Help with Cleaning Technique please

[Dom 1.5dci]

Hi, discovered this site not long ago and have to say impressed with how clean some of your cars look.

I've been reading through various threads and the products that are used to make your car look clean and shiny, but i'm still not sure what the whole 'clay bar' product is, or how it is used? and could someone tell me what the difference polish is to wax?

I'm used to washing with washing up liquid and a bucket of water with my old car (looks away....shamefully :quiet: ) and i'd like to have a go using the various products you guys seem to use. Does anyone have a concise plan of what technique is could use?

Thanks for any replys

 

[bigmaddaz]

im sure "Rich" will be seeing this thread and loving to get hold of some fresh untrained minds... he is the whizz on here when it comes to cleaning cars!

 

[FiDoDiDo]

Seems to have a bit to learn, first of all I would say have a read of the guides on Polished Bliss, there very good.

http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/guides.html

p.s. Empty you pockets on the way in

 

[_Kenny_]

Rich'll give you a rollicking for using washing up liquid before!

Basically polish is used for shine and minimizing scratches and swirls, wax is used for protection.

A clay bar is used to remove contaminants such as bugs, tar, etc. You need to use it with quick detailer spray or wash solution. The bodywork has to be very well lubricated when using a clay bar and the clay bar itself needs to be soft.

1. Wash car (2 bucket method if poss)
2. Rinse
3. Use the clay bar with the quick detailer spray
4. Polish
5. Sealant
6. Wax

That should start you off until Rich and the other experts come along!

 

[Alan]

Couldn't have put it better myself old son! ^^

 

[Dom 1.5dci]

Thanks for the replys guys,


I had done some of my own research, i was going to follow this guys method :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkmZveqyU5E&search=car%20detailing

(the £5k car wash, is this guy better than Rich? :quiet: )

but i couldn't afford it! :dead:

 

[_Kenny_]

Couldn't have put it better myself old son! ^^

I am good eh!

 

[James.]

(the £5k car wash, is this guy better than Rich? :quiet: )

No noone is

 

[Rich]

Ha Cheers guys!

I would love to charge 5K.

The was a great cleaning guide on here, but all the articles have gone at the moment

 

[Dom 1.5dci]

Thanks for all the help guys.

Now for the next step...

Where is the cheapest place to buy car cleaning products?

I think i need to buy

1x Poorboy's nattys paste wax / P21-s (my car is metallic grey) ??
1x Lambs wool mitt
1x Megs gold class wash
1x Clay bar + quick detailer spray
2x Microfibre cloths
1x Autoglym super resin polish
1x something for tyres - suggestions welcome

Hopefully i can get it looking as good as you guys, else its quite alot of cash to waste :S

 

[Rich]

Tyres - Autoglym Vinyl and Rubber care.

Halfords for the Autoglym and Megs.

http://www.seriousperformance.co.uk/

is a good starting place for the rest with CS discount.

 

[FiDoDiDo]

Dom think about getting some Autoglym Extra Gloss Protection for after the AG SRP.

 

[Dom 1.5dci]

Thanks for the advice guys! Will get some Autoglym Extra Gloss Protection too.

Going to order my stuff now.

 

[Dom 1.5dci]

http://www.seriousperformance.co.uk/

is a good starting place for the rest with CS discount.

How exactly do i get CS discount if i place an order online?

 

[Rich]

Email Alex and let him know what you want to order and he will price it up for you.