing stains left by leaves, bugs, bird crap etc.).

Google "two bucket method" for a start too.

For protection I'd say it depends on the colour and finish of the car. AMDetails have a good synthetic wax that's easy to use. Autofinesse Aqua Coat is good if you're a lazy sod like me - spray it on the paint while the car is still wet then rinse it off, do about 1/4 of the car at a time. Do this every wash to keep a layer of protection that'll help it stay clean longer. For glass I swear by Angelwax Vision to clean it and Angelwax H2GO to seal it. Do that once a year on your external glass and water just runs off.

Edited by 8bit on Friday 6th October 10:03

I'd agree with the above bar the snowfoam stuff-- it looks nice but doesn't do much in my (uneducated) view. I use Auto Finesses Citrus Power (5L is about £35) as my pre-wash and it does a better job (to me at least) of lifting and removing dirt/grime etc.

That all being said, the single best thing I have done to aid washing is getting PPF and a ceramic coating-- the car can be filfthy and the dirt just falls off, nothing sticks once a little water is applied.

[vikingaero]

If you need a good pressure washer then Ava currently have some solid discounts. I would pick the Smart P60 Large Bundle for £189.90:

https://avastore.co.uk/

It has a metal pump and a 10 year warranty. Most Karchers are cack these days.

[Wills2]

By the time this thread has finished the OP will be faced with a £1000 bill, wait until the ceramic coating guys arrive.

[sticks090460]

An Albanian.

[vikingaero]

Wills2 said:

By the time this thread has finished the OP will be faced with a £1000 bill, wait until the ceramic coating guys arrive.

Apart from the pressure washer, you can buy the buckets, mitts, brushes, microfibres, shampoo, wheel cleaning stuff, and say £13 Turtle Wax Ceramic Protection Spray for less than £75.

[8bit]

LittleBigPlanet said:

I'd agree with the above bar the snowfoam stuff-- it looks nice but doesn't do much in my (uneducated) view. I use Auto Finesses Citrus Power (5L is about £35) as my pre-wash and it does a better job (to me at least) of lifting and removing dirt/grime etc.

That all being said, the single best thing I have done to aid washing is getting PPF and a ceramic coating-- the car can be filfthy and the dirt just falls off, nothing sticks once a little water is applied.

Oddly I find that the citrus products don't do a lot of good in my experience! Snowfoam can work well but you have to use a good product, a good foam gun and get the mixture and dwell time right. I generally only bother in winter when there's more mud, salt and road grime on the car, in summer just a good blast with the pressure washer usually suffices.

[8bit]

vikingaero said:

If you need a good pressure washer then Ava currently have some solid discounts. I would pick the Smart P60 Large Bundle for £189.90:

https://avastore.co.uk/

It has a metal pump and a 10 year warranty. Most Karchers are cack these days.

+1 on the Karchers, I've had two I think and both have simply disintegrated before my very eyes. I got a Husqvarna one on a good deal a while back, it takes accessories that are designed for Nilfisk washers so there are options for foam cannons etc. out there. Check that you can get whatever attachments etc. you need before buying a washer though, or at least adaptors.

[drmotorsport]

Bin the sponges! They trap and move grit around on your paintwork.
My 'big clean' every 6 months:
1. Bilt Hamber Autowheel sprayed on the alloys to start, let it do its thing while you fill up buckets and setup jet wash etc. Rinse off.
2. Jet wash the car with Bilt Hamber snowfoam with a proper snow lance now (the one that case with the jet washer is utter rubbish i've concluded). That softens and gets most of the surface crap off the bodywork without touching with a rinse off with the jet wash.
3. Wash with Bilt Hamber Autowash and microfibre mitt and wheel brush to get properly into the alloys. I cant be arsed with the 2 bucket method. Rinse.
4. Decontaminate painwork 1 with Autofinesse Oblitarate for the tar type stuff.
5. Decontaminate paintwork 2 with Bilt Hamber Korresol (basically a weaker version of Autowheel). Rinse and dry.
6. Decontaminate paintwork 3 with Bilt Hamber clay bar (use plain water and a little QD as lube). I dry as I go to avoid washing again.
7. Shiny time depends on the car colour and state of paint, but a glaze with Poorboys White Diamond on the Focus ST for example.
8. Paint protection with Bilt Hamber Double speed wax at the moment for the nicer cars, or Bilt Hamber Cleanser polish for the daily/race cars.
9. I struggle with wheel protection as my fingers are usually screwed by this point, but when I can be bothered I use Poorboys Wheel sealant.
10. Windows clean with Autoglym Fast glass.

My short clean every 2-4 weeks:
1. Autowheel if obvious baked on brake dust.
2. As above.
3. As above but dry off with Bilt Hamber QD to keep some shine and drying aid in hot sunny weather to avoid limescale spots from the hard water here.
4. As 10 above.

I'm far lazier with the interior, regular hoovering and wipe door shuts and plastics with Autoglym Fast glass. Leather clean with Dr Leather.
I like the Bilt Hamber products as they are well regarded and no nonsense products that just work. Bonus is that they are a local Essex company.

[Glassman]

Start with the bare minimum. You don't want to end up with stuff you won't use for ages, or never will.

I buy all my stuff from https://www.killerbrands.co.uk/

The products are labeled Winners and what I like about the seller (Colin) is that he is honest. When I asked for X, Y and Z he advised against it and made a more economical suggestion. Good businessman, or honest? Five years on and I'm still a customer and he is still just as honest.

The product range is wide and whilst I can't compare against other brands, IMHO, Winners is very good.

Edited by Glassman on Friday 6th October 10:58

[blueovercream]

This is exactly what I was looking for. Some good stuff to be getting started with here - thanks all

[Belle427]

A visit to Halfords will work when stuff is on 3 for 2, the Autoglym range is still pretty good for the average person.
Id agree about leaving the snow foam alone, regular washing so the grime doesnt build up is more beneficial.
Ive never used 2 buckets tbh but everyone is different.

[8bit]

Belle427 said:

A visit to Halfords will work when stuff is on 3 for 2, the Autoglym range is still pretty good for the average person.
Id agree about leaving the snow foam alone, regular washing so the grime doesnt build up is more beneficial.
Ive never used 2 buckets tbh but everyone is different.

The theory behind snowfoam is to break down and remove as much grit etc. as possible, more than a rinse with the hose or pressure washer alone. The more grit that's left on the surface when you do the wash stage with a mitt, the more fine scratches you end up with in the paintwork. The more fine scratches you get, the more water, mud, dirt etc. can stick to the paint.

Same for the two bucket method - one with soapy water and one with clean. Wash the car with the soapy water then rinse the mitt in the clean water to remove as much grit as possible before picking up fresh soapy water again.

If you've never done either of these, then did them once and judged them on a single use you'd never think it was worth it, granted - but over time they will pay dividends, especially if your paint is new or has recently been polished and protected. Ideally you don't want to have to use a mitt at all; if the top clearcoat is in good enough condition then rinsing, snow foam and rinsing again should get it properly clean without touching it. If you don't touch it, you can't scratch it (well, almost can't but certainly miles less than using a contact wash).

[Wills2]

vikingaero said:

Wills2 said:

By the time this thread has finished the OP will be faced with a £1000 bill, wait until the ceramic coating guys arrive.

Apart from the pressure washer, you can buy the buckets, mitts, brushes, microfibres, shampoo, wheel cleaning stuff, and say £13 Turtle Wax Ceramic Protection Spray for less than £75.

The irony is strong.

[zsdom]

Get yourself online to Halfords & find someone with a trade card then click & collect these

2 large buckets £13 (you can buy smaller ones if you wish, I prefer the bigger ones as I can foam up the shampoo better
https://www.halfords.com/motoring/car-cleaning/spo...
You could buy grit guards for those too if you so wished

A set of these £8
https://www.halfords.com/motoring/car-cleaning/spo...

Give this a bash for the wheels £11
https://www.halfords.com/motoring/car-cleaning/all...

Snow foam canon £25
https://www.halfords.com/motoring/car-cleaning/ext...

Foam, wash & sealant kit £16
https://www.halfords.com/motoring/car-cleaning/car...

A decent wash mitt £8
https://www.halfords.com/motoring/car-cleaning/mat...

A decent drying towel £20
https://www.halfords.com/motoring/car-cleaning/mat...

Then find yourself a decent pressure washer (I use Nilfisk) even 2nd hand would be fine

[James6112]

Hose pipe / sponge to rinse off the dirt
AutoGlym car shampoo all over
Hose pipe to rinse
Ryobi battery leaf blower to dry
Takes less than 30 mins & looks ace!

[Belle427]

James6112 said:

Hose pipe / sponge to rinse off the dirt
AutoGlym car shampoo all over
Hose pipe to rinse
Ryobi battery leaf blower to dry
Takes less than 30 mins & looks ace!

Not sure about the sponge bit.

[Vasco]

Local car wash.