Car Cleaning Tricks & Tips

[Twisted]

Ok guys, we all love our AU's and love to see them nice and clean and shiny! I propose we start a thread to accumulate knowledge on cleaning and maintaining these great machines. Im talking about any little tips or tricks you have, they dont have to be AU specific but anything that helps with our particular model is a bonus. Detailing the engine bay, polishing/waxing, keeping the interior looking mint and general preventive maintenance info! Post away, I'll start!



A tip I picked up from one of Auriga's posts on another site:

To keep the door/window rubbers nice and soft and clean cover them in non-scented baby oil and let them sit for 10 minutes or so to soak in then clean off the excess. This will keep them soft and shiny and stop them from drying out and cracking.

[SVR73]

Update on that one bluey, wolfgang black diamond tire gel I use on my car now. It's killer stuff, no petroleum distillates and lasts up to 1000 km's on tires. Went to hamilton and back and were still black

Here's one - never get any water on the door trims.
Always use two bucket method to wash the car and use a microfibre wash mitt. Dry with a MF waffle weave or tricot drying towel

[Twisted]

Originally Posted by SVR73

Update on that one bluey, wolfgang black diamond tire gel I use on my car now. It's killer stuff, no petroleum distillates and lasts up to 1000 km's on tires. Went to hamilton and back and were still black

Here's one - never get any water on the door trims.
Always use two bucket method to wash the car and use a microfibre wash mitt. Dry with a MF waffle weave or tricot drying towel

Thanks mate!

Cmon guys spill the beans, what are your tips and tricks...

[loxxr6]

I think my engine bay speaks for the quality of my car's cleanliness :

[Dark Horse]

Originally Posted by loxxr6

I think my engine bay speaks for the quality of my car's cleanliness :

I am NOT going there lol.

I use Meguiar's QuikDetailer for all internal trims as well as externally. It leaves a nice sweet smell, something akin to what some people say is new car smell.

Externally I use Meguiar's Next Generation anti-static Car Wash, I believe for black cars gives you another 10 seconds before you have to wash the car again.

Tyre shine I use Turtlewax Tyre shine, it works for a fortnight, is heaps messy when you apply it, and also has a nice sweet smell to it.

[lv619]

A bit of steel wool lightly rubbed on the windows will bring em up a treat and gets rid of most of the dirt and grime too.

[Casper]

Best tip....

Listen to SVR73, he's the man as far as cleaning the car goes. If I ever have a question, I ask him. Simple as that.

[Dodge]

eagle 1 has a spray on wax and dry product, u actually use it after washing of suds u spray it on and chamis it off , it leaves the paint feeln smooth and silky, i also use tyre gel on factory black plastic bumbers and grills

For cars with non leather interiors, use diluted (20-1) liquid sugarsoap in a squirter bottle to clean. Spray onto a soft cloth and gently rub the soiled/dirty area, then rinse off with warm water. Works a treat.

[JAJH]

To get the bugs and crap off the front of the car I use a nylon type of cloth which is similiar to the bags that onions come in (I think you can buy them at supermarkets where the dishwashing stuff is). It's gentle on the duco and gets everything off. Just makie sure you remove the onions first!!!

[SVR73]

It's titled wax as U dry and is eagle one's best product. It's actually mentioned and quite well recieved at autopia.org, where I learnt my craft. Truly I never stop learning from that site. Today my new product line came in from the USA
Sonus SFX refinishing system

Thanks casper. That made my day.

[GT 8888]

Originally Posted by SVR73

Update on that one bluey, wolfgang black diamond tire gel I use on my car now. It's killer stuff, no petroleum distillates and lasts up to 1000 km's on tires. Went to hamilton and back and were still black

Here's one - never get any water on the door trims.
Always use two bucket method to wash the car and use a microfibre wash mitt. Dry with a MF waffle weave or tricot drying towel

Where in Adelaide can I get some of that tyre gel?

Thanks

Brad

[Headsex]

I use my Chaimos (spelling?) to wipe / clean the interior, dash, door trims, centre console. removes the dust and brings it all up nice and clean

[normell]

Casper
The articles
http://www.aufalcon.com./Articles/carcare.htm
and the second
The requested URL /Articles/carcare2.htm was not found on this server.
that were on AUFALCON.COM were great tips for cleaning/polishing.
Are is second one gone for good
norm

[ned]

Baby oil on some of the interior plastics, for example for us e-series owners with the fading cruise control buttons, baby oil keeps that black for a long time. At least that's what I have noticed.

[SVR73]

Can't get it in adelaide mate. I get it direct from manufacturer in the USA as most of the stuff I have
It might be available from brisbane but only the small size. I've got the 3.78 litre container of it.

[SVR73]

OK here's one, not easy to get stuff for but here we go
AU series 1 top exterior trim
If it's looking faded, covered in water spots or just in bad shape or you want it to look better

Clearkote Vanilla Moose - removes oxidation,water spots and staining & restores it
to as new condition
Autoglym bodyshop 07B - looks like strawberry jam but enrichens and restores all vinyl, rubber and plastic surfaces
Wolfgang black diamond tire gel - makes them even blacker and adds some short term protection
Any paint sealant- klasse etc. Seals and protects them for good
You can also try forever black

[chief]

Also www.detailcity.com This is a forum set up to only talk about car cleaning and detailing.

It takes two days to detail the wagon. This includes taking the wheels off to clean wheel arches, hand washing the car twice ect. You can get the point why it takes so long.

Being summer you want a clean car but it always rains!!!

[SVR73]

Originally Posted by chief

Also www.detailcity.com This is a forum set up to only talk about car cleaning and detailing.

It takes two days to detail the wagon. This includes taking the wheels off to clean wheel arches, hand washing the car twice ect. You can get the point why it takes so long.

Being summer you want a clean car but it always rains!!!

I am also a member of detail city. Autopia is my home but the more forums the better.
Much better to wash and clay (if necessary) the car and then rain than to leave the car and let fallout & other contaminants invade and damage the paint