detailing for a newbie

[micallef1990]

orite everyone just wondering if any one could tell me or send some links to some decent products to get my cars paintwork looking nice (has lots of swirls and fine scratches) problem is that i only have around 100 pounds max to spend. cheers guys

 

[captain_chaos]

what you wanting to do?

mask the swirls or get rid of them totally?

 

[micallef1990]

would i need a buffer to get rid of them fully? if i do then probs just mask them for now. car has had a rough couple of months so it needs some attention

 

[captain_chaos]

aye ull need a buffer .... see my post in this section for an idea of results.


For masking the obvious choice would be the auto glym polish with the red label from halfords topped off by a good sealent or wax

 

[micallef1990]

am pretty embarassed that i no nothing because i work at halfords (on cycles) so i get 15 percent off lol. what are decent products meguiars,auto glym? because i may go in and buy a shed load its 3 for 2 at the min on all cleaning products

 

[captain_chaos]

go for :

Autoglym Super Resin Polish

then

Autoglym Extra Gloss Protection

which is your polish and sealant

you should go for the meguires quick detailing kit and clay the car after you wash it, then dry it and apply the polish, use it sparingly, buff it off the use the sealant

 

[micallef1990]

cheers for the help mate

 

[Android]

Work in halfords deffo grab yourself the Autoglym and Meguires stuff on offer.

Autoglym Super resin Polish and Autoglym Extra Gloss Protection is a good wee combo people like to use on here

 

[captain_chaos]

cheers for the help mate

no worries mate

Make sure you use the SRP sparingly and tape up any rubber or unpainted plastic on the car - it stains like a b**ch

 

[micallef1990]

ooo think i may need to look at some tutorials as i only know the two bucket method if i am toatally honest

 

[Keano]

1 bucket with soapy clean water. and one with just water.

Wash one pannel with soapy water. then shake about in just water. then dip in bucket with soap. and repeat im drunk. may not make sense

 

[captain_chaos]

just dont use tons of polish and ull be fine!!!

if you want pointers have a look at my detail a few posts down from here

 

[micallef1990]

just found your thread mate you car looks fab after that. is there any decent sites for advice or tutorials because i have only have ever used car shampoo and cheap turtle wax stuff.

 

[captain_chaos]

detailing world

the principle is the same thing, its just using better quality products

 

[whatisjustis]

Get yourself an applicator pad for the polish and a couple of microfibre clothes for buffing. Also, a lambswool wash mit.

It's the little things.

 

[JD]

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

Morning.

The guide above was written by Rich, a very impressive detailer that use to come on here quite a bit. It is the best thing to read through for newbies to the detailing world. This hobby can turn into a very expensive one, with people using different methods and spending 100's of pounds on new products.

The above method quoted by the last couple of posters is a perfectly acceptable place to start. As stated, without a machine polisher you will only really be able to mask swirl marks. However, there are many people on here (myself included) that offer a one off service to correct these swirls. This would then allow you to keep your car in a better condition as Machine Polishing would only be required every couple of years.

Any more advice, feel free to PM me or post up in this section, regardless of how "silly" you think the question is. Always ask.

Jamie

 

[captain_chaos]

infact i have some polish that will give you some correction by hand - i have two bottles of it and would fill up the smaller bottle and send you it for 13 quid if you want mate?

pm me if your interested

 

[Keano]

what polish is that chaos?

 

[captain_chaos]

Menzerna intensive polish, i got correction by hand on my old seat ibiza, i think the paint on the ibiza is harder to correct as well

 

[Keano]

the same menzerna polish thats available for £7.99?

 

[captain_chaos]

i paid about 15 quid for it a while ago... im not trying to rip the guy off

 

[captain_chaos]

ive just looked online the bottle you refer to is 250 ml

the bottle i was offering it 473 ml

 

[Keano]

ooh okies. just that you said you will fill up a small bottle for £13. no worries

 

[captain_chaos]

It is small compared to the other bottle i have which is like 1 litre

 

[JD]

IP barely affects the paint by hand. It is mainly designed for PC/Machine application.

There are a number of products that are being tested on DW at the moment, but to be honest, they provide minimal difference and the time involved is wasted when a quick trip to a local detailers will sort the issue.

Just my two penny's worth

 

[captain_chaos]

i agree with you JD that it is more affective by machine polishing, however i did achieve a good level of correction by hand:

bonnet:

wing:

roof:

 

[JD]

Could do with some 50:50, before and after and some shots with a light source in there to actually show the correction, but all in all looks good lad.

 

[micallef1990]

cheers for help guys am going to pop down to halfords today and buy quite abit. if somebody could link products of what i will need for the whole process from the halfords site. that would be fantastic.

 

[JD]

Not being mean but I can't be bothered to link in but here is a check list;

Wash; Meguirars Gold Class (orange shampoo) + Sheepskin mitt.
Dry; Microfibre large towl/as plush* as you can find.
Clay; Meguirars smooth surface clay kit. Dark red box containing clay, lube and microfibre cloth.
Polish; Auto Glym Super Resin Polish (white bottle, red label) + meguirars applicator foam pads.
Protect; Auto Glym Extra Gloss Protection. White bottle with a light yellow/brown label.
Meguirars microfibre cloths for buffing above products off.
Wheels; Auto Glym Engine and Machine Cleaner (white bottle, pink label) + a brush for spoke/rear of wheel.
Tyres; Dish scrubber/rough sided sponge to clean, something like Meguirars Endurance Tyre Gel to protect.

 

[Ali]

I would stress avoidance to menz polish by hand! Infact i would stress not even bothering polishin my hand!!

100£ will get you a basic Detail. maybe even a little less. Machie correction. Then seein as you work at halfords buy the aqua wax!

keep it simple, unless you want to get silly with this, i'd advice stickin to the basics. Much of which can be bought at halfords.

 

[micallef1990]

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Meguiars Water Magnet Microfiber Drying Towel SKU : 232918-0 £12.99 £12.99

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Autoglym Extra Gloss 500ml SKU : 680397-0 £11.99 £11.99

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Autoglym Engine Cleaner 1 litre SKU : 153353-0 £6.99 £6.99

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Meguiars Soft Foam Applicator Pads (2 pack) SKU : 538439-0 3 For 2 On ALL Car Cleaning Products: -£4.49
£4.49 £4.49

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Meguiars Endurance High Gloss Tyre Shine SKU : 538645-0 £7.99 £7.99

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Meguiars Gold Class Car Shampoo and Conditioner SKU : 538413-0 £14.99 £14.99

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Autoglym Hi Tech Finishing Cloth SKU : 274738-0 3 For 2 On ALL Car Cleaning Products: -£9.99
£9.99 £9.99

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Meguiars Smooth Surface Clay Kit SKU : 914259-0 £23.99 £23.99

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Autoglym Super Resin Car Polish 1L SKU : 121525-0 3 For 2 On ALL Car Cleaning Products: -£14.99
£14.99 £14.99 Subtotal before discounts: £108.41 Total discounts on products: -£29.47 Subtotal: £78.94



With my dicount works out at about 66 quid. is that quite good for all that?

 

[JD]

It's not bad, but I am use to buying in bulk/over tinternet.

 

[alex-avfc]

Decent selection of products there mate, that should serve you well

 

[micallef1990]

didnt have the smooth surface clay kit . is there any products on that list that i should consider swapping for something else?

 

[alex-avfc]

If you're getting it all from work at Halfords then no

 

[micallef1990]

got all that today and a few more bits. i forgot the extra gloss autoglym is it worth popping back out and buying one before i do my car tommorow.

 

[captain_chaos]

yes get it mate - it will seal in the shine so to speak

 

[JD]

Yes, defo. Common thing for people to miss out, and yet it is the most important to finish the car off.

 

[micallef1990]

reet of back tonight to get it. hope my car should come out nice tommrow all this has cost be about 80 quid

 

[N!CK R]

How long is this 3 for 2 offer on at halfrauds, anyone know?

Jamie, would i be right in thinking i dont really want to seal my car unless i have done the whole shebang (Clay, Polish etc...) or else i will just seal in some of the grime left over?
How long does the sealant last with a normal application?

Cheers