I want a PC and all the trimmings, how much?!

[Pep]

Right, decided that instead of paying someone to PC my car I may as well buy all the stuff myself and have a bash at it...so...

What do I need?!

What does the difference in pad size mean?
What polishes etc?

Basically my car is pretty badly swirled, so I want to get them all out, so in the simplest terms does anyone want to explain to me what I will need?!

From reading a bit on here I will need a cutting polish, to remove the swirls?
Then polish and wax on top yes? Do I need to clay the car before I use it? etc etc.

I will do a search but I just thought it would be good if I had all then info in one place!

 

[john182rs]

Joe boy, come pick me up for a day ill lt you use mine while i watch you because atleast then im getting out of the freaking house. Unless you still want to buy one.

 

[Pep]

I'd still want to buy one John to be honest, but when I do get one I could do with a bit of advice, so I'll drop you a pm if you want?

Just need to get a few quotes on some bodywork stuff to see what that'll set me back then I'll be away!
I can see a big bill at the end of the month!

 

[Pep]

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/polis...iars-g220-complete-menzerna-kit/prod_414.html

just seen this, does it include everything I need like it says? In what order would I use the products given?

Also, would I use 1 pad per product used? How long do pads last, can you wash them out etc?

 

[Beef-Mc]

Good idea with that PC,

 

[Rich]

Menzerna pads don't last as long as some others as they are quite firm and tend to break up on the edges. I have some Sonus Pads that are 3 years old.

Just wash them, always good to have at least two of each pad grade and get 4 inch spot pads they are a must for a Clio.

 

[Steve]

Liking the afters on the porker.

 

[john182rs]

As rich said fork out the little bit more for sonus pads an they'll last you a hell f alot longer

 

[Rich-D]

buy a Meg's G220 instead of a PC, it's a UK model, 240v so no transformer needed, comes with a warrenty, hard plastic carry case, etc...

pads wise I'm using the Sonus SFX ones, not the cheapest but they're durable and last a long time, plus you can get them in both 4" & 6"

fluids, I'm using the Poorboy's SSR range, but there is the Meg's stuff and the Menzerna stuff as well, not really experimented with others

 

[Rich-D]

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/polis...iars-g220-complete-menzerna-kit/prod_414.html

just seen this, does it include everything I need like it says? In what order would I use the products given?

Also, would I use 1 pad per product used? How long do pads last, can you wash them out etc?

I'd get the Sonus SFX kit instead >>> http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/polis...eguiars-g220-complete-sonus-kit/prod_415.html

pads are better IMO

I bought my G220 from Tim at CYC, top bloke

 

[Rich-D]

Menzerna pads don't last as long as some others as they are quite firm and tend to break up on the edges. I have some Sonus Pads that are 3 years old.

Just wash them, always good to have at least two of each pad grade and get 4 inch spot pads they are a must for a Clio.

good to know they'll last that long, I seem to have made the right choice

 

[Pep]

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/polis...iars-g220-complete-menzerna-kit/prod_414.html

just seen this, does it include everything I need like it says? In what order would I use the products given?

Also, would I use 1 pad per product used? How long do pads last, can you wash them out etc?

I'd get the Sonus SFX kit instead >>> http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/polis...eguiars-g220-complete-sonus-kit/prod_415.html

pads are better IMO

I bought my G220 from Tim at CYC, top bloke

Cheers mate.
Does that kit include everything I need to just crack on with the car?

What are backing plates about?!

The three polishes included, are they all OK for correction of the paintwork? Should they be done 1 after another or are they different stages?!
What wax should I use on top of them?

Any tips/hints etc would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Rich-D]

that kit is enough to get you started, I'd read this thread >>> http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=63859

 

[Pep]

Wow! Thats a good read!
I'll go over it in detail later on, thanks for the link.

I was just looking and thought about the following:

The sonus set you linked
Masking tape
Some of the sonus spot pads
Microfibre drying towel
Clay
Meguiars shampoo

All comes to about £260!!!

Do we still get discount at clean your car?

 

[Pettsi]

You get 7.5% discount at i4detailing! Top service.

 

[Pep]

^ yeah I know, but they are out of stock of the machines!

 

[Rich]

As rich said fork out the little bit more for sonus pads an they'll last you a hell f alot longer

I actually prefer the Menzerna Polishing pads though - it is awesome, abrasive enough to correct defect while still leaving a LSP ready finish with Intensive Polish.

Polishes with the Menzerna range has the steepest learning curve but seems to yield the best finish. Poorboys SSR are the easyist to use, the Megs 83 and 80 sit in the middle for me.

 

[Pep]

If I went for the sonus kit as linked above, what order would I use the products in?
Would I need to use one after the other?

What wax would I use afterwards? I've got some Meguiars carnuba wax, can that be put on after? By hand of with the machine?

If I get some clay residue left on the apintwork would polishing it up get rid of it, or does there need to be none left at all? I struggle with this as the car is black!

Realistically how long should it take me to do the car as a beginner? I will attack it one panel at a time obviously but would a full day from start wash to finish be enough time?

 

[Rich]

You should get it done in the day, depends on the level of defects. Do a test panel one evening or something to see how you go.

The polish will clean up and clay residue left behind. Though if that is the case your are not using enough lube !

As to what you use after polishing it is now different to whatever wax/sealants you normally use will be fine.

I tend to wax and seal by hand still as it uses more products than normal if you do apply by machine.

 

[Pep]

Cheers for the advice.

Will the polishes included in the kit be good enough for correction? I've got a lot of bad swirling so want something fairly abrasive? Do I use all 3 1 after each other?

Also, how important is claying really well? I've never been too good with it! I do use loads of lube though!

 

[Rich]

Claying well will mean the polishing will be easier if the pads are not catching on contaminants all the time.

Never used the Sonus Polishes so would not like to comment.

 

[Pep]

Thanks for the help.

I mean do I use 1 polish, then another, and then another, will this make it better, or are they all individual depending on how bad the swirls etc are?

Would this be a better kit?

Or can you reccomend any? Are there any other sites other than i4detail and cleanyourcar?

 

[Rich]

I would have gone for the Menzerna range of polishes tbh.

Looking at the Sonus range of polishes you would probably need to use all 3 if you have lots of swirls.

The normal rule is to try the mildest pad and polish combination first and take it from there.

 

[tyni_clio]

190quid for the 220, my god!!
are you guys insane, i cudnt even consider payin that for a buffer, lol i know a clean car is nice but i didnt think it came at a steep price like that.
good elbow grease did me no harm

 

[Rich]

Elbow grease is all well and good until it comes to some Swirl Removal!

 

[Pep]

To be honest I want to go for the sonus one because it is in stock!
Are there any other sites that sell similar stuff?

Hmm, £230 on car cleaning stuff!!!

 

[Rich-D]

Do we still get discount at clean your car?

you get reward points added to your account, so next time you place and order you can use some or all of those points for money off

 

[Rich-D]

or just buy the G220 on it's own and then the pads & polishes that you want, rather than going for a bundle that contains things you don't all necessarliy want to buy?

you want the Sonux SFX pads, but maybe not the Sonus SFX fluids, I'm using Poorboy's SSR and Rich uses Menzerna, plus there's also the Meg's stuff, buy them seperately, it may cost slightly more but you get exactly what you want

 

[AlexS]

I think everythings been convered in here, however I would say I don't really rate the Sonus polishes, they worked ok on matts 182 but he found the Menz Intensive polish to be much better.

 

[Rich]

or just buy the G220 on it's own and then the pads & polishes that you want, rather than going for a bundle that contains things you don't all necessarliy want to buy?

you want the Sonux SFX pads, but maybe not the Sonus SFX fluids, I'm using Poorboy's SSR and Rich uses Menzerna, plus there's also the Meg's stuff, buy them seperately, it may cost slightly more but you get exactly what you want

Good advice

I have Megs, Poorboys and Menzerna on my shelf as all have there uses.

 

[Rich-D]

Good advice

I have my moments

 

[Pep]

lol, decided on the sonus package to be honest!
I'm gonna do plenty of research on what other stuff to buy which is good but after speaking to Tim from cleanyourcar I thought it would be good enough to start with.

As I get to know more then I'll buy something different!

I appreciate all the advice though, very helpful

 

[Rich-D]

the Sonus fluids are not bad and they'll be fine to start with when you're learning, you can decide on what else to use in the future

 

[Pep]

^ yeah thats what I though.
I would have waited but I'm working 7 days a week at the minute but i've manged to wangle friday off work, so i wanted a go at it while i have the time, and the sonus was the only one in stock!!

 

[Rich-D]

let us know how you get on...

 

[Pep]

Will do, there will be plenty of pics up soon i hope!
I gave it a quick going over last night after work to get most of the crap off, hopefully on friday i'll have plenty of time to get cracking on it!

 

[cleanyourcar]

The SFX kit is honestly a fantastic starter kit. The pads as mentioned are very durable so you'll get lots of uses out of them. They are also a nice grade of foam and work well with a range of polishes. So you can always swap to Menzerna down the line once you are more comfortable with the machine.

The polishers although relatively low in terms of cut are very easy to work with. They are very forgiving and easy to use so a good combination for learning how the G220 works. Ultimately the Menzerna products will give better results and have a greater ability but for complete beginners unless it VAG paint I'd say the Sonus kit is a great place to start.

Do we still get discount at clean your car?

You get loyalty points with us. So for every £1 spent you get 1 point which is worth 5p. So in effect for a £150 polisher you will have £7.50 credit on your account.

 

[cleanyourcar]

Will do, there will be plenty of pics up soon i hope!
I gave it a quick going over last night after work to get most of the crap off, hopefully on friday i'll have plenty of time to get cracking on it!

Look forward to seeing the results!

 

[Rich-D]

Hi Tim, didn't realise you were on ClioSport

 

[Pep]

Just got an email from Parcelforce saying the item has been despatched, so I hope it's a decent day tomorrow to crack on with it!

Gotta say thanks to Tim for all the help, excellent service so far and I look forward to giving him more of my money in the future!!!