So, car washes . . . .

[Ste]

I use the local car wash, or wash it myself with a brush on a pole with water and fairy liquid.

Apparently what I am doing is all wrong, but the paintwork is in great condition, even close up.


Why do folks think it is wrong to do it this way?


(No picstures of female anatomy please, unless you send them to my email address of course )

[steve1975l]

If you can't see swirls then why worry.

[Ste]

I don't even look for them, or really care either.

[Ziggy]

Doesnt Fairy contain salt?

[Big Knox]

well if you don't care then it's not wrong. It's wrong for people who want to prevent swirl marks forming/getting worse and who want to take care of their paint. If it's a company car or a car you're not going to keep long or you just don't care about the outside then don't worry about it.

[Vaux-Man-G]

Fairly, haha, memories, I used to do that, until I saw the light.....SORRY, until I joined this forum. Although I dont fork out loads on cleaning gear, I do now use a proper car shampoo...Turtle Was seems to be my fave at the mo (and its cheap).

[steve1975l]

Fairy is a good degreaser.

[Ste]

I have had the car for just over 4 years and done about 100,000 miles in that time. It's silver and doesn't get washed that often anyway....

[parsco]

It's all personal choice.

However, I personally would never use washing up liquid even though it's a powerful cleaner and degreaser it contains salt which is used to add to the viscosity.

Just found this:
"Salt makes water a better conductor of electricity and because the process of oxidization is an electrical process, the addition of salt to your car’s bodywork speeds up this process. Oxidization is bad for both your paintwork and metalwork.
Because washing up liquid is such a powerful de greaser, it will strip all the wax from your car, it may also make your paintwork dry and brittle and prone to chipping and even cracking."

If you like your car to look clean for a long time then wash and polish then apply some wax or sealant. It will stay clean for longer

[Dan_BlackSRi]

There's no right or wrong in car cleaning - as long as you are happy then its right for you.