Dread cleaning your van? Get this stuff

[chockswahay]

I have been cleaning the van over the last few days. We have a hose pipe ban here in Cornwall so I made do with old skool buckets and elbow grease.
Over the years I have tried many different products and methods and usually they take a disproportionate amount of time and effort for the reward. The van is a big vehicle to wash and of course needs steps or a bench to reach the roof properly. So I tooled up with some new gear and products………..

WOW! Using these I got the best result yet and I am so impressed I just had to share the joy.





The Autoglym Ceramic Wash and Protect is so easy to use. I gave the van a quick pre wash with plain water then just set about cleaning the van. The new mit (Armour All Noodle MIT) is a quantum leap in performance over my old trusty mit and the Autoglym stuff really did lift of the dirt with ease, then as soon as I rinsed off the paintwork the water was beading and the finish super glossy and shiney. I dried the paintwork with a microfibre towel.

My point is that this combination made the excersise a pleasure not a pain. So if you want an easier way to a nice shiny van I really do recommend these products.



As it happens I did use the wheel cleaner on my Mini first to see how it worked……. again…. WOW!……. all I did was spray the dry wheels, let the stuff dwell for a few minutes, agitate with an old paint brush and rinse the wheel off……… I hate cleaning wheels but this made it a doddle





So there we are. If you want an easier van cleaning life, you know what to do

 

[chockswahay]

Oh and a piccie of my ‘work bench’ which is actually a bench I made in the summer from some scrap wood we had lying about…….. it turned out to be super stable and made getting to the middle of the roof much easier and safer than using a step ladder……..

 

[stoobthealien]

I got a Worx cordless pressure washer for my birthday (I'm in Newcastle so no ban but you can use it legally with a bucket as the water source!) - been great for cleaning the Cali alongside the ez car care stuff

 

[RedWhiteMonkey]

German law prevents you from washing your vehicle at home so you have to go the local jet wash place. I probably go twice a year, once to wash off the winter crap after they stop gritting the roads and once after our major summer trip.

Having said that, I am planning on taking a caravan to the jet wash this afternoon.

 

[Betsycalifornia]

Nice, but to be ab

I have been cleaning the van over the last few days. We have a hose pipe ban here in Cornwall so I made do with old skool buckets and elbow grease.
Over the years I have tried many different products and methods and usually they take a disproportionate amount of time and effort for the reward. The van is a big vehicle to wash and of course needs steps or a bench to reach the roof properly. So I tooled up with some new gear and products………..

WOW! Using these I got the best result yet and I am so impressed I just had to share the joy.

View attachment 152315
View attachment 152316


The Autoglym Ceramic Wash and Protect is so easy to use. I gave the van a quick pre wash with plain water then just set about cleaning the van. The new mit (Armour All Noodle MIT) is a quantum leap in performance over my old trusty mit and the Autoglym stuff really did lift of the dirt with ease, then as soon as I rinsed off the paintwork the water was beading and the finish super glossy and shiney. I dried the paintwork with a microfibre towel.

My point is that this combination made the excersise a pleasure not a pain. So if you want an easier way to a nice shiny van I really do recommend these products.

View attachment 152317

As it happens I did use the wheel cleaner on my Mini first to see how it worked……. again…. WOW!……. all I did was spray the dry wheels, let the stuff dwell for a few minutes, agitate with an old paint brush and rinse the wheel off……… I hate cleaning wheels but this made it a doddle

View attachment 152318

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So there we are. If you want an easier van cleaning life, you know what to do

Nice, but I feel that to be absolutely certain of your findings you will need to do an independent test on another vehicle. so I’ll pop round with my van later.

 

[chockswahay]

Nice, but to be ab


Nice, but I feel that to be absolutely certain of your findings you will need to do an independent test on another vehicle. so I’ll pop round with my van later.

Haha, funny you should say that! I’m just about to wash to Mini……..I’ll post the results here later

 

[temporarysecretary]

I got a Worx cordless pressure washer for my birthday (I'm in Newcastle so no ban but you can use it legally with a bucket as the water source!) - been great for cleaning the Cali alongside the ez car care stuff

Pressure washers do use alot less water than a hose, have you ever tried the bucket pick up to see far you can get?

My karcher can do it but I've never tried.

I use the autoglym 3 stage foam gun method, for similar reasons of making it easy. When filling the lance with plain water from a nozzle less pressure washer you can see how little water is coming out when not being pushed through a tiny hole.

 

[chockswahay]

@Betsycalifornia Yup, I can deffo confirm that the Autoglym stuff I used passes the test again Now when would you like to book? my rates are very cheap…… haha

 

[sidepod]

These bits are messing with my head!

ONLY JOKING - NOBODY WAS HARMED

 

[chockswahay]

These bits are messing with my head!

ONLY JOKING - NOBODY WAS HARMED

View attachment 152337

Ooooh, its worse than that, I’m not even sure where the bit to undo that is!

 

[andyinluton]

Oh and a piccie of my ‘work bench’ which is actually a bench I made in the summer from some scrap wood we had lying about…….. it turned out to be super stable and made getting to the middle of the roof much easier and safer than using a step ladder……..

View attachment 152321

I find the roof easier to reach if you don't raise the van on ramps!

 

[chockswahay]

I find the roof easier to reach if you don't raise the van on ramps!

Ah well, that was to assist the water flow whilst cleaning it. I’m also North of 6ft but I will confess it made for a bit of a stretch to the very centre

 

[acer]

View attachment 152316

I see that it does a good job on hands too

 

[acer]

I use the autoglym standard “shampoo conditioner” along with the “extra gloss protection”. I also use the “rapid aqua wax” when I haven’t got the time to dry it properly after washing. I wonder how this “ceramic wash & protect” product compares to either of these systems? What is its niche? Autoglym make so many products they ought to provide some sort of effectiveness hierarchy table to help customers decide what to use when.

 

[chockswahay]

I use the autoglym standard “shampoo conditioner” along with the “extra gloss protection”. I also use the “rapid aqua wax” when I haven’t got the time to dry it properly after washing. I wonder how this “ceramic wash & protect” product compares to either of these systems? What is its niche? Autoglym make so many products they ought to provide some sort of effectiveness hierarchy table to help customers decide what to use when.

Good question @acer I have used the shampoo conditioner and the rapid aqua wax for a few years now ( haven’t used the extra gloss) and I rate them highly. I have always liked the aqua wax in particular as it is so easy to use and gives a good result quickly and easily. By comparison I would say the ceramic wash and protect is even easier to use! It does not foam like other shampoos but as soon as you apply it the mit literally glides across the paint surface with ease then as soon as you rinse off with clean water the water beads immediately and makes dying with a microfibre towel a breeze.

I can not yet comment on the longevity of the gloss but I would expect it to last as long as the aqua wax. I think the ‘niche’ value of this product is that it really does do the job of cleaning and waxing in one go!

I probably did not comment enough on the microfibre mit I bought…… this too was a game changer and a real upgrade over my old towelling style one (both in the photo). The mit holds plenty of water and the fibres really do get into all those contours on the bodywork, of particular note is the mesh on the back of the mit which safely provides enough abrasion to help remove flies, tar spots etc that the soft microfibres struggle with.

I also failed to mention how using a proper microfibre towel made such a massive difference too.

For me? These products are money well spent and as I said in post #1 they make the whole process of van cleaning a joy!

 

[chockswahay]

I see that it does a good job on hands too

Nah, they looked as smooth and beautiful before washing the van

 

[Gruntfuttock]

Top tip, if you have a water butt use it's water to wash and rinse your car, it has far far less minerals/fluoride etc in it than tap water, particularly in hard water areas. You don't need to chamois it dry as it doesn't leave the water marks.

 

[acer]

Good question @acer I have used the shampoo conditioner and the rapid aqua wax for a few years now ( haven’t used the extra gloss) and I rate them highly. I have always liked the aqua wax in particular as it is so easy to use and gives a good result quickly and easily. By comparison I would say the ceramic wash and protect is even easier to use! It does not foam like other shampoos but as soon as you apply it the mit literally glides across the paint surface with ease then as soon as you rinse off with clean water the water beads immediately and makes dying with a microfibre towel a breeze.

I can not yet comment on the longevity of the gloss but I would expect it to last as long as the aqua wax. I think the ‘niche’ value of this product is that it really does do the job of cleaning and waxing in one go!

I probably did not comment enough on the microfibre mit I bought…… this too was a game changer and a real upgrade over my old towelling style one (both in the photo). The mit holds plenty of water and the fibres really do get into all those contours on the bodywork, of particular note is the mesh on the back of the mit which safely provides enough abrasion to help remove flies, tar spots etc that the soft microfibres struggle with.

I also failed to mention how using a proper microfibre towel made such a massive difference too.

For me? These products are money well spent and as I said in post #1 they make the whole process of van cleaning a joy!

Yes, I think that I’ve got the same mitt as you. I used to use a chamois, but now have one of those really big and thick ‘professional’ drying microfibre towels for when doing a standard wash (not when subsequently using ‘rapid aqua wax’). It seemed extremely expensive at the time, but now feels like excellent value for money.

I’m not sure about investing in a third system yet (the ceramic wash & protect), but I’d be interested in more views. When my current products start to run low I might call the altro / autoglym technical team for their view. Aren’t I turning into my Dad?

 

[chockswahay]

Aren’t I turning into my Dad?

Yup, probably! (I turned into my Dad about 30 years ago and I’m only just shy of 70 now )

 

[Up10]

Top tip, if you have a water butt use it's water to wash and rinse your car, it has far far less minerals/fluoride etc in it than tap water, particularly in hard water areas. You don't need to chamois it dry as it doesn't leave the water marks.

Good question @acer I have used the shampoo conditioner and the rapid aqua wax for a few years now ( haven’t used the extra gloss) and I rate them highly. I have always liked the aqua wax in particular as it is so easy to use and gives a good result quickly and easily. By comparison I would say the ceramic wash and protect is even easier to use! It does not foam like other shampoos but as soon as you apply it the mit literally glides across the paint surface with ease then as soon as you rinse off with clean water the water beads immediately and makes dying with a microfibre towel a breeze.

I can not yet comment on the longevity of the gloss but I would expect it to last as long as the aqua wax. I think the ‘niche’ value of this product is that it really does do the job of cleaning and waxing in one go!

I probably did not comment enough on the microfibre mit I bought…… this too was a game changer and a real upgrade over my old towelling style one (both in the photo). The mit holds plenty of water and the fibres really do get into all those contours on the bodywork, of particular note is the mesh on the back of the mit which safely provides enough abrasion to help remove flies, tar spots etc that the soft microfibres struggle with.

I also failed to mention how using a proper microfibre towel made such a massive difference too.

For me? These products are money well spent and as I said in post #1 they make the whole process of van cleaning a joy!

Try washing your van in the rain (OK there will be some along at some stage, sigh from the south!) then you don't need to dry it. The soft water from the rain will not leave lime streaks and it saves time too.

 

[sidepod]

Try washing your van in the rain (OK there will be some along at some stage, sigh from the south!) then you don't need to dry it. The soft water from the rain will not leave lime streaks and it saves time too.

What about the included Sahara sand? Just scrub that in?