cgooderham94 Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 I'm currently looking into getting a pressure washer to clean my car. I want to use it so I can spray on shampoo etc and clean off stubborn dirt. The question is, do I get one or not? I know some people are really against them and others love them. Should I use it just to apply detergent then hand wash or use it to do the whole clean? Would appreciate any advice you guys have! Sent from my iPhone using Ford OC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenST13 Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 Definitely get a pressure washer!!! I'm a professional detailer and wouldn't be without one as long as you use them right there great. To answer your other questions always start by prerinseing to get the think muck off starting from the bottom working up not getting to close try stay at least 30cm away from paint work. Then put your detergent on with the pressure washer (I recommend a snow foam) leave this a couple of minutes as this will losen the stubborn grime and rinse again working bottom to top. Now your ready to had wash as normal then rinse again but from top to bottom. By doing it this way you remove more muck and grime before hand washing. So when you do get to hand washing there is far less risk of dirt scratching the car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cgooderham94 Posted January 17, 2015 Author Share Posted January 17, 2015 That's great then, do you have any recommendations on what I should get? I'm told karcher are over-priced and not all that reliable. I have many more questions for you (if you don't mind)!! 1) I was washing my black alloys with megs wheel cleaner using a brush and after rinsing off I noticed one of the wheels have gone hazy. Is this safe to use on factory painted wheels? If not what should I use and will I need to polish to remove this haze? 2) I'm currently just using megs wash and wax. I've started to wax my car with megs ultimate liquid wax. I really want to work to a glass/mirror finish so what would you recommend? The cars only 3 months old so paint is very fresh. 3) Hand wax or orbital machine? 4) Any other tips you can give me? Cheers! Sent from my iPhone using Ford OC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenST13 Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 Karcher are good if you maintain then. I've found get the best you can afford and maintain it and you should be ok. Looking after your pressure washer is the main thing and it will last longer than you think. 1) try stay away from acid or alkaline wheel cleaners they have a tendency to cause marring if left a second to long. For heavy soiled wheels use a iron and fall out remover like ValetPro Dragons Breath or similar from Gtechniq, Auto Finesse and many others. For normal cleaning ValetPro bilberry wheel cleaner is one of the best. Do your wheels same as the body prerinse, wheel cleaner 2 mins then rinse. (If needed apply more and adgitate with a soft brush). Then hand wash. Get some Gtechniq P1 nanocomposite polish and the Gtechniq polishing pad and this will polish it back and remove the haze. 2) To get the mirror shine it's more about preparation than polish. Do the wash stage as my last post advises and dry the car. Then use dragons breath on the paint work spray and leave a couple of mins then with a damp micro fibre cloth just go over the paint working it in. Leave 5 mins max and rinse dry then tar and glue remover in same way but just spray wipe rinse with this. Next step the clay bar fine grade only maguirs do a good clay and lube set which will do an excellent job with all instructions with it. Then you need to polish and wax again this is up to you really which you can afford and what suits your needs. The best place to look for these is theultimatefinish.com there's a huge range on there. 3) both. Wax with the orbital first then by hand this gets the places the orbital can't or any you have missed. 4) it's hard to really to put tips out ther as what works for me doesn't always for others but feel free to ask anything and I'll help as best I can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cgooderham94 Posted January 17, 2015 Author Share Posted January 17, 2015 This is great advice. Really appreciate it, when you say work the wax/polish in do you mean I'm a circular motion? If so, small or large circles. I know this sounds petty but I've got to start somewhere! Sent from my iPhone using Ford OC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenST13 Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 If your polishing by hand go in straight lines. Circles when waxing size of circles doesn't really mater. It's more about covering the car properly and only a thin layer is needed. The best application pads for polish and wax are foam pads. So as a example if you use a DA machine first apply your polish to the pad in 4 pea sized dots the work on to paint in straight lines on the car one panel a time. Then remove with a damp microfibre the buff up with a dry micro fibre. Then to get the parts you can't get and any you have missed. Apply 3 pea size dots to your pad and do the car by hand and remove the same way. Now waxing if you use a carnuba paste wax first warm the pot in boiling water to soften the wax so it can be removed from the pot. Now apply a small amount too a new pad and apply with a DA machine and remove the same way as polish. Then do the same with a new pad by hand as the polish and remove the same way. Now here's a little tip to get a really deep shine and smooth finish. If you buy a liquid window cleaner like autoglym's fast glass. Spray a little on a microfibre cloth an go over the car a panel at a time and buff up with a dry one this will remove the wax residue (but not the protective layers) and give you a deeper shine and smoother finish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cgooderham94 Posted January 18, 2015 Author Share Posted January 18, 2015 Well I've been out today and invested in a karcher k2 car. Got the glass cleaner and some megs nxt car wash. To what dilution would you recommend as I have the little spray bottle you attach to the pressure washer. By next weekend I'll give it a good clean and take a picture of the results! Cheers for all your help! Sent from my iPhone using Ford OC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenST13 Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 Is go with what it says on the bottle for dilution rate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomsFocus Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 To answer your other questions always start by prerinseing to get the think muck off starting from the bottom working up not getting to close try stay at least 30cm away from paint work.Why start from the bottom up? I always do roof/windows/doors/boot/front end/wheels and arches so the dirt is always dropping onto dirty areas and the lower parts get a bit of extra soak time. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenST13 Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 You only do this in prerinse and snow foam stages. This is because the thick of th grime is there. If you start at the top it all runs down and sticks to the grime that's already there. So if you pre rinse from the sills up then back down the grime will fall off these areas first so the grime from the top will then have the water run off so will also be removed easier. Then prespray with snowfoam of tfr with a pressure sprayer from the bottom up so it will then work better on the stuck grime and leave for a couple of mins. Then rinse bottom to top again causing water run off so it will all come off the car easier leaving less grime to do any damage. Then you sponge and rinse top to bottom. This method is the best to make sure that there is very little to no grime stuck on the car when sponging causing less chance of scratching to paint work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenST13 Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 Chooderham94 here's some pics of mine and other cars I've done using these methods. .jpg] Sent from my iPhone using Ford OC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cgooderham94 Posted January 18, 2015 Author Share Posted January 18, 2015 Looking good Steven! I gave my car a wash and shampoo today. Didn't have time to do a proper detail but definitely loving the pressure washer and pre wash! Sent from my iPhone using Ford OC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenST13 Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 Yeah it definitely makes a difference doing the pre wash with the pressure washer first before sponging. If you need anymore advice or tips just let me know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgriff Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 Some great tips and advice, great read Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cgooderham94 Posted January 18, 2015 Author Share Posted January 18, 2015 It is very good advice indeed! I know who I'll be getting in contact with in the future. Like I say, I'll post some pictures this weekend of the results given all the advice! Sent from my iPhone using Ford OC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisroberson99 Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 I have a Nilfisk and an Autobrite snow foam lance. Works a treat! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomsFocus Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 You only do this in prerinse and snow foam stages. This is because the thick of th grime is there. If you start at the top it all runs down and sticks to the grime that's already there. So if you pre rinse from the sills up then back down the grime will fall off these areas first so the grime from the top will then have the water run off so will also be removed easier. Then prespray with snowfoam of tfr with a pressure sprayer from the bottom up so it will then work better on the stuck grime and leave for a couple of mins. Then rinse bottom to top again causing water run off so it will all come off the car easier leaving less grime to do any damage. Then you sponge and rinse top to bottom. This method is the best to make sure that there is very little to no grime stuck on the car when sponging causing less chance of scratching to paint work.Ah I hadn't thought of it like that, will try it next time! I must say though, I can't believe you use a sponge as a pro detailer? Lambs wool mitt ftw! :D As we're showing clean pics, heres the Focus after a 'quick' detail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisroberson99 Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 Lovely finish. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomsFocus Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 Thanks. :) Really am glad I chose a Panther Black one when its clean! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laumk7 Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 Yes defo get a pressure washer, I use our karcher now and again (it's a faff to set up, I'll be honest, when the garage has had a clear out perhaps I'll use it more who knows) to snow foam the cars and wash the underneath / wheel arches properly Sent from my iPad using Ford OC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenST13 Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 I don't actually use a sponge tomsfocus. I use a merino lambs wool was mitt. I just use the term spongeing as this is what most people understand as the term for that stage of the process. To everyone I've been trying some new products I've been given to sample by angelwax. I've got to say these are exceptionally reasonably price and give an out standing finish and can definitely recommend then. I will be using these products for my detailing work. Give them a look at www.angelwax.co.uk I've tried the full range and have no complaints. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomsFocus Posted January 21, 2015 Share Posted January 21, 2015 I don't actually use a sponge tomsfocus. I use a merino lambs wool was mitt. I just use the term spongeing as this is what most people understand as the term for that stage of the process.Fair enough, makes sense! I know the majority of people like wiping grit around with a sponge and making swirls in the paintwork... Have you got any tips for cleaning multispoke alloys? Or applying wheel sealant to them? I've always had wider spaced wheels but the 20 spoke multi's on the Focus are a right pain to do anything with! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenST13 Posted January 21, 2015 Share Posted January 21, 2015 Yes Tom your right about people with sponges. The best tip is to get some angelwax bilberry wheel cleaner, angelwax revelation fallout remover, a soft detailing brush and angelwax bilberry wheel wax. Rinse the wheels of well first then spray on the bilberry wheel cleaner and leave to dwell for a couple of mins then rinse well. Then spray on the revelation leave to dwell 5mins then agitate with the soft detailing brush and leave 2mins then rinse well and sponge. Then apply the bilberry wheel wax with a finger wax applicator. After this your wheels will be easy to keep clean and will only need a through clean every 3-6 months. You can get a wheel woolly to do the backs as well if you want to do it without removing the wheels. www.angelwax.co.uk and www.theultimatefinish.com for the finger aplicator. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenST13 Posted January 21, 2015 Share Posted January 21, 2015 So guys I have recently wrote a detailed detailing guide for the exterior of cars for another member who sent me a pm asking for one. This guide covers a full detail of the exterior that is done by hand. If anyone would like a copy just pm me and I'll send it too you. I can also adapt this for anyone who uses a DA or rotary polishing machine. Or if you would prefer I can start a thread on this that you can follow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgriff Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 Could you send it on to me Steven. It would be nice to compare with a professionals procedure to see what im doing right or wrong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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