Best practises for high mileage

[MB James]

Hi,
I guess you could say my car is my office. I do 40000 plus miles a year. Motorway driving and country lanes so it's often dirty. What's the best way to help protect and keep it clean? I'm new to detailing, but want to spend less time at the local hand car wash.
I'm guessing I should once a month: wash, polish, seal and wax. Then wash again as and when it's dirty.
The only kit I have at the moment is what's needed for 2 bucket wash method, clay, and polish. And plenty of microfiber cloths.
Any advice?

 

[davidjpowell]

I don't wash mine. Then I can't see the rust.

I exaggerate slightly, but the winter months it seems there is little point. Mind you the family car does far fewer miles, but some of them are rural and a single school run makes the wash pointless.

 

[Dieselman]

Keep it well waxed, the dirt gets washed off in the rain much better.

 

[MDC250]

Maybe look into a ceramic or ceramic type coating...will generally give greater longevity than a wax.

Plenty out there but this will give you the idea...

http://www.cquartz.com

 

[Spinal]

I apply a few coats of carnauba just before winter... then don't wash until roughly these days; at which point I'll spend a bit of time taking everything off and re-cleaning the car. Been tempted by a clay bay...

M.

 

[RWDpetrol]

Don't forget to take good care of the interior too. Plenty of leather cream especially on the seat bolsters (if you have leather seats). Just did my interior and it smells lovely. Wish it were my office.

 

[Dieselman]

Don't forget to take good care of the interior too. Plenty of leather cream especially on the seat bolsters (if you have leather seats). Just did my interior and it smells lovely. Wish it were my office.

How does leather cream protect the seats, they are impervious. Mine look just fine after 200,000 miles.

 

[MB James]

Thanks. I'll check out the quartz.

 

[RWDpetrol]

How does leather cream protect the seats, they are impervious. Mine look just fine after 200,000 miles.

Aircon affects leather resulting in cracking. Cream will protect and prolong. Look is not the same as feel eg petrol car vs diesel car.

 

[daveenty]

Mine gets a thorough clean and wax before the onset usually.

Then on a day like today (dry and bright here mostly) I just snow-foam it, let it soak for a few minutes, rinse it off and that's about it unless I have time to properly wash it.

As said above, I think the wax forms a bit of a barrier so I just tend to leave it till the warmer weather comes along.

 

[MB James]

Keep it well waxed, the dirt gets washed off in the rain much better.

Will try waxing at the weekend.

 

[Dieselman]

Aircon affects leather resulting in cracking. Cream will protect and prolong. Look is not the same as feel eg petrol car vs diesel car.

Only the surface cracks as that is PVC paint. You are rubbing creme onto PVC, which last time I checked, is impervious.

 

[MB James]

I don't wash mine. Then I can't see the rust.

I exaggerate slightly, but the winter months it seems there is little point. Mind you the family car does far fewer miles, but some of them are rural and a single school run makes the wash pointless.

Have paying customers in the car, so it's gotta be clean.

 

[MB James]

You think waxing once a month is too much?

 

[Dieselman]

No.

 

[sherco450]

don't forget the roof . A lot of van owners neglect to clean the roof. Viano /Vito carry a lot of gunk around the potential sunroof area and pressed metal area. owned a few vito's so have experienced problems, and failing to get rid of the gunk build up will fade, peel and rust the areas. l try to make it a habit of cleaning up top every 3rd wash.

 

[Spinal]

Regarding the interior leather; there are a lot of products out there... but I've found that the best for leather (not the pvc coated stuff, but the dyed leather) is some saddle soap and neatsfoot compound/oil (buy both from an equestrian supply store).

You'll need at least 4 clean cotton rags. Costco do packs of 50 terry cloths for not much...

Grab a rag, get it wet, then wring it out until it's just damp. Rub the soap bar, then rub the leather (I do this in cars and sofas... having a long-haired dog means I need to wash them every few days). Grab a second, clean & damp rag, and wipe down until there are no traces of soap (run your hand over it to feel it).

Finally, take a dry rag, and dry down. Don't let any water rest on the leather. Once dry, take your fourth clean rag and dip in the neatsfoot oil. Rub this into the leather and watch how soft and supple it gets.

Wait at least a few hours before sitting down! If you want, you can rub it down with another clean rag to speed up the process, but it's better to wait

OR, given that the car is for carrying customers around as you state, get someone else to wash & wax the car (my local car wash does a pretty good job for £20 as a "mini valet", and if you tell them not to use the pressure washer they'll do an even better job) and pass the £20 a month or so as an expense/tax relief.

M.

 

[R2D2]

You think waxing once a month is too much?

No.

Is waxing every day ?

 

[Troon]

My practice for longevity:

• Drive it sympathetically: that doesn't mean never thrash it, though! Long journeys are good, braking is bad.
• Clean it regularly and frequently including underneath and in the wheelarches, and underbonnet!
• Service it at least according to the schedule, if not better. DIY, if you can: that way you know what's been done and what's been used.
• Don't skimp on anything: if even a bit of minor plastic trim is broken, fix it ASAP. That way, you get into the habit to attending to everything.

I've taken a Mk1 Fiesta from 111k to 174k miles like that, when the gearbox finally gave up; a Mondeo to 149k when I sold it in better condition than when I bought it at 70k; and my S211 to 130k and counting, again running and looking better than at purchase at 70k.

 

[Troon]

a Mondeo to 149k when I sold it in better condition than when I bought it

That picture: the link doesn't work unless you're logged on to TalkFord :fail