How long do you take cleaning

[pezzzer]

So, just spent the best part of 3 and a half hours cleaning the motor. 

Wifey thinks i’m weird, but I enjoy it. 

So was just wondering how long everyone else takes pampering their pride and joy. 

[Old Peter]

Hi Kevin, 

When my s type gets quite dirty [not often] I cheat a little bit and have it hand washed for a fiver round the corner.  I then spend a couple of hours giving it a good wax and shine.

Regards,

Peter.

[Ian1061]

On average 2 to 3 hours on mine, inside and out

[The Voices]

I occasionally throw a bucket of soapy water over the XE or the STR, cleaning is not my thing anymore ! 

[FKisby]

A few weeks back I spent 3 and a half hours cleaning mine, and despite every part of me aching badly afterwards, the end result was completely worth it. That was on a Sunday afternoon. 

Fast forward a few hours to the following Monday morning, and I get to the car and find it completely covered in tiny, sticky dots. Every single surface. Turns out it was the time of year when tree sap is particularly prevalent in the air and the row of them opposite my house had indeed enjoyed a good 'purge' overnight. The whole car was a mess. Needless to say, I was gutted. Haven't spent nearly as much time on it since! 

[Rich Askew]

Hi all,

New car to me in late June so took a while to take stock of it and research what needed doing - You Tube has some great videos!

• Internally - Leather wipes and a protector from Dunelm (seats, dash and doors) after a damned good hoovering. Meguiars Carpet Cleaner and then a Pledge spray on the wood. Bought one of those Halfords window cleaner pads and use 'HG' window cleaner to strip the internal film off.

• Externally - 'Bug and Tar' remover over the lower half, 'Black in a Flash' on the plastic bits and wheel arches, NXT Metal Polish on the chrome. Car Plan 'Wheel Wash' to remove brake dust. Normal wash mitt with Farecla 'Body Prep Shampoo' then a rinse off. Fallout remover over bottom half to take out any sticky residue. Farecla BPS again with a Clay Mitt all over to get the bodywork back to clear coat. Meguiars Scratch Repair and buff off on any noticeable marks. AutoGlym Resin Polish to cut back on all surfaces then buff off. Turtle Wax 'Sealant' on the dry car then buff off. Meguiars 'Hybrid Ceramic Wax' as a final coating, rubbed in rather than spray and rinse. 'HG' windscreen cleaner, buff off then Rain-X final coat and final buff off.

Takes around seven hours (!) so it'll only be done thoroughly perhaps twice each year - Spring time after the winter rigours and again in the autumn when I get enough time and I'm bored!

What I would say is that any car worked on like this takes about 15 to 20 minutes to clean off with something like Meguiars 'Wash and Wax' and then a buff off with a cloth in between deep cleaning. It also feels really slick to the touch with bare fingers and glosses up the best I've ever seen with a really shiny finish (I'm loathed to say 'mirror' finish because mine is Osmium Blue so won't reflect like a dark coloured car).

It's a bit extreme I know but it means I spot any signs of a damaged clear coat / scratch etc. early and can do some remedial work (if I can) to prevent any real, long-lasting damage.

Best regards,

Rich.

[Billy Beatnik]

On 5/26/2019 at 6:33 AM, Old Peter said:

Hi Kevin, 

When my s type gets quite dirty [not often] I cheat a little bit and have it hand washed for a fiver round the corner.  I then spend a couple of hours giving it a good wax and shine.

Regards,

Peter.

I do the same as they can clean it extremely well in much less time than I do. I then like to do the interior and waxing etc myself.