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  Mini Cooper
Hey guys, after looking at someo of the threads with peoples immaculate cars, I want in ! :rasp:

Up to now I've just been doing the Rinse, Wash with 2 buckets and wax/polish if required using Halfrauds rubbish, but I'm wanting to go further into it.

What would you recommend be the best stuff to get my car looking spick and span? I already have microfibre cloths and a lambswool wash mit.
 
  Black Sheep
Get a bottle of car plan black trim wax £4.99 mask of your paint work and give a couple of coats with a small paint brush on the bumpers, mirrors, grill, foglights, scuttle panels, windsreen wipers ect it looks s%@t when it goes on but when it drys it goes smooth and jet black!
 
  Mini Cooper
Yep I've had a read of it, it's the products side of things I dot really get. Theres quite a few different ones there and I was pretty much just wanting to know which ones people have had the best experience with.
 
  ph2 172
I've just got into detailing in the summer, went out and spent around your budget on pretty much all the autoglym range. This is how i wash my car and what i use. But im a novice at this and just starting out.

Prep:
Hose the car down, make sure everywhere is soaking, all the loose dirt is removed.

I then let the wheels soak in tesco wheel cleaner and the really dirty bits of body work i coat in AG bug remover. Leave that while i go fill my bucket up with shampoo and warm water. I then use a meshed sponge and the bucket to clean off the dirty areas, i class that as the front bumper, anywhere below the side door trim, rear bumper, and maybe the front of the bonnet, pretty much the lower quarter of your car. I then use a Flash lambs wool brush for the wheels. Rinse that off make sure all the wheel cleaner is off.

Washing:
2 Buckets and Ag Bodywork Shampoo Conditioner with a meg's wash mit. Plenty of water on your mit, don’t use lots of pressure. I start at the top and work down and around the car. So I’m not pushing muck up the car. Rinse that off and check see if i have missed anywhere.

Claying:
AG clay bar kit has everything i needed in it to start learning to clay. I do this around about every 4-6 month depending on how the paint feels to me after washing.

Drying:
I use an AG aqua dry, however i'm favouring microfibre cloths at the moment to dry with, you can pick up some big ones for pretty cheap form the discount websites on here. (I4D and cleanyourcar)

Polishing:
Now here is the complicated section where there is loads of info on the internet with different names for stuff, different products. This is just what I personally use, I do it all by hand.

If there are any scratches or scuffs Ii use Meg's scratch X, really good product. Just goes on with a meg’s applicator pad or microfiber and wipes off with a microfiber.

I then use AG Ultra deep shine because my car is black, turtle wax microfibre sponge and AG Hi-Tech Finishing Cloth(microfiber.) If your car isn’t black/dark you can always use AG super resin polish, i use it on my headlights. It’s cheap and highly recommended among the detailing world from what i have read. Both are slightly abrasive and will remove a tiny layer of clear coat and fill swirls.

To add some protection and hide remaining swirls I then use AG extra gloss protection and AG perfect polishing cloths ( just cotton cloths) Really easy to use product (liquid that just wipes on, no buffing), looks great, bonds well to either ultra deep shine or SRP. Sets hard too after about 30-60 minutes you can see it change on your paint, then just buff it off.

Wax:
I use AG HD WAX to add protection to all this hard work gone into making it shine, you may aswell keep it shining. Nice product to work with, probably cheaper options out there, but I picked it up for £20 at my local auto parts shop and couldn’t resist trying it.
I plan on buying some wheel wax once my wheels are refurbed to protect them, right now i don’t really care about them.


Final Touches:
Why bother making your paintwork look like a mirror then let crap plastic trim, dull tyres. So more money spent on:
AG Instant Tyre Dressing (use a sponge to rub around the tyre)
AG fast glass (apply with microfiber) Good for removing polish/wax off plastic trim !!!!
AG vynil and rubber care - Interior, exterior and engine bay trim. Good at removing general crap found around your car.
AG Interior shampoo on mats, Instead of spraying it onto the fabric i use a microfiber to apply it.



I bought all this product in the summer, I just went out to Halfords/local store/Boyes(AG 100% free stuff, still in there now) with the little knowledge I had and wanted to make my car shine, and it does  There are cheaper/better products you can get. I’d advise you to use the discount sites as their prices are awesome compared to what I paid.
You need to see what the condition of your paint is in before you go buying stuff you don’t need.
Hope this helps you get an idea of the products I use.

Check here for pictures of my car after cleaning:
http://www.cliosport.net/forum/showthread.php?554823-Just-gave-my-new-car-a-clean.&highlight=

p.s I don't work for Auto Glym, I wish I did then I wouldn't have spent as much ! Its just what I could get my hands on.
 
  Mini Cooper
Thanks a lot man. When I get back from work I'll have a good read of it with i4detailing open and get spending :)
 
  Black Sheep
Good attention to detail kroozin i do simillar my self but i use chamois to dry off and a jet wash to blast the dirt off and rinse. I have got a black car to it comes up pritty good but this summer i am investing in an orbital polisher forty quid or something. I was going to use AG super resin polish with it cause i have a small bottle unused, can you tell me why it is not recommended for a black car.
 
  Bumder With A Buffer
Hi

Attempted to put down my list of things all from I4detailing for you. Not there are lots of products I would get otherwise but for ease of ordering this will give a good starting base.


Wash mitt

http://www.i4detailing.co.uk/acatalog/Sonus_Genuine_Wool_Car_Wash_Mitt_1.html

Shampoo

http://www.i4detailing.co.uk/acatalog/Dodo_Juice_Born_To_be_Mild_Shampoo_1.html

Clay

http://www.i4detailing.co.uk/acatalog/I4D_Uber_Lime_Clay_Bar_1.html

Degreaser / All Purpose Cleaner

http://www.i4detailing.co.uk/acatalog/Meguiars_All_Purpose_Cleaner_3.html

Wheel cleaner (may get away with APC and shampoo)

As above or http://www.i4detailing.co.uk/acatalog/Bilbery_Safe_Wheel_Cleaner_2.html

Wheel brush / Mitt

http://www.i4detailing.co.uk/acatalog/Vikan_Multi_Brush_2.html

Drying towel

http://www.i4detailing.co.uk/acatalog/I4D_Uber_Premium_Drying_Towel_1.html

Microfibre cloths

http://www.i4detailing.co.uk/acatalog/I4DETAILING_Ultra_Plush_Microfibre_3Pack_4.html

Wax / polish applicators

http://www.i4detailing.co.uk/acatalog/I4D_Yellow_Foam_Wax_Applicator_Pads_1.html#aI4DYFW2

and

http://www.i4detailing.co.uk/acatalog/I4D_Detailing_Product_Applictor_Pad_1.html

Polish (by hand I assume)

By hand this..http://www.i4detailing.co.uk/acatalog/Autoglym_Super_Resin_Polish_1.html

Wax / Sealant

Choose one of these for now..

http://www.i4detailing.co.uk/acatalog/Dodo_Juice_Wax_Sample_kits_1.html

Trim restorer / protector

http://www.i4detailing.co.uk/acatalog/Autoglym_Vinyl_and_Rubber_Care_1.html

Tyre dressing

(buy some scouring sponges from tesco and cut them up to apply using the foam side not the hard side!)
http://www.i4detailing.co.uk/acatalog/Meguiars_Gold_Class_Endurance_Tire_Gel_1.html

Wheel sealant (can be same as your chosen wax / sealant if good durability)

Wouldnt bother at the minute as nothing on i4 is that good..either poorboys wheel sealent or Planet Polish Wheel Seal And Shine.

Glass polish / cleaner

http://www.i4detailing.co.uk/acatalog/3M_Glass_Cleaner_1.html

Then some bottles and spray heads for things....At least 3 bottles and then ONE foaming sprayer, 2 Chemical Resistant ones.

http://www.i4detailing.co.uk/acatalog/Handi_hold_detailing_bottle_1.html

Foaming sprayer

http://www.i4detailing.co.uk/acatalog/Foamer_Spray_Head_1.html

Chemical resistant

http://www.i4detailing.co.uk/acatalog/Chemical_Resistant_Spray_Head_1.html
 
  Bumder With A Buffer
Good attention to detail kroozin i do simillar my self but i use chamois to dry off and a jet wash to blast the dirt off and rinse. I have got a black car to it comes up pritty good but this summer i am investing in an orbital polisher forty quid or something. I was going to use AG super resin polish with it cause i have a small bottle unused, can you tell me why it is not recommended for a black car.

LOL
 
  ph2 172
Good attention to detail kroozin i do simillar my self but i use chamois to dry off and a jet wash to blast the dirt off and rinse. I have got a black car to it comes up pritty good but this summer i am investing in an orbital polisher forty quid or something. I was going to use AG super resin polish with it cause i have a small bottle unused, can you tell me why it is not recommended for a black car.

Thanks :) I'll be investing in a cheap(ish) jet wash and foam lance in the summer, they seem highly rated among detailers. I also fancy adding some sort of machine polisher to my collection, the Das 6, dodo juice spin doctor and meg's DA all look reasonable for the money.

SRP is fine on a black car. I bought UDS over SRP just cause it is designed for darker colour paint, (dark paint shows up more swirls so i assume is got more fillers or more abrasive/smaller abrasive particles). I still have a small bottle of SRP its slightly abrasive and can remove/cover swirls really well by hand application.

I know Autoglym arn't the best products out there, but for someone like me, just learning they are safe products and all you need is some elbow grease. I fancy getting into all the menzerna (sp?), poor boys type of detailer products, however I have plenty of AG products for now and they are doing me just fine :)
 
Don't use a chamois. Don't buy a £40 orbital polisher. SRP won't remove swirls. AG Tyre Dressing will last for one day. Or less if it rains. Don't use a sponge. Don't use Back to Black. Don't use Tesco's Wheel Cleaner - battery acid is less acidic. Don't use the Flash/Halfrauds wheel brush. Don't use AG UDS. AG EGP doesn't fill swirls. Use more than one bucket, search here or Google for the two bucket method (2BM ). Listen to Richy on products, bar waxes. x

I know this sounds very arsey, but it isn't. It's just clearing up some of the above points to help you guys out.

Ryan; there are quite a few threads below this one that have a great list of products in there, that either Richy or Gally have posted up. Trust it and them to give you the right ideas, methods and products fella :)
 
Thanks :) I'll be investing in a cheap(ish) jet wash and foam lance in the summer, they seem highly rated among detailers. I also fancy adding some sort of machine polisher to my collection, the Das 6, dodo juice spin doctor and meg's DA all look reasonable for the money.

SRP is fine on a black car. I bought UDS over SRP just cause it is designed for darker colour paint, (dark paint shows up more swirls so i assume is got more fillers or more abrasive/smaller abrasive particles). I still have a small bottle of SRP its slightly abrasive and can remove/cover swirls really well by hand application.

I know Autoglym arn't the best products out there, but for someone like me, just learning they are safe products and all you need is some elbow grease. I fancy getting into all the menzerna (sp?), poor boys type of detailer products, however I have plenty of AG products for now and they are doing me just fine :)

UDS is not specifically designed for darker cars.

Specially formulated using the finest modern polishing and coating technology to impart a tough durable finish to a wide range of paint colours, new or old.
 
  Bumder With A Buffer
Don't use a chamois. Don't buy a £40 orbital polisher. SRP won't remove swirls. AG Tyre Dressing will last for one day. Or less if it rains. Don't use a sponge. Don't use Back to Black. Don't use Tesco's Wheel Cleaner - battery acid is less acidic. Don't use the Flash/Halfrauds wheel brush. Don't use AG UDS. AG EGP doesn't fill swirls. Use more than one bucket, search here or Google for the two bucket method (2BM ). Listen to Richy on products, bar waxes. x

I know this sounds very arsey, but it isn't. It's just clearing up some of the above points to help you guys out.

Ryan; there are quite a few threads below this one that have a great list of products in there, that either Richy or Gally have posted up. Trust it and them to give you the right ideas, methods and products fella :)

I copied that from another thread where someone was specifically after DODO...but I was faarrrr to lazy to think about changing it :eek:
 
  ph2 172
UDS is not specifically designed for darker cars.

http://www.autoglym.com/engb/product-proddetail.asp?v06VQ=HF said:
Specially formulated using the finest modern polishing and coating technology to impart a tough durable finish to a wide range of paint colours, new or old.

Recommended for new or moderately deteriorated paintwork and gives superb results on dark colours.
Reduces and removes the hologram effect as well as filling and masking minor scratches.

Does what it says on the bottle when i use it.

AG tyre dressing has lasted me about 2 weeks now and i drive daily.
Tesco wheel cleaner has never damaged any wheels ive used it on.
The flash brush i use is perfectly fine http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_253011_langId_-1_categoryId_165486

Both UDS and EGP hid swirls on my car.

2BM is good, but i didnt have a spare bucket at the time.
 
Does what it says on the bottle when i use it.

AG tyre dressing has lasted me about 2 weeks now and i drive daily.
Tesco wheel cleaner has never damaged any wheels ive used it on.
The flash brush i use is perfectly fine http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_253011_langId_-1_categoryId_165486

Both UDS and EGP hid swirls on my car.

2BM is good, but i didnt have a spare bucket at the time.

OK buddy.

But for the rest of us, AG Tyre dressing doesn't last, Tesco's Wheel Cleaner is better at cleaning drains, and EGP is a sealant... not a filler polish/glaze.

Please don't lead n00bs down the wrong road when "I didn't have a spare bucket at the time" is the sort of comment you make for not washing 2BM.

Many thanks.
 

Stuiemc

ClioSport Club Member
  Audi RS3, Clio 172
Snow foam lance - Great
Super snow foam - OK but check that it is a ph Neutral one so it doesn't strip waxes
Zaino Z-7 shampoo - Great but not the best IMO
Meguiars Lambswool Wash Mitt - Perfectly acceptable, I still use them
Waffle weave drying towel - Not keen, only good for pat drying
SRP - A great starter polish that will remove minor contaminants as well as filling swirls
LakeCountry hand polishing pad - Super - I use them
Poorboy's White Diamond Glaze - Very good at filling swirls on lighter colour cars, silvers etc
Poorboy's Natty's White Paste Wax - Excellent basic wax with great looks - however, it doesn't last
Poorboy's Quick Detailer Plus - I prefer Megs No;16, but that is most likely personal preference
Meguiar's Microfibre Applicator Pad - Basic, but nothing wrong with it
Meguiar's Foam Applicator Pad - Still use these for the application of some waxes, although I prefer the German applicators
Poorboy's Super Thick & Plush Towel - I have/have had 100s of these, great product
Poorboy's Deluxe Mega Towels - As above
Autoglym tar remover - Perfectly acceptable, but Tardis
Autoglym glass polish - Again, good starter product, but by all accounts, GTechnic is better

Havnt started on wheel products am thinking of getting:

Megs high endurance gel - It slings, save your money for Blackfire
Bilberry wheel cleaner - A great wheel cleaner, if you need it. Personally, warm soapy water works on mine as they are well protected
Poorboys wheel sealant. - Great product, lasts well - there are, however, other products out there which people will swear to

My products scraped pasted JD's approval lol
 
  Black Sheep
Does nobody here just empty out an old bucket of rain water and leaves, put a dollop of car shampoo in fill with the garden hose, find an old torn up sponge your old man bought out halfords in 1992.....clean the car, rinse with the garden hose then throw it all back in the mangled heap where it was found...... go back inside to look at some adult themed websites .:approve:
 
Does nobody here just empty out an old bucket of rain water and leaves, put a dollop of car shampoo in fill with the garden hose, find an old torn up sponge your old man bought out halfords in 1992.....clean the car, rinse with the garden hose then throw it all back in the mangled heap where it was found...... go back inside to look at some adult themed websites .:approve:

Yes. They're called the general public.
 
  ph2 172
OK buddy.

But for the rest of us, AG Tyre dressing doesn't last, Tesco's Wheel Cleaner is better at cleaning drains, and EGP is a sealant... not a filler polish/glaze.

Please don't lead n00bs down the wrong road when "I didn't have a spare bucket at the time" is the sort of comment you make for not washing 2BM.

Many thanks.

Fair point fella, i agree EGP is a sealant, however it did help to hide swirls in some way.
I said i was a novice, just learning and sharing what my experiences.

Yes. They're called the general public.

LOL!
 
  Mini Cooper
Top advice guys, my wallet is now significantly lighter :) I've pretty much copied Richy's list and ordered them, a good starting base until I get more into detailing. After looking at some JimWD threads it has really made want to buy a snow foam lance in the near future as well. ;)
 
Fair point fella, i agree EGP is a sealant, however it did help to hide swirls in some way.
I said i was a novice, just learning and sharing what my experiences.



LOL!

Precisely what the forum/DW is for :approve: Always good to hear experiences my friend.

Top advice guys, my wallet is now significantly lighter :) I've pretty much copied Richy's list and ordered them, a good starting base until I get more into detailing. After looking at some JimWD threads it has really made want to buy a snow foam lance in the near future as well. ;)

Yes, welcome to the slippery slope of purchasing detailing products!

no JD im still here lol




and ryan . . i kept asking loads of qestions like you have lol

:)
 


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