Basic car cleaning kit

rexemper

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Hi

Have to confess that I haven't washed a car in years - I've taken them to a car-wash or a hand-wash place and left it at that.

However, I'd like to start doing thing properly and have been looking at some of the threads on here to get an idea of what to do, how to do it. In the past I would have grabbed whatever shampoo was available, a sponge and a bucket and that was it. Maybe an occasional hosepipe was involved.

I don't think I'm ever going to have the time or inclination to be a detailer and spend hours on it, but I would like to do a decent job and keep the cars cleaner than they have been.

So, my initial thinking was the following:
Sonax Gloss Shampoo
Sonax Xtreme BSD
Sonar Extreme Wheel Cleaner

Along with
Car wash mitt
Microfibre towel
2 buckets

Any thoughts?? Is it worth using a shampoo with a wax? Happy to learn.

Thanks

PS Both cars seem in good condition paint wise and seem like they have been looked after in the past (kept clean etc) but I don't know if they have any kind of finishes etc applied to them.
 
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Yugguy

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Foam lance http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washing-and-drying/foam-pre-wash/cyc-snow-foam-lance/prod_1296.html
Foam http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washing-and-drying/valet-pro-ph-neutral-snow-foam/prod_500.html
Wash http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washi...a-plush-micro-noodle-wash-mitt/prod_1251.html
Wash http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washi...chemical-guys-citrus-wash-gloss/prod_345.html
Dry http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/micro...38-x-28-microfibre-drying-towel/prod_154.html
Clay http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/detai...fx-ultra-fine-detailing-clay-kit/prod_83.html
Polish http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/pre-wax-cleaners/autoglym-super-resin-polish/prod_742.html
Polish http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/accessories/foam-wax-applicator/prod_89.html
Polish http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/micro...shag-pile-double-density-towels/prod_436.html
Finish http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=471
Glass http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/interior/3m-glass-cleaner/prod_809.html
Leather http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/zaino/z-9-leather-soft-spray-cleaner/prod_472.html
Smells http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/air-fresheners/chemical-guys-so-fast-apple-air-freshner/prod_539.html
Wheels http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheels-and-tyres/ez-detail-brush/prod_480.html
Wheels http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/engine-and-exterior/carpro-iron-x-500ml/prod_726.html
Wheels http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheels-and-tyres/chemical-guys-wheel-guard/prod_197.html
Tyres http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheels-and-tyres/meguiars-high-gloss-tyre-gel/prod_103.html
Tyres http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheels-and-tyres/trim-tyre-dressing-applicator/prod_340.html
 
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rexemper

rexemper

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Wow that's a lot of products!

Thought I'd start simple with a shampoo, mitt and a bucket.
 

Wighty

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If you are going to start from scratch do an iron fallout treatment then a clay bar treatment . Plenty of info on clean your car website as well as juicy detailing and ultimate finish . Enjoy :p
 

flowrider

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I thought about cleaning the SL myself too but soon gave up that idea. I will periodically use a mobile valeter with basic washes by me in between for the SL and the ML can continue with the local hand wash guys.
 
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rexemper

rexemper

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If you are going to start from scratch do an iron fallout treatment then a clay bar treatment

I understand the individual words but not together in the same sentence!

I think at this stage I just want to be able to wash the cars and have them look good for a while. Later in the year I might take them to get detailed but can't imagine its something I'd do myself.

Starting to wash the cars again is partly as it'll give the kids something to do apart from being glued to screens of some sort!
 

davemercedes

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With the trouble I have bending and stretching the most I do myself is an occasional wash only (I've got a power wash). But luckily there's a yard with 7 or 8 East European boys and they do a superb job and ask me for for £6 for a wash and dry! I often give them a tenner because they really are conscientious and going by the "thank you's" you would think I'd given them the Crown Jewels!

I keep hoping to find one of the new automatic chemical washes that I read about - which has no brushes - it sprays on and gets washed off - taking all the dirt off in the rinse (so they say).
 
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flowrider

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I understand the individual words but not together in the same sentence!

I think at this stage I just want to be able to wash the cars and have them look good for a while. Later in the year I might take them to get detailed but can't imagine its something I'd do myself.

Starting to wash the cars again is partly as it'll give the kids something to do apart from being glued to screens of some sort!

Great idea getting the children ti help. I have used Maguiers wash and polish in the past, you can buy a cleaning kit.
 

Wighty

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I understand the individual words but not together in the same sentence!

I think at this stage I just want to be able to wash the cars and have them look good for a while. Later in the year I might take them to get detailed but can't imagine its something I'd do myself.

Starting to wash the cars again is partly as it'll give the kids something to do apart from being glued to screens of some sort!

Sorry...that probably is a bit advanced . Enjoy the basic wash with a mit .:p
 
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rexemper

rexemper

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Foam lance http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washing-and-drying/foam-pre-wash/cyc-snow-foam-lance/prod_1296.html
Foam http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washing-and-drying/valet-pro-ph-neutral-snow-foam/prod_500.html
Wash http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washi...a-plush-micro-noodle-wash-mitt/prod_1251.html
Wash http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washi...chemical-guys-citrus-wash-gloss/prod_345.html
Dry http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/micro...38-x-28-microfibre-drying-towel/prod_154.html
Clay http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/detai...fx-ultra-fine-detailing-clay-kit/prod_83.html
Polish http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/pre-wax-cleaners/autoglym-super-resin-polish/prod_742.html
Polish http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/accessories/foam-wax-applicator/prod_89.html
Polish http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/micro...shag-pile-double-density-towels/prod_436.html
Finish http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=471
Glass http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/interior/3m-glass-cleaner/prod_809.html
Leather http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/zaino/z-9-leather-soft-spray-cleaner/prod_472.html
Smells http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/air-fresheners/chemical-guys-so-fast-apple-air-freshner/prod_539.html
Wheels http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheels-and-tyres/ez-detail-brush/prod_480.html
Wheels http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/engine-and-exterior/carpro-iron-x-500ml/prod_726.html
Wheels http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheels-and-tyres/chemical-guys-wheel-guard/prod_197.html
Tyres http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheels-and-tyres/meguiars-high-gloss-tyre-gel/prod_103.html
Tyres http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheels-and-tyres/trim-tyre-dressing-applicator/prod_340.html

Just been looking at some of these products and I really like the way you've broken it down and the products you've linked to all look really good. Think I'll give some of those a try.
Thanks for posting these.
 

00slk

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It's ok. Think I'll start with the basics!

I washed my lorry today, used cold water in a bucket, a sponge then hosed it off. Windowlened the glass, hoovered the inside and then used the dash board cleaner from the pound store......That's basic. :lol:
 
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rexemper

rexemper

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Tend to do a two bucket wash with a mitten post a hose down, cannot believe the amount of muck is held in the wash bucket.

I think that's what I'm going to go for too. With the addition of a detailer and wheel clean. Has to be a something that isn't too much of a faff else I'll never do it!

The products linked to in one of the earlier posts look pretty good so need to decide what to buy.
 
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rexemper

rexemper

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Right - ordered some shampoo, detailer, wheel cleaner, cloths, mitt to start with.

Just run a hose over the car to get the road dirt off and although its not clean, most of the dirt is off and the water is beading nicely so it seems it has some decent protection on it already. If so, that will make my job easier to keep it clean.
 

Craiglxviii

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970 Panamera Turbo; W221 S500L AMG Line, C215 CL500, W251 R350L AMG Line, plus several more now gone
Foam lance http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washing-and-drying/foam-pre-wash/cyc-snow-foam-lance/prod_1296.html
Foam http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washing-and-drying/valet-pro-ph-neutral-snow-foam/prod_500.html
Wash http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washi...a-plush-micro-noodle-wash-mitt/prod_1251.html
Wash http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washi...chemical-guys-citrus-wash-gloss/prod_345.html
Dry http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/micro...38-x-28-microfibre-drying-towel/prod_154.html
Clay http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/detai...fx-ultra-fine-detailing-clay-kit/prod_83.html
Polish http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/pre-wax-cleaners/autoglym-super-resin-polish/prod_742.html
Polish http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/accessories/foam-wax-applicator/prod_89.html
Polish http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/micro...shag-pile-double-density-towels/prod_436.html
Finish http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=471
Glass http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/interior/3m-glass-cleaner/prod_809.html
Leather http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/zaino/z-9-leather-soft-spray-cleaner/prod_472.html
Smells http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/air-fresheners/chemical-guys-so-fast-apple-air-freshner/prod_539.html
Wheels http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheels-and-tyres/ez-detail-brush/prod_480.html
Wheels http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/engine-and-exterior/carpro-iron-x-500ml/prod_726.html
Wheels http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheels-and-tyres/chemical-guys-wheel-guard/prod_197.html
Tyres http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheels-and-tyres/meguiars-high-gloss-tyre-gel/prod_103.html
Tyres http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheels-and-tyres/trim-tyre-dressing-applicator/prod_340.html

Yug, I can see where I'll be taking my cars to get them properly cleaned in the future! :D
 

Craiglxviii

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Right - ordered some shampoo, detailer, wheel cleaner, cloths, mitt to start with.

Just run a hose over the car to get the road dirt off and although its not clean, most of the dirt is off and the water is beading nicely so it seems it has some decent protection on it already. If so, that will make my job easier to keep it clean.

You CANNOT beat Costco's microfiber cloths. £14 for 50. They're A3 sized, thick and superb quality. Next time you need some, if you're not a member or don't have a store nearby, let me know, I can get some for you and stick them in the post.
 

Wighty

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You CANNOT beat Costco's microfiber cloths. £14 for 50. They're A3 sized, thick and superb quality. Next time you need some, if you're not a member or don't have a store nearby, let me know, I can get some for you and stick them in the post.

I second that ...bourght some about 8 years ago still got 40+ of them , they are really well made .
 
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rexemper

rexemper

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You CANNOT beat Costco's microfiber cloths. £14 for 50. They're A3 sized, thick and superb quality. Next time you need some, if you're not a member or don't have a store nearby, let me know, I can get some for you and stick them in the post.

That is very kind of you. Will take you up on that I reckon. We have a store nearish but I'm not a member. Will see if the Mrs is going with a friend anytime soon.

I had a couple of new (small) ones in a cupboard so just bought a large one for now for the main drying. Was planning on using the small ones for applying the detailer.

Cheers
 


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