Talking of realisations...

If I start washing my car regularly (ie more than once every <cough> years) then I'm gonna have to wash the wife's too!!?!

It's a slippery slope, into regular cleanliness....

No, white cars hide the black dirt from the road 

 

Seriously though I owned a white car and although it picked up the dirt I found it no worse than any other car I've owned.

 

Black was the worst I've owned and I've owned Black, Blue, White, Green and Orange.

Great, I've got black on order.

I don't agree that black is the worst - only if you're a committed car cleaner. I left my last black car three years between washes, it didn't alter its appearance after a week.

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I've owned two white cars in the past. Usually they didn't get dirty, only gray, and then darker and darker gray. Or beige and darker beige when driving on muddy roads. After washing the gray/beige car, it became white again, and it was a great feeling - like a new car every few weeks or later, months. So, at least for me, white cars don't get dirty, only darker.

Nah its fine. You'll be surprised actually how easy it is to clean and how fresh the paint remains....seems to resist stone chipping a bit better than most metallic/pearl paint cars Ive owned. Only annoying things are bug marks and tar spots but you'd have this to a degree whatever the colour.

Had a candy white Mk2 that I didnt wash often and was immaculate once cleaned.....had my mk3 for 4 and a bit months and havent washed it yet so guess I'll soon find out how bad it gets if left for a while...think its the longest ive ever left a car!

No worries at all. They're easy to keep clean. Similar to you, I had life shine applied at a discount.  I rate it very highly.  Lots of people say go to a local detailer and have it done but I've seen some real badge jobs done around here and would rather trust the work of a dealer. 

 

Six months in, with no more than a wash every week or two using auto glym car shampoo and the 2 bucket method, after a wash, it looks as good as the day I collected it.  Really impressed with white, definitely the right colour for me.

<snip> like a new car every few weeks or later, months. So, at least for me, white cars don't get dirty, only darker.

 

 

Cheers guys. I'm going to go look through the photo thread (again!) and dither some more...

Wow. Who would buy a new car, then not take care of it. The easiest way is to buy a pressure washer and a foam lance and two bucket wash. Every week, use the pressure washer and foam the car, let it sit for 5 mins then pressure wash it off. Every second week do that, then two bucket wash it. The pressure wash part, including getting out of the shed, set up, foam then a pressure rinse should take no more than 15 mins. Two bucket wash is 15 mins tops. So 15 mins one week, 30 mins every second week to keep the car looking immaculate is hardly a big effort. I have owned much bigger cars than the Skoda and none of them took longer than that. If the hose doesn't reach, get a joiner and a second hose. In oz we would be lucky to pay $300 for that kit (inc pressure washer) so maybe £170. Which you can keep using for every car you have. I'm sure you guys would pay lots less than us for that due to the much larger market. Make it part of a routine and you will get very quick at it. 4hours! That would be wash, claybar, wash, dry, wax ( I.e a full detail). My advice would be once a year pay for a full detail to keep the paint in good nick ( in addition to weekly washes). Surely you have 15 mins once a week to do this. I'd vacuum it once a month as well, and invest in some 303 aerospace protectant to wipe the dash/interior down with.

 

I understand people being time poor (and thus not going crazy and doing a full detail etc) but it is serious so easy to do a 15 min wash that does 90% as good as a full detail, removes grit/salt/contaminants off the paint and keeps it in better condition for longer (and increasing resale value) that is mad not to do it. With the pressure washer its such an easy task, its not even physical (aside from lugging the washer out to the car). If you get a good paint sealer done on the car at delivery, then re-applied every 12 months, you could just about get away with pressure washing alone!

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Edited 3 June, 201412 yr by GTR27

That post ^^^ makes some decent points tbh. I would pay the money to have it professionally detailed and protected with the best ceramic sealant I could afford by an accredited detailer if possible. This should prove no more expensive than a supaguard type treatment, but will protect much better, offer improved scratch resistance and be easier to maintain. If it was my new car I'd make sure that you had something like Cquartz Finest, Gtechniq Crystal Serum, 22PLE or maybe Modesta. An easy maintenance similar to the routine GTR27 suggests should see you right

If it was my new car I'd make sure that you had something like Cquartz Finest, Gtechniq Crystal Serum, 22PLE or maybe Modesta

Can you speak English please as I dont understand a word of that

 

Black is by far the worst colour to keep clean week on week in my experience

Personally Iain I wouldn't use a pressure washer and always two-bucket wash it. As for how regular I wash it..I suppose it depends on the weather and my time off work but I try and keep on top of it during the winter months

 Why not?

Wow. Who would buy a new car, then not take care of it.

 

There's a difference between not taking care of it and not being OCD about it.  Some people on here seem to want to be able to put their car on show, and have it look like it's just left the showroom every time they get in it.  That's fine, but for others on here, a car is about getting from A to B, and spending time with the kids or doing other things is more important than cleaning the car every week.  Especially when that car is a < £30k Skoda (or any other make).  If I was getting myself an Aston Martin or something, then yes, I'd make an effort to ensure it always looked good, but life is too short for me to worry about making sure my car is gleaming all the time.  Again, for others it's something they want to do and fine, but don't deride those that don't necessarily want to do what you do with your paintwork.

 

(sorry, not aimed at anyone in particular - think I woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning)

Can you speak English please as I dont understand a word of that

 

Black is by far the worst colour to keep clean week on week in my experience

 

He's talking about various brands/types of synthetic sealants that you can apply to the paintwork, so that its more dirt resistant as well as easier to clean. Think of sealants as like a wax, that's not as shiny, but lasts many times longer. Pro detailers will often use both (sealant, then wax on top).

 

Although I love washing/detailing my car, I dont get the time to do it (working full time, have a wife/kids and I also study at uni part time). However, without fail, I wash our cars/bike every week. If its raining, then I will just foam/pressure wash the car and rinse it off. If it's sunny, then foam/pressure wash/2 bucket then microfibre towel it dry. Down to one car atm, while we're waiting for the skoda to arrive, so its quicker for me. But with a honda jazz and a motorbike, I can have both foam/pressure washed/two bucket washed and a quick vacuum (car) along with dried inside an hour.

 

When the skoda arrives, I will do what I did to the last one (2010 rs) - Wash, claybar it, wash, dry, sealant. I will also pull the rims off straight away and use a wheel sealant on the rims, so you can hose the brake dust off, and it doesnt cake on. Every week will foam/pressure wash it, every second week proper wash/quick vacuum. Once a year, claybar and re-seal the car.

 

Following this method, i've found that the paintwork looks and stays in better than new condition while I keep it up. My last RS I had people asking me if i'd just driven it off the showroom floor more than a year after I got it, even with over 15K miles of driving, some of it on **** roads/behind trucks. Last one was race blue (which did look awesome) but went for candy white as it shows less dirt than the blue imo.

 

Even if I knew nothing about detailing, two bucket wash is easy to do/learn, and a pressure washer with foam lance will save you so much time/effort cleaning the car its worth investing in one. I'd pay someone once a year for a proper detail/seal of the paint and just wash it myself during the year. Even after 5 years you would find the cars paint would be in much better condition than someone who neglected it, and thus come resale, you would see the 200 quid investment in gear returned in a better price. Not to mention having a nice clean car more of the time!

 

EDIT: Not meaning to deride anyone, but not washing your car at all IS not looking after it, not being "not ocd". Paintwork still requires attention - and it is easily noticed when buying second hand cars if the person cared for it or not. If they didnt care about the appearance, then often that means they didnt care about the maintenance also. I'm suggesting get someone else to do a synthetic seal on the car, and buy a pressure washer & foam lance, and just hit it with that once a week. 15 mins of your time is nothing, I include my kids in it so we can spend more time together. Its a positive benefit to the car, and I spend time with the kids. Win/win.

 

EDIT2: I totally understand not wanting to spend ages on keeping it clean. Someone with OCD would, but 15 mins is hardly "ages". I did mention that in my post, along with taking the time to offer a suggestion on how you can easily look after your car, with the minimal amount of time required, to spend more of it doing things you enjoy, rather than tedious task like washing a car.

Edited 3 June, 201412 yr by GTR27

Wow. And wow again. In a positive way.

 

Thank you all so much for taking the time to respond in such a fantastic manner. I will re-read again tonight and reply then. Right now, bacon is calling... 

He's talking about various brands/types of synthetic sealants that you can apply to the paintwork, so that its more dirt resistant as well as easier to clean. Think of sealants as like a wax, that's not as shiny, but lasts many times longer. Pro detailers will often use both (sealant, then wax on top).

I know what they are mate I was taking the mickey

He's talking about various brands/types of synthetic sealants that you can apply to the paintwork, so that its more dirt resistant as well as easier to clean. Think of sealants as like a wax, that's not as shiny, but lasts many times longer. Pro detailers will often use both (sealant, then wax on top).

Although I love washing/detailing my car, I dont get the time to do it (working full time, have a wife/kids and I also study at uni part time). However, without fail, I wash our cars/bike every week. If its raining, then I will just foam/pressure wash the car and rinse it off. If it's sunny, then foam/pressure wash/2 bucket then microfibre towel it dry. Down to one car atm, while we're waiting for the skoda to arrive, so its quicker for me. But with a honda jazz and a motorbike, I can have both foam/pressure washed/two bucket washed and a quick vacuum (car) along with dried inside an hour.

When the skoda arrives, I will do what I did to the last one (2010 rs) - Wash, claybar it, wash, dry, sealant. I will also pull the rims off straight away and use a wheel sealant on the rims, so you can hose the brake dust off, and it doesnt cake on. Every week will foam/pressure wash it, every second week proper wash/quick vacuum. Once a year, claybar and re-seal the car.

Following this method, i've found that the paintwork looks and stays in better than new condition while I keep it up. My last RS I had people asking me if i'd just driven it off the showroom floor more than a year after I got it, even with over 15K miles of driving, some of it on **** roads/behind trucks. Last one was race blue (which did look awesome) but went for candy white as it shows less dirt than the blue imo.

Even if I knew nothing about detailing, two bucket wash is easy to do/learn, and a pressure washer with foam lance will save you so much time/effort cleaning the car its worth investing in one. I'd pay someone once a year for a proper detail/seal of the paint and just wash it myself during the year. Even after 5 years you would find the cars paint would be in much better condition than someone who neglected it, and thus come resale, you would see the 200 quid investment in gear returned in a better price. Not to mention having a nice clean car more of the time!

EDIT: Not meaning to deride anyone, but not washing your car at all IS not looking after it, not being "not ocd". Paintwork still requires attention - and it is easily noticed when buying second hand cars if the person cared for it or not. If they didnt care about the appearance, then often that means they didnt care about the maintenance also. I'm suggesting get someone else to do a synthetic seal on the car, and buy a pressure washer & foam lance, and just hit it with that once a week. 15 mins of your time is nothing, I include my kids in it so we can spend more time together. Its a positive benefit to the car, and I spend time with the kids. Win/win.

EDIT2: I totally understand not wanting to spend ages on keeping it clean. Someone with OCD would, but 15 mins is hardly "ages". I did mention that in my post, along with taking the time to offer a suggestion on how you can easily look after your car, with the minimal amount of time required, to spend more of it doing things you enjoy, rather than tedious task like washing a car.

You state that you "love washing/detailing my car", so all of your justification and devotion makes sense to you. Now imagine something that you hate doing and can't see the point of doing - topiary on your front hedge, for example. Still feel the same way?

Also you say that someone that doesn't wash their car is unlikely to maintain their car - they are two different things. One is, mainly, about the appearance of your pride and joy and the other is essential for the car to perform as intended, safely. Chalk and cheese. Besides, when I sell my cars I have all the invoices for their care and maintenance but nobody's ever said "can I see your weekly wash process and schedule?".

Your mileage may vary.

Edited 3 June, 201412 yr by gt40

I keep thinking a white combi, with sunset glass, and the Hawk alloys, which are slightly darker than the normal silver, would look pretty darned good.

 

 

This is the exact configuration I'll pick up next Tuesday including pano roof, black grill frame and black mirrors so I expect the whole car to be black and white. I can post some pictures to help your decision.

You state that you "love washing/detailing my car", so all of your justification and devotion makes sense to you. Now imagine something that you hate doing and can't see the point of doing - topiary on your front hedge, for example. Still feel the same way?

Also you say that someone that doesn't wash their car is unlikely to maintain their car - they are two different things. One is, mainly, about the appearance of your pride and joy and the other is essential for the car to perform as intended, safely. Chalk and cheese. Besides, when I sell my cars I have all the invoices for their care and maintenance but nobody's ever said "can I see your weekly wash process and schedule?".

Your mileage may vary.

I hate mowing the lawns, but the house looks **** and it would affect the value if I tried to sell it. Lawns when properly cared for look a lot better than a **** lawn that's just been mowed

I agree people don't like doing it. You don't have to do it, but for 15mins a week, you'd be mad not to. It's not something you need to keep records to show a prospective buyer.... It's something a prospective buyer can clearly see when they view the car. YMMV and each person does their own thing. Offering a better way to do something, so maybe it's not hated so much isn't a bad thing IMO. Especially when it affects resale.

 

EDIT: A quick look suggests average wage in the UK is ~27K pounds. So a 30K skoda would represent a very large outlay for a car (even on the PCP plans I see you guys talking about - resale still appears valuable. Compartitively, a fully decked out vRS TDI estate in oz would be lucky to top 46K AUD, with average wage being ~77K AUD. And I dont know a single person who would neglect the car a whole year between washes here, even though comparatively its a much cheaper car here.

 

I'm not suggesting everyone becomes a car detailer. But looking after an asset (even a depreciating one) makes fiscal sense, especially when the outlay (time and money) is much less than the potential return on the car.

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Edited 3 June, 201412 yr by GTR27

I think you're overstating the resale issue. These are not classic cars, they're just cars.

If the difference, big if, after 3 years on otherwise identically maintained cars is c£250, that benefit comes at a cost of 150 half hour washes (let's ignore equipment and consumables for now) that's a payback rate of £1.66 an hour. Or maybe 3 of your AUDs. Not great, whatever the relative income/cost ratios.

So the money argument won't wash (!) with me.

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Edited 3 June, 201412 yr by gt40

Out of curiosity (from someone who pays the nice chaps in town £5 a month to wash his car - and a very nice job they do too, thankyouverymuch), how much does it cost to have the car prefessionally treated/sealed/protected/whatever-its-called?

Out of curiosity (from someone who pays the nice chaps in town £5 a month to wash his car - and a very nice job they do too, thankyouverymuch), how much does it cost to have the car prefessionally treated/sealed/protected/whatever-its-called?

 

I recently paid £350 for my car to be done by a detailer, it had protective coatings done inside, outside and the engine bay. Ceramic coatings are absolutely amazing as the dirt just slides straight off pretty much, especially great for alloys and brake dust!

 

Another plus point is that depending on the coating they give extra protection against scratches and stone chips.

^^^ Thank you :-)

There's a difference between not taking care of it and not being OCD about it. Some people on here seem to want to be able to put their car on show, and have it look like it's just left the showroom every time they get in it. That's fine, but for others on here, a car is about getting from A to B, and spending time with the kids or doing other things is more important than cleaning the car every week. Especially when that car is a < £30k Skoda (or any other make). If I was getting myself an Aston Martin or something, then yes, I'd make an effort to ensure it always looked good, but life is too short for me to worry about making sure my car is gleaming all the time. Again, for others it's something they want to do and fine, but don't deride those that don't necessarily want to do what you do with your paintwork.

(sorry, not aimed at anyone in particular - think I woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning)

Couldnt agree more with this. Big difference between not cleaning a car often and not taking care of it.

My car hasnt been cleaned for nearly five months but then I cant stand it getting pranged (careful about where I park within reason), dont kerb the wheels etc. Also v tidy inside and nothing a light vacuum and dust wouldnt fix.

Its actually unusual for my car to go without a clean this long, usually 6/8 weeks is about as long as it goes but then I have two v young children and cleaning my Skoda Octavia is frankly the lowest of priorities.

.....also the car is just that....a 23k Skoda not a 100k supercar. When I do clean my car I take pride in it, like it looking clean and typically use good products (Auto Glym) but when I hear people getting their cars detailed with swissvax products at hundreds of pounds a throw it just doesnt make sense to me....not belittling people who do it or have an active interest in car detailing but Ive definitely got better and more important things to spend my cash on; each to their own in that respect.

.....also 110% confident when washed it'll look as good as the day it was delivered to me.