Car Cleaning

Post by **Heuer** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 2:58 pm

In preparation for our upcoming tour of France I decided to 'valet' the E-Type. Like many people I have several shelves of legacy cleaning products bought with the best of intentions or given as presents. All I have ever managed in the past was a quick wash, rinse and leather. This is how I got on

1. Washed the car with Zymol Clear Bathe (where do they get these names :blinks: ) - twice - using a Meguiers wash mit. Rinsed the car with ionised filtered water. Dried with a wash leather.

2. Used a clay bar and lubricant (Meguiers kit) to remove sap and other grime. Never used one of these before and I was amazed how well it worked and how super smooth it left the paintwork. Used it on the windscreen as well to great effect.

3. Used Zymol HD Cleanse (in case you spot a theme here I was given a Zymol car cleaning kit many years ago, never used) which is a very mild abrasive cleaner.

4. Used Zymol Concours wax which you apply with the palms of your hands. :coolman:

5. Treated the leather with Gliptone which leaves a fantastic smell.

6. Washed the wire wheels with Meguiers Hot Rims All Wheel cleaner and used Rim Wax to preserve the shine (at least where I could reach) but especially on the inside of the rims.

7. Applied Rain-X to windscreen.

This is a bit of a first for me as an externally clean car is very low on my things to do list. I plumbed in a high pressure washer with integrated foamer so I could just lift the lance off the garage wall, squeeze the trigger and give the cars a quick wash. Installing the ionised water filter was a stroke of genius as a quick rinse with it allows the car to air dry without leaving scale stains.

Stand out product in this whole process was the clay bar - incredible what it removed.

harryetype · Post by **harryetype** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 6:29 pm

This may sound mad David but did you put your hand in a thin plastic shopping bag and run your hand over the paintwork before and after using the Clay Bar?

You would be amazed what you can feel through that bag when you think your car is clean, then after Clay bar you would be amazed by the diiference.

Warning, don't let the wife see you as she may become concerned.

MarkE · Post by **MarkE** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 9:10 pm

I think that I'm concerned now!!

Good idea with the water filter...must try it.

Bill Molloy · Post by **Bill Molloy** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 9:20 pm

David, I'll drop mine off .. how much dya charge ;)

harryetype · Post by **harryetype** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 6:51 am

Mark

You might be concerned but I bet you now try it.

Post by **Heuer** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 8:59 am

Harry

I am just getting over the shame of actually 'valeting' the car without getting sucked deeper into the detailing world. I did rub my (bare) hand over the paintwork before and after and that pretty much told me all I needed to know.

For water filtration I use a cartridge system supplied by Ionic Systems http://www.ionicsystems.com/english/ Their web site is rubbish but you can order the filter by phone. The do a small version and this one:

When the beige colour goes, you need a new one - about 200 rinses. Costs ?70 I seem to recall; this one is two years old.

MarkE · Post by **MarkE** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 11:51 am

Thanks David, that looks like a useful bit of kit.

Like you, I'm really not a polisher. The S3 hasn't seen a polishing cloth since it was repainted about 4 years ago...but then it hasn't been out yet either....but soon.

I think that I'm behind the times...what the hec is a clay bar? Is it a replacement for the old T-Cut? How abrasive is it, or does it come in different flavours?

Post by **Heuer** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 12:27 pm

Mark

A lump of clay which you knead into a flat pad. Spray the paintwork with a lubricant (soapy water or Meguiers Quick Detailer spray) and simply rub the clay back and forth. It is non abrasive but 'grabs' anything stuck to the surface (pollen, grit, sap etc) and holds it. Just keep kneading the clay to expose a new surface and keep rubbing until there is no resistance or noise:

Fast and very effective in preparing the paint for wax.

Bill Molloy · Post by **Bill Molloy** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 2:03 pm

bit more info here:
http://www.bimmerpages.com/forums/f35/d ... y-bar-524/

MarkE · Post by **MarkE** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 2:10 pm

I'm impressed, and eBay has provided. My poor old XK has been used and abused and kept outside since it was new, and needs some tlc to get his 'Midnight Black' gleaming again. Thanks chaps.

Car-Nut · Post by **Car-Nut** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 2:46 pm

Heuer wrote:Mark

A lump of clay which you knead into a flat pad. Spray the paintwork with a lubricant (soapy water or Meguiers Quick Detailer spray) and simply rub the clay back and forth. It is non abrasive but 'grabs' anything stuck to the surface (pollen, grit, sap etc) and holds it. Just keep kneading the clay to expose a new surface and keep rubbing until there is no resistance or noise:

Fast and very effective in preparing the paint for wax.

I was expecting a home video - no not that sort

Also these should be replaced after a while as the impuities get folded in and you dont want the small grit particles scratching your paint :)

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