Any tips on cleaning a car?

lol, that sounds very frustrating. I wash every week, polish 2-3 times a year, and have never had these problems (although I quite often get shocks when I exit the car :-( ). What do you use to wash the car? I use plain water to wash the car, and some Tutle wax polish. I used to use a Halfords car shampoo, but that didn't cause any problems either.

No idea why you are getting static, unless you are using polyester rags (cheap fleece type stuff). If you are, chuck them out and use 100% cotton cloths, old t shirts work well, terry nappies too I hear, or buy some proper wash mitts they are only a couple of quid.

Try here for more suggestions.

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I'd go for the Autoglyms shampoo and polish over the Meguiars gold class products, having used both within the last 8 days, the Autoglyms gave the more pleasing effect imo.

The last 2 occasions I washed the car I managed to just use water , pressure washer and chamois. I'll be trying the 6ukp Zymol shampoo next time though.

Is it worth attaching one of those anti static belts to the vehicle? I used to get some 'belts' off a previously owned Corrado, which I used to wash and wax upto twice a week, but after further investigation , it seemed a combination of the rubber sole shoes and if the Mrs wore nylons when in the car.

Well it wasn't strictly a products question, just there's plenty of polish happy people on that forum :-)

But talking products, regardless of what you shampoo with, try the meguiars nxt tech wax, its really very good- best I've used infact.

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What i have evidently noticed and was mentioned in another NG, was that the shampoos can attract dirt, my handbook for my car suggests washing with just water, this I have done the last 2 times, and have noticed that it does not get as dirty especially the wheels, I only cleaned again so soon as there were loads of dead flies on the front....

I go around the car once giving it a good sponge wash with a good shampoo (just shampoo, none of this wax/polish shampoo stuff) and then go around washing it again a second time, but just with clean cotton rags and water, and dry as I go- done that for years. The water wash n dry gets rid of any streaks or residue that I missed the first time around.

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It seems to depend on the car. I swore by Autoglym on my old Saab 900, it lasted for many applications, didn't cost the earth, and got great results.

When I got the Celica, it just seemed to make it duller with each application. I was advised to Megs, so as the Autoglym products ran out I replaced then with megs.

Ended up with Tesco wheel cleaner spray and wheel brush. Megs gold class shampoo Megs deep crystal body scrub and deep crystal polish Megs Cleaner wax paste Autoglym interior trim and plastic/rubber cleaner spray. Autoglym quickglass spray.

Usually, spray wheels, scrub with brush, then rinse over the whole car with a hose brush fitted to loosed dirt.

Rinse the wheels with a jet attachment and rinse over car to wash off loosened dirt. Shampoo with goldclass and a good sponge in plenty of hot water. Rinse with jet nozzle attachment.

Wipe over with a silicone rubber hydroblade, then chammy with a natural chammy. Depending on how the water beaded at rinsing, polishing happens about 3 times a year, waxing about 4-6 times a year, polishing 2 times a year, washing every month.

Yup. Man made fibres and cloth seats are the ideal combination. Get her to wear leather. ;-)

My BMW wheels get coated with brake pad dust.

I've found the most economical way to clean them is with a household bath sponge - like a scourer pad but safe on enamel - and water with washing up liquid. Rinse afterwards with clean water.

I couldn't believe the price of the Tesco wheel cleaner. something like =A34.50 for the spray bottle and the wheel brush.

I think Wonderwheels is =A36.00 ish, just for the cleaner.

First time I've used a wheel cleaner product, and it worked far better=20 than I expected for a no name product. The narrow nylon bristle brush=20 did a great job.

--=20 "Sorry Sir, the meatballs are Orf" The poster formerly known as Skodapilot.

With good silk stockings.

Phwoar. ;-)