Cleaning Methods

[TwingoSam]

Well as it's new and clean anyway, I'm not planning to clean it within the very near future but I just want some tips on cleaning the Twingo. Are there any special products I should use? The handbook says to "only use cleaning products recommended by Renault" but I'm sure there is no need to buy additional products when I already have them.

Don't want to use the jet hose or the car wash just yet, really would like to keep the shine that it has for the time being.

Anyway any tips/advice?

[Graham]

The main advice is a wash mitt and the 'two bucket' method. If you don't do anything else, just do that!!

I use AutoGlym products, a number of reasons, the ease as they're always available at Halfords, always on 3for2 offers and yes there are better products out there, but for me, i'm more than happy with the finish they leave.

Could then give the car a pre-rinse or snow foaming to loosen the crud, don't just rinse then wash straight away as it will do nothing! Leave it for the water/suds to cut through the crud, then another rinse to remove the loose crud. Then when you actually come to cleaning, you're wiping down a cleanish car, and not smearing dirt that could scratch/ruin the paint.

Next stage, claying the paint (after drying hehe) so it's ready for polishing. Use lots of lube (shampoo and water is good enough) and really work the clay before it goes near your car, when running the clay over, constantly fold it over after each half panel!!!!!!!!!! This is probably the best investment i have made, it always amazes me as to how dirty my car is as it picks up everything! Leaves the paint sssooo smooth

Polish, lots out there, for starters and as a half decent polish, AutoGlym Super Resin Polish (SRP). Again i use approx a pea size per half panel, i really work the polish and the cloth is practically dry before i apply more polish (only wastage if the cloth is 'damp'). Plus to get the best out of it, it really has to be worked in. Start by following the contours of the panel, then small tight circles, followed by following the contours again. That's how i apply polish

I never wax me car, i use a sealant as tbh, i'm lazy and by this point i just want a coffee ! With this, i just wipe over the car, following the contours. No need to circular movements as it's just a protective layer. Leave it an hour to cure, then wipe off. For a proper shine, i re-apply 24hrs later, again, leave an hour then wipe off .

Cleaning is all in the prep. Then pre-rinse and claying is key imo for a great finish, but if you do all the above you're looking at 4-5hrs work. As said, a wash mitt and the two bucket method will really help keep the paint looking good.

[Charlie292]

Grahams pretty much summed it up there, you can really do as much or as little as you want. Me personally I take alot of pride into keeping my car clean, on a morning off when everyone else is at work, I can spend hours detailing my car, sometimes ill do it twice a week to kill time more then anything else, but its always nice to know my cars spotless seem to notice so many more people looking at it when it is!

Out of intrest what colour is your Twingo?

White's and silvers will "look" like they need less work to keep them looking smart, red will fade quicker over time, so will want a good polish and a wax every month or two at the very least to keep it up to standard. Blacks will need less work to keep them "shiney", but will show up scratches and swirls more then others.

Theres a whole load more to it then that, I can go on for hours.

At the end of the day, if your not really into valeting your car loads, and just want to keep it looking presentable, then just keep it washed and clean, avoid anything that will scratch it, try and use some form of polish after a wash every month or so at least, then seal it in somehow with a wax would probably be best just to protect it some more.

[Graham]

White's and silvers will "look" like they need less work to keep them looking smart, red will fade quicker over time, so will want a good polish and a wax every month or two at the very least to keep it up to standard. Blacks will need less work to keep them "shiney", but will show up scratches and swirls more then others.

Tell me about it, i love me Clio!! I had a Blaze Twingo before and that was painful, every week i had a new scratch (used daily for work, country lanes) and it was sssooo depressing, plus the swirls were noticeably visible too . Now i have a silver car, it's great!! Swirls are there, so are a number of scratches, but the colour 'masks' them, then apply a coat of polish you hardly see them at all

Silver is also great for removing paint imperfections or tar splodges as they're really visible, boring colour to own, great to keep it and looking clean!!

[Charlie292]

I went for red in the end, not the easyest colour to look after, but looks so nice when its spotless!

[Penn]

http://www.twingooc.com/showthread.p...mation-Station

[TwingoSam]

Mine's silver and after its first run to my workplace yesterday (Friday) down country lanes, the boot and rear of the car seems to have been splattered with mud and water marks from splashy puddles and heavy rain Looks like I'll be washing it tomorrow, weather permitting of course.

[mccabe133]

I ve decided that I am going to use zymol titanium on my twingo when i get it.

[TwingoSam]

Any tips for washing the pedals? They're dusty/muddy, don't want to polish them as I've read about peoples feet slipping! Is it safe to go over them with a damp cloth just to clean them off? It won't make my feet slip on them once dry, will it?

[Charlie292]

Just a damp cloth, try not to use anything on them as like you said, your feet will slip.

Were bouts in oxfordshire are you from by the way?