Alternative products for car cleaning

johnnyb44 · 26th September 2015, 21:19

I love trying out different cleaning products on my car.
Over the years I think I have tried virtually every kind of automotive product out there, but I find some of the more unconventional the most effective.
Polishing or waxing a car can take up some time and effort and some brands can be quite expensive.
Every weekend though I clean my car over with either Pledge or Mr Sheen and a couple of micro fibre clothes ( loads of info if you google it from various car forums )
It only takes me 10 minutes to do the whole car including the wheels. The shine it leaves is outstanding and the water beads off brilliantly.
It doesn't last very long but I'm quite happy to tackle this job every weekend.
I find it just as good as some upmarket polishes but costs a fraction of the price and time to apply.
I have given up trying to find a decent product for my tyres.
They either cost a small fortune or they just last 5 minutes before it fades away.
Boot polish is a cheap and easy alternative though..
I leave the tin out in the sun while I give the car a polish to warm it up bit. This makes it nice and soft and easier to rub into all the ribs and numbers on the tyre wall.
I know some of you will gasp in disgust at my cheap skint flint methods but it works for me.
Does any members here use alternative products like me.
I would love to know all the trade secrets you have to offer.
Take care all and happy cleaning ( whatever you use )
Johnny

Jordan Apex · 26th September 2015, 21:51

Dish soap is great, not for bodywork but arches and places like that

cheaper than using my apc that is okay for the bodywork

Use a children's paint brush set to clean tight areas in the interior. That's all I can think of!

Oh and by the way for tyre treatments have you tried tuffshine or gtechniq t1?

coolguy · 26th September 2015, 23:29

Jaguar Enthusiasts Club recommends Zebu black grate polish for tyres - haven't tried it, but am told it is available in Tescos - would have thought that JEC members would have been Waitrose shoppers!

geoffh · 30th September 2015, 05:23

Dry newspaper polishes glass a treat and leaves no smears after washing, does the house Windows to

Simondi · 30th September 2015, 05:37

Interesting thread. I have to say I always use 'proper' car products but would not have thought about domestic products.

Oh and

BaroqueMoon · 30th September 2015, 06:12

I'm pretty sure that dishwashing products are loaded with salt.

Jordan Apex · 30th September 2015, 13:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by BaroqueMoon

I'm pretty sure that dishwashing products are loaded with salt.

They aren't good for paintwork, but arches and engine bays etc they won't be too harsh! Although I only use it for the arches that are very dirty

Weso · 30th September 2015, 16:32

Well there are 10 alternative valeting ideas here

http://ezfunny.com/10-crazy-diy-car-...to-know-about/

RogerHeinz57 · 30th September 2015, 22:51

My car was far from filthy, but I was showing it at a sausages and spanners meeting, I had run out of time, There was only dust on it, so a rinse down with water, then with a bucket of warm water and a good few squirts of Morrisons Savers Furniture Polish into the water, I washed the car with a microfibre cloth, followed by a good leathering down.
Looked great and works really well. But don't be fooled by thinking this will work for poor paintwork care, because it wont work. The car has to have a good polished surface to begin with.
I know there will be criticism for this, but who cares it worked for me.
Also when the tyres are still wet, a spray of the polish and wipe down with a cloth leaves them with a satin type of finish.

Roverandover · 31st October 2015, 22:24

I used blu-tack as a clay bar

Was quite impressed with the results.

The paint was really contaminated and needed an intense buffing anyway so I thought why not.

26th September 2015, 21:19	#1
johnnyb44 I really should get out more....... Rover 75 Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: north wales Posts: 2,721 Thanks: 1,774 Thanked 902 Times in 507 Posts	Alternative products for car cleaning I love trying out different cleaning products on my car. Over the years I think I have tried virtually every kind of automotive product out there, but I find some of the more unconventional the most effective. Polishing or waxing a car can take up some time and effort and some brands can be quite expensive. Every weekend though I clean my car over with either Pledge or Mr Sheen and a couple of micro fibre clothes ( loads of info if you google it from various car forums ) It only takes me 10 minutes to do the whole car including the wheels. The shine it leaves is outstanding and the water beads off brilliantly. It doesn't last very long but I'm quite happy to tackle this job every weekend. I find it just as good as some upmarket polishes but costs a fraction of the price and time to apply. I have given up trying to find a decent product for my tyres. They either cost a small fortune or they just last 5 minutes before it fades away. Boot polish is a cheap and easy alternative though.. I leave the tin out in the sun while I give the car a polish to warm it up bit. This makes it nice and soft and easier to rub into all the ribs and numbers on the tyre wall. I know some of you will gasp in disgust at my cheap skint flint methods but it works for me. Does any members here use alternative products like me. I would love to know all the trade secrets you have to offer. Take care all and happy cleaning ( whatever you use ) Johnny __________________ Replaced pcv filter, springs, plenum spy hole mod,Bonnet cable divider mod. Wax oiled.Air con recharged. Auto box oil changed , Jules plenum guard fitted .Smoked wind deflectors fitted.S/S Compensator.Club Grill Badge kindly donated by Andyg2011..

26th September 2015, 21:51	#2
Jordan Apex This is my second home Jaguar XFR 2011MY Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Harlow Posts: 6,363 Thanks: 19 Thanked 816 Times in 759 Posts	Dish soap is great, not for bodywork but arches and places like that cheaper than using my apc that is okay for the bodywork Use a children's paint brush set to clean tight areas in the interior. That's all I can think of! Oh and by the way for tyre treatments have you tried tuffshine or gtechniq t1? __________________ Now sold! http://i750.photobucket.com/albums/x...psd81417f5.jpg

30th September 2015, 05:23	#4
geoffh Regular poster Rover 75 con. Saloon Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Stoke on Trent Posts: 85 Thanks: 103 Thanked 25 Times in 16 Posts	Window cleaner Dry newspaper polishes glass a treat and leaves no smears after washing, does the house Windows to

30th September 2015, 05:37	#5
Simondi Regional Secretary MGTF, MG ZS EV Exclusive Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kilwinning Posts: 14,053 Thanks: 1,460 Thanked 3,563 Times in 1,857 Posts	Interesting thread. I have to say I always use 'proper' car products but would not have thought about domestic products. Oh and __________________ Simondi FAQ How do you do that? Club Flyers Looking for a car seen in a film or on TV? Fancy a change in colour or wheels - paint configurator OBD - Trip Meter Ultimate Buyers Guide Post YouTube videos

30th September 2015, 06:12	#6
BaroqueMoon Gets stuck in Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Ballarat Posts: 937 Thanks: 576 Thanked 114 Times in 99 Posts	I'm pretty sure that dishwashing products are loaded with salt. __________________ Love my 75 and it loves me Membership Number 1703 This vehicle was the 82,624th 75 to run off the production line, out of 112,381 This vehicle was the 6,161st 75 2.5 V6 Contemporary to be made out of 8,214 This vehicle was the 9,755th 75 in White Gold Metallic (code: GMN) to be made out of 12,251 White Gold Metallic 75s

26th September 2015, 23:29	#3
coolguy Coolguy Rover 75 CDT Tourer Auto, Rover 75 2.0 Connoisseur Auto, MG ZT 2.5 Auto and MG ZT Cdti Auto (Monogra Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Finedon Posts: 1,905 Thanks: 933 Thanked 638 Times in 430 Posts	Jaguar Enthusiasts Club recommends Zebu black grate polish for tyres - haven't tried it, but am told it is available in Tescos - would have thought that JEC members would have been Waitrose shoppers!

30th September 2015, 16:32	#8
Weso I really should get out more....... Mondeo ST TDCI Estate Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Norwich Posts: 2,834 Thanks: 919 Thanked 358 Times in 284 Posts	Well there are 10 alternative valeting ideas here http://ezfunny.com/10-crazy-diy-car-...to-know-about/

30th September 2015, 22:51	#9
RogerHeinz57 I really should get out more....... A Reasonably Priced Car Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Burton Latimer Posts: 2,530 Thanks: 408 Thanked 1,064 Times in 712 Posts	My car was far from filthy, but I was showing it at a sausages and spanners meeting, I had run out of time, There was only dust on it, so a rinse down with water, then with a bucket of warm water and a good few squirts of Morrisons Savers Furniture Polish into the water, I washed the car with a microfibre cloth, followed by a good leathering down. Looked great and works really well. But don't be fooled by thinking this will work for poor paintwork care, because it wont work. The car has to have a good polished surface to begin with. I know there will be criticism for this, but who cares it worked for me. Also when the tyres are still wet, a spray of the polish and wipe down with a cloth leaves them with a satin type of finish.

31st October 2015, 22:24	#10
Roverandover Loves to post MG Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Up North Posts: 253 Thanks: 48 Thanked 38 Times in 28 Posts	I used blu-tack as a clay bar Was quite impressed with the results. The paint was really contaminated and needed an intense buffing anyway so I thought why not.