@Dalek
You can't go wrong by following
@Mac Romans thread. Anything from 1hr to 8 for me, if I've been out on a quick run on a dry summer's day it's just a quick wash and towel down. Longer runs and winter driving get more attention.
Chassis wash with my Kärcher chassis wash attachment.
Engine bay wash, spray on engine bay cleaner and agitate with a paint brush, all areas, wash off with a low flow spray. Mop up any pools then liberally spray Vinyl Cleaner and leave for a couple of hours (shut bonnet)
Snow Foam the car fròm bottom up inc wheel arches and wheels and leave it to do its stuff for 10 mins or so then jet wash off.
Wash the car with a lambs wool mitt whilst rinsing between each pass
Rinse off
Towel the car down to dry
Open bonnet, doors and boot and shammy all hidden areas, rinsing shammy as I go. Run shammy through all shut lines and light clusters etc until no drips (fold in mirrors to dry out)
Polish using an applicator then wax using a different applicator
Shammy wheels dry, I only use a wheel cleaning product if heavily contaminated, mostly fronts
Windows inside and out, all interior plastics then clean and renourish the leather
Take out mats, Hoover interior and mats, use carpet shampoo if required, more so on the mats then spray carpet fresh on the carpets and mats and leave to dry
Bumper gel on all the exterior plastic and rubbers, arial grommet, door handles, front reg plate holder and A pillars (mine are coated)
Polish exhaust tips (Blue Job)
Tyre gel the tyres
Buff engine bay to a shine
Clean fuel cap area and clear any debris in the drain
Dry and feed all rubber seals, cab, boot and engine bay (Gummi phledge)
A couple of times a year I scrub and reproof the roof.
Inbetween waxes on my quick wash I use Rapid Wax spray on one panel at a time when the car is wet and dry/shine off with a micro fibre cloth (when you wash these don't use comfort, it ruins them)
The vast majority of my products are Autoglym, no particular reason other than I like the range and opinions are all subjective but plenty of great products out there.
Once finished I keep under a dust cover until it's time to get dirty again (which won't be long)
I have summer and winter wheels, when I change over I give a good clean, dry and wax (both sides) then do the same again before I put them back on
Take out the space saver before and after winter to clean, as well as the carrier
Finally, ensure my BMW dust caps are shiny, this actually makes your car go faster, science fact
After this .......... It's Guinness O'clock
