Best Car Wash and Wax Tips from the Pros

It is a proven fact that the better your car looks the higher the value you will get at resale or trade-in. Proper car care to include washing, waxing, and polishing will not only make your car look its best, but will help retain its value and make it last longer. For the purpose of this article we questioned numerous detailing experts and other similar professionals as to what works best. Here are their best car care recommendations:
Start by using a garage or shaded area. The hot sun will make proper car care and cleaning hard, if not impossible and could be detrimental to your car’s finish. Next thoroughly wet down the car. This will remove dirt and road debris which will cause scratches if you skip this step and start using a sponge and soap on the car. If it is a hot day, be sure to routinely wet the car so it does not dry suds or cleaning chemicals on it.
Next use a car wash solution, don’t use general purpose detergents and cleaners that were never meant for car care and car washing. A car wash solution will not dry out your paint or strip and possibly remove protective coatings. A long armed, soft bristled wash brush will greatly reduce the time it takes to thoroughly clean your car. It will also make it easier on your back and muscles. A good quality brush can be cheaply obtained at Walmart for about $10-$15 – buy one, you will be glad you did. When you have finished washing the whole car, use a chamois to dry off your car. A chamois will remove water quickly and not leave lint which terry cloths are prone to do. Routinely washing your car will remove things like bird droppings, bugs and industrial fallout which are all detrimental to your car’s paint and finish. If there is road tar or stubborn bugs left after washing you should use a bug and tar remover prior to waxing and polishing.
It is a good idea to follow washing with the application of a cleaner/polish. This will remove minor imperfections in the paint caused by the environment and sun damage, remove minor scratches, and provide a good surface for car wax or car polish. Follow the directions on the bottle. Basically you apply cleaner wax as you would wax – in a circular motion and you treat one area or panel at a time. Use modest pressure and then let dry to a whitish haze. Buff with a clean cloth towel and reapply as necessary.
Then you need to decide whether to use car wax or a polymer car polish. According to the experts, carnauba car wax has the deepest and wettest looking shine, but it is also the weakest protection for the harsh environment (acid rain, extreme temperature ranges, bird droppings, etc. . . ). Car polish is easier to apply as it requires less effort to apply and remove. It will also last much longer (some have polymers and even Teflon and will last as long as 52 car washes after 1 application). Car polish will still give you that new car look and was the unanimous recommendation from our experts for any outdoor use (car wax was recommended mostly for car shows). Both car polish and car wax are applied in the same way and many come with a cloth or foam applicator. Apply in a small circular motion same as with the cleaner/polish. Car polish will go on easier and come off easier than car wax and requires only one coat for great protection in any climate. After allowing it to dry to a haze, buff it off, but use a microfiber towel as it will leave a smoother finish quicker and without any lint.
The above recommended steps for properly washing, waxing and polishing your car will leave you with the best shine, maximum protection, make your car last, and maintain its highest value. Remember, a little proper car care can and will go a long way.

How to Protect Stone Floors From Staining

We are working almost daily with stain removal from natural stone surfaces. In fact I would say that in some instances we visit the same house more than 3 times in as many months.

Stains in stone are something that should be left to the professional. Sure, there are many quick fix websites offering advice but let me tell you, if you don’t get it right first time it may be that the tile will need replacement and finding a match is nearly impossible.

Nowadays, Stone Seals and sealants are in abundance, but which one is right for you?

Firstly – Never let the builder, renovator or floor installer apply the seal. The seal is an arduous task that needs careful consideration and correct application. I probably remove over 10,000 sq metrs of poorly applied Lithofin stain stop a year where the application has basically wiped it onto the floor leaving it porous and not sealed at all. So the householder has not only paid for the Lithofin seal but for us to remove it and provide the correct sealer for the stone.

“The Correct Sealer” I hear you cry. Yes, I am afraid to say that they are many types of sealer for many different stone types and what tasks the stone needs to do. Firstly there are water based and solvent based sealers. Other questions to consider are;

Does the stone get heavy traffic?

How often is the stone cleaned?

what type of beverages does the household use?

Any Allergies within the residents?

Type of finish preferred (matt), (Shine) etc?

DO we use water based?

DO we use Solvent Based?

Does the seal ever need topping up or replacement?

You get the picture;

The truth is if you do not use a professional Stone Sealer Applicator such as Marble Master you are usually throwing your money down the drain. A sealant application professional will be able to help you make the correct choice.

We offer warranties with all of our applications of stone sealant. The most common home and office stone seal give a 15 Year Warranty. This means to you that if at any time during 15 years the sealer doesn’t perform the whole product is reapplied FREE of charge.

Our impregnating sealers make treated indoor or outdoor surfaces easier to clean and maintain and to look good for longer. Dry-Treat does this by using nano-technology i. e. engineering at a molecular level. Our flagship product, STAIN-PROOF :

Guards engineering concrete, terracotta tile, cast stone, pavers, sandstone, limestone, brick, slate, marble, granite, porcelain, terrazzo, vitreous tile and grout against damage from water, water borne salts, oil based stains and graffiti;

Makes surfaces stay cleaner;

Stands up to weather and traffic;

Retains a natural look;

Eliminates the occurrence of efflorescence;

Is suitable for a wide variety of home, commercial and industrial applications, including: building facades, floors, walls, stone bench tops, swimming pool surrounds, public areas, patios, garages, kitchens and entertaining areas, and Is backed by a 15 year warranty

Washing Machines from Videocon

Washing Machines – a sort of small robot which can be easily found in almost every household these days. The necessity and use of these have increased so much that almost every washing machine producing company is coming out with innovative ideas. In the list of top Washing Machines manufacturing companies come the name of Videocon Washing Machines. Videocon Washing Machines are all-in-one machines made from hi – polymer fiber which protects the machines in the long run from erosion and rusting, thus, making them long lasting washing machines. Moreover, being a bad conductor of electricity, it is extremely safe for children of younger age and kids. The washtubs inside these machines are lined with pro – active anti – bacterial additive which prevents fungal growth and other harmful microbial growth in the wash tub. So, in a way these machines also ensure a clean, pure and germ – free wash. Again, washing machines by Videocon have a unique Multie – Pulsator which is capable of removing even the toughest of stains with ease. Giving the water inside the tub of the machine a vertical as well horizontal flow, it creates extra turbulence which produces the ultimate results. This 2 – way wash also ensures that your clothes are also tangle free while being thoroughly washed. What makes the turbulence so powerful is the fact that there is a combination of pulsator and the agitator in the motor of the machine which creates a higher Turbulence than its counterpart machines – giving the ultimate power wash. Numerous models of Videocon Washing Machines are there in the market. These include names like Multie 7800, VBS68GPW, VHS60GMC, VHS60EMC, VHS60AMC, VHS60PMC and so. These variants come with their own unique features and designs to meet the requirements of different households and laundries. Features like auto soak, auto start, high power wash, center water fall, spin fountain, lint filter and so on, all of these are unique in their own sense. These days, washing machines can also be purchased from online shopping stores or portals. Not only these shopping portals offer machines at a lower price than their MRP, but also offer facilities like free home delivery. To find such portals, just type in – online shopping portals on your search engine and there you will find a list of them to shop from….

Performance Solutions From Bosch Appliances. Increasing the Washing Capacity Without Effecting the Environment

The new SoftSurge™ drum system for better cleaning results – asymmetric paddles and ‘rain-drop’ drum surface provides power for heavy-duty jobs, while being gentle on your clothes. The advanced Water Flow system distributes water and detergents more efficiently through the Wash, reducing soaking time. The new door design guides your laundry towards the centre of the drum, avoiding snagging of small items. This is a first for Bosch washing machines. Main features include:Sensitive programme – excellent for allergy sufferersAqua Plus option for best rinsing resultsWash Plus system for A-class wash performanceFreshen Up programmeDelicates Silk programmeHandwash programme for wool15 ‘Clothes Care’ programmesSafeguard monitoring system adjusts load distribution and programme settings to protect clothesCold fill with Performance Enhance to assist with stain removalVery quiet noise levelCold fill – saves energy by heating only what it needs Extra large drum up to 8kgSuper Quick 15 for light loads (2kg) packs a wash, two rinse cycles and improved rinse spinning into only 15 minutesPower Wash 60 programme gives an A-class perfomance wash within 60 minutes (5kg loads)LED display with programme status by iconExpress Wash system with up to 40% faster programme timesTime delay 1-24 hoursPause option to open door early in the programme to add or remove washingMixed load programmeReduced ironing – reduces creasing for easier ironingExtra large porthole door with 180° opening makes laoding and unloading exceptionally easyClear text and symbols on the fascia to ensure ease of useSensor electronics monitor and adjust for optimised wash performance, which means you get a great wash every timePerfect-rinse detergent drawer – Bosch jet-inlet sprays in every corner of the specially shaped detergent drawer thoroughly rinse away detergent – so no more sludgy residue in the drawer at the end of the wash. All Bosch appliances have a 2 years manufacturer warranty as standard in the UK.