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Author Topic: Citrus pre-cleaner stuff.......?!  (Read 3342 times)

Offline WhiteGTI

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Citrus pre-cleaner stuff.......?!
« on: December 20, 2008, 07:11:17 am »
Dont really know what im on about..

I read on DW so many peeps use this sort of stuff before they shampoo the car??

What stuff is good to get?

Cheers  :happy2:
2008 Golf GTI - Revo Stage 2 NOW SOLD

2006 E46 BMW M3 - 343hp
2000 Lotus Elise Sport160 - 160hp

Offline stealthwolf

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Re: Citrus pre-cleaner stuff.......?!
« Reply #1 on: December 20, 2008, 12:14:55 pm »
A few use some sort of degreaser to soak the car in before rinsing. Since I don't have a snowfoam lance/pressure washer, I don't bother. I just soak the car with water a coupla times before washing twice using the 2BM.

Meg's degreaser is one that's usually recommended/

The GTI isn't just a machine. It's very much a living, breathing thing.

Offline WhiteGTI

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Re: Citrus pre-cleaner stuff.......?!
« Reply #2 on: December 20, 2008, 07:07:21 pm »
So if you use snowfoam, does that eliminate the need to use a citrus cleaner?


2008 Golf GTI - Revo Stage 2 NOW SOLD

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2000 Lotus Elise Sport160 - 160hp

Offline stealthwolf

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Re: Citrus pre-cleaner stuff.......?!
« Reply #3 on: December 20, 2008, 09:12:27 pm »
So if you use snowfoam, does that eliminate the need to use a citrus cleaner?

Yes and no.

Basically, you should pre-wash the car to loosen any dirt or grime that might be dried in. Snow foam is used for this purpose. Now detailers are finding citrus degreaser to be just as good if not better than the usual snowfoam degreaser.

Confusingly, you can citrus pre-wash to use in a snowfoam.

When the weather's a little better for detailing and I've got time, I might get some citrus degreaser and use a foam-head spray to apply it as a pre-wash and see what happens.

The GTI isn't just a machine. It's very much a living, breathing thing.

Offline cmdrfire

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Re: Citrus pre-cleaner stuff.......?!
« Reply #4 on: December 22, 2008, 02:26:57 pm »
I've got a friend who's maniac about this sort of thing recommend a citrus precleaner and a spray bottle for my car (as my car is the Swirl King...)

Offline JPC

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Re: Citrus pre-cleaner stuff.......?!
« Reply #5 on: December 22, 2008, 07:20:02 pm »
now correct me if i am wrong, a citrus pre-cleaner will strip any wax? just bear that in mind

Offline stealthwolf

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Re: Citrus pre-cleaner stuff.......?!
« Reply #6 on: December 22, 2008, 08:09:13 pm »
Yeah kinda. Depends on the strength of the solution.

1 - 5% you could get away without stripping the wax but any stronger than 25% and you're definitely taking the wax/LSP off.

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Offline JPC

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Re: Citrus pre-cleaner stuff.......?!
« Reply #7 on: December 22, 2008, 08:16:18 pm »
hmm...yep i thought so.  i would have thought that 1-5% would only show a marginal difference between snow foam too, if any.