Need some advice - budget ~£150

[Homer-Simpson]

After reading through this part of the forum I have decided I need to buy a range of new products for my new car (just bought a 172). I am a complete novice at this and have only ever washed my old cars with shampoo (using a sponge) and applied polish to it (using cloth). As of yet I have not washed the 172 (had it for 4 days now!)

I have heard a number of people talking about using a two bucket technique. What exactly does this involve? Has anyone got a good guide to washing/polishing/waxing a car from start to finish? What products should I use to apply the polish/wax/wash the car?

Any advice is really appreciated!

 

[Brand86]

This has been asked so many times now...but a quick answer:

Buy a decent lambswool washmitt
At least 2 buckets
A decent shampoo, I like the Chemical Guys Extreme Wash N Wax, but lots to choose from
Mild polish/ filler - Autoglym Super Resin Polish
Sealant - off the shelf Autoglym Extreme Gloss Protection, or if you are ordering online then Jeffs (either caranuba or acrylic versions) or Chemical Guys Body Blitz (this is especially good for metallic cars)
Wax - Swisswax Onyx or Chemical Guys 50/50. Also would recommend Collinites 476 for extra winter protection which can be used on the wheels too
Any glass cleaner, Autoglym one is pretty good
Tyre gel - although most people don't bother this time of year, only sados like me hehe, I really like Blackfire Tyre Gel, although qite expensive at around £13

Then a few microfibre applicators and towels to apply and remove products.

 

[Ali]

This has been asked so many times now...but a quick answer:

Buy a decent lambswool washmitt
At least 2 buckets
A decent shampoo, I like the Chemical Guys Extreme Wash N Wax, but lots to choose from
Mild polish/ filler - Autoglym Super Resin Polish
Sealant - off the shelf Autoglym Extreme Gloss Protection, or if you are ordering online then Jeffs (either caranuba or acrylic versions) or Chemical Guys Body Blitz (this is especially good for metallic cars)
Wax - Swisswax Onyx or Chemical Guys 50/50. Also would recommend Collinites 476 for extra winter protection which can be used on the wheels too
Any glass cleaner, Autoglym one is pretty good
Tyre gel - although most people don't bother this time of year, only sados like me hehe, I really like Blackfire Tyre Gel, although qite expensive at around £13

Then a few microfibre applicators and towels to apply and remove products.

150£ will get you some half decent stuff for sure.

I'm kinda against the whole wax for winter thing. I clean my car enough to do regular top ups. Plus i find the harder wax's dullin and a pain in the tits to apply.

What colour 172 did you buy?

 

[Homer-Simpson]

The car colour is monaco blue.

 

[Rich]

I have heard a number of people talking about using a two bucket technique. What exactly does this involve? Has anyone got a good guide to washing/polishing/waxing a car from start to finish? What products should I use to apply the polish/wax/wash the car?

Any advice is really appreciated!

Worth a read - good basic guide - http://www.cliosport.net/forum/showthread.php?t=148366

I have had good results on dark blues with P21, CG 50/50 and Swissvax Onyx. They all look good the later ones win in durability.

 

[Homer-Simpson]

Thanks for the advice guys, really appreciate it! I will have a good read through that article and then start to order the products

 

[Mike_182]

Thanks for the advice guys, really appreciate it! I will have a good read through that article and then start to order the products

2nd vote for Swissvax Onyx. I haven't bought a second tub yet because my Megane is 'Mineral Blue' so would be better off with a wax suited to lighter colours, but on my Black Gold 182 it was the best you could put on shy of £100 IMO...

 

[Homer-Simpson]

All of it has arrived today, looks like I will be having a busy weekend

I ordered it all from cleanyourcar.co.uk, I managed to get myself all excited and forgot to put in our discount code. At least it is all here!

Thank you again for the advice

 

[Brand86]

What did you go for in the end?

 

[Homer-Simpson]

I ordered the following (I bought 2 of some of the items so I can use them as Christmas presents )

2 x Chemical Guys - Extreme Wash and Wax
2 x Chemical Guys - Blitz Spray Sealant
1 x Sonus Ultra Fine Detailaing Clay (2 in the package)
1 x Sonus Glyde Detailing Clay Lubricant
1 x Sonus SFX-3 Final Finish Polish
1 x Chemical Guys - New Look Trim Gel
1 x Sonus Leather Care Kit

I also bought various other bits and bobs to use the products

 

[Brand86]

Sounds god except wouldn't have bothered with the Glyde, you can make your own solution which will work just as well using some QD and/ or shampoo diluted with water. I used to use a spray bottle to apply it but nowadays put it in a bucket and use a mitt as you ensure 100% coverage but you should be able to get some decent results with what you bought, let us know how you get on!

 

[riz]

get citrus wasnnwax over extreme

 

[Brand86]

Yeah I want to try that but very happy with the Extreme, so going to get the smaller bottles of both so its easier to compare.

 

[Ali]

get citrus wasnnwax over extreme

Boy spk's the truth! And 2 bottles of blitz! I've gone through one this yr! LOL and i go alot of details!!!

Some good stuff tho! Shampoo is decent, loving oily feel to it!

 

[Homer-Simpson]

get citrus wasnnwax over extreme

Boy spk's the truth! And 2 bottles of blitz! I've gone through one this yr! LOL and i go alot of details!!!

Some good stuff tho! Shampoo is decent, loving oily feel to it!

The second bottle will be for one of my mates, he said he could do with some when I was ordering mine. I took the hint and ordered him a bottle

 

[Eddieb]

Can we not create a "guide" to detailing and sticky it? Suggest products for budgets etc?

I might bash one up at the weekend and see what you guys think...

 

[riz]

Can we not create a "guide" to detailing and sticky it? Suggest products for budgets etc?

I might bash one up at the weekend and see what you guys think...

maybe a sticky on diff price brackets for various products

 

[Ali]

^May well end up having 101 threads then. Because you've got to take into account application via PC/Rotary rather than by hand. & Also colour/ Makes of cars

 

[riz]

well it was a better idea than buying tighar$e bramble!!

 

[TeZ]

I agree with Ali. it will never be right for everyone.

Tho there are not alot of ppl on here that even no how to use a rotary properly so i doubt we need a guide on it.

 

[riz]

i reckon a little guide on a few diff products for shampoos etc would be helpful split into diff categories but try and keep it as impartial as poss so not everything is dodo etc

 

[TeZ]

Yep true , maybe we should all do a few Video's?? only short bt as we all clean car's Regulary Its not like it would take long, E.G how to clay..How to wax..How to use the Two bucket method... BLAH or just pics as you do it like on DW , not hard Surly?

 

[Brand86]

But then we might have sites in the states laughing at us in action like we all laughed at them!!

I think that you could do like a top 10 recommended products in categories pretty easilly, then a brief description, because I sure as hell get bored reading repost after repost on here, must be so so so many duplicates by now.

e.g. "I am a newbie how do I clean a car?" "How do I apply a polish?" "What order do I use the products in?"

I am pretty busy writing essays at the moment but don't mind doing something over Christmas period.