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Simple And Quick Method Of Washing/detailing For A Newbie?

Robocop2310
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Robocop2310 Experienced

Robocop2310

Posted
Posted

Hi guys, as the topic suggests...I have never detailed my car before have always just washed it and then brought it to a detailing place once every few months to get detailed but now that I have some time on the weekends I want to start cleaning and detailing my ride myself so was wondering what would be the simplest and quickest method of doing this?

I was sent this from some friends saying to follow this as it's the simplest method:

Can someone please provide some advice on what order to follow and specific products to use? I know there are very detailed DIY's but I'm not after ShowCar stuff, I just want my car to look clean, shinny and well maintained.

Thanks in advance.

Cheers

Robocop2310 Experienced

Robocop2310

Posted
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Posted
  On 25/04/2016 at 5:55 AM, dyl33 said:

Search? There's 100's of diy detailing videos online watch some of them.

Wash,clay,polish,wax is a start

Thanks - do you have any particular simple guides you suggest?

Robocop2310 Experienced

Robocop2310

Posted
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Posted
  On 26/04/2016 at 7:28 AM, junkie said:

Larry is the man. Watch all his vids

Thanks mate will watch all his clips. I have some time so might as well clean my car myself.

Robocop2310 Experienced

Robocop2310

Posted
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Posted
  On 26/04/2016 at 7:51 AM, Ben C34 said:

Put money in machine.

Drive through.

Do skids.

Used to do that but just doesn't look nice enough...want to clean by hand then clay and wax etc.

Kinkstaah Grand Master

Kinkstaah

Posted
Posted

To be fair, I understand where OP is coming from - I just don't wash my car for a year and let it stay dirty because the introductory courses in keeping it nice and clean are somewhat similar to introductory courses in rebuilding an engine.

Either that, or it's not possible to do a passable job in 30min to an hour.

Robocop2310 Experienced

Robocop2310

Posted
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  On 27/04/2016 at 12:33 PM, Kinkstaah said:

To be fair, I understand where OP is coming from - I just don't wash my car for a year and let it stay dirty because the introductory courses in keeping it nice and clean are somewhat similar to introductory courses in rebuilding an engine.

Either that, or it's not possible to do a passable job in 30min to an hour.

Thanks mate. I could've have put it any better.

I mean, I am married with kids, studying and have a demanding job so I'm time poor most days so I really can't spend 1-2 hours here and there on cleaning my car every couple of weeks that's why I need some quick cleaning tips that I can do periodically that will require 30 minutes and then I can do the proper detailing job when I got more time.

Moreover, I keep my GTR garaged all the time and drive it like twice a month so I don't think it's going to get dirty very quickly so surely there's no need to clay bar and wax the thing every fortnight.

What I'm after is something more like:

1) Rinse with hose - clean with soup in a bucket

2) Dry with rag / microfiber cloth etc

3) Rub some lotion on there to keep it clean and UV protected.

I think Claybaring it all the time is an overkill as my car isn't that dirty to begin with and those things are expensive like $30-50 bucks a pack! Any honest tips would be great!

Cheers

Juan_2_3 Enthusiast

Juan_2_3

Posted
Posted

Look at this site just to get you started

http://howto.carcareproducts.com.au/

Get a proper sealant makes cleaning so much easier.

You should clay your car when your going to 'seal' the car. May be once a year

DONT buy a grit guard

Buy a pressure washer

2-4 microfibre mitts (the more the better reduces the need to use the bucket method)

microfibre drying towel (separate one for the door jambs)

use some 'good' pH neutral car shampoo (none of that crap in supercheap)

  • 4 weeks later...
vxsr33 Proficient

vxsr33

Posted
Posted

Proper detailing takes a LOT of time.

Id say get a decent pressure washer and some good detailing products. You can get good microfibre towels from costco, i think its $20 for a 50 pack which is a bargain compared to supercheap.

I bought a gerney more than 4 years ago from supercheap for $120 and it still works perfectly and has more than adequate pressure. For detailing products i find meguires, autoglym and mothers are decent products. Turtlewax is pretty bad in my opinion.

For washing i use meguires gold class wash and wax with a meguires sponge. I use the 2 bucket method. I claybar every 6 months or so and use mothers pure carnauba paste wax every 2 months.

Its best to avoid using the car wash as the water they use in the pressure washer is recycled and not good for the paintwork. And not to mention the soap brushes which will just put scratches and swirls all over the paintwork

  • 5 weeks later...
dyl33 Mentor

dyl33

Posted
Posted

If you're using drive-in car washes in a car you like you are you're own worst enemy lol. even those self serve look suss every time I go past one some bogan's washing his 4wd that has so much baked on mud he clearly just returned from the Dakar rally and proceeds to go one a killing spree with the high pressure washer.

+1 detailing takes time, there is no quick do it all at once method.

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