Black Magic

[WhipLash]

I decided yesterday, with the fantastic evening and all that we had yesterday, to indulge my car with a bit of a clean. When I got down to it I suddenly realised I hadn’t given it a good going over in a while, so gave it the works inside and out. I just happened to have in my possession a can of Simonez (sp?) Back to Black for about two years now without ever bothering to use it. I decided to try it out on the exterior black plastic parts of the car. Now I'm a bit sceptical with such car products, but I must say it worked like magic, and to coin a phrase it did "exactly what it says on the tin". I'd highly recommend it (unless of course someone else knows a better product)

So now I'm feeling more adventurous. The Back to Black was a part of a car cleaning kit I received as a present. Also in this pack I have a can of dry upholstery cleaner - a foam that you spray on and wipe clean. Has anyone ever used this stuff? Whatever about the black exterior plastic, I'm nervous to give this one a try in case it damages/fades my car seats. Anyone ever use this stuff? Does it work, or should a simply chuck the can before I get the urge to spray it all over my seats?

Also does anyone have any other tips to get that ‘showroom gleam’ back into your car?

[Toad]

I too have used "Back To Black" & agree with Whippy it's the dogs dangles for Tyres, bumpers etc.
As for the upholstery cleaner I dunno, try testing it on someone elses car or an old seat if you have one, or somewhere if it ain't great, no one will see. but let us know how good it is. As I have to clean my seats

[Phil]

I have to agree with Toad. Why not try the wifes car and see what happens. When the seats dissapear then just blame the product. If it works on the other hand, well then your in the good books for the next hour or so! ;) :D

[Gav]

My good man, you have forgotten to use the one product that is sure to improve the image of your car. WHEEL SLICK! This stuff is the dog's bo11ocks, especially if you have alloys! Try it out. A bottle will set you back about a fiver.

As for the Back to black, I agree fully that it improves the look of your motor.

It's not often that we get the whether to show of our cars, make it count!!!!!!
Gav.. :D.....

[Joe]

To really get the car shining, make sure you try to remove all the tar spots on the paintwork....after a long wet winter, there is bound to be a lot of it around the wheelarches and also on the wheels. I cautiously used some white spirits to remove some hard-to-shift tar, and it did no damage whatsoever.

Give the windows/mirrors a good polish too, as this makes the car feel really clean when you are driving about.

Agreed on the back to black stuff - it really finishes the job off and only takes seconds.....actually I find another brand by Turtlewax has better and longer lasting effects.

Joe.

[Anders]

As the household car cleaner I can't say I ever had much use of these alloy cleaners. I have a power washer and that works just as well, if not better, than those spray can jobbies.

I used an interior cleaner the other day and managed to spray some of it on the inside of the front windscreen. Not to be recommended.