Help for someone that has no idea about detailing please!

[jack_kemp]

Having had my new car it's getting a bit dirty... I don't any cleaning products whatsoever so I want to get a bit of a collection going.

Could someone please knock me up a quick list of things I'll need and the best ones to buy? I'm not stupidly keen so I dont want to spend hundreds of pounds, just after some decent quality stuff.

Thanks.

 

[Alastair.]

www.detailingworld.co.uk

Hours and hours worth of guides etc

 

[Dave..]

A wash mit
2 buckets
Some shampoo
Towel

That'll get you a clean car, looking quite nice.

The next step would be autoglym super resin polish, and a wax to go on top of everything. But the first list will give you the basics.

 

[jack_kemp]

lovely, thanks guys

 

[Rob]

Dave is bang on... in a bit more detail for you (as you say you are a total noob)

Basic Wash:

• 2x buckets from asda or whatever (£2)
• A micro fibre or lambs wool wash mitt from Halfords or one of the detailing websites (around £8)
• Meguaris Gold Class Shampoo, quite expensive for a shampoo, but worth every penny. (around £13)
• Drying Towel from a detailing website as the halfords ones are pants (£10 tops)

A little more: (all of the above and....)

• Autoglym Super Resin Polish from halfords etc (£8)
• Meguaris applicator pads to apply polish (£5)
• Microfibres to remove polish (£5)
• Alloy Wheel Cleaner (bilberry or whatever) (around £10 tops)
• Detailing brush or paintbrush from B&Q, use this to clean the alloys better (between £2 and £8)

That will get you a lovely looking car, the next step is wax, but that's up to you.

 

[jack_kemp]

So I'm looking at ~£70. That's a lot less than I was expecting. Always a pleasant suprise

 

[Rob]

That's a basic start to getting it looking very clean, and lets face it, it's no titanium gear knob

Wax will be a step towards protecting it, halfords do a set with the polish and wax in one, which is quite a good investment for a beginner.

 

[Benny06]

Buckets
Microfibre Mit
Shampoo AG was what I used originally. However I had some vouchers and got Megs Gold Class and it's brilliant. Suds ahoy!
Microfibre drying towels.
AG Super Resin Polish or/and AG Extra Gloss Protection
AG HD Wax

AG Engine & Machine cleaner to spruce up the engine bay a bit. I also use this on the wheels to soak through any crap.

If your wheels need it use some WonderWheels sparingly, give them a wash, polish and then smack on a few coats of Poorboys wheel sealant or other wheel sealant. Best thing I ever did. Had the wheels off and had 2 coats on the inside and 3 on the outter. Dirt falls right off.

The next time give it a good claying.

The whole thing is a long process but should only really need doing every 5-6 months.

The AG Interior Shampoo is also good for sorting out my mats.

The Vynil & rubber care also brings things up well. Careful with it on the steering wheel as it's slippery!

Some Autosol to polish your exhaust tips too.

 

[yellowbelly]

It seems to have been totally over looked but it depends when you say you have 'No' cleaning products whether you're including equipment i.e. hose pipe, pressure washer? Clearly the latter is not as crucial if you're just after getting the basics to keep it clean but will make life easier.

 

[yellowbelly]

To be honest you should be able to get all you need for under £70, see below for the basics you would need then head to a supermarket for a couple of buckets and cloths like others have mentioned

http://www.i4detailing.co.uk/cgi-bin/ca000001.pl?ACTION=SHOWCART

or simply head to a Halfords and get it all for similar money, they tend to stock lots of Meguiars and AutoGlym products.

or if you are close to Mr.Valver you could simply buy all his old products/kit