Cleaning drying etc.

[LeeH]

Hi

Well gave the 3200 its first proper clean this last weekend.

In the past I have used an Aquablade to help drying, but I am kicking myself
as I think it is past its best and has put a couple of hairline scratches in the paint.

Now these will polish out, but I need to get something different.

Does everyone else just use a good old fashioned chamois?

Any recommendations to keep her in tip top condition would be great.
What do you guys use?
Which brands do you use?
Where is best to get them from?

Thanks for any advice on all things cleaning

Lee

 

[conaero]

Lee, if you see here, this should answer your questions:

http://www.sportsmaserati.co.uk/showthread.php/597-Washing-your-Maser

As for me, I use the aqua blade. Mine is 6 or 7 years old, use it at least once a week, and still preforms faultlessly.

If you have a few hairline scratches, they will polish out. Try a normal top coat polish first, then if not, I would suggest Maguires Tech Wax. If still not joy, its a gentle T cut to the offending areas. I had one on my bonnet about 5 inches long. T cut worked a treat, cant see it at all now.

 

[LeeH]

Thanks Matt

Probably not as bad as I thought then!!!

Just very precious over it at the moment

Lee

 

[Andyk]

I use a Poorboys waffle weave cloth for drying......much better than a chamois. I use 2 one to get most of the water off then another just to finish out. I would never go back to a Chamois.

http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/poorboys-waffle-weave-towel-cat5.html

 

[Parisien]

Any one got links to independent reviews/tests on all these products, as am sure they will reveal just which is best in each area, rather than our own, no doubt trustworthy opinions - but it might be useful!!!


P

 

[conaero]

Andy, is it really that good?

 

[ENZ525]

I use a waffle cloth too, rather than the blade (on a detailers recommendation),
It's quite large, about 2ft x 3ft if I remember correctly, so a bit difficult to wring out,
but it does a really good job of absorbing the water.
I only have one, but Andys idea of having 2 sounds really good.
Regards,
Enzo.

 

[Andyk]

Andy, is it really that good?

Yes they are fantastic....the finish is brilliant compared to a chamois and it doesn't take as long to dry as the waffle cloth hold water better....I would def have 2 though one big one and one small to finish off...I use the big one first to absorb most of the water then the small one to finish off. Most detailers use these for drying. You can get them cheaper on Ebay as well.

Great product highly recommend.

 

[conaero]

Ok, I am sold, second purchase of the night, next to the carnuba wax.

 

[cowsurgeon]

heheh - I've just bought the Harly wax as well after reading the other thread. Good job I don't watch much TV or I'd be buying stuff every time the adverts came on!

I thought I'd add my bit:

Hose down with cold water first (not a pressure washer)
2 bucket method with zipwax in warm water in one and cold water for rinsing in t'other
Meguiars microfibre wash mit for the body, soft-ish brush and cotton rags for the wheels
Rinse with hose
Dry with waffle microfibre towel
I use the autoglym alloy wheel protector stuff as well if I can be bothered!

by the way, if you're worried about spending too much time car cleaning, check this guy out:

http://www.fototime.com/ftweb/bin/ft.dll/home?inv=34FF427DA39570D

Look at his travel kit in the folder marked 'sanctuary' - it's a whole new level of madness!

 

[alfamaserman]

Now then chaps I'm in danger of going off piste here but 'her indoors' says these waffle cloths are just like our tea towels which are also labelled as 'waffle cotton'.
Always trying to save a couple of quid! What do you think? I suspect the thread count would be different.

Ok, let's leave the washing up!

 

[Andyk]

If you do a search on ebay on waffle weave cloth it does indead bring up tea towels as well......who's going to test it out then?

 

[LeeH]

Right enough shopping for one evening!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stocking up on extra washing products...........

Meguirs Lambswool Mitt
Poorboy's Velvet Smooth Ultimate Finishing Towel XXL
Poorboy’s Waffle Weave Drying Towel XL
Gliptone GT11

Going to get another bucket for the "2" bucket technique, may aswell give it a go too!!!

The other half thinks I have gone mad!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Got more cleaning bits and clothes for the car
than we have for the house....

Lee

 

[Andyk]

Right enough shopping for one evening!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stocking up on extra washing products...........

Meguirs Lambswool Mitt
Poorboy's Velvet Smooth Ultimate Finishing Towel XXL
Poorboy’s Waffle Weave Drying Towel XL
Gliptone GT11

Going to get another bucket for the "2" bucket technique, may aswell give it a go too!!!

The other half thinks I have gone mad!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Got more cleaning bits and clothes for the car
than we have for the house....

Lee

Good lad..you know it makes sense...

 

[conaero]

^^^Seconded

 

[lozcb]

Im a micro fibre cloth man me , just do it 2/3 times to remove all the drying marks , i might invest in the aqua stick thing in a couple of weeks i'll let you know how i get on with it


regards loz

 

[Andyk]

Im a micro fibre cloth man me , just do it 2/3 times to remove all the drying marks , i might invest in the aqua stick thing in a couple of weeks i'll let you know how i get on with it


regards loz

Micro fibre cloth Loz...is that the same as a waffle weave?

 

[conaero]

Well mine turned up today, I dunno about drying the car, but it did a great job on the crockery.

I am still very sceptical that it will be as good as a chamois, but ill give it a go!

 

[Andyk]

Well mine turned up today, I dunno about drying the car, but it did a great job on the crockery.

I am still very sceptical that it will be as good as a chamois, but ill give it a go!

Oh you of little faith.....

Your chamois drags the water around and any dirt/dust particuls over your paint as it doesn't absorb as well as the waffle..The waffle weave absorbs the water rather than spreads.....Believe me once used you will never go back.

 

[conaero]

Andy, without sounding rude, how do you use your chamois?

A chamois cant be used dry. I was told how to use something as basic as a chamois by my window cleaner as I was doing all wrong. Here is what he told me:

1. Rinse chamois in clean warm water, not detergents.
2. Wring it out as best you can
3. Holding 2 corners, whip it until you hear is crack!...and repeat several times.
4. The chamois is now ready to leave a totally dry surface, repeating 2 and 3 as needed.

As you know, I always use an aqua blade to clear the standing water, no cloth or chamois would clear that.

Hope this helps.

check out these two cheesemeisters!

[video=youtube;ZsQcyhBsSjI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsQcyhBsSjI[/video]