Have a look at Detailing World and you will probably find nobody using a chamois any more.

Search for car cleaning products too, there's lots of on-line suppliers.

And yes, you have missed a trick, it is that easy and it is safe. Just don't drop the cloth.

I use these and have several of each:
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/microfibr ... d_154.html
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/microfibr ... d_304.html

Also note: use a wash mitt, not a sponge and the 'two bucket method' rather than just the single bucket.

 

Topaz detailing explained this on their channel or shmee150's. If a particle of grit is on the car the chamois will run across it and scratch the paint where a microfibre towel won't and will pick it up and it will cause less damage. something like that anyhow!

 

Thanks guys - microfibre all the way for me from now on - who sad you can't teach an old dog new tricks

 

Yes they do a much better job and are safer. But if like me you've been cleaning cars for years a chamois was all you could get at one time.

 

I use Autoglym Aqua Wax whilst drying off the car, the pack includes a microfibre cloth.Daytona looks really well in this weather.

 

I use these: https://amzn.to/2IEZQgF

Cheap as chips, jumbo sized and they hold an incredible amount of water!

 

If a particle of grit is on the car the chamois will run across it and scratch the paint

Did anyone else tense up just with the thought of it? [smiley=bigcry.gif]

Rumney depends on what kit you have already for washing your car but this is a good starting point and is good for the money - 2 buckets with grit guards, big microfiber towel and wash mitt along with some free shampoo (great smelling) for £32 - http://r.ebay.com/Eo9wWd

 

You must use microfibre with long fiber to be as safe as possible :

https://www.maniac-auto.com/fr/maniac-a ... dryer.html

It must be the thickest and most absorbing posible.

 

I recently started off with the kit mentioned by Ksixtt6. Just been adding to it with other stuff and more towels and cloths. Looked the best value. Put some of the shampoo in with snowfoam and got great results. Looks good. Also use the Autoglym Aqua Wax - easy to use and building up a nice shine on a light coloured car .

 

I use Autoglym Aqua Wax whilst drying off the car, the pack includes a microfibre cloth.Daytona looks really well in this weather.

Shining like a big shiny thing

 

Here's mine :

 

I use these: https://amzn.to/2IEZQgF

Cheap as chips, jumbo sized and they hold an incredible amount of water!

+1, My local B&Q had them for £3.20 so I bought a few

 

Is there a good guide on the internet for cleaning a car? It sounds stupid perhaps, but I'm not interested in a three hour wash with snow foam and three different cloths etc, just some basic advice and some product recommendations. I wouldn't want to spend more than an hour each weekend on the car.

 

Is there a good guide on the internet for cleaning a car? It sounds stupid perhaps, but I'm not interested in a three hour wash with snow foam and three different cloths etc, just some basic advice and some product recommendations. I wouldn't want to spend more than an hour each weekend on the car.

2 buckets. One with the cleaning product, one to rinse the mitt after each go on the car.

Only use as much pressure as needed on the paintwork, use mitts and microfiber cloths for reasons already mentioned, and you're good to go. Just season with your choice of wax. I do recommend the quick detailing sprays readily available, if you can't be arsed with a full wax and polish.

Everything else... Well that just gets to levels of (b)anality that is just not worth bothering about. Car detailing is very much like the enthusiast audio scene. A lot of bullshit and pseudo science. Hundreds of pounds for a coating of wax and the like. It's complete madness.

 

Is there a good guide on the internet for cleaning a car? It sounds stupid perhaps, but I'm not interested in a three hour wash with snow foam and three different cloths etc, just some basic advice and some product recommendations. I wouldn't want to spend more than an hour each weekend on the car.

Rethink your attitude to snow foam. It is for me the key difference both to a long term tidy car and to speed of washing.

Attach snow foam bottle to lance (10secs)
apply a nice thick layer of snow to the car (2min)
Leave it for 5 mins to do its thing. Watch in satisfaction as the foam goes brown as it lifts the bulk of the scratchy filth off the car. While it's working fill 2 buckets - one with water, one with a mild detergent of choice. (5mins)
Jet Wash off the remnants of the snow (2mins)
Wash with a mitt dunking the mitt in the fresh water between plunges in the suds (5 mins)
Jet wash (2mins)
leave for 5 mins to drip dry unless it's hot (5mins)
Rag dry with a big microfibre sheet (4mins)

Done (25mins - plus some wasted time staring at your lovely car in admiration)

I am partial to some extra treatment with clay bar every now and again and give the wheels some extra love too but not every wash. I also wax. Can't tell you how much better a good wax every couple of months is in not only giving the car a great shine but also speeding up the washing between waxes. It just does not get as dirty and what is there nearly all slides off with the snow foam. Take care not to use agressive shampoos that strip it off.

My TT was bought as a bit of a project on the paintwork - about £3K below list price but it is was a bit tatty in the paintwork department. Nothing terrible but awful swirls all over and some light scratches on the roof on the drivers side where the previous owner must have put their keys/bag when getting in. The dealer knew it was tatty and was happy to let it go cheap and I knew what I was buying. A couple of days of machine polishing the panels has transformed it to as good as any 3yr old TT and better than some much newer. The car will now go into the main agent with a polite note not to be washed and it will stay good for years without a significant workload. Proper care takes a little more effort but it's not hard or unreasonably time consuming. If you have bought a 2nd hand car owned by an oaf or looked after yours poorly in the past paying a detailer as a one off to improve your car will make the ownership experience some much nicer and make keeping it looking good in the future easier too.

 

Ordered these recently, very good stuff.

https://www.theclayclothcompany.co.uk/ourshop/prod_6387364-Mays-Mega-Microfibre-Deal.html

 

Microfibre cloths for drying the car have been around for a long while, probably 10 years? One tip is to only clean them using non-bio washing powder as this maintains their wicking properties. You can get them with different pile lengths that are good for different purposes i.e. drying, removing wax residue etc. There are plenty of Youtube videos on their use.....

 

Microfibre anyday!! Converted years sgo from chamois. Watch the autoglym videos on youtube. Very informative

 

This is the best bargain drying towel I've found so far. £2 each!!!
I have about 15 of these in my garage so I always have a couple of clean ones. Would never use chamois leather or synth again.

http://www.wilko.com/car-cleaning-produ ... vt/0344800

 

Here's mine :

Absolutely stunning car!!

 

If you want to go one step further with the drying process and also reduce the time it takes,then i use a drying towel by chemical guys called dry me crazy,its very thick and very soft and literally sucks up water like you wouldn't believe,i can dry my TTS without wring it out once,it holds that much water.

 

Here's mine :

Absolutely stunning car!!

Thanks Mate [smiley=cheers.gif]

 

You're absolutely right reasty. My son bought me a 'silk drying towel'. It absolutely defies logic. I can dry the whole car within minutes & you don't need to wringe it out ( or even can't) . You really do need to experience it to believe it. I was gob smacked, I thought it would be yet another gimmicy product. Absolutely amazing. I didn't used to believe in magic!

 

I use these: https://amzn.to/2IEZQgF

Cheap as chips, jumbo sized and they hold an incredible amount of water!

Exactly what I use - just awesome... I can dry the TTS or our Golf R in literally 3 minutes . I live in a hard water area, so being able to dry is so quickly means zero streaks or water stains. Once you've used one of these cloths, you'll never use anything else. they last quite well too. I get through four a year, washing two cars weekly. Considering how cheap they are and how quickly they can get your car bone dry, it's a no brainer to buy several at a time. Everyone I show them to is amazed at what they do. Don't waste your money on anything else...

 

I use these: https://amzn.to/2IEZQgF

Cheap as chips, jumbo sized and they hold an incredible amount of water!

Exactly what I use - just awesome... I can dry the TTS or our Golf R in literally 3 minutes . I live in a hard water area, so being able to dry is so quickly means zero streaks or water stains. Once you've used one of these cloths, you'll never use anything else. they last quite well too. I get through four a year, washing two cars weekly. Considering how cheap they are and how quickly they can get your car bone dry, it's a no brainer to buy several at a time. Everyone I show them to is amazed at what they do. Don't waste your money on anything else...

Thanks guys - have just ordered from Amazon