So what do I buy to clean my car?!

[DanFreemanPhoto]

I think I'm in way over my head here, I just wanted to have a quick look on the halfords website for some stuff to clean my car, and there's hundreds of things!

My usual clean is just to do a simple clean with a soapy bucket, then rinse. But as Im using it a bit in the winter, I want to do something to protect the paintwork, I've read that waxing does this.

So what wax would you recommend? I thought a wax was that stuff that you massage into the car? But there were loads of different types!

I was looking to get this: http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_158080_langId_-1_categoryId_165671

Would this be recommended? Or would I need a more durable wax?

Thanks for helping out this old n00b!!

 

[Justin]

If your just starting out,

2 buckets
A Mitt - Meguiars Lambswool washmitt
Drying towel of some sort - Online for one of these imo.
Applicator Pads - Foam ones from Halfords (Yellow)
Microfibre Towels - Again, same as pads. Meg's yellow ones are good

Car Shampoo - Autoglym stuff is pretty decent. Or Meguiars
Polish - Off the shelf AG SRP i find quite good. Online there is loads of choice!
Sealant - AG EGP works quite well on top of the SRP
Wax - Same as poolish, loads online, but in Halfords, Autoglym HD wax maybe?
Wheel Cleaner - Nothing too strong, Megs wheel brightener is good as it can be diluted.

Thats just the basics! You could go a lot further! I'm sure some folk will recommend other bits and bobs

 

[Justin]

Online, the options are endless..

Wax's I like, are some of the Dodo ones, Pete's 53, Chemical Guys XXX wax. Though tbh, I don't notice a huge difference between any of them.

www.cleanyourcar.co.uk
www.polishedbliss.co.uk
www.i4detailing.co.uk

 

[Justin]

And if you have a free couple of hours, have a look at the forums on www.detailingworld.co.uk

FILLED with info

 

[Eckascliovalver]

And if you have a free couple of hours, have a look at the forums on www.detailingworld.co.uk

FILLED with info

yeah great site for info, but once you've been on you will just want to go and clean but thats the whole point i guess!

A Meguiars water magnet is a must, cheap at £15 and does a great job everytime.

 

[Justin]

You think? I never really liked the water magne tbh

 

[Eckascliovalver]

yeah i think its great, but saying that i used to use leather chams up until summer this year. Stoddy and ali took the piss at fcs. so it was time for change

 

[theduck]

2 buckets
2 Mitts - One for wheels, one for the bodywork - http://www.i4detailing.co.uk/acatalog/tropi-care_MF_Wash_Mitt_1.html
Drying towel of some sort - http://www.i4detailing.co.uk/acatalog/Sonus_Der_Wunder_Drying_Towel_1.html
Applicator Pads - http://www.i4detailing.co.uk/acatalog/Foam_Pad_Applicators_1.html#aLC4PAD
Microfibre Towels - http://www.i4detailing.co.uk/acatalog/I4DETAILING_Microfibre_12Pack_1.html
Masking Tape - http://www.i4detailing.co.uk/acatalog/3M_Automotive_Masking_Tape_1.html

Car Shampoo - http://www.i4detailing.co.uk/acatalog/britemax_clean_max_1.html
Polish - http://www.i4detailing.co.uk/acatalog/Autoglym_Super_Resin_Polish_1.html
Sealant - http://www.i4detailing.co.uk/acatalog/Tropi-care_Polish_Sealant_XP_1.html
Wax - http://www.i4detailing.co.uk/acatalog/Tropi-care_paste_wax_1.html
Black trim and tyres - http://www.i4detailing.co.uk/acatalog/Britemax_RUBBER_MAX_3.html
Applicators for black trim and tyres - http://www.i4detailing.co.uk/acatalog/Foam_Pad_Applicators_1.html#aI4DTDA3
Wheel Cleaner - http://www.i4detailing.co.uk/acatalog/Bilbery_Safe_Wheel_Cleaner_2.html
Protection for wheels - Just use SRP and EGP

 

[Justin]

You need a proper drying towel

 

[DanFreemanPhoto]

Wow, thanks people. Thanks for that list too theduck

I may sod halfords off, and get some stuff from that site with the discount

 

[theduck]

No problem. At the least from that list I would suggest getting:

Buckets
Shampoo
Mitt
Microfibres - You can use these to dry to though not ideal
AG SRP
AG EGP

That will be enough to get you going and then you will find there are other things you want/need and you'll build up a collection of stuff untill you get to the point where you need to buy some storage especially for it!

 

[Jaff]

aalso grit guard, £9 of fleebay, really effective, but i had trouble getting a buckey they would fit in as they are quite large.

 

[DanFreemanPhoto]

No problem. At the least from that list I would suggest getting:

Buckets
Shampoo
Mitt
Microfibres - You can use these to dry to though not ideal
AG SRP
AG EGP

That will be enough to get you going and then you will find there are other things you want/need and you'll build up a collection of stuff untill you get to the point where you need to buy some storage especially for it!

So I could happily skip the waxing step?

 

[theduck]

yeah EGP is a sealent so dont need to wax on top

 

[alex-avfc]

What are we doing to this bloke

We all know this is a dangerous and expensive downward spiral, getting into detailing lol!

worth it tho

 

[theduck]

At least he'll buy the right stuff from the of with our help

 

[alex-avfc]

Thats true..Ur car will be the best looking on the street if u spend a good bit of money on some decent products

Good start would be to get your washing stage in check:

Washmitt- lambswool/microfibre
2 clear buckets
Duragloss Shampoo
Waffle weave drying towel

check out the websites the people have posted above, and get on Detailing World its addictive lol

 

[Rich]

My product hit list.

Prewash

Gilmour Foamaster


Shampoo

Duragloss #901 Car Wash Concentrate

Meguiars Hyper wash

Meguiars Shampoo Plus


Washmitt

Eurow - Sheepskin Wash Mitt


Quick Detail Spray

Britemax #6S SPRAY & SHINE Detailing Spray 32oz
Final Wet Look Detail Spray

Meguiar's Last Touch

Clearkote Quikshine

FK425


Clay

Meguiars Quik Clay kit

Sonus Green - Ultra Fine Clay refill


Drying Towel

Miracle Dryer - Ultra Plush 25" x 36"

Sonus Der Wunder Drying Towel, Pkg/2


Microfibers

Sonus Der Wunder Buffing Towel, Pkg/2

Poorboys Deluxe Mega Towels

Pakshak Ultra-Plush Micro Fiber Towe


Wheels

Autoglym Wheel Cleaner

Wonder Wheels

Meguiars All Purpose Cleaner

Autoglym Engine and Machine Cleaner

Or ideally just soap and water.


Tyres

Blackfire Long Lasting Tyre Gel

Poorboys World Bold N Bright Tyre Dressing

Autoglym Vinyl and Rubber (Show Use)


Wheel Sealant

Autoglym Super Resin with Autoglym Extra Gloss or Autoglym Super Resin with Werkstat Acrylic Jett Trigger

Then either one topped with:

Poorboys Wheel Sealant or Swisswax Autobhan


Zaino route alternative

Zaino - Z-AIO All In One and Z-2 Pro Show Car Sealant for Clear Coated Car Finishes


Bulk Cleaners

Meguiars All Purpose Cleaner

Autoglym Engine and Machine CLeaner


Trim

Einszett Plastic-Vinyl Cleaner or Meguiars APC

Dress with:

Smooth Trim

Autoglym Vinyl and Rubber Care

Einszett Vinyl-Rubber Care and Protectant


Textured Trim

Autoglym Bumper Care Gel

Metalwork

Autsol or Autoglym Metal Polishes

Refine finish with

Meguiars NXT All Metal Polish or Autoglym Super Resin Polish


Interior

Autoglym Interior Shampoo

Meguiars All Purpose Cleaner

Meguiars Interior Quick Detailer

Poorboys Natural Look Dressing


Leather


Einszett Leather Care "Lederpflege"

Z-9 Leather Soft Spray Cleaner

Z-10 Leather in a Bottle


Polishes


Correction by Machine

Menzerna Intensive Polish (PO85RD 3.02)

Menzerna Final Finish (PO 106 FA)

Correction Hand

Car-Lack 68 - Hand polish kit

Now is where you need to decide if you want to go down the wax or sealant route.


Sealant Route

Autoglym Super Resin and Extra Gloss Protection

CarLack 68 - Nano Systematic Care and Werkstat Acrylic Jett Trigger


Zaino - Z-AIO All In One and Z-2 Pro Show Car Sealant for Clear Coated Car Finishes

All of which you can add a wax over later if you wish.


Glaze and Wax Route

Glazes

Meguiars #7 Show Car Glaze

Clearkote Vanilla Moose Wax Hand Glaze

Waxes

Really depends on budget here for me.

Under 25 quid

Victoria Wax - 3oz Concours Wax


R222 Carnauba Wax

Under 50 quid

Swissvax Onyx

Over 50 quid

Swissvax Best of Show

 

[DanFreemanPhoto]

Cheers for that list Rich
Plus, whereabouts in Glos are ya?

 

[Rich]

The same place as you !

 

[DanFreemanPhoto]

Wahay! Another Tewkesbury bloke!

I'll keep an eye out for your GTi

 

[Ad172UK]

Hi Rich.

Nice one for the list of cleaning products, Ive been lookin for some decent clay kits to give my new car a once over and your list seems to be full of quality stuff.

Which order is it best to do the process in? Wash, Clay, Polish, Wax?

Have you got rid of your 182? I saw it at pugfest a couple of years ago and it was the cleanest car i've ever seen

 

[DanFreemanPhoto]

From what Ive read and understand (which aint much!), you

1) Wash
2) Wax
3) Polish
4) Apply any gloss protection coats

Im not sure about claying as im not familar with it at all

 

[Rich]

From what Ive read and understand (which aint much!), you

1) Wash
2) Wax
3) Polish
4) Apply any gloss protection coats

Im not sure about claying as im not familar with it at all

Full processes including claying here:

http://www.cliosport.net/forum/showthread.php?t=148366

Wash
Clay
Polish
Seal/Wax

 

[Jordi17]

dont you polish before you wax? :S

 

[theduck]

Pre wash - snow foam or just rinse
Wash - shampoo and two bucket method
Rinse
Clay if necesarry and re wash and rinse
Dry
Polish if necesarry (every 3 months or so)
seal and/or wax

 

[Rich]

Hi Rich.

Nice one for the list of cleaning products, Ive been lookin for some decent clay kits to give my new car a once over and your list seems to be full of quality stuff.

Which order is it best to do the process in? Wash, Clay, Polish, Wax?

Have you got rid of your 182? I saw it at pugfest a couple of years ago and it was the cleanest car i've ever seen

Sold it to a chap on here Ad, got a 106 GTi now.

You won't be able to see the link to the process order on here in the above post as it is member only, but I am sure I have posted it over on the PSOOC will add it to your thread on there.

Wax is the last step.

 

[Ad172UK]

Sold it to a chap on here Ad, got a 106 GTi now.

You won't be able to see the link to the process order on here in the above post as it is member only, but I am sure I have posted it over on the PSOOC will add it to your thread on there.

Wax is the last step.

Ive paid my £10 and become a member to read it mate - lol

I might remain a member of the PSOOC and still attend pugfest as my mate still has a 206 and i wouldnt mind taking the 172 up the hill a few times!

I was in a throw up between the 106GTi and the Clio 172 but i decided to go for the 172 as a mate was selling it so got a good price and a reliable seller so all was good.

I intend on taking more care of this than i did the 206 anyway!

Will put pics up when the weathers nice so i'll link them for you.

 

[DanFreemanPhoto]

Ive paid my £10 and become a member to read it mate - lol

Good on ya!

I paid my 10 to read a few of the guides, but I have benefited from a few other things too!

 

[Rich]

Ive paid my £10 and become a member to read it mate - lol

I might remain a member of the PSOOC and still attend pugfest as my mate still has a 206 and i wouldnt mind taking the 172 up the hill a few times!

I was in a throw up between the 106GTi and the Clio 172 but i decided to go for the 172 as a mate was selling it so got a good price and a reliable seller so all was good.

I intend on taking more care of this than i did the 206 anyway!

Will put pics up when the weathers nice so i'll link them for you.

lol - Superb ! Well worth joining up, is worth the money Ad. Is a friendly forum over here mush busier than the PSOOC.

I ran the 182 up the hill and Dee from the Glos groups 172 last year, well worth it. May miss this years as I am meant to be in Cyprus.

Good choice on the 172, I got the 106 as it was cheap and cheerful and the 182 was a waste of money for the use I got out of it (5k in 3 years) want a 172 to race at Combe in the Saloons though !

 

[Ad172UK]

Rich mate.

The sonus clay kit doesnt come with any lubricant and in the detailing guide it says to use normal car shampoo but should i use this neat or dilute it a little bit with some water???

Thanks

 

[The Boosh!]

AD172 - pour a bit of car shampoo in a spray bottle and dilute it with water. Works fine.

 

[Ad172UK]

Nice one boosh

Cheers bud

 

[Rich]

500ml spray bottle, 2-4 capfuls of car shampoo and you are good to go.