Guide - Alloy Wheels

by todd, 05-05-2018, 07:31 PM

Not so much a write up for day to day cleaning but more for when those wheels are "really" bad

Please remember if you have a lip on the alloys to put them on a towel, these ones didn't


Take one filthy alloy





and add some select cleaning products



First off give the wheels a good soaking, always better to do this than spraying cleaners on dry surfaces. I'm going in with Poorboys APC (all purpose cleaner) this is just to get the road dirt off. Once I've sprayed it on a go over the wheel with a soft scrubbing brush (make sure it's soft).



Quick rinse off and looking great all ready



Next I go in with some alloy wheel cleaner, you can probably skip the APC stage and go to this one but I'm pretty **** so i do it this way



Once again, sprayed on and attacked with the brush and bottle brush for those hard to reach areas. Few minutes later and



Right, still not looking to great and this is where the good stuff comes in, Autoglym Intensive tar Remover, get it onto a soft cloth and go round the wheel applying it to all the tar spots, leave to soak for a few minutes and then rub the tar off.




Now I'm still left with some stubborn marks and what looks like paint so I break out the clay bar and see what it can pick up.



It takes a lot off but the wheel has a lot of black paint on it! and I'm out of paint cleanser for now

And now onto the final step, apply 2-3 coats of Poorboys wheel sealer to seal the shine in and protect the alloy from brake dust and other road containments.




And the finished product




As always this is just the way I do it and I find it works well, there are many products out there and different methods but this is what I've found works best for me

The clay bar, tar remover and a decent wheel cleanser (non acidic) are the key tools, everything else is just patience and prep.

Good luck

PS, My personal recommendation for alloy cleaner would be Bilberry Alloy wheel cleaner, best I have come across and will not damage your alloys.

Guide - Washing your car

by todd, 05-05-2018, 05:09 PM

Used to have my own wee detailing business many moons ago and did a few guides, hope this helps someone


Incorrect washing really does make a mess of your paint so this little guide has been thrown together to help you out.

So what do I need?

2 Buckets – any kind will do, grit guard is optional
Shampoo – Your call, Megs Gold Class – Poorboys – Johnstons Baby Bath
Wash Mitt – NO SPONGES, get a quality wash mitt
Drying Towel – No Chamois please, large drying towels are better.

I'll also be dressing the tyres and cleaning the wheels and applying a sealant.

So off we go, remember this is the way I do it, it’s not perfect or the only way to do it but it’s what I find to work for me.

Take one dirty car (it's about as dirty as my car gets!)





1. Get that car rinsed off first NEVER go straight in with the washing mitt, you need to get as much grit off before you start hand washing. Use a hose and wash at a 45 degree angle, if you blast straight on, you’re just scratching the paint.




2. Now fill up your first bucket with your detergent and warm water, fill up the 2nd bucket with just plain water, warm or cold, is up to you.




3. Dip your mitt in the first bucket with the detergent and start washing the car top to bottom, do one panel at a time using a light parallel motion, after each panel, dip the mitt into the other bucket and rinse it out then load it up with bubbles again and start on the next panel.





4. Rinse the car off with the hose but you want a stream of water not a jet, this way the water will sheet off the paintwork leaving very little water to dry off.

This is what happens with a jet rinse, see how the water just sits there,



But by just using a constant stream you get this which makes it so much easier to dry off the car,






5. Get your drying towel out and pat the car down, tempting to just pull it over the paint but once again, you are running the risk of scratching the paint so no hard motions.






Just to highlight why the 2 bucket method is a must, here is the water that came out the soap bucket, still clean,



Now look what came out the rinse bucket, just remember that if you only use the one bucket, you are dragging all the grit and dirty water over the car each time you pull the mit over a panel!

How to get rid of the Vuvuzelas noise, using TV Settings

by Saraj, 05-05-2018, 03:47 PM

Well almost !


Just adjust the Equalizer settings,

I reduced the 500hz, to minus 50

I reduced the 200hz, to minus 45


And its has highly reduced it, still messing with the settings to get it perfect !


:thumbup::thumbup:

Welcome kwame_12

by The_Stig, 05-05-2018, 03:29 PM

Hi kwame_12, welcome to the forum!

Why not tell us about your Car, how did you find the Outlaws

Tool hire

by FirebirdPhil, 05-05-2018, 02:21 PM

So I need a garden tiller to sort out the clay that is a poor excuse for soil round our way. To hire one for the weekend is roughly £130, to buy the same tool is £70 - go figure.

Same specification just different non branded make even look the same, same plastic body mouldings etc.

Got 30m2 to sort out of compacted clay/soil so a machine is necessary only a fool would do it by hand!!

Welcome AutoRaeChem

by The_Stig, 05-05-2018, 02:14 PM

Hi AutoRaeChem, welcome to the forum!

Why not tell us about your Car, how did you find the Outlaws

Welcome

by The_Stig, 05-05-2018, 02:14 PM

Hi , welcome to the forum!

Why not tell us about your Car, how did you find the Outlaws

Getting an RX-8

by iLLzLex, 05-05-2018, 07:30 AM

Hey everyone, sad to say but got bored of the Lexus...I am getting an RX-8 this weekend (if I manage to find a decent one), I want the 231PS version, budget is in place, but seeing as they are rotary engines I have no idea what to watch out for? Whats the normal mileage? What should I definetely be checking etc? As much help as possible please.
Many thanks in advance!!!

Welcome 4163cc

by The_Stig, 05-05-2018, 06:51 AM

Hi 4163cc, welcome to the forum!

Why not tell us about your Car, how did you find the Outlaws

Welcome leo77

by The_Stig, 05-05-2018, 06:11 AM

Hi leo77, welcome to the forum!

Why not tell us about your Car, how did you find the Outlaws