Almost afraid t oask...

[BriskodaJeff]

I will shortly be buying a new-to-me SIII Superb. Where I park there is no access to water or power, That, and lack of time means my likely cleaning regime will be the local hand-wash or even (gulp) the auto-wash-and-dry. Not exactly ideal I know - my poor SII bears the spindly scars to prove it.

 

I'm planning on getting the new car detailed when I get it - but how can I minimise the damage that my very poor cleaning arrangements are likely to cause? I've investigated ceramic coatings and self-healing wraps, but worried in case they will just be flayed off / degraded immediately.  Any recommendations? I will be looking to keep the car for at least 2 years.

 

<Quickly ducks for incoming>

[Rainmaker]

Personally I wouldn’t have my motors anywhere near a hand wash or auto wash. A decent ceramic coat wouldn’t be a bad idea. You could then just use the garage jet wash (hot shampoo then rinse) when it looks mangy, and occasionally pay a few quid for a maintenance wash at whichever decent local detailer did your ceramic coating. That’d be my solution anyway. 

[Hunty278]

Your situation isn't ideal. I can understand your need to go to the hand car washes. 

 

Some ceramic coatings do have resistance to scratches caused by washing, but not sure they can resist all wash induced scratching. 

 

I would say best to get in contact with a reputable local detailer who specialises in ceramics. You aren't alone and they should have come across your scenario.

 

Personally, I would go with what rainmaker says and go to the local Jetwash and get as much dirt off as possible. Then invest in some Optimum No Rinse and use their system. It won't irradicate scratching but if you have no access to a hose then it's the next best thing I know of. Here's a guide on what it is and how to use it http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=195294

 

Hope this helps, and enjoy your new Superb buddy.

[Lofty79]

Any family members got space and or a driveway.

Store your cleaning stuff there and wash when you visit.

 

[BriskodaJeff]

Thanks all - some good ideas here. Hunty - I will check out the Optimum products. Interestingly on a different thread someone was saying they were still washing contactless a month after detailing, so might follow their lead and get Fusso put on top of the ceramic. Any recommendations for a good detailer in the Bristol area?

[Rooted]

Save yourself hundreds of pounds, apply your own long life shine or protection and surely there is a self wash bay near you, 

put in £1 per function, Pre Wash, Hot wash, Rinse etc.   give the car a good wash in the bay, take the car out, park near by, 

5 litre container of water & a bucket, a chamois leather & Robert is you Mothers Brother.

 

£50 on your detailing stuff, and maybe £5 x 26 times a year.  and that is 3 years worth of car washing, polishing waxing for what the 'Special Treatment' / overpriced coatings will have cost you.

[Guest]

You might find some useful hints and tips here ;

 

 

I used a similar method/process whilst based in Gib. I filled  my buckets up in the restroom adjacent to the car wash. 

 

Another method I used whilst on a 3 month course in the middle of nowhere was by using something similar to this;

 

http://www.argos.co.uk/product/3795642?storeID=4119&cmpid=GS001&_$ja=tsid:59156|cid:596310901|agid:28593974845|tid:pla-182972698885|crid:95879993965|nw:g|rnd:4578971939081779050|dvc:m|adp:1o1|mt:|loc:9046914&gclid=CjwKCAiAmb7RBRATEiwA7kS8VLdNNTZZGRKOgedVto3ECpcYqYsGXKE2O1GXARL3ZAQKk7Y3ZW4R8RoC4w8QAvD_BwE

[Svend]

Get a couple of buckets, a wash mitt, a large bottle to fill up from home to use in the shampoo bucket, get a Mesto of similar pump sprayer to foam the car with snow foam if you wish to go that way, wheel cleaner, etc... then use the carwash self wash for the pressure washer. 

[Phillips]

Can’t you arrange a monthly maintenance wash with the detailer? 

Edited 3 January, 2018 by Phillips

[BriskodaJeff]

Thanks all  - some good ideas here. Still thinking  about  the ceramic coat, but will chat with the detailer before deciding. Agree with Awaoffski  it's a lot of money so want to make sure it is worth it before committing. 

Edited 4 January, 2018 by BriskodaJeff
Crashing browser.

[BriskodaJeff]

So I've had the new car 6 weeks now, and managed to keep it away from the local hand wash and auto wash. I've been jet washing, pat drying and waxing with as little pressure as I can to try to keep the paint damage to a minimum. To my untrained eye the paint looks pretty decent. Still considering a ceramic coat, but wondering what those with more knowledge than me (ie everyone) think about using the AG Lifeshine or similar as an alternative? I know it won't last nearly as long, but it's a whole lot cheaper and I could do it myself. Is Lifeshine any good? Is there a better self-apply sealant I could use? Please bear in mind I am a complete moron regarding this stuff. I wouldn't trust myself to turn a DA on, much less put it anywhere near my car, so unless it's at the "spray-on, wipe-off" level, it's almost certainly too advanced for me. Thanks in advance.

[Bignij]

When I had the ceramic coating on my car, the main difference according to the chappy who put it on, was longevity. I think you get as good protection from a good  wax as a sealant but the sealant lasts longer. I am, however, willing to bow to anyone else's greater knowledge.

[Wardy]

Just seen this thread now

 

Ceramic as mentioned has a big positive in the longevity column. But it's by no means a must have. There are also now some hybrid products on the market, that have some of the longevity properties, but are also easy to apply.

 

If you do have an interest in care care and detailing, I'd avoid Lifeshine. There are plenty of products out there, that will do a better job. And you could probably still keep to an annual 'detail' aside from regular washing.

[freelunch]

Google Maps says I'm 176 yards from where I have to park. (I didn't realise it was that far.) I fill a bucket and garden watering can with soap and water from my garden tap and make three round trips to the car. The results are always much better than the hand wash, which I used primarily for the power wash of the wheel arches.

 

I consider the effort part of my exercise regime. Takes me about 45 minutes. 1/2 a day if I polish and wax. The neighbours all know me as the OCD guy with the red Škoda.

[Wardy]

As long as the soap is a decent car shampoo and it's being applied to the car with a microfibre wash mitt, along with a 2nd bucket to rinse the mitt, you have my full backing to this approach  

[BriskodaJeff]

5 minutes ago, Wardy said:

Just seen this thread now

 

Ceramic as mentioned has a big positive in the longevity column. But it's by no means a must have. There are also now some hybrid products on the market, that have some of the longevity properties, but are also easy to apply.

 

If you do have an interest in care care and detailing, I'd avoid Lifeshine. There are plenty of products out there, that will do a better job. And you could probably still keep to an annual 'detail' aside from regular washing.

Cheers @Wardy - I hoped you might find me here. Any chance you could name names re the better products? Ideally I'd be looking for something to last say 3 months in winter, and 6 months through summer, but was completely fool-proof to put on. I'd be happy to stick a wax over it every month or so. I like the car to look good, but will never be a detailer - so pragmatic trumps concours sadly.

 

5 minutes ago, freelunch said:

Google Maps says I'm 176 yards from where I have to park. (I didn't realise it was that far.) I fill a bucket and garden watering can with soap and water from my garden tap and make three round trips to the car. The results are always much better than the hand wash, which I used primarily for the power wash of the wheel arches.

 

I consider the effort part of my exercise regime. Takes me about 45 minutes. 1/2 a day if I polish and wax. The neighbours all know me as the OCD guy with the red Škoda.

Not sure I can tell you what the neighbours think of me...

It's a fair point Freelunch, and something I might be able to do at a stretch. To be honest I've got a decent layer of LSP on right now so the jetwash is doing a pretty decent job for me. I will never be trying to get the kind of results people on here achieve, and I'm very time-poor, so it's as much about damage limitation as anything else. Hence the original thoughts about ceramic. If there's an alternative that is idiot-proof enough for me it means I can delay having to make a decision a bit longer - I am a procrastinator - I think - hold on - let me get back to you on that. 

[freelunch]

5 minutes ago, BriskodaJeff said:

... I'm very time-poor, so it's as much about damage limitation as anything else.

 

I'm retired, so I only have to look after my health and my motor. Oh yeah, and my wife.

 

I grew up in California where it a sin, if not actually against the law, to drive a dirty car. It's a hard habit to break. I've been using Bilt Hamber Double-Speed Wax after a good clean and polish before and after winter, then once in between. Very shiny, even after just a wash. Quick, too. Easy on, easy off.

[Rainmaker]

23 minutes ago, BriskodaJeff said:

Cheers @Wardy - I hoped you might find me here. Any chance you could name names re the better products? Ideally I'd be looking for something to last say 3 months in winter, and 6 months through summer, but was completely fool-proof to put on. I'd be happy to stick a wax over it every month or so. I like the car to look good, but will never be a detailer - so pragmatic trumps concours sadly.

 

Not sure I can tell you what the neighbours think of me...

It's a fair point Freelunch, and something I might be able to do at a stretch. To be honest I've got a decent layer of LSP on right now so the jetwash is doing a pretty decent job for me. I will never be trying to get the kind of results people on here achieve, and I'm very time-poor, so it's as much about damage limitation as anything else. Hence the original thoughts about ceramic. If there's an alternative that is idiot-proof enough for me it means I can delay having to make a decision a bit longer - I am a procrastinator - I think - hold on - let me get back to you on that. 

 

I’m not Wardy, but you won’t go wrong with ether Sonax Polymer NetShield (‘PNS’) or better yet Soft99 Fusso. I’ve used both, and many others, and those two get top marks. 

 

I put a layer of Fusso wax (it’s actually a PTFE/fluorine sealant) on my car last October. Five months later I hadn’t washed it once.  It was full of grime, traffic film and baked on salt and had been thoroughly abused during high speed country road blasts on a daily basis. I knew the protection would be long since dead as nothing had survived this on my Superb to date.  

 

A quick squirt down with PowerMaxed TFR (10% dilution) and a rinse, followed by a two bucket wash with CarPro Eraser (truly excellent soap for cars wearing sealants), and the car was beading and sheeting HARD. You’d swear I’d only just waxed it. I was stunned!

 

In the end I just dried it and gave it a quick spray and wipe with Fukupika (the quick detailer and protection top up spray that goes alongside Fusso). Good until next winter easily, now. The tin of Fusso still looks brand new, you use so very little of it, and it costs less than twenty quid - easily enough for hundreds of applications. Highly, highly recommended. 

[Bignij]

You could wrap it. BUT....................it's mega expensive. And I don't really know what you do, if anything, to wrapped cars to clean and polish them. 

[BriskodaJeff]

Cheers @Rainmaker - exactly the kind of advice I was after. Will give the Fusso a try. Another dumb question if I may - would a bucket full of fairy liquid be enough to remove the LSP currently on there and give a decent base for the Fusso?

 

36 minutes ago, Rainmaker said:

Fukupika 

Now I know you are making it up!

[BriskodaJeff]

12 minutes ago, Bignij said:

You could wrap it. BUT....................it's mega expensive. And I don't really know what you do, if anything, to wrapped cars to clean and polish them. 

Thanks Bignij - but wrapping was always a bridge too far for me.

[Wardy]

Those are good recommendations from @Rainmaker certainly - as it the feedback about what those products will withstand!

 

They sounds exactly what you're after to be honest.

[BriskodaJeff]

Thanks all - Fusso ordered. Will probably give it a month til the evenings are a bit lighter and it's a bit warmer then give it a go. I'd read good things about it, but also some saying it's difficult to apply / remove. It seems the key is "less is more" - thin layer, 2 coats. Will report back in a month or so as the wax I've been putting on should probably come off around that time anyway so good timing.

 

[Wardy]

Sounds good. And yes - got it in one - less is more

[Rainmaker]

Definitely use a VERY thin coat. Basically it should never look like wax, just an oily 'film' over the car - just barely visible. You don't need any pressure on the foam pad (don't use the included one if you can help it, it's a bit hard). Just literally place a soft foam pad in the tin, spin it around once or twice with no pressure, and that'll do you a panel or most of half a bonnet or roof. It goes seriously far. You may need to 'reload' the foam regularly for the first few 'goes' until the foam takes some product on board, just go by eye. Leave it to haze and then buff gently with a new microfibre or two. I applied mine when it was 3 degrees above freezing, and it came away with no elbow grease at all, it just wipes away. Again, thin is best!

 

As for removing your current LSP, Fairy liquid etc is useless. Spray down the car with iron remover (eg Bilt Hamber Korrosol) and rinse thoroughly. Then wash the car, and finally spray all panels (one at a time) with something like Gyeon Prep, or else diluted isopropyl alcohol (50/50 or more). That will definitely strip you back to 'bare paint' and allow the Fusso to bond properly. Alternatively Bilt Hamber Cleaner Fluid is great for exactly this kind of job. The more prepared your paint is, the better your Fusso sealant will 'stick' and the longer it will last. Time spent now is twice the time saved later on cleaning and reapplications. Enjoy!