Hi All.

this is my first black car and I washed it for the first time today (kid with new toy syndrome) I have a swish blade thing for taking the bulk of the water off and have used a wash leather on my other cars. However the leather is a bit naff on the black so are there any better things to use and does anyone have any suggestions on the best cleaning for the black??

Cheers

i bought a poorboys drying towel for mine as reading up on it teh leathers can scratch if you get any grit on them.

got mine from here - Poorboy's Waffle Weave Towel

have a read of the articles here. bin your sponge and buy a washmit instead. Halfords have a 3 for 2 at the moment so you could get a washmitt and megs water magnet towel (similar to the above waffle towel) and get something free.

Not sure on the best for black as ive got a green one

Thanks for that.

Great link to the cleaning site.

I'll nip to halfords in the morning.

Great advice.

Cheers

Alan

Halfords have a 3 for 2 at the moment so you could get a washmitt and megs water magnet towel (similar to the above waffle towel)

I bought a Megs Water Magnet towel the other day, I was a skeptical at first, but after using it I was very impressed, dried the whole car without ringing it out - very surprised. Much easier and quicker to use than the synthetic chamois I was using previous.

Meg's Water magnet for me, and AutoGlym water blade for the windows. I wouldn't recommend using the blade on paintwork unless you're 100% there's nothing stuck to it - grit etc. I've seen what happens when even a tiny bit of grit gets attached, and it isn't pretty :eek:

Also agree on the washmitt approach - also makes washing easier as it's always attached to your hand!

Steve

Meg's Water magnet for me, and AutoGlym water blade for the windows. I wouldn't recommend using the blade on paintwork unless you're 100% there's nothing stuck to it - grit etc. I've seen what happens when even a tiny bit of grit gets attached, and it isn't pretty :eek:

Also agree on the washmitt approach - also makes washing easier as it's always attached to your hand!

Steve

:iagree:

Take care of your paint mate

Cheers All,

Took me to Halfords today and bought a meguiers wash mit, drying towel and some microfibre cloths. 3 for 2 made it more bearable!!

Will give them a try next wash.

I am also seriously considering one of the meguiers clay kits as well to really try and get the paint looking smart.

What are they like?? Any good?

Cheers

i clayed mine for the first time last week and was very impressed with the results. I keep meaning to put up a full thread on the steps taken. Make sure you have some wax ready to go back over the top as it can remove some waxes! I got the cheap megs pack that comes with the quick detailer. heres the half i did, the other half and boot is due to be done this week

very good thread on teh best way to clay here - Detailing Clay : Starters' Guide - Detailing World

That looks nice.

TBH the dealer didn't do a bad job of prepping it but they never seem to get them completely clean.

I think the clay thing might be a good idea then.

I've got some polish from halfords the day before (Autoglym stuff and some autoglym sealer and I have given it a go over with these and the shine isn't bad. Found a few stone chips and a couple of scratches that I am going to see if chips away can remove.

Ta for the advice.

Cheers

All though going on detailing world is like opening a can of worms you do get some good advice on how to care for you car's paint

clay won't remove *some* wax's it should removve every wax as if used properly it should take your car back to bare lacquer so you start with a fresh base where you then wax or polish it on top of fresh clean paint

clay won't remove *some* wax's it should removve every wax as if used properly it should take your car back to bare lacquer so you start with a fresh base where you then wax or polish it on top of fresh clean paint

if you look on the polishedbliss website their guides say that some of the newer waxes are resistant to claying. They may be wrong but i was just going by what ive read and hedging my bets on the "some" waxes

According to clay bar manufacturers, claying should completely strip existing wax or sealant protection. However, in our experience, some of the latest sealants on the market seem to be able to withstand claying

from here - Polished Bliss - Car Care Advice - How to clean your paint in preparation for polishing or protection

how odd, i'd only heard that it should remove everything. live and learn my son, live and learn.

me too till i read that, maybe its the new synthetic stuff. I didnt leave mine naked long enough to test it though!

drying car? as in, intentionally get car wet? does not compute.....

drying car? as in, intentionally get car wet? does not compute.....

The water is an unfortunate by-product of washing the car. You may have heard something of this process once upon a time?

Steve

The water is an unfortunate by-product of washing the car. You may have heard something of this process once upon a time?

Steve

Put it this way, clearing out my touring the other day, found a reciept for the last time the car was washed..

29/06/06.. and its done 15k since then, 7 of which were done in two weeks on dusty eastern european roads:D

I think its important to keep new and nearly new cars treated properly, but for the older stuff, just drive it:thumbup:

Cheers All,

Took me to Halfords today and bought a meguiers wash mit, drying towel and some microfibre cloths. 3 for 2 made it more bearable!!

Will give them a try next wash.

I am also seriously considering one of the meguiers clay kits as well to really try and get the paint looking smart.

What are they like?? Any good?

Cheers

Claying really really works. I done it for the first time last week and the thing still shines now (apart from the copious bird crap). Didnt realise it takes wax off though Good job I re waxed after I did it then.

How often should I clay bar then? Or is it one of them things where you can do it when it looks a bit shabby?

Going to halfrauds in a bit too for some drying towels and a mit

Tend to clay twice a year, usually. But then when I clay, it's part of a full detail. So the car gets two coats of polish, sealant and two coats of wax after the clay! The result is that any fallout doesn't get chance to stick!

The test is that when you've washed and dried, if the paintwork doesn't feel smooth. Should be like glass.

Steve

Meg's Water magnet for me, and AutoGlym water blade for the windows. I wouldn't recommend using the blade on paintwork unless you're 100% there's nothing stuck to it - grit etc. I've seen what happens when even a tiny bit of grit gets attached, and it isn't pretty :eek:

Also agree on the washmitt approach - also makes washing easier as it's always attached to your hand!

Steve

I'm with you Steve on that. Anyone would think that you had been to a seminar on this

Wash from top down everytime. Free flow of running water and use shampoo with water softners in it.

I did know about this stuff before, actually! :P

But yes, I think everyone should goto a Meg's seminar When's that next one happening anyway?

Steve

Just been to halfrauds for the 3 for 2.

Originally picked up a meg's water magnet towel (

Oooh, might be actually tempted to visit Halfrauds! Any idea how long this 3for2's on for?

Steve

Oooh, might be actually tempted to visit Halfrauds! Any idea how long this 3for2's on for?

Steve

Probably till the end of the week tbh, maybe even longer known halfrauds:thumbup: