Grooming questions

[dhurring 0]

Hi Guys, what products would you recommend for grooming my '99 323i - internal, external & windows?

It is in pretty good nick, but does have a couple of surface scratches in the paint i'd like to get out if possible, and i'm keen to hear what you think is best on the dashboard etc.

And / or can anyone recommend a quality groomer in the Christchurch area?, as may get it done professionally.

Suggestions welcome, thanks.

Edited December 21, 2008 by DJKnight

[Mark 178]

Here's my process for cleaning the interior and exterior of my car:

INTERIOR:

- Damp microfibre cloth for cleaning interior surfaces. I don't use any product on the dashboard or plastics, I'm not a fan of the shiny/greasy look.

- Armor All glass cleaning wipes for glass, with a clean microfibre cloth for removing any streaks.

- Seats: Meguiars or similar leather conditioner. For cloth, just a vacuum and a gentle spray-on upholstery cleaner for marks or stains. A lint roller is also handy for removing hair etc.

- Vacuum the carpets (of course). If you haven't before and you can be bothered, remove the front seats to gain better access (make sure you disconnect the battery first or the airbag light will come on).

EXTERIOR:

If you haven't given your car a thorough groom for a while then here's what I do.

- Wash the car using dishwashing liquid and a lambs wool mitt. Take care to use the "two-bucket method". One bucket for the soap solution, one for rinsing the mitt. This ensures you're not picking up the grit you've just washed off the car and scraping it all over your paintwork again causing dreaded swirl marks! Wash the car from the roof downwards, once again to ensure minimal grit and dirt transfer. NB: Dishwashing liquid is only recommended when doing a full groom because it strips off all the wax etc. Don't use it every time you wash your car.

- Next, bust out your clay bar kit. These can be found at Repco/Supercheap etc. I use the Mother's kit which I've found to be very good. The Meguiar's kit is also recommended. The clay bar pulls all the stubborn grit and dirt out of your paintwork leaving it smooth and ready for polish. Follow the instructions on the kit carefully and ensure you use plenty of the supplied detailing solution to allow the clay bar to slide smoothly over the surface.

- Wash the car again using a lambs wool mitt and the two-bucket method. However this time use a gentle car wash soap. Dry the car fully using a clean microfibre cloth. Never use a chamois as they leave streak marks.

- Now if you still have daylight left and your arm isn't killing you, it's time for polish! Others can chime in here about the best polish to use, but just use the best you can afford. If you have bad swirling or scratches in the clear coat you can use Meguiar's Scratch X or Formula 1 Scratch Out. If you find these aren't helping you may need to go the whole hog with a motorised orbital polisher or have a professional attack it for you.

- Once you've polished it's onto waxing. Use a good quality natural carnauba wax. Apply thin layers with your hands massaging it in circular motions into the paint. If you don't want to go all "Patrick Swayze in Ghost" on your BMW then use a terry towel cloth to apply the wax instead! Take care to do one panel at a time, buffing the wax off with a clean microfibre or terry towel cloth. For a deeper shine, keep applying more coats of wax.

- Finish off with a layer of instant detailer (the same stuff that came in your clay bar kit) It's a godsend and will make your car look like a million dollar show car.

Now, the next time you wash you can get away with just a once over wash with the car soap and lambswool mitt, dry with the microfibre and then finish with a few squirts of instant detailer.

Even though I now have sore hands from typing this, that's a pretty quick guide. Google search for detailed articles on polishing and waxing, you'll learn heaps.

Here's a shot of my old car after doing all of the above.

Edited December 21, 2008 by gannetboy

[MIRAGEone 0]

We have a grooming/detailing center where I work.

Inside the car.. vacuum the floors and seats. Soak a rag in water.. squeeze it dry, then spray ArmorAll on it generously. Wipe all surfaces including the door cards, dashboard, centerconsole. Everywhere practically. Except for the rim of the steering wheel.

Buy a paintbrush (like what.. $2 ?).. new/unused is always better. Roughly 1 1/2inches of bristles wide. Use it as a duster for the airvents and anywhere that isnt practical to get at with a cloth (all the nooks and crannies).

Windows.. just use regular window cleaner, inside and out with a clean cotton cloth to wipe dry.

As for the surfaces scratches. Pay someone to buff the car. If you dont know how to buff.. I wouldn't recommend doing it yourself. Learning can take time/experience. And ruining a car (burning the paint.. making it peel etc) is a rite of passage for buffing haha

Hopefully someone in your area can recommend a place for you

[Cale 36]

Here's my tips:

Vacuum interior when the dust reaches 10mm deep.

Rinse car with water to get rid of 6 months of dirt.

Get bucket, put branded all-in-one car cleaner/waxer/polisher and fill withwater. Brush on with wire...ooops I mean soft sponge or brush.

Rinse car with clean water.

Let it dry by itself.

Repeat every 6 months for best results.

Please note: I hold no monetary or otherwise responsibility for the outcome of the disclosed information.

[Apex 693]

Here's my process for cleaning the interior and exterior of my car.

Fantastic advice! Should be sticky!!

I’ll add a couple of quick tips. Windows come up amazing with just run of the mill glass cleaner and newspaper, news paper leaves no streaks. Be sure to do this before polishing and waxing as class cleaner takes wax off.

Use a paint brush to remove dirt and dust from air vents and joins before vacuuming.

Oh, and when I clay bar I use soapy water instead of quick detailer as you need a lot of lubrication and detailer isn’t cheap, does the same thing.

As said make sure you re-clean as much as possible (when needed) with a clean mitt and some quick detailer as it will keep it looking good and prevent you from having to do this strenuous job again in a couple of months.

[dhurring 0]

Thanks guys, that is some excellent advice that i'll be sure to try.

If anyone knows of a groomer in Chch that is prepared to do the process that gannetboy suggested let me know, i'm prepared to pay well for a top job.

Edited December 21, 2008 by DJKnight

[Nobimmer 694]

Mark's in CHCH, do a cashy

[Apex 693]

Thanks guys, that is some excellent advice that i'll be sure to try.

If anyone knows of a groomer in Chch that is prepared to do the process that gannetboy suggested let me know, i'm prepared to pay well for a top job.

Expect to pay well over $1000 for the job described as it’s about 12 hours of hard labour and a fair bit of product.

You could get a half arsed “Cut and polish†done at a groomer for half that but that would only be half the job done…

What colour is your car?

[dhurring 0]

My car is sapphire black, it has a few minor scratches that i'd like to get out if possible and are the main reason for considering professional.

$1k is out of the budget at the moment though, looking at a couple of hundred max - but then if i find a way / product to sort the scratches i might do it myself as then have the pleasure of knowing i have done it, if you know what i mean.

Not sure, but if anyone is keen on a cash job let me know.

Really unsure what to do about the dash etc though, have just used a damp rag thus far and it looks good, just not sure whether to and what product to use on it.

Edited December 22, 2008 by DJKnight

[Apex 693]

If you’re on a budget and can’t be arsed going the whole hog just try Meguiars Scratch X, this is a fool proof way of removing minor scratches and is excellent for removing swirl marks.. once you have gone over the car your could apply some wax to “lock†in the shine.

I use Armorall on the dash and trim.. works well for me, I like the clean treated look.

[curryinahurry 39]

I have that mothers clay bar kit too, works great .

Just out of curiosity, what exactly does the "detailer" do anyway? (Apart from adding lubrication)

[laadeelaa 0]

Oh my goodness.

Some people can be bothered cleaning their cars?

Honestly, some people ENJOY cleaning their cars?!?!

Not me. I've been told to pick Mothers though. Always. By a mates dad, who is an absolute freak about keeping his BMW clean. His car acts as a good mirror to walk past for a last glance before going out

Since i don't know sh*t about car cleaning I stick to Mothers. Good old mumsy.

[Nobimmer 694]

Do you clean your car in the nude?

[laadeelaa 0]

Do you clean your car in the nude?

Yuck Ashkan!

No!

Someone has been watching Teila Tequila.

I clean my cars in the shade. With old clothes on. Soon it'll be my school uniform tops. Haha.

Is that cut and polish stuff you buy from repco etc in the bottle crap?

[Apex 693]

I really enjoy the finished result and also enjoy the admirable glances and comments from people about my cars, makes it worthwhile for me. Wouldn’t bother on anyone else’s cars though, it’s a labour of love thing, you really gotta like the car your working on to justify the effort.

I don’t use a quick detailer when claying because it is essentially a finishing wax, why use an expensive finishing product for a cleaning a surface that is best void of any product before polishing?? Try a spray bottle filled with two parts water one part car wash instead and save the detailer for shine maintenance. Funny all the kits come with detailer, it’s just a way to make you spend more or maybe justify spending so much on “blue-Tacâ€.

For what it’s worth, use Mothers or Meguiars white clay if you can, the blue is inferior.

[dhurring 0]

Just an update on this.

This weekend i finally got round to doing a full groom as outlined by Mark...

Wash & Dry, Mothers clay bar, ScratchX (amazing stuff, scratches gone), Mothers wax, Armoral window wipes & tires blackened.

And i'm blown away with how well it came up - here are some pics to show the results.

I would highly recommend this process, and thanks heaps for the input.

Edited February 2, 2009 by DJKnight

[greenday-rulz21 6]

Very nice mate, Just did the exact same thing on my 323. Came out fantastic.

Marks write-up on how to fully groom a car is great and really should be stickied.

[Apex 693]

Very nice mate, Just did the exact same thing on my 323. Came out fantastic.

Marks write-up on how to fully groom a car is great and really should be stickied.

Might I say your car looked fantastic too nick… second cleanest there today

The Clay bar makes a big difference and is easy to use once you get the hang of it.

[greenday-rulz21 6]

Might I say your car looked fantastic too nick… second cleanest there today

The Clay bar makes a big difference and is easy to use once you get the hang of it.

Cheers Graham.

That old touring of yours is a minter mate. E30 tourings are really something special.

Edited January 26, 2009 by Nick021

[BLACK DORIS 9]

Dam, she's popin! Newspaper and a window cleaner do a pretty good job on windows and mirrors. Dont know why but newspaper comes up streak free...

[edhardley 0]

Hi Guys, what products would you recommend for grooming my '99 323i - internal, external & windows?

It is in pretty good nick, but does have a couple of surface scratches in the paint i'd like to get out if possible, and i'm keen to hear what you think is best on the dashboard etc.

And / or can anyone recommend a quality groomer in the Christchurch area?, as may get it done professionally.

Suggestions welcome, thanks.

Check out this auction on trademe: 199963831. It's a quality professional product, have used it on my cars and works great. Best paint finish around, turtle wax ain't gonna do much except give it a nice shine for a few days. As for professional groomers- no idea, live in Auckland sorry.

[Gus 5]

Taking an undue interest in someone's child (having a "special" friend)

Giving gifts or money to the child for no apparent reason

Showing pornography to the child (illegal in many jurisdictions)

Talking about sexual topics that are not age-appropriate

Invading the child's privacy (e.g. walking in on him/her in the bathroom)

Hugging, kissing, or other physical contact even when the child does not want this attention

Allowing the child to get away with inappropriate behavior

Talking to the child about problems that would normally be discussed with adults (e.g. marital problems)

uh.....wrong thread?

[Guest Simon*]

Haha grooming is ok if they're of consenting age

Nice one

Taking an undue interest in someone's child (having a "special" friend)

Giving gifts or money to the child for no apparent reason

Showing pornography to the child (illegal in many jurisdictions)

Talking about sexual topics that are not age-appropriate

Invading the child's privacy (e.g. walking in on him/her in the bathroom)

Hugging, kissing, or other physical contact even when the child does not want this attention

Allowing the child to get away with inappropriate behavior

Talking to the child about problems that would normally be discussed with adults (e.g. marital problems)

uh.....wrong thread?

[BLACK DORIS 9]

^^

your both a little dodge...

Edited January 28, 2009 by BLACK DORIS

[BreakMyWindow 1878]

can u reuse the mothers claybar?