[petew]

Car cleaning.
I have always used a hose and bucket as not keen on pressure washers - and now retired so have plenty of time.
One job I hated doing was multi spoke or slotted alloys - never like brushes - but have found that most supermarkets sell pan sponges, these are about half an inch thick and are approximately 5"x 3" - so an ideal size.

So guys any tips or unusual things that you have found useful.

An easy way to clean the rear window on the saloon would be great.

[davyk31]

Well diluted Bilberry wheel cleaner and then your pressure washer leaves the wheels 90% clean. Then some wheels brushes and a wash mit to properly clean the wheels. I spend nearly as long on the wheels as the rest of the car.

[....,,,,..,,..]

Best thing to do is to offset the time you clean the wheels to when you clean the car.

They don't need and scrubbing.

Just either clean and seal from new or ideally, pop along to decent Detailer and have them given a wheels off full clean and seal.

Failing that a gentle wheel cleaner (diluted bilberry as mentioned).

Get on Clean your Car and order some decent wheel brushes.

Also if doing yourself get either Swissvax Autobahn rim wax or FK1000P.

Can't really comment on the salon window, however decent glass cleaner and microbibre.

[Nick the Greek]

Even better.

Use the 'Greek' method.

Pay someone else to clean it

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by Nick the Greek

Even better.

Use the 'Greek' method.

Pay someone else to clean it

I thought the 'Greek' method was say you will do them for someone else.

Take the money.

Then have someone else do them for you with someone else money

[bmwspeed01]

I used a new product to me this week end Bilt Hamber auto wheel spray on and wash off job done.

[Nick the Greek]

Originally Posted by Brigand

I thought the 'Greek' method was say you will do them for someone else.

Take the money.

Then have someone else do them for you with someone else money

[wezzie]

Originally Posted by petew

Car cleaning.
I have always used a hose and bucket as not keen on pressure washers - and now retired so have plenty of time.
One job I hated doing was multi spoke or slotted alloys - never like brushes - but have found that most supermarkets sell pan sponges, these are about half an inch thick and are approximately 5"x 3" - so an ideal size.

So guys any tips or unusual things that you have found useful.

An easy way to clean the rear window on the saloon would be great.

Hi there, to clean my wheels 403s I think, I use a circular pastry brush, there soft and gets wright into those little places.At the moment the one I use are sold in Aldi for a fiver a pack.

[allachie9]

If this is to be a general cleaning 'hints & tips' thread -
To stop tail pipes on my 328i from 'coking up', after cleaning, I smear a little Vaseline around the ends of the pipes. Any coke then just wipes off at the next wash.

If you don't have any Vaseline, I suppose you could always ask, those that use it, if KY Jelly is any good

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by allachie9

If this is to be a general cleaning 'hints & tips' thread -
To stop tail pipes on my 328i from 'coking up', after cleaning, I smear a little Vaseline around the ends of the pipes. Any coke then just wipes off at the next wash.

If you don't have any Vaseline, I suppose you could always ask, those that use it, if KY Jelly is any good

Lol get some FK1000P, it's a high temperature Sealant.

Great for wheels, exhausts, car body work, pretty much the lot.

Last for ages

(Well a few months lol)

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/sealan.../prod_589.html

[petew]

Originally Posted by allachie9

If this is to be a general cleaning 'hints & tips' thread -
To stop tail pipes on my 328i from 'coking up', after cleaning, I smear a little Vaseline around the ends of the pipes. Any coke then just wipes off at the next wash.

If you don't have any Vaseline, I suppose you could always ask, those that use it, if KY Jelly is any good

Thanks Alan for getting the thread back on track - think we were getting bogged down with wheel care!!

[rawbhp]

Originally Posted by petew

Thanks Alan for getting the thread back on track - think we were getting bogged down with wheel care!!

Autosol is great for getting rid of soot deposits too.

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by petew

Thanks Alan for getting the thread back on track - think we were getting bogged down with wheel care!!

Probably due to the thread you started...

[DarrenL_007]

Originally Posted by petew

So guys any tips or unusual things that you have found useful.

I always use two buckets for the car itself one full of soapy water and one plain water to rinse off the sheepskin mitt every time it touches the car. Doing it this way ensures the soapy water bucket always stays clean so there is no risk of dirt particles getting rubbed into the paintwork.

[Proftinkerpot]

Wheel woolies are a sound investment. They don't have any metal bits to scratch your alloys and are useful for working in the bilberry. I use angel wax H2Go on the glass and it makes the water fly off when you drive and it leaves the glass clean with minimal effort. A good sealant and wax on body and wheels keeps it easier to maintain a clean car with little effort. As already mentioned autosol is great for polishing your exhaust tips and dust caps.

[Randolph13]

when I had my car detailed they put Modesta BC09 on the alloys, apparently this contains teflon with the result that most of the brake dust just flows off and the wheel just get dirty in the normal way but without a lot of brake dust

[petew]

Originally Posted by Brigand

Probably due to the thread you started...

Sorry Brigand - probably didn't make it clear - its a job I didn't look forward to -
not struggled with. Wheels are treated with a protector every six months and due to low mileage covered the brake dust residue come off easily with a bucket of soapy water and the aforementioned pan sponges which as I said do a great job on the narrow hard to reach places.

It was these that I was trying to recommend and pick up any hints that you other guys have found.
Pete.

[Mattyk]

I use the bilt hamber wheel,cleaner, a brush that fits between the spokes to agitated, wash off then car shampoo with dooka wool,mitt (well before it fell apart after two months, sore point, they ignored the emails, shame it was good whilst it lasted) pressure washed from distance inbetween then dry with micro fibre.

Also get the blue calipers whilst I am at it.

The h2go is ok,on the glass but doesn't last versus wipers. Amazing at motorway speeds though when fresh.

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by petew

Sorry Brigand - probably didn't make it clear - its a job I didn't look forward to -
not struggled with. Wheels are treated with a protector every six months and due to low mileage covered the brake dust residue come off easily with a bucket of soapy water and the aforementioned pan sponges which as I said do a great job on the narrow hard to reach places.

It was these that I was trying to recommend and pick up any hints that you other guys have found.
Pete.

What wheel sealant are you using?

Tbh, using a decent sealant means that you can get away with a wash mit and some wheel whoolies or other brushes.

Dodo juice glass sealant or Gtechniq for your glass requirements.

[petew]

Originally Posted by Brigand

What wheel sealant are you using?

Tbh, using a decent sealant means that you can get away with a wash mit and some wheel whoolies or other brushes.

Dodo juice glass sealant or Gtechniq for your glass requirements.

Been using Superguard wheel protector two or three times a year as was given a kit a while ago, so have been using it up - not sure whats best to use when it runs out.

I wash the whole car weekly so this obviously helps prevent build up of brake dust.

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by petew

Been using Superguard wheel protector two or three times a year as was given a kit a while ago, so have been using it up - not sure whats best to use when it runs out.

I wash the whole car weekly so this obviously helps prevent build up of brake dust.

Personally get along to a Detailer (or do them yourself) and get some Gtechniq C5 on them.

[singh21]

never use swissvax

theres a good tip

and reason being:

http://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/showthread.php?t=132392