Best thing for cleaning your arches

[J@mes W]

After discovering that i have two CV joints rubber boots with holes in them and grease splatter all over the inside of my front arches i've decided that i need to give them a blood good clean.

Could someone please point me in the right direction of a good cleaner?

Thanks in advance.

 

[TubbyTwo]

I would use a decent APC, and a brush. Meguairs APC is good, Chem guys Orange degreaser, AG engine cleaner, even Gunk would be fine.

I would also suggest dressing the arches after to help prevent anything sticking as well. CG Barebones is handy for this.

 

[J@mes W]

Awesome, pay day tomorrow so i'll get them ordered. Thanks for that

It sad but im looking forward to cleaning my arches

 

[TubbyTwo]

lol no worries. Some nice gloss black arches really sets off a finished car.

I was getting excited about a delivery of more 3M blue masking tape and a selection of new detailing brushes today....

A very exciting life I lead!!

 

[StealthInspired]

This sounds very promising TubbyTwo.
After reading your recommendation on CG Barebones. I did some research.

The feedback appears excellent (on the net), a nice set of BLACK arches.
Going this extra mile to tidy the car up, is what makes it stand out from looking like its just had a quick wash, to something more special!

Also, it'll probably make me more concious of everyone elses dirty arches in the work carpark! lol.

I'm ordering some....

 

[TubbyTwo]

Its good stuff for a very resonable price if your not going to use it all the time

I like it, clean the engine bay and use it there as well, Autoglym Vinly and rubber dressing works well but I found it doesnt last as long.

Pearl is the daddy tho, proper valet stuff, mixes with water to different dilutions depending on the finish you want. Can be used on pretty much all plastic trims, inside and out, rubber seals, arches, tyres....

Bit overkill for the arches tho! lol

CG Barebones is excellent stuff!

 

[StealthInspired]

Can Bare Bones be used on all plastics too, and wont discolour or cause negative effects?
For example, engine cover, even the rear plastic bumper valence (on the FR) etc etc ?

Bit like good old 'Back to black' only alot better!?

Do you work in the car detailing industry or a closely linked trade? Certainly know your stuff!

 

[TubbyTwo]

Can Bare Bones be used on all plastics too, and wont discolour or cause negative effects?
For example, engine cover, even the rear plastic bumper valence (on the FR) etc etc ?

Bit like good old 'Back to black' only alot better!?

Do you work in the car detailing industry or a closely linked trade? Certainly know your stuff!

It can be used on pretty much all plastics I use it on all the engine plastics and rubbers, also the arches. Can also be applied via cloth to trim, however a dedicated trim dressing would be more suited So i would suggest that over BB.

Been a hobby of mine for years and am currently trying to start up part time, there is just something very satisfying about putting the hours in to see the stunning results. Alot of trial and error really seeing what products work and what dont. I have friends who work in the bodyshop and paint industries so get to hear about different things etc.

Always been interested in it

Another good one is 303 Aerospace Protectant, however its considerably more expensive than BB and I can notice much difference TBH. Their Fabric guard is very good as well.

For ultimate plastic trim dressing though, you dont get better than this:

Gtechniq C4:
http://gtechniq.com/shop/3s-for-cars/exterior-coatings/c4-permanent-trim-restorer/

one application lasts 2 years.

 

[StealthInspired]

Been a hobby of mine for years and am currently trying to start up part time, there is just something very satisfying about putting the hours in to see the stunning results. Alot of trial and error really seeing what products work and what dont. I have friends who work in the bodyshop and paint industries so get to hear about different things etc.

Always been interested in it

Another good one is 303 Aerospace Protectant, however its considerably more expensive than BB and I can notice much difference TBH. Their Fabric guard is very good as well.

Sounds great! As you say, putting hard work into washing / cleaning / detailing a car becomes so rewarding, once you get to stand back at the end of the session and see the transformation!

Planning to place an order today on a few items, will take a look at your suggestions first, to help me decide....

Which part of the country are you? I might be interested in dropping my car by, at some point before the summer! <EDIT IGNORE THAT, just seen your Profile.

 

[TubbyTwo]

LOL no worries chap!

 

[Lost Boys]

I found using Tesco's Daisy, mixed 5 to 6:1, sprayed over the arches, mushed around with a brush, then treated with a good protector, always does the job for me.

I've got a few pictures on Detailing World if anyones looks under user name Lost Boys.

 

[StealthInspired]

Tubby, the BB arrived yesterday, plus the ph neutral snow foam we discussed in a previous Thread.
So got straight to using some inside the arches last night - works GREAT !

Instantly a nice deep (virtually Black) look to the plastic arch, I also gave them a quick wipe too, to ensure complete coverage. The car smells of ' summer berries ' now! Good stuff.

Makes such a difference, when the car is nice and clean, yet the arches (before) looked untouched.

 

[jonjay]

I would use a decent APC, and a brush. Meguairs APC is good, Chem guys Orange degreaser, AG engine cleaner, even Gunk would be fine.

I would also suggest dressing the arches after to help prevent anything sticking as well. CG Barebones is handy for this.

Agreed.

 

[TubbyTwo]

Barebones is good stuff, its oil based iirc so its pretty hardy and maintains a decent shine.

Welcome to the expensive slippery slope of proper car cleaning lol

Love it!

 

[TubbyTwo]

I want to try some of this when my other supplies run out. One product to replace 3 of 4 different ones.

http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/carpro-perl-coat-protectant-500ml.php

 

[TubbyTwo]

Tubby, the BB arrived yesterday, plus the ph neutral snow foam we discussed in a previous Thread.
So got straight to using some inside the arches last night - works GREAT !

Instantly a nice deep (virtually Black) look to the plastic arch, I also gave them a quick wipe too, to ensure complete coverage. The car smells of ' summer berries ' now! Good stuff.

Makes such a difference, when the car is nice and clean, yet the arches (before) looked untouched.

Good stuff, what colour BB did you get? The original stuff is blue however they have updated it (same product) and its now a deep red colour.

not that it really matters

 

[StealthInspired]

Barebones is good stuff, its oil based iirc so its pretty hardy and maintains a decent shine.

Welcome to the expensive slippery slope of proper car cleaning lol

Love it!

Cheers. Likewise thankyou for expert tips and recommendations.
In that case the driveway might also be shining just like the arches are, with the quantity that was dripping off last night (before i got a cloth to it).

It's almost an addiction, reading through the Threads, taking in all the info possible, incase I've missed that 'magic product' to tidy up this or that part of the car.

The wheel arches were my latest addition to the car cleaning / detailing routine...
Eventually I'll have a dedicated cleaning product for every panel, fabric, part of the car.

TIME can be a challenge though, what with family commitments (same for most of us I imagine).
So I tend to sneak out and pamper the car, when I get a quiet 5 minutes (or luxury couple of hours)!. lol

 

[TubbyTwo]

no worries, Im no expert tho. GF jokes I have mild OCD (in her words Obsessive CLEANING Disorder) when it comes to cars.

Jump on detailing world, masses of information on there, bad for the wallet tho!

 

[n_d_fox]

Cant rate Bare Bones enough... i use it on the engine bay too, its got anti static ingredients so helps stop dust / dirt cling... lasts for a good couple of months as well which is superb for a product at its price bracket.