Autoexpress were spot on

[WhipLash]

Autoexpress recently did a very good review of car wash products. The products they reviewed were cleaning accessories that connect to a hose. Most have varies different attachments for brush, shampoo wash, rinse, which annoyingly involve changing back and forth between the different attachments. Liking to wash my car (plus the wifes) myself when weather permits, I decided to ditch the bucket and sponge, and opt for the winner of the review, a Hozelock Jet Brush. I was a bit sceptical at first, and hoped that the brush didn’t require an immense amount of water pressure from the hose for it to work properly. I have to say that it worked a threat. It certainly cut down on the amount of time it took to clean the cars, and really made it a much easier task. There’s a small well for car shampoo on the brush, which the water will run through creating a good level of soapy wash to remove grime while brushing the car. This can also be bypassed allowing a wash using water only. Also there’s a separate nozzle which produces an adequate spray of water for a rinse with clean water, or you can also have the spray mixing with the shampoo if required. All these different combinations are selectable from the brush itself, so no messy changing of attachments during the wash is required. The only fault I found with the brush is that it really did require quite a lot of car shampoo initially, but that was probably down to a small amount of initial experimentation in controlling the brush itself.

Overall I agree fully with Autoexpresses review, and can heartily recommend it if you enjoy cleaning your own car, and you’re not lucky enough to own an electronic pressure washer.

[Tony]

I never wash the car myself. Call me lazy, but I just don’t have the time or inclination to bother. I usually have it power washed at least once a month down at the local petrol station when filling up. Why bother with all that effort when it rains here every other day, its simply soul destroying. I did consider buying myself a power washer a while ago, but I’m not convinced that they’re worth it.

[Joe]

Have to admit, that since I got my new (ish) car recently, I have been a bit on the obsessive side about keeping it clean - and you are right Tony, it IS soul destroying, when you've just finished shining her up and it ****es down or you meet some truck on the road who covers you in sh*te.
However, I get immense satisfaction with the finished article, particularly in this good weather. I cannot understand the majority (it seems) of irish drivers who turn their new cars into mobile skips. It beggars belief after shelling out so much cash.

On the power washer thing, my father got one lately and it's fantastic for getting the heavy muck off, but I'd be careful not to use full power on the paintwork.

[BeCos]

I wash my car, if not every day then certainly every second day. This is a poxy country for trying to keep a car clean, but such is life.

I've had a power washer for 3 years now and find it great, but you still need to use the sponge.I have great water pressure from my garden hose so I tend only to use the pressure washer once a month for doing up under the whel arches etc.

I think that a top quality car shampoo is yer only man, together with a synthetic chamois.

[WhipLash]

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Wow, you must nearly have a full coat of paint washed off your car by now BeCos! ;) So what do you do if we have a very wet month, which is every other month in Ireland? Do you was the car in the rain? Also, you must have to wash it in the dark during the winter… http://www.eforecourt.com/UBB/clown1.gif

[Chancer]

That Hozelock brush sounds quite interesting Whiplash. I’m just wondering if you know of any info available for it on the Net, and where did you buy it, and also how much does it cost?

[WhipLash]

Chancer, you can find the Autoexpress (http://www.autoexpress.co.uk) review online. Click on 'Product Tests' on the main menu, then on 'Car wash accessories' from the 'Other Product Tests' menu. I think it will ask you to register first time out. Make sure you bookmark after that. I bought it in Homebase DIY (used to be Texas), but cant remember the exact price. Maybe it was around £24??