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I had a question about the mf cloth we all use to clean the car. After I finish cleaning the car, I use the now dirty mf cloth to clean the alloys.

Today it stuck me that cleaning the alloys with the same cloth may damage the fabric and the next time I use it on the car (after washing the cloth of course) it might not be safe on paint.

Is that understanding correct or will the mf remain non abrasive no matter what..

I did first ever car wash today of my car. Thanks to this superb cleaning guide. I decided against availing the daily service of the over eager neighbourhood car cleaner. Instead I took matters in my hand considering that my Red Polo would need some pampering to ensure the red shine lasts long. Thanks once again for this guide.

Congrats. When you say " pampering " I guess you did more than just washing. BTW, every RED POLO I see on road, for some unknown reason I get the feeling that all of them have a glossy/wet look ! OK, may be I am not practical here and my views are biased ;)

Pics please :)

Lots of cloths, including soft cotton, are non-abrasive. It is the dust itself that is abrasive. That is why you should always be extremely careful with that first-stage removal of a dust layer from the car whatever fabric or duster you use to do it with.

The secret of micro-fibre is that it is able "absorb" dust, which lessens the risk to the surface you are cleaning. Google will befriend you in finding out the structure of the micro fibre. Those fibres have a kind of a sharpness. You can feel it when you rub the cloth on your skin. In time, it gets blunted, and the cloth becomes less effective at both holding dust and getting dirt out of micro grooves in the material you are cleaning.

There is a whole science of microfibre cloths!

Suggest you use a brush to get rid of mud and brake-pad deposit from your alloys, not because it would harm the mf cloth, but because it is a better tool for the job. I guess you could finish them with microfibre.

Absolutely correct. Don't use the same micro fiber(MF) for both the clear coat paint and alloys. Have separate MF for them, as alloys are more dirty & have brake dust which is abrasive.:thumbs up

I'm on the look out for Blackfire Diamond All Finish Paint Protection & Gloss Enhancing Polish. Inquired with Sanjay (bringingbest) but they have stopped stocking AFPP due to low demand and high prices. Unlikely to get new stock.

I'm not aware if this is available anywhere else. If it is could any member please point it out to me.

Also is there a suitable polish & sealant alternative to BF?

hi

what is the job the sealant? and is collinite a sealant or wax??

I have a formula one car shampoo+wax. i generally shampoo my car and then wax it with eagle one nanowax.

Also, I am not able to procure 3M products. i checked some shops in delhi and tried looking online too but to no avail. could anyone plz let me know where can i get the 3M MF cloth and other 3M products?

and for the interiors what do the experts here suggest? I was again considering 3M vinyl polish

regards

The Collinite which is talked about here is a sealant wax, applied at the final step of detailing a car.

You can get 3M micro-fiber cloth or any other retail 3M products at any 3M car care centre in your city.

Sealant's job is to locks/protects the entire area as is; Wax protects the surface with a little lusture & doesn't allow the paint surface to get marred. The general thumb rule is to apply sealant after waxing. Collinite 845 is liquid wax, Collinite 476 is super high quality solid wax & lasts longer.

FK108AS? I'm using it on my CBR's exteriors & does splendid job until now.

So does that mean I can apply collinite 845 after the wash? Or first the wax and then collinite 845?stupid:

That's some news. BlackFire AFPP is a very good product and highly underrated. It beads water for longer and keeps the surface slick compared to carnauba based wax.

Let me see if I could find one which is available here easily.

Sealant is synthetic chemical which is used instead of carnauba based wax.

Merits of sealant:
1. Easier to apply than carnauba based wax.
2. Beads water for longer carnauba based wax.
3. Protects surface for longer than carnuaba based wax.
4. Luster is almost 85% of carnauba based wax.
5. Leaves little to no fine dust after buffing compared to carnauba based wax.

Collinite 845 is a carnauba based wax and certainly not a sealant. I have used Collinte 915 before shifting to Blackfire Paint sealant. Still have a half tin of 915 lying redundant with me.

Meguiars Natural Shine spray. Terrific product for interior plastic trim.

845 is a carnauba based wax and used as a LSP(Last Step Product) after applying paint sealant.

Wrong, sealant is applied first and followed by carnauba based wax as LSP. It is not necessary to follow up wax after sealant, since new sealants are very easy in application and protect surface for longer and luster is nearly(85%) same as carnauba based wax. Sealant's are more than enough, only if you seek an extra layer, carnauba wax is LSP after sealant.

Collinte 476 will drain you hands after finishing applying & buffing it off. Its very hard wax and takes a lot of elbow grease to work.

The current step you are following with wash/shampoo and wax with Eagle One is good enough. Once you finish Eagle One you could certainly try paint sealant and you would never use carnauba based ever.:)

Guys any suggestions for cleaning Alloy wheels. My Alloys pick regular black spots which dont go from regular washing. I am assuming its the Road Tar. ANything which can help me clean these spots?

Thanks

@Rachit: I would suggest, spray WD40 liberally on the alloys. If you have a tar remover (which is generally kerosene based) you could use that too.
Leave it for 5 minutes (you may use a tissue to hold the liquid in place in contact with the tar.)
Hopefully, using a toothbrush with soapy water will be enough to get rid of most of the black spots.

What ever remains, can then be clayed off.

I searched online, but it seems too confusing to find a product that is strictly a polish. Some of them says polish and wax, some of them polishing wax. Could anybody suggest me a name for the polish? I searched at vicky's website.

If you really want something perfect which would really eat through brake dust, tar spots, then SONAX Wheel Cleaner Full Effect, is the choice. Costs Rs. 429 for 500 ml. This is the current product of choice for users. Albeit costly but perfect. But I didn't tell the important factor, that its PH Neutral.

You can contact Mr Madhu at 9620207465 or 080-22217879, company name is Methods Automotive. Had an interaction with him at Autocar Performance Show. He would let you know of the nearest distributor of SONAX from whom you could pick it up. BTW SONAX products are Made In Germany.:D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2Sc95LH_Ok