For those that don't want to clean

[ChrisL]

I can see there are some very useful posts here on detailed owner cleaning and more products than found in a hairdressers ! There were times in my life that Sunday morning cleaning was a something to look forward to. But these days there are other priorities and I was wondering if there are any tips here for the truly lazy owner ?

Couple of caveats, I’m rural based and there isn’t an auto car wash anywhere near here. I’ll happily pay pocket money to some local kids to clean but they only have goldfish attention spans and they too short to reach the roof etc.. I’ll happily pay for a once a year specialist half day valet to do their thing to coincide with a city visit sometime (recomendations ?) and I’ll also pay the dealer for something (but what ?) when it arrives new.

Of course there is always the default philosophy that cars are meant to be built for the outside world and if you leave the grime on then that in itself is a form of ‘protection’ against the corrosion…..

[trix]

well if you are looking for just being able to wash it and then perhaps one all in one product then here's what Taryn and Jim suggested for me to give my dad who isn't mad keen on spending time cleaning and layering products but wants cars etc clean

alternatively some other good tips for minimal cleaning given here

S

[Ian_Mac]

Hi Chris
I'm sure the dealer will offer their paint protection program if they haven't already. I think they wanted something like £300 to do mine so I politely declined this. I know I have a thread from last weekend where I spent all day sorting the car out but as a contrast I did a quick wash yesterday in about 20mins.
All I'd say is invest in a decent lambswool wash mitt and a large drying towel. At least by using these you'll help minimise any damage to the paintwork.
I'd use a decent shampoo in your bucket and spray a quick detailing on spray on each panel when drying.
From start to finish I'd hose pipe the car down, shampoo wash, do wheels last with a different cloth/mitt, rinse with hose, QD spray while drying.
20/30 mins once a fortnight will keep it looking a hell of a lot nicer than just leaving it to the elements.

[ChrisL]

Are we saying that dealer paint/wheel protection is like the extra insurance they try to sell you when you buy a toaster etc.. ? i.e. avoid like the plague!

But are we also saying that a specialist car preparation/valet place would do it better in the first place on a new car and then reduce the weekly cleaning by the local boy scouts thereafter ? In which case fine, I’ll take the brand new shiny thing to a specialist and run the engine in at the same time.

I note this web site has a sponsoring cleaning specialist company who is in my reach but I can’t tell if they provide the cleaning labour or just supply products - They are welcome to jump here and clarify ! Alternatively any suggested valet companies between Bristol, Birmingham and Liverpool ?

[trix]

dealer paint protection is only as good as the monkey they allocate to applying it so yes getting a professional detailer would very likely be money better spent. once the car is protected you can do as little or as much as you like until it needs the protection topping up.
alot of detailers offer maintenance packages so will come on a monthly/bimonthly basis (arranged between yourselves) to clean and top up protection as needed perhaps that would be worth considering for you? it means you aren't forking out for products and you aren't forking out for a full detail every few months just a bit each month for your detailer to visit & keep the car looking its best.

Taryn & Jim (the brains behind Autoperfection) do offer detailing services as well as their online shopping facility unfortunately they are on holiday at the moment so won't respond straight away, i'm sure they will check the section when they return though & respond

S

[autoperfection]

Hi Chris,

Sorry we're a bit late with our input on this one Let us know if you're still looking for any advice on how to keep your car looking clean without investing too much time and money and we'll happily provide you with our two-pence worth!

Sorry if we're too late

All the best

Taryn and Jim

[ChrisL]

Still a few weeks before I'll get mine so by all means provide the pennies ! This is not so much about money as about time and convenience. I have unskilled cleaning labour to hand and want to make that easy from the outset.

[marriedblonde]

Chris,

If your not keen on doing too much maintenance yourself I would offer the following advice. Pay a pro to do the hard work for you and then just do the weekly/fortnightly maintenance.

I used to think nothing of spending 8 hours on a saturday washing, claying, polishing and waxing my car but now a days like you my priorities have changed. I still have wax in my fridge that cost me £500 but...

I use a local detailer. When I collect a new car I get him to give the car a new detail and put on a wax appropriate to the time of year. I then get him back every 3 months or so to do a topup. This way Tim takes care of the swirls etc, as I have it done every 3 months it really isn't that expensive and then all I have to do is wash it in between.

Avoid anything offered by the dealer, it will be pants.