cleaning products...

sheps · 04-02-2007, 06:34 AM

I have always purchased my zymol stuff from Parc Ferme (http://www.parcferme.co.uk/)

If you decide that you want to take the plunge then go for a starter kit.

This will give you everything you need for an initial treatment; a bottle of auto bathe, a bottle of HD Pre-cleanse, a tub of wax and a tub of interior treatment (for either leather or vinyl) plus HD Cleanse applicators, wax applicator and a microwipe etc.

The cost of the kits depends on the quality of wax you select. The kit with the cheapest wax (carbon) will run you just over £100.

The wax will last you for at least three years, even with regular treatments.
the other bits less so (will depend on how often you re-treat).

Having used all sorts of different gear on a number of different cars I will always now stick with Zymol. The only problem is stopping yourself from going crazy on all the other products beyond the standard starter kits - I have the sponges, buckets, wheel brushes, tyre treatement, wheel cleaner etc etc!!!

It gets expensive if you go silly!

As for aspplication, I always use my bare hands too - place a small amount in my left palm, use the fingers of my right hand to 'melt' the wax and then rub my hands/fingers directly on the paintwork. Feels odd at first, but you soon get used to it!

NathanJT · 04-02-2007, 06:58 AM

And it smells awesome!!!

mjh93sa · 04-02-2007, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NathanJT

And it smells awesome!!!

Sure does. I've actually had compliments on the smell of the exterior of the car

Z4 Beemer · 04-05-2007, 07:45 AM

Found this very detailed forum posting about Zymol detailing... even though its a Vauxhall, its really quite interesting!

http://www.corsasport.co.uk/board/vi...=347865&page=1

skansa · 04-05-2007, 08:57 AM

i thought with the £299 Protect and Care from BMW Dealer you dont need to polish your car again??

NathanJT · 04-05-2007, 10:42 AM

Hmmmmm.... I have a 300 gallon per day RO unit at home... might start using that to rinse the car! LOL!

- Paul - · 04-05-2007, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z4 Beemer

Found this very detailed forum posting about Zymol detailing... even though its a Vauxhall, its really quite interesting!

http://www.corsasport.co.uk/board/vi...=347865&page=1

Great reading the replies!!!

- Paul - · 04-05-2007, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skansa

i thought with the £299 Protect and Care from BMW Dealer you dont need to polish your car again??

Didn't you forget the sarcastic smiley?

silverbmwz3 · 04-05-2007, 11:27 AM

I have respect for the guy paying that much attention to detail, I think they gave him a bit of a hard time on that forum - don't think we'd be so harsh here.... nicer sort of person on the beemer forums

I would imagine the merc forums to be the same, except they'd all be "considerably richer than yow" (I joke with my Dad who is a brummie and has a merc that that is what silver Merc c classes shout, even worse in that horrid gold colour you can get)....

silverbmwz3 · 04-20-2007, 05:51 AM

Do I really have to keep Zymol in fridge? Not sure missus will go for that one

silverbmwz3 · 04-20-2007, 05:56 AM

Think I found the answer on a zymol supplier site:

"The shelf life of the liquid products is around 18 months, the Waxes/Glazes indefinitely. To ensure this, store Waxes and Glazes in a cool dark place or in the refrigerator."

I'm guessing our garage would count as cool dark place most of the year.

gordonrp · 04-20-2007, 07:05 AM

did you guys get the paint protection seal? I'll just be using the cleaning products that came with the car/paint seal option.

skansa · 04-20-2007, 08:16 AM

u talking about the £299 paint protection from the dealer right?

gordonrp · 04-20-2007, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skansa

u talking about the £299 paint protection from the dealer right?

right. just picked mine up yesterday and the shine on it is amazing.

silverbmwz3 · 04-20-2007, 11:15 AM

Isn't the paint protection basically just like a good Zymol treatment or wax which you can do yourself for less and re-do at will?

gordonrp · 04-20-2007, 11:18 AM

probably, but it looks good.

Rehnquist · 04-21-2007, 05:50 PM

I'd go with a good waxing over the stuff you get offered from the dealer "sealing" stuff they claim it lasts for ages but I've never been happy with the finish of anything from the dealer.
I use Zymol to wash my car with and wax it with Swissol, using an applicator is cleaner but I think you get a slightly better finish using your bare hands, not much in it though.

silverbmwz3 · 04-22-2007, 07:52 AM

Can someone give me a list of the products they use to do a good job on their car e.g. wash mitt? Microfibre cloths? Chamois leather? What do you use and for what. Thanks.

mjh93sa · 04-22-2007, 10:34 AM

There are loads of threads about cleaning, but the following works for me:

Parts:
Zymol Treat (leather conditioner)
Zymol Pre-Wax Applicator (x2)
Zymol Towel (x2)
Zymol Microfibre Cloth
Zymol Wax Applicator
Zymol HD-Cleanse
Zymol Clear
Zymol Glas
Zymol Z3 Glaze
Chamois Leather
Large Sponge
Small Sponge
Autoglym bumper care
Standard dish cloths
Paper towels
Vacuum cleaner

The process:
Interior

Vacuum the interior.
Apply Zymol Treat with a pre-wax applicator. Work around the interior and then buff up with a Zymol Towel.
Wipe down dash and interior plastics with a damp dish cloth.
Use paper towels and Zymol Glas to clean all interior glass.

Exterior

Wash car using Zymol Clear. Large sponge used for large areas and smaller for detailed areas and finally sills before being binned.
Rinse and then dry with a chamois leather.
Apply HD-Cleanse using a pre-wax applicator and buff off with a Zymol Towel.
Apply wax with a wax applicator and buff off with a microfibre cloth.
Apply Autoglym bumper care to tyre walls and plastic trims with a dish cloth. Buff up with a clean dish cloth. Autoglym gives a wet look, whilst Zymol Tyre Preserve gives a great matt black look, but needs much more product to achieve good coverage, so Autoglym gets the nod from me.
Clean exterior glass with Zymol glas using paper towels.

Stand back and admire. .... and be ready to wash bird sh!t off in the morning, or for it to be raining.

silverbmwz3 · 04-22-2007, 01:26 PM

Matt, that exactly what I was looking for. Many thanks.

E92-Mark · 04-22-2007, 05:34 PM

The paint protection from the dealer is the Auto Glym Lifeshine system. You can get it slightly cheaper from independant detailers.

silverbmwz3 · 04-23-2007, 03:10 AM

I thought chamois leather were not the best idea in terms of swirl mark potential etc.? Anyone else use anything different?

Presumably the HD and Wax applicators get binned after one use?

Which wax should I get? Titanium?

04-02-2007, 06:34 AM	#23
sheps Colonel 73 Rep 2,396 Posts Drives: C63 AMG Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cambs, UK iTrader: (2)	I have always purchased my zymol stuff from Parc Ferme (http://www.parcferme.co.uk/) If you decide that you want to take the plunge then go for a starter kit. This will give you everything you need for an initial treatment; a bottle of auto bathe, a bottle of HD Pre-cleanse, a tub of wax and a tub of interior treatment (for either leather or vinyl) plus HD Cleanse applicators, wax applicator and a microwipe etc. The cost of the kits depends on the quality of wax you select. The kit with the cheapest wax (carbon) will run you just over £100. The wax will last you for at least three years, even with regular treatments. the other bits less so (will depend on how often you re-treat). Having used all sorts of different gear on a number of different cars I will always now stick with Zymol. The only problem is stopping yourself from going crazy on all the other products beyond the standard starter kits - I have the sponges, buckets, wheel brushes, tyre treatement, wheel cleaner etc etc!!! It gets expensive if you go silly! As for aspplication, I always use my bare hands too - place a small amount in my left palm, use the fingers of my right hand to 'melt' the wax and then rub my hands/fingers directly on the paintwork. Feels odd at first, but you soon get used to it! __________________ Gone but not forgotten: 325i M Sport (E92), Black Sapphire, Coral Red Dakota, 19" 225's, Seat Heating, 6FL and de-badge Replaced by 6.2 litres of AMG powered C class.
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04-02-2007, 06:58 AM	#24
NathanJT Techie Geek 37 Rep 681 Posts Drives: 330d M Sport Manual Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Derby, UK iTrader: (0)	And it smells awesome!!! __________________ 330d M-Sport \| Sapphire Black \| Black Dakota \| Nav Pro \| iDrive \| Bluetooth \| PDC \| Xenons \| Hot Seats \| Tracker \| Blacklines
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04-05-2007, 07:45 AM	#26
Z4 Beemer Colonel 83 Rep 2,353 Posts Drives: 2009 Z4 sDrive 23i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Glasgow, Scotland, UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 E92 [0.00] 2004 Z4 2.2i [8.00]	Found this very detailed forum posting about Zymol detailing... even though its a Vauxhall, its really quite interesting! http://www.corsasport.co.uk/board/vi...=347865&page=1 __________________ E89 Z4 sDrive 23i... for the more discerning driver
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04-05-2007, 08:57 AM	#27
skansa First Lieutenant 12 Rep 312 Posts Drives: Datsun Sunny Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Watford iTrader: (0)	i thought with the £299 Protect and Care from BMW Dealer you dont need to polish your car again??
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04-05-2007, 10:42 AM	#28
NathanJT Techie Geek 37 Rep 681 Posts Drives: 330d M Sport Manual Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Derby, UK iTrader: (0)	Hmmmmm.... I have a 300 gallon per day RO unit at home... might start using that to rinse the car! LOL! __________________ 330d M-Sport \| Sapphire Black \| Black Dakota \| Nav Pro \| iDrive \| Bluetooth \| PDC \| Xenons \| Hot Seats \| Tracker \| Blacklines
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04-05-2007, 11:27 AM	#31
silverbmwz3 Colonel 48 Rep 2,022 Posts Drives: X5 g05 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Buckinghamshire, UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2003 325 ci SE conv ... [0.00]	I have respect for the guy paying that much attention to detail, I think they gave him a bit of a hard time on that forum - don't think we'd be so harsh here.... nicer sort of person on the beemer forums I would imagine the merc forums to be the same, except they'd all be "considerably richer than yow" (I joke with my Dad who is a brummie and has a merc that that is what silver Merc c classes shout, even worse in that horrid gold colour you can get).... __________________ Current: E90 335d (May 2007) \| Black/Black \| Prof Hifi \| Prof Nav \| 6FL \| Fully Electric Seats \| Xenons \| Folding Mirrors \| PDC Previous: 325ci Conv. Black/Black with lots of ACS Previous: z3 3.0 Silver with Black&Red Leather
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04-20-2007, 05:51 AM	#32
silverbmwz3 Colonel 48 Rep 2,022 Posts Drives: X5 g05 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Buckinghamshire, UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2003 325 ci SE conv ... [0.00]	Do I really have to keep Zymol in fridge? Not sure missus will go for that one __________________ Current: E90 335d (May 2007) \| Black/Black \| Prof Hifi \| Prof Nav \| 6FL \| Fully Electric Seats \| Xenons \| Folding Mirrors \| PDC Previous: 325ci Conv. Black/Black with lots of ACS Previous: z3 3.0 Silver with Black&Red Leather
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04-20-2007, 05:56 AM	#33
silverbmwz3 Colonel 48 Rep 2,022 Posts Drives: X5 g05 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Buckinghamshire, UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2003 325 ci SE conv ... [0.00]	Think I found the answer on a zymol supplier site: "The shelf life of the liquid products is around 18 months, the Waxes/Glazes indefinitely. To ensure this, store Waxes and Glazes in a cool dark place or in the refrigerator." I'm guessing our garage would count as cool dark place most of the year. __________________ Current: E90 335d (May 2007) \| Black/Black \| Prof Hifi \| Prof Nav \| 6FL \| Fully Electric Seats \| Xenons \| Folding Mirrors \| PDC Previous: 325ci Conv. Black/Black with lots of ACS Previous: z3 3.0 Silver with Black&Red Leather
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04-20-2007, 07:05 AM	#34
gordonrp Awaiting delivery! 3 Rep 36 Posts Drives: 2007 330I SE Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, England iTrader: (0)	did you guys get the paint protection seal? I'll just be using the cleaning products that came with the car/paint seal option.
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04-20-2007, 08:16 AM	#35
skansa First Lieutenant 12 Rep 312 Posts Drives: Datsun Sunny Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Watford iTrader: (0)	u talking about the £299 paint protection from the dealer right?
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04-20-2007, 11:15 AM	#37
silverbmwz3 Colonel 48 Rep 2,022 Posts Drives: X5 g05 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Buckinghamshire, UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2003 325 ci SE conv ... [0.00]	Isn't the paint protection basically just like a good Zymol treatment or wax which you can do yourself for less and re-do at will? __________________ Current: E90 335d (May 2007) \| Black/Black \| Prof Hifi \| Prof Nav \| 6FL \| Fully Electric Seats \| Xenons \| Folding Mirrors \| PDC Previous: 325ci Conv. Black/Black with lots of ACS Previous: z3 3.0 Silver with Black&Red Leather
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04-20-2007, 11:18 AM	#38
gordonrp Awaiting delivery! 3 Rep 36 Posts Drives: 2007 330I SE Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, England iTrader: (0)	probably, but it looks good.
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04-21-2007, 05:50 PM	#39
Rehnquist New Member 0 Rep 12 Posts Drives: 320d M sport, soon Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: United Kingdom iTrader: (0)	I'd go with a good waxing over the stuff you get offered from the dealer "sealing" stuff they claim it lasts for ages but I've never been happy with the finish of anything from the dealer. I use Zymol to wash my car with and wax it with Swissol, using an applicator is cleaner but I think you get a slightly better finish using your bare hands, not much in it though.
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04-22-2007, 07:52 AM	#40
silverbmwz3 Colonel 48 Rep 2,022 Posts Drives: X5 g05 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Buckinghamshire, UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2003 325 ci SE conv ... [0.00]	Can someone give me a list of the products they use to do a good job on their car e.g. wash mitt? Microfibre cloths? Chamois leather? What do you use and for what. Thanks. __________________ Current: E90 335d (May 2007) \| Black/Black \| Prof Hifi \| Prof Nav \| 6FL \| Fully Electric Seats \| Xenons \| Folding Mirrors \| PDC Previous: 325ci Conv. Black/Black with lots of ACS Previous: z3 3.0 Silver with Black&Red Leather
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04-22-2007, 10:34 AM	#41
mjh93sa Major General 145 Rep 5,080 Posts Drives: 530d Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Gloucestershire iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW M135i [10.00] 2011 Mini Countryma ... [5.50]	There are loads of threads about cleaning, but the following works for me: Parts: Zymol Treat (leather conditioner) Zymol Pre-Wax Applicator (x2) Zymol Towel (x2) Zymol Microfibre Cloth Zymol Wax Applicator Zymol HD-Cleanse Zymol Clear Zymol Glas Zymol Z3 Glaze Chamois Leather Large Sponge Small Sponge Autoglym bumper care Standard dish cloths Paper towels Vacuum cleaner The process: Interior Vacuum the interior. Apply Zymol Treat with a pre-wax applicator. Work around the interior and then buff up with a Zymol Towel. Wipe down dash and interior plastics with a damp dish cloth. Use paper towels and Zymol Glas to clean all interior glass. Exterior Wash car using Zymol Clear. Large sponge used for large areas and smaller for detailed areas and finally sills before being binned. Rinse and then dry with a chamois leather. Apply HD-Cleanse using a pre-wax applicator and buff off with a Zymol Towel. Apply wax with a wax applicator and buff off with a microfibre cloth. Apply Autoglym bumper care to tyre walls and plastic trims with a dish cloth. Buff up with a clean dish cloth. Autoglym gives a wet look, whilst Zymol Tyre Preserve gives a great matt black look, but needs much more product to achieve good coverage, so Autoglym gets the nod from me. Clean exterior glass with Zymol glas using paper towels. Stand back and admire. .... and be ready to wash bird sh!t off in the morning, or for it to be raining. __________________ Gone: Fiesta - Focus - E46 320dSE - E91 330dMSport - E82 135iMSport - R55 JCW Clubman - M135i Now: 530d
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04-22-2007, 01:26 PM	#42
silverbmwz3 Colonel 48 Rep 2,022 Posts Drives: X5 g05 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Buckinghamshire, UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2003 325 ci SE conv ... [0.00]	Matt, that exactly what I was looking for. Many thanks. __________________ Current: E90 335d (May 2007) \| Black/Black \| Prof Hifi \| Prof Nav \| 6FL \| Fully Electric Seats \| Xenons \| Folding Mirrors \| PDC Previous: 325ci Conv. Black/Black with lots of ACS Previous: z3 3.0 Silver with Black&Red Leather
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04-22-2007, 05:34 PM	#43
E92-Mark Environmental petrol head. 6 Rep 165 Posts Drives: 330d Coupé Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bristol, England iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 E92 - 330D [0.00] 2005 E90 320d SE [0.00]	The paint protection from the dealer is the Auto Glym Lifeshine system. You can get it slightly cheaper from independant detailers. __________________ Currently : 330d SE Coupe, TiAg, Jade Leather Sports seats, HiGloss trim, 17" 188s, 6MT, CA, SunRoof, HBA, Pro Audio, 6CD, Bluetooth & Armrest Retired : 320d SE E90, SG, Blk Leather, Xenons, Bluetooth
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04-23-2007, 03:10 AM	#44
silverbmwz3 Colonel 48 Rep 2,022 Posts Drives: X5 g05 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Buckinghamshire, UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2003 325 ci SE conv ... [0.00]	I thought chamois leather were not the best idea in terms of swirl mark potential etc.? Anyone else use anything different? Presumably the HD and Wax applicators get binned after one use? Which wax should I get? Titanium? __________________ Current: E90 335d (May 2007) \| Black/Black \| Prof Hifi \| Prof Nav \| 6FL \| Fully Electric Seats \| Xenons \| Folding Mirrors \| PDC Previous: 325ci Conv. Black/Black with lots of ACS Previous: z3 3.0 Silver with Black&Red Leather
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