What products

[Westytce]

When I have the car back I want to give it a detailing myself, I have pressure washer and would like to know what that soapy White snowy stuff is that seems to be used by detailers.... What produ ts are best to use... I think my sister is getting me an electric polisher fir bday so will be able to work out the swirls a bit but again what is the best product to do this...

 

[Dan@M.A.D]

It's called snow foam mate.

You can get a decent one on eBay, What pressure washer have you got?

 

[Westytce]

Snow foam... Nice.

Erm it's a yellow one with variable nozzles..... :-/

 

[Tommo.]

As said, it's called snow foam, it's a pre-wash to remove/loosen dirt before you wash the car by hand. By using a pre-wash you are reducing the risk of damage being inflicted during the wash process. Not only will you need a pressure washer, but also a foam lance which generally cost between £40-50 (http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washing-and-drying/snow-foam-lance-various-fittings/prod_371.html).

As for what products to use, it really depends how far you want to go with it?! Below are some links to what I'd be looking at to get you started.

Shampoo:

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=959

Wash mitt:

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washi...-sponges/cquartz-wool-wash-mitt/prod_784.html

Drying Towel:

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

Wheel Cleaner:

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/valet-pro-bilberry-wheel-cleaner/prod_499.html

Wheel Brushes:

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheels-and-tyres/ez-detail-brush/prod_480.html
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheels-and-tyres/valet-pro-inch-round-wheel-brush/prod_973.html

Tyre gel:

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheels-and-tyres/meguiars-high-gloss-tyre-gel/prod_103.html

Glass cleaner:

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/interior/auto-finesse-crystal-glass-cleaner/prod_898.html

Trim Dressing:

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/engin...to-finesse-revive-trim-dressing/prod_952.html

Wax / Sealant:

I'm currenlty using a combo of the two below, but you can use either on their own and still get REALLY good results.

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/zaino/z-2-pro-show-car-sealant/prod_466.html
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wax/zymol-wax/zymol-carbon-wax/prod_998.html

You'll also need some microfibre cloths, applicators, buckets etc.

The list of things you can get is literally endless, like I said it depends how far you want to go with it.

 

[Pearce]

Snow foam... Nice.

Erm it's a yellow one with variable nozzles..... :-/

I wouldn't by a machine polisher if you don't even no what pressure washer your using

 

[Westytce]

I can see what the pressure washer is, but with a cuppa in one hand a 4 months old in the other and typing one handed on the Ipad with the pressure washer in the garage it's kind of hard to reply with make and model... its not a case of ive bought any old one and i havnt got a clue how to use it, ill be fone with the electric mop with a few tips, best keep it gentle with the mops most people go hard and have problems, by the sounds of it I will need the adaptor for the snow foam though. just makes it better if you can clean and protect it properly at home. Nice to have the cleanest car in the street... Lol

Some good links thanks for those

Going to give clay a go too as this seems to make a big difference.

 

[JD]

You've called it a mop, so you definitely need to give machine polishing a little more respect. Failure to do so will have you typing up a thread in the Exterior and bodywork section, asking for decent local spray booths in your area (with a mug in one hand and a baby in the other, congrats by the way ).

 

[Westytce]

Lo I hope that isn't my next thread title, but I do know a bodywork guy in yatley, I didn't mean to disrespect the polisher/ detailing world with the word mop. My bad.

I sprayed my splitter and that came up well, met. Black in colour, with a painted silver little man on the corner of it... When i get the car back I'll try and post up a few pics. I'm sure I could improve the paintwork a bit with some tips and by being gentle.

Thank you for the congrats but the baby is my foster baby. Had him since 5 days old! have a 17year old with me too.

 

[yellowbelly]

Best advice is to start from total scratch, read up on all the processes from start to finish and try to take in what each stage is done for along with what products and/or kit is needed.
jumping in wont do you any favours in the long run as JD has commented on, equally it can be wasted money if you rush out to buy bits and pieces without knowing much, if anything about them.
you said your getting a machine for your birthday so you can have a crack at it yet later say you're thinking about trying out using a clay bar.

the correct way round would be to ignore any form of machine for the time being and concentrate on ensuring you are working in the correct order using the correct/safe methods. getting decent products to apply by hand will see you better off than risking diving in head first with a machine.

im guessing you clean your car anyway so first just try and improve on what you're currently doing/using then gradually progress. Rome wasn't built in a day and the likes of JD didn't instantly become extremely knowledgable on this subject over night (PayPal gift is fine JD lol).

 

[Westytce]

Lots of love in the air.... Bucket.... How apt.... Any detailers in Hampshire you recomend, that maybe the best way to start, then I can carry on keep it that way or as close as I can...

I do wash the car and always have no car washes at all,... Ever!! 2 buckets, rinse, shampoo, rinse, wash&wax, rinse, then wax, hasn't been done properly in ages, I tend to use mur and ag products.

Some reading and elbow grease required I think

Not used maguires much tbh.... Rated??

 

[Dan@M.A.D]

Lots of love in the air.... Bucket.... How apt.... Any detailers in Hampshire you recomend, that maybe the best way to start, then I can carry on keep it that way or as close as I can...

I do wash the car and always have no car washes at all,... Ever!! 2 buckets, rinse, shampoo, rinse, wash&wax, rinse, then wax, hasn't been done properly in ages, I tend to use mur and ag products.

Some reading and elbow grease required I think

Not used maguires much tbh.... Rated??

Megs is pretty good. Not all the products but there are a few i use. I think Auto finesse have the best all round range.

Best bet is to get in Detailing world and read through the Guides. You will learn alot. There are many many processes to use before you "machine" a car. By machine i hope you don't mean the £20 one in halfords..

 

[Westytce]

Lol there was one for about that in halfords.... also a £45 in halfords Was looking at that one, you Recomend any specific ones...

 

[aucky]

Read the stickies at the top of the Detailing sub forum.

 

[Westytce]

Read the stickies at the top of the Detailing sub forum.

Dam good info!!