Detailing chat

Sexual Chocolate

vectra wrote: »

I actually won it a year or so ago. But, do you know your local autosmart rep?

I don't but I'm sure I could find out. I've an unopened 5l of auto foam to get through first, and that may take a while.

CrowdedHouse

If a car gets a ceramic coating does it need any special care in subsequent washing?

Sexual Chocolate

etxp wrote: »

I use Bilt Hamber. It's the first one i tried and haven't felt the need to try any others since using it.

I'm the same except it's the second one I've used. The first being Autobrite Magifoam which I found too thick though still good.

MetzgerMeister

CrowdedHouse wrote: »

If a car gets a ceramic coating does it need any special care in subsequent washing?

Which coating are you going for?

Normally it's just washing with a shampoo that doesn't have wax or anything like that in it. For Gtechniq coatings use their GWash and for CarPro use CarPro Reset. Both can be used on the other and I prefer Reset.

You won't be able to use clay on a coated car so you'll need the likes of Gtechniq W6, Bilt Hamber Korrosol or CarPro IronX for contaminant removal.

Also something else to consider - if your water has high levels of lime, over time the lime can affect the hydrophobic properties of coatings. Water Spot removers work to remove lime but I'm not 100% sure if they are coating safe. I know from experience that they're not safe for use on glass coatings.

Koch Chemie have a great product called FSE which is a quick detailer with limescale remover in it. I've often used it with good results.

CrowdedHouse

Thanks for the detailed reply MM

What I was thinking when I get the new one, checking OCD in Ferbane seeing as I'd be practically passing their door.

But I'm afraid the chances of me actually washing the car myself are very to extremely unlikely so it would be at the mercy of the local car wash....don't judge me

Obviously I know little about coatings...I had a vision of some bullet proof layer.

Probably just a waste of time and money in my case.

punisher5112

CrowdedHouse wrote: »

Thanks for the detailed reply MM

What I was thinking when I get the new one, checking OCD in Ferbane seeing as I'd be practically passing their door.

But I'm afraid the chances of me actually washing the car myself are very to extremely unlikely so it would be at the mercy of the local car wash....don't judge me

Obviously I know little about coatings...I had a vision of some bullet proof layer.

Probably just a waste of time and money in my case.

Get 2 buckets, microfiber mitt or wool mitt, shampoo as mentioned above and drying towel.....
Don't use the local cowboys.... They scratch the absolute sh1t out of it.

MetzgerMeister

CrowdedHouse wrote: »

Thanks for the detailed reply MM

What I was thinking when I get the new one, checking OCD in Ferbane seeing as I'd be practically passing their door.

But I'm afraid the chances of me actually washing the car myself are very to extremely unlikely so it would be at the mercy of the local car wash....don't judge me

Obviously I know little about coatings...I had a vision of some bullet proof layer.

Probably just a waste of time and money in my case.

OCD would be a great place to go. I got a load of samples from Peter yesterday to try out. He's a proper gent of the highest order.

I would also suggest using Gtechniq L1 on the leather as soon as you can. Peter stocks Gtechniq but if you wanted this I'd say he would use Colour lock's leather shield which is the same idea.

If you're not going to wash the car yourself or you're bringing it to somewhere that does "valeting" a coating is an utter waste of time and money. Before a coating is applied the car has to be corrected. Not washing it properly will only induce scratches and swirls into the coating therefore it's a waste of time.

Gumbo

CrowdedHouse wrote: »

Thanks for the detailed reply MM

What I was thinking when I get the new one, checking OCD in Ferbane seeing as I'd be practically passing their door.

But I'm afraid the chances of me actually washing the car myself are very to extremely unlikely so it would be at the mercy of the local car wash....don't judge me

Obviously I know little about coatings...I had a vision of some bullet proof layer.

Probably just a waste of time and money in my case.

If you have no interest in washing the car yourself, don’t go near the local wash.

Just book into OCD once a month for a maintenance wash.

CrowdedHouse

Thanks - if I was nearby it might be an idea.

It's either embrace as a hobby or leave it be.

high horse

CrowdedHouse wrote: »

Thanks - if I was nearby it might be an idea.

It's either embrace as a hobby or leave it be.

I'd prefer to have a dirty car than to have it washed by the local car wash guys

CrowdedHouse

high horse wrote: »

I'd prefer to have a dirty car than to have it washed by the local car wash guys

Yea but when your hands or clothes get dirty off it you have to do something

Slattsy

Lads, i know this has been done to death already somewhere... but my Karcher PS has finally packed it in.

If i'm correct i think a lot of people recommend the Nilfisk over the Karcher. Any particular one i should be looking at. The PW is only ever really used on the car and occasionally to give the driveway/backyard an aul clean. Thanks.

punisher5112

Slattsy wrote: »

Lads, i know this has been done to death already somewhere... but my Karcher PS has finally packed it in.

If i'm correct i think a lot of people recommend the Nilfisk over the Karcher. Any particular one i should be looking at. The PW is only ever really used on the car and occasionally to give the driveway/backyard an aul clean. Thanks.

C120 if I recall.... That is the one recommended on here by lots.

I'm disappointed with karcher

vectra

Are Lidl getting in their Parkside washers soon?
I am sure I saw them advertised recently.

crasy dash

vectra wrote: »

Are Lidl getting in their Parkside washers soon?
I am sure I saw them advertised recently.

Just Looked in the app they have one from tomorrow with a 5year warranty for 200 euro an absolute bargain at that price.

https://www.lidl.ie/en/p/great-gardens/garden-pressure-sprayer/p9649

Stallingrad

Very light on specs, any info on KW or flow rate? And what is 2 bars? Karcher K4 is 130...what am I missing?

I'd be tempted by this:
https://www.heavins.ie/p/karcher-k4-power-control-pressure-power-washer/4054278618241?gclid=CjwKCAjwu5CDBhB9EiwA0w6sLUWgnRjto2TgyL9CM4ro0AMbSdFZ6QTDitN8VDmwO0Y3hg8nA93AuBoC8csQAvD_BwE

Technique

Stallingrad wrote: »

Very light on specs, any info on KW or flow rate? And what is 2 bars? Karcher K4 is 130...what am I missing?

I'd be tempted by this:
https://www.heavins.ie/p/karcher-k4-power-control-pressure-power-washer/4054278618241?gclid=CjwKCAjwu5CDBhB9EiwA0w6sLUWgnRjto2TgyL9CM4ro0AMbSdFZ6QTDitN8VDmwO0Y3hg8nA93AuBoC8csQAvD_BwE

I've got that one. I find it great for car washing and using with a snow foam lance. I also use it for general cleaning like paving etc. I had a smaller Karcher before that and found it a big step up.

traco

Slightly OT but pressure washer related. I have a Karcher HD5/11C that must be 10/12 years old at this stage??

It still works great but at its age I wonder can it be serviced and rebuilt with new seals etc. Seems a shame not to give it some TLC and look after it. I don't know what its equivalent is today as they seemed to have discontinued the model. It was the entry commercial grade one back in the day.

So does anyone service / rebuild them or can I buy a kit and do it myself?

RoryMurphyJnr

Technique wrote: »

I've got that one. I find it great for car washing and using with a snow foam lance. I also use it for general cleaning like paving etc. I had a smaller Karcher before that and found it a big step up.

Picked up the K4 about a month ago myself, what snow foam lance are you using?
I've just the bog standard Karcher one
Doesn't do a bad job just wondered if there's a better option
Ta

punisher5112

RoryMurphyJnr wrote: »

Picked up the K4 about a month ago myself, what snow foam lance are you using?
I've just the bog standard Karcher one
Doesn't do a bad job just wondered if there's a better option
Ta

https://m.aliexpress.com/item/32755996856.html?pid=808_0000_0109&spm=a2g0n.productlist.0.0.44052c37NFdJRj&browser_id=88e613287f8f4e7e85c767a7b4a57b76&aff_trace_key=80977bc0c05645f48c34b119fe73e67e-1617187544840-04400-UneMJZVf&aff_platform=msite&m_page_id=z0rdfzjhty4cau4q17887e3efec11ce4adf119308c&gclid=&_imgsrc_=ae01.alicdn.com/kf/H93be55ac46c743c6adde6cebc3012627r.jpg_640x640Q90.jpg_.webp

masterboy123

Hello all,

I am thinking to have Drexler ceramic coating done by a professional service.

Any used this particular ceramic coating?
Or any pros or cons?

Many thanks

Technique

RoryMurphyJnr wrote: »

Picked up the K4 about a month ago myself, what snow foam lance are you using?
I've just the bog standard Karcher one
Doesn't do a bad job just wondered if there's a better option
Ta

Get a dedicated snow foam lance, the Karcher one is not up to the job.

I got this package from Blok 51:

https://www.blok51.com/blok-51-snow-foam-lance-karcher-k-series-with-auto-finesse-avalanche-snow-foam-1l.html

The_B_Man

Anyone able to recommend a detailer around Tallaght to do some paint correction and put on a layer of protection?
I have no experience here and the Detailers List sticky is out of date.

I was looking at a few but don't know which use the "good stuff" when it comes to ceramic coating etc

So far I found Auto Detail Valeting, MX Tint, and Pro Car Detailing, all within a few minutes drive. There's probably more.
Anyone have any experience of these?

Cheers

MetzgerMeister

The OP in the detailers list may have an old date on it but I'm always updating that post so it's actually up to date.

The_B_Man

Fair enough, I thought there'd be more than one recommend place.

Decoda

Ordered a few bits off wash me, delivery within 48 hrs. A great service including emails checking on my address after I messed up filling in the details on the website. Box contained a hand written note from Pascal along with a small pack of Jellies which the kids loved. Will definitely be going back to stock up. No connection to the business, just refreshing to come across such efficiency.

Gumbo

Decoda wrote: »

Ordered a few bits off wash me, delivery within 48 hrs. A great service including emails checking on my address after I messed up filling in the details on the website. Box contained a hand written note from Pascal along with a small pack of Jellies which the kids loved. Will definitely be going back to stock up. No connection to the business, just refreshing to come across such efficiency.

I’ve ordered from Paschal too. He has the full range of ADBL products there now.

Stallingrad

Gumbo wrote: »

I’ve ordered from Paschal too. He has the full range of ADBL products there now.

Got the ADBL Snowball from Paschal. Rate it higher than the BH Autowash or Meguiars NXT now sitting abandoned in the shed, super slick and foamy. Their wheel gel lasts forever too. He's also got a couple of new products lines which I'm curious to try.

traco

Guys - where do you all wash the cars?

At home I pull them out onto the kerbside and work away, usually a hose and two bucket job. If I am doing a bigger clean and snow foam I do it at work as the grond is usually covered in foam and there are large drains close by to rinse the foam and suds away easily.

I suppose I could do it in the drive but thats all been recently donw with light coloured sotens etc by herself so not sure I want to incur that wrath.

Has anyone had any hassle with snowfoam on the public street?

Gumbo

traco wrote: »

Guys - where do you all wash the cars?

At home I pull them out onto the kerbside and work away, usually a hose and two bucket job. If I am doing a bigger clean and snow foam I do it at work as the grond is usually covered in foam and there are large drains close by to rinse the foam and suds away easily.

I suppose I could do it in the drive but thats all been recently donw with light coloured sotens etc by herself so not sure I want to incur that wrath.

Has anyone had any hassle with snowfoam on the public street?

In the garden.
Have everything quickly accessible in the covered side entrance.

I just pay a bit of consideration when spraying the chemicals or tyre shine close to the garden slabs.
And always give the garden a quick spray afterwards to push anything out to the path and into the road gully directly outside the house.

traco

Nice setup Gumbo.

My drive slopes down towards the house and the surface can't be washed as its all loose sitting in a honeycomb structure. Pebbles would be everywhere

The summer toy is back on the road today and needs a wash, to be fair its not too bad but herselfs car is foul. There is a car wash place close to me. I wonder if they would snowfoam it, let it site for a while and rinse if I paid them and asked them not to wash it? Only one way to find out I guess. It would be 5 mins back home and I could work away with the garden hose and buckets then on the kerb outside as normal.

I really need to rotate them down to work for a full decontamination where I can do a proper job then pull them in, clay them, quick machine polish and wax. I have the space to pull them in a leave overnight while I take the van home. Just need to plan it in.

dastardly00

traco wrote: »

Guys - where do you all wash the cars?

At home I pull them out onto the kerbside and work away, usually a hose and two bucket job. If I am doing a bigger clean and snow foam I do it at work as the grond is usually covered in foam and there are large drains close by to rinse the foam and suds away easily.

I suppose I could do it in the drive but thats all been recently donw with light coloured sotens etc by herself so not sure I want to incur that wrath.

Has anyone had any hassle with snowfoam on the public street?

I live in a mid-terrace house in an estate. So the car gets washed in the driveway. I keep my pressure washer, hose and detailing products in the shed in the back garden. So it's a bit annoying to have to drag them through the house twice when I wash the car. Thankfully I had a tap installed on the exterior front wall when the house was being built so at least I don't have a nose hooked up to the kitchen sink.

My driveway is sloped down towards the footpath/road so snow foam and shampoo quickly run off. However, there is also a gentle slope on the footpath going across the driveway entrance, which means that some of the foam and shampoo ends up on the footpath in front of one my neighbour's driveway. So I end up spending about as much time rinsing the foam and shampoo from the footpath as I do from the car. I'm very aware of it, so I do think that I do a decent job of keeping the area in front of their driveway clean. They have never complained, but they did only move in about 6 months ago.

sebdavis

Picked up the Lidl washer today, model is PHDP 180 A1
Just wondering what sort of foam lance might work with it?

Gumbo

traco wrote: »

Nice setup Gumbo.

My drive slopes down towards the house and the surface can't be washed as its all loose sitting in a honeycomb structure. Pebbles would be everywhere

The summer toy is back on the road today and needs a wash, to be fair its not too bad but herselfs car is foul. There is a car wash place close to me. I wonder if they would snowfoam it, let it site for a while and rinse if I paid them and asked them not to wash it? Only one way to find out I guess. It would be 5 mins back home and I could work away with the garden hose and buckets then on the kerb outside as normal.

I really need to rotate them down to work for a full decontamination where I can do a proper job then pull them in, clay them, quick machine polish and wax. I have the space to pull them in a leave overnight while I take the van home. Just need to plan it in.

Damn, your kinda snookered there!
Maybe initial rinse on the street and then bring it in for the drying and coating stage.

Just get a long enough house that extends out to the path and push the leftovers towards the road gully?

There’s plenty worse things a neighbour could be doing than washing their car.

vectra

sebdavis wrote: »

Picked up the Lidl washer today, model is PHDP 180 A1
Just wondering what sort of foam lance might work with it?

Lavor fitment as fas as I am aware.

CianRyan

Ended up buying a few things in halfords as I was beside it anyway getting house paint.
Bought Auto Finesse snow foam which actually worked a treat, a few new micro fibers, new applicator sponges and Autoglym Rapid Ceramic Spray. All for just €40 with the trade card.

Gave the car a good go over. TFR, snow foam, clay bar, polish with Chemical Guys Black Light and then the ceramic spray.
The paint looks great and feels glassy, we'll see how good a "quick ceramic coat" really is over the next few weeks.

sebdavis

vectra wrote: »

Lavor fitment as fas as I am aware.

Thanks, sorry I am new to this, is that the type of connector the foam lancer needs to support? Thanks

crasy dash

sebdavis wrote: »

Thanks, sorry I am new to this, is that the type of connector the foam lancer needs to support? Thanks

That's the brand name lavor search for those and compare the connection with your machine.
They should be the same.

crasy dash

Lads bought a banger as the bloody Saab died on me rough as feck but it will do until I can search for a proper car.
Car was owned previously by a farmer so it's utterly manky inside.
So far I have removed the seats cleaned and hoovered as much dog hair and i can.
Just want to give the seats a good going over with the wet vac have g101 and autopia bio blue which one would be better to be used on fabrics .
Any info on what sort of dilution to use on heavily soiled carpets and seats

Thanks lads

PsychoPete

I imagine bio blue would be more designed for the job when it comes to cleaning, removing odours etc. Haven't used that product but some are highly concentrated, I'd probably go around 15:1

vectra

I would use 101 first to get the heavy gunk off, then use the Bio as a secondry cleaner plus deoderising at the same time.

crasy dash

Thanks for the replies I'll go with a combo of the two and see how it goes.

traco

Its out for the season. Didn't do the snow foam so good rinse, two bucket wash and dry. Came up really well then about 8 hours later. Dirty rotten little ***** ***** *****

Gumbo

^^^^^always the same

ianobrien

I was going some tidying in the garden and I dug this out. I was going to throw it out but decided to hang onto it. The reason is that I want to try out some of the newer polishes and pads and this looks like the ideal learning panel. I have used Chemical Guys V range and Hex-Logic pads but there's loads of new polishes that I'd like to try (Scholl, Zvizzer, etc). I'm thinking of the one step polishes.

The panel I think will be nice to try them on as it has a range of damage all the way to deep scratches.





On the other hand, if someone is looking for a Citroen AX bonnet, you can have it.

myshirt

What type of paint is on the new Volvo's? We are looking at Crystal White Pearlescent. Not sure if that a hard or a soft paint? Presumably hard. Currently driving a BMW with paint that is definitely hard.

I'm looking to buy a new machine, pads, and polish and clean and protect the car when we get it.

MetzgerMeister

Ian - the one step polishes are good BUT they are really only 1 step when using a rotary polisher. I've been correcting my car over the last while and was using Scholl S20 one step and I found that it only broke down from compound to polish when using the rotary. This didn't work with the DA for some reason.

It's possible that I wasn't using the DA for long enough but I'm not so sure.

Scholl S3 is a superb compound by the way. That mated with a green Shinemate pad has scratches gone in less that a minute with the rotary machine.

clubberlang12

myshirt wrote: »

What type of paint is on the new Volvo's? We are looking at Crystal White Pearlescent. Not sure if that a hard or a soft paint? Presumably hard. Currently driving a BMW with paint that is definitely hard.

I'm looking to buy a new machine, pads, and polish and clean and protect the car when we get it.

The truth is, it's extremely hard to gauge whether paint is soft or hard, or lies in between, until you start polishing it. I had a solid red 2017 VW Golf in last week, and all the original paint was very hard. Typically, nearly all solid (non metallic) paints that have been in the last few years have been very much on the softer side. I had a metallic black, brand new Golf that had a terrible dealership prep needing correction, that was softer-medium paint(,much to the surprise of the owner as his friend informed him that all VW have hard paint, despite his friend having never machine polished a car before!).

So the advice i would give is , if you can, have a variety of pads at hand(from finishing pads up to MF pads, combined with a heavy cut compound, medium cut compound and either a finishing polish, or an AIO or 3-In-1 type polish to finish off. Start with the least aggressive pad/combo. Check results(use a dedicated solution such a Gyeon Prep, CarPro Eraser, Gtechniq Panel Wipe).If not happy with correction results, step up the aggressiveness and repeat till you find a combo that works. Then top with a good quality sealant.

Stallingrad

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

Ian - the one step polishes are good BUT they are really only 1 step when using a rotary polisher. I've been correcting my car over the last while and was using Scholl S20 one step and I found that it only broke down from compound to polish when using the rotary. This didn't work with the DA for some reason.

It's possible that I wasn't using the DA for long enough but I'm not so sure.

Scholl S3 is a superb compound by the way. That mated with a green Shinemate pad has scratches gone in less that a minute with the rotary machine.

Just to add to this I've found S20 to deliver excellent results and is my go to, but it does not remove 100% of the swirls on my (quite) hard VAG point with the DA. I'd say 80% which is Ok for me. If you are a weekend warrior chasing perfection then 2 step with a DA is the way to go, or as MM says pull the trigger with a rotary, but do your homework first.

MetzgerMeister

I used ADBL Tyre and Rubber cleaner at the weekend for the first time and I was highly impressed with it. It starts pulling dirt out out the tyre upon contact and cleans deep. Granted it didn't foam up too much while scrubbing but I can live with that.

I would highly recommend this product as it's another step or two above my previous tyre cleaner which is Bilt Hamber Surfex HD.