Any car cleaning product tips also where to get the stuff from?

shabbaranker · 04-23-2019, 02:38 AM

Hi,
Just bought my 3 series and am looking to take care of her and keep on top of a clean and polish. Can anyone form the UK suggest what to use and where to get it please?

Thanks
Shabba..!!

Newman1 · 04-23-2019, 03:39 PM

Not sure about the UK specifically, but I purchase all of my car care products from www.autogeek.net. They have a great forum with product reviews and feedback. There are international members there too so perhaps that can be a good resource to find local products for you.

Wolfus Aurelius · 04-26-2019, 02:32 PM

Griot's Garage has a lot of great stuff, griotsgarage.com I've seen some of their products now on the shelf at Autozone.

sspade · 04-26-2019, 02:38 PM

What are you guys using for sealant?

Ive just finished my bottle of Jescar Power Lock+

Great product but a real workout to put on and take off by hand. So Im considering other brands before I buy another bottle.

Anyone have a recommendation that you have personally tried?

Topcoat F11 ?

Chemical Guys JetSeal ?

Wolfus Aurelius · 04-26-2019, 03:16 PM

Shabba,

I keep my routine simple. Once a week if it's not raining I take it to a do-it-yourself car wash, i.e., one of the inexpensive places (ca. $1.50 USD) where you spray the car yourself. No brush unless the wheels are very dirty. I spray the wheels and tires with a cleaner, then low-pressure rinse the entire car from the top down, then rinse with the high-pressure spray, then finish with the spot-free rinse.

I dry the wheels (brake dust on damp wheels is very hard to clean off!), wipe down the windows, and then dry the entire car with spray-on, "wax-as-you-dry" wax. This protects the paint until next week. Meguiar's Natural Shine goes on the tires: It's not glossy and it doesn't sling off when you drive the car, but the tires look new. Black plastic can be renewed with Mother's Back to Black product. (I've been told that peanut butter -- yes! -- works well on dark plastic, but I've never tried it. I don't want roaches riding with me.)

It's too hot and humid here to do it every season, so at least once, maybe twice, a year I do a complete claying, polish/glaze step, and then hand wax. Touch up any nicks with touch-up paint on a tiny brush; the brush that comes with the bottle is too big and unwieldy.

I'm having a clear paint protection film, a "clear bra," put on the front bumper and nose of the car soon, to protect from rock chips and the like. That, they tell me, can be waxed right along with the rest of the paint. Otherwise, I immediately clean off any bird crap or contamination with a quick detail spray and a microfiber or cotton cloth.

The car looks nice and I smile when I walk up to it even when I've had it for four or five years. People often tell me how good my vehicle looks.

Forgive me if this is all old stuff to you. The people here can no doubt recommend better products than I know about.

Savageenterprise · 04-26-2019, 03:35 PM

Car guys hybrid wax is awesome to use right after a wash. Gives a nice shine and makes water bead like crazy for weeks. It just sprays right on and wipes off. Very light buffing with a fluffy microfiber and watch her gleam

sspade · 04-26-2019, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Savageenterprise

Car guys hybrid wax is awesome to use right after a wash. Gives a nice shine and makes water bead like crazy for weeks. It just sprays right on and wipes off. Very light buffing with a fluffy microfiber and watch her gleam

Just bought a bottle on eBay. Appreciate the tip. Assuming this goes on a DRY (freshly cleaned) vehicle?

How often are you applying it?

Savageenterprise · 04-26-2019, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sspade

Just bought a bottle on eBay. Appreciate the tip. Assuming this goes on a DRY (freshly cleaned) vehicle?

How often are you applying it?

I went three weeks, maybe a month over the winter without a wash since I refuse to bring my car to a car wash....when I went to go wash the car the water was still beading pretty nice. That being said I typically apply it every 2 weeks/ 4th/5th car wash

sspade · 04-26-2019, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Savageenterprise

Quote:

Originally Posted by sspade

Just bought a bottle on eBay. Appreciate the tip. Assuming this goes on a DRY (freshly cleaned) vehicle?

How often are you applying it?

I went three weeks, maybe a month over the winter without a wash since I refuse to bring my car to a car wash....when I went to go wash the car the water was still beading pretty nice. That being said I typically apply it every 2 weeks/ 4th/5th car wash

Perfect. Im thinking about the same... once per month or maybe a every third week.

Cant wait to try it out!

Savageenterprise · 04-26-2019, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sspade

Perfect. Im thinking about the same... once per month or maybe a every third week.

Cant wait to try it out!

You wont be disappointed. This is from yesterday....

Solidjake · 04-26-2019, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sspade

Ive just finished my bottle of Jescar Power Lock+

Great product but a real workout to put on and take off by hand. So Im considering other brands before I buy another bottle.

I've been using that for years, never ever had any issues removing it.

sspade · 04-26-2019, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solidjake

I've been using that for years, never ever had any issues removing it.

Ive been using it for about a year. Me neither... it just takes a long time and a lot of elbow grease. Happy with it but not against trying other products.

So far, Power Lock is my favorite sealant. Does not mean its the best product on the market... not until I try a few others at least.

Solidjake · 04-26-2019, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sspade

Ive been using it for about a year. Me neither... it just takes a long time and a lot of elbow grease. Happy with it but not against trying other products.

So far, Power Lock is my favorite sealant. Does not mean its the best product on the market... not until I try a few others at least.

Check out pan the organizer on YouTube. He does great reviews on all detailing products

John in VA · 04-27-2019, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sspade

Ive been using it for about a year. Me neither... it just takes a long time and a lot of elbow grease. Happy with it but not against trying other products.

Maybe you're using too much product. Try a super thin layer with a foam applicator.

chowser51 · 04-28-2019, 04:43 PM

I was using Rejex every six months and hydrosilex recharge as a topper once a month but someone just gave me a bottle of P&S bead maker. Anyone have experience with that?

John in VA · 04-28-2019, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chowser51

... but someone just gave me a bottle of P&S bead maker. Anyone have experience with that?

I haven't used it, but it has 13 5-star reviews at Autogeek:
https://www.autogeek.net/renny-doyle-bead-maker.html

Solidjake · 04-28-2019, 06:17 PM

btw for applying wax/sealant this is a GREAT applicator to use

https://www.amazon.com/Sonax-417300-...s%2C125&sr=8-1

EDWYER · 04-28-2019, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John in VA

I haven't used it, but it has 13 5-star reviews at Autogeek:
https://www.autogeek.net/renny-doyle-bead-maker.html

May have to try that.

chowser51 · 04-28-2019, 10:31 PM

I’ll give it a shot. It’s going to rain all week and I’m not sure I will have the required 8-10 hour cure time until my next days off.

ECTO1 · 04-29-2019, 08:13 PM

If u live in the uk auto finesse has a ton of products i run a few and have had nothing but good things to say. Personally like ammo car car but not sure if it ships outside the USA.

ECTO1 · 04-29-2019, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chowser51

I was using Rejex every six months and hydrosilex recharge as a topper once a month but someone just gave me a bottle of P&S bead maker. Anyone have experience with that?

I ran P&S through the winter here in the northeast not bad super slick and hydrophobic. Doesn't last long against salt and grime unfortunatly iv since switched back to wax do use it on my windows as I feel its better than rainx.

sspade · 04-30-2019, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John in VA

Quote:

Originally Posted by sspade

Ive been using it for about a year. Me neither... it just takes a long time and a lot of elbow grease. Happy with it but not against trying other products.

Maybe you're using too much product. Try a super thin layer with a foam applicator.

This is possible, for sure.

I have not tried a foam applicator with Power Lock yet... only microfiber. Do you find that the foam soaks up too much product, causing you to potentially waste product? Not sure if you know what I mean... since the foam is much more porous than a microfiber pad.

04-23-2019, 02:38 AM	#1
shabbaranker New Member 0 Rep 16 Posts Drives: BMW 3 Series Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: UK Baby iTrader: (0)	Any car cleaning product tips also where to get the stuff from? Hi, Just bought my 3 series and am looking to take care of her and keep on top of a clean and polish. Can anyone form the UK suggest what to use and where to get it please? Thanks Shabba..!!
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

04-23-2019, 03:39 PM	#2
Newman1 Private First Class 56 Rep 108 Posts Drives: F30 Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: PDX iTrader: (0)	Not sure about the UK specifically, but I purchase all of my car care products from www.autogeek.net. They have a great forum with product reviews and feedback. There are international members there too so perhaps that can be a good resource to find local products for you.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-26-2019, 02:32 PM	#3
Wolfus Aurelius Lieutenant 133 Rep 433 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW 328i (gold/cream) Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Da Swamp iTrader: (0)	Griot's Garage has a lot of great stuff, griotsgarage.com I've seen some of their products now on the shelf at Autozone.
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04-26-2019, 02:38 PM	#4
sspade Major General 2465 Rep 5,457 Posts Drives: F30 Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Stevenson, WA iTrader: (3) Garage List 2016 BMW 320i [7.87] 2014 BMW 328i [6.83]	What are you guys using for sealant? Ive just finished my bottle of Jescar Power Lock+ Great product but a real workout to put on and take off by hand. So Im considering other brands before I buy another bottle. Anyone have a recommendation that you have personally tried? Topcoat F11 ? Chemical Guys JetSeal ?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-26-2019, 03:16 PM	#5
Wolfus Aurelius Lieutenant 133 Rep 433 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW 328i (gold/cream) Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Da Swamp iTrader: (0)	Shabba, I keep my routine simple. Once a week if it's not raining I take it to a do-it-yourself car wash, i.e., one of the inexpensive places (ca. $1.50 USD) where you spray the car yourself. No brush unless the wheels are very dirty. I spray the wheels and tires with a cleaner, then low-pressure rinse the entire car from the top down, then rinse with the high-pressure spray, then finish with the spot-free rinse. I dry the wheels (brake dust on damp wheels is very hard to clean off!), wipe down the windows, and then dry the entire car with spray-on, "wax-as-you-dry" wax. This protects the paint until next week. Meguiar's Natural Shine goes on the tires: It's not glossy and it doesn't sling off when you drive the car, but the tires look new. Black plastic can be renewed with Mother's Back to Black product. (I've been told that peanut butter -- yes! -- works well on dark plastic, but I've never tried it. I don't want roaches riding with me.) It's too hot and humid here to do it every season, so at least once, maybe twice, a year I do a complete claying, polish/glaze step, and then hand wax. Touch up any nicks with touch-up paint on a tiny brush; the brush that comes with the bottle is too big and unwieldy. I'm having a clear paint protection film, a "clear bra," put on the front bumper and nose of the car soon, to protect from rock chips and the like. That, they tell me, can be waxed right along with the rest of the paint. Otherwise, I immediately clean off any bird crap or contamination with a quick detail spray and a microfiber or cotton cloth. The car looks nice and I smile when I walk up to it even when I've had it for four or five years. People often tell me how good my vehicle looks. Forgive me if this is all old stuff to you. The people here can no doubt recommend better products than I know about.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-26-2019, 03:35 PM	#6
Savageenterprise Captain 981 Rep 640 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 (E93) Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Out and about iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 Chevy Tahoe [0.00] 2008 BMW E93 M3 [0.00]	Car guys hybrid wax is awesome to use right after a wash. Gives a nice shine and makes water bead like crazy for weeks. It just sprays right on and wipes off. Very light buffing with a fluffy microfiber and watch her gleam __________________ "Hard times create strong men. Strong men create easy times. Easy times create weak men. Weak men create hard times."
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04-28-2019, 04:43 PM	#15
chowser51 Colonel 2025 Rep 2,808 Posts Drives: F33 430 and F39 M35i Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Cleveland, OH iTrader: (3) Garage List 2018 BMW 430i xDrive [0.00]	I was using Rejex every six months and hydrosilex recharge as a topper once a month but someone just gave me a bottle of P&S bead maker. Anyone have experience with that?
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04-28-2019, 06:17 PM	#17
Solidjake ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 945 Rep 1,762 Posts Drives: '13 328i Msport 6MT Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: NYC/SNJ iTrader: (2)	btw for applying wax/sealant this is a GREAT applicator to use https://www.amazon.com/Sonax-417300-...s%2C125&sr=8-1 __________________ Tensioner/belt DIY \| Side skirt extension DIY Apex SM-10/DWS06+ \| 400m/X-ice Xi3 \| Injen Exhaust \| Stoptech SS Lines \| 335 Front Brakes Hawk HPS 5.0 \| RBF600 \| ER Charge Pipes \| Wagner Evo Comp 2 FMIC
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04-28-2019, 10:31 PM	#19
chowser51 Colonel 2025 Rep 2,808 Posts Drives: F33 430 and F39 M35i Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Cleveland, OH iTrader: (3) Garage List 2018 BMW 430i xDrive [0.00]	I’ll give it a shot. It’s going to rain all week and I’m not sure I will have the required 8-10 hour cure time until my next days off.
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04-29-2019, 08:13 PM	#20
ECTO1 Private First Class 74 Rep 113 Posts Drives: 2017 F31 Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: MA iTrader: (0)	If u live in the uk auto finesse has a ton of products i run a few and have had nothing but good things to say. Personally like ammo car car but not sure if it ships outside the USA.
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