Car Cleaning

Crux

Crux

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I know not everyone cares the same amount for their cars bodywork. But for those that do, I recommend giving your new car a wash and wax or coating when you get it.

This might just apply to the first batch of MG4s since they are fresh off the boat. But after picking up the MG4 today, I noticed that although it was brand new and looked clean, it wasn't actually that clean and there wasn't any wax etc on it. (Try pouring some water on your car and watch it stick)

Seems bonkers washing a new car, but I recommend giving it a wash and wax/coating early on to keep it easier to clean.

Screenshot_20220926-232546.png
 
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I always ask then NOT to wash it. Last one even put big stickers in the window to tell the 'valeters' not to touch it. Same deal when I have it serviced. I tell them before hand and musthave 3 big things in the car saying don't wash.
When I got it back I did Garage Therapy Zero decon wash, dried, then Bilt Hamber Korossol fall out remover. Garage therapy zero again. Had to use a touch of AutoFinesse Oblitarate to remove some glue stuff here and there. I didn't use Bilt Hamber Cleaner Fluid (pre wax cleanser) then (as I usually would), as it didn't have nothing on the paint like wax to further remove. Then finished with PoorBoys Natty's wax.
I'm on FinishKare 1000p at the moment as my go to.
 
Will be telling the dealer not to wash mine at delivery so it hopefully comes with very little swirling.
Will then get the works.
 
My dealer done promo when order car through them and I will have diamond paint protection applied worth £600 for free
 
Kamil said:
My dealer done promo when order car through them and I will have diamond paint protection applied worth £600 for free
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Personally i wouldn't let a dealership look at my car, let alone putting a coating on it. Takes a lot of prep and skill to do those properly.
 
4ND said:
Personally i wouldn't let a dealership look at my car, let alone putting a coating on it. Takes a lot of prep and skill to do those properly.
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Indeed. I'll be telling my dealer not to wash the car and not to bother themselves trying to sell me GAP insurance or paint protection. That's because the first thing I'm doing when I get my car (or perhaps that should be IF I get my car) is to take it to a professional ceramic coating company who'll wash it properly as part of the coating application process,
As for the GAP insurance, it's pretty much cheaper anywhere else other than the dealer I've found.
 
Never had a ceramic coating before, owned a number of Mercedes in the past and never really heard of it.
Dealer offered it at £600, seemed very excessive, what would be a reasonable price on the MG4.
 
Must say I have (2 coats, separated by 24 hours) of FinishKare 1000p on my NISMO RS and it's still sheeting and beading like a nutter after a year! Of course I pepped it properly and only use a ph neutral shampoo when washing, pretty much weekly (PoorBoys super Slick and suds).

My Mx5 ND's alloys got it on them. I did them last just over two years ago!! and they are still sheeting (including the inner barrel) with a hose like on a youtube video. Those get AutoFinesse Wheel Soap (ph neutral) as maintenance.

When you get into, get knowledged up 0n detailing forums, it's quite a buzz. Saves a load of cash too, and you know no muppet is inflicting damage onto your paintwork.
 
WonkoTheSaneUK said:
Here's a ceramic coater local to me.

kustomwizards.co.uk

CERAMIC COATING - Kustom Wizards

kustomwizards.co.uk kustomwizards.co.uk
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I'm sure the above will do a very good job, but costs here seem very excessive, their hourly rate must be huge. A lot of these ceramic coating places are targeting the wealthy and getting away with charging what they like, so shop around and look at feedback. You don't necessarily want the cheapest, but don't get ripped off. This isn't magic, it's just polishing followed by a product application that takes a similar amount of work to apply as a coat of wax or two. If most people knew the actual low cost of materials used they'd be shocked!

As for dealers, don't let them anywhere near your car for ceramic coating, or pretty much any form of valeting work, they almost certainly won't be employing any well paid specialists that know what they're doing. It really is a quick profit addition for minimal outlay to a dealer.
 
One of the detailers local to me charge £395 for their prep, clean, ceramic coating package. No idea how that compares but it seems to be in the ballpark of what I'd be prepared to pay.
 
Paulie68 said:
I'm sure the above will do a very good job, but costs here seem very excessive, their hourly rate must be huge. A lot of these ceramic coating places are targeting the wealthy and getting away with charging what they like, so shop around and look at feedback.

As for dealers, don't let them anywhere near your car for ceramic coating, or pretty much any form of valeting work, they almost certainly won't be employing any well paid specialists that know what they're doing. It really is a quick profit addition for minimal outlay to a dealer.
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1) True, and it don't help as 'ceramic coating' seems to have caught on as the latest trendy fad. When even people who wouldn't know a wax from a polish talk about 'I might get a ceramic' (not targetting anyone specifically, just across the internet and in 'real life'), you know they're onto a winner. Also, there's a lot of maintenance too, in maintaining a ceramic coating, and 'clogging' up.

2) X2 regarding dealerships.
 
grayoo said:
Thx for replies, what would a reasonable cost be?
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For a paid for application of ceramic coating with a decent 1 stage preperation first, (which is most likely all that you'd need on a new car that hasn't been washed by the very moronic!) I'd say £400 would be reasonable.

Personally I'm too tight and would self apply if it was my bag, but it's not, I'm old school. Normal, proper washing and drying with an occasional waxing has been my go to for over 35 years now and my cars are always close to perfect with no visible swirl marks!

I would add, if you intend to use mechanical car washes, or particularly manual hand car washes rather than self washing. Don't even waste your money with ceramic coating, the harsh chemicals these places use will strip it off in a few weeks and micro damage your paint anyway!
 
4ND said:
1) True, and it don't help as 'ceramic coating' seems to have caught on as the latest trendy fad. When even people who wouldn't know a wax from a polish talk about 'I might get a ceramic' (not targetting anyone specifically, just across the internet and in 'real life'), you know they're onto a winner. Also, there's a lot of maintenance too, in maintaining a ceramic coating, and 'clogging' up.

2) X2 regarding dealerships.
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The number of people now getting ceramic coating done at great cost, thinking it's a "magic bullet" against all and sundry and who then don't wash their car from one month to the next, then only at a hand car wash is just hilarious!

I'm sure it's a great alternative to waxing for car detailing buffs, but the general mass of owners getting this, just for it to be washed off within a few weeks by strong TFR at the local friendly east euro hand wash & scratch is shocking!
 

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