which products?

[JordonM]

i would normally pay for a garage or whatever to wash my car, but have decided i would like to start doing it! popped in to halfords today to look for some bits, but theres so much and i have no idea what to choose. got a black 1.2 if that helps. just looking for peoples favourites and recommendations on what to buy, e.g. do i need more than 1 wheel cleaner and normal car shampoo? im completely clueless.

thanks

jordon

 

[alanc1000]

do you just mean straight forward cleaning? If so, 2 buckets, a decent wool wash mitt (not a sponge), a wheel brush, a drying towel (water magnet), and decent shampoo, such as the meguires gold class or whatever its called. Also window cleaning spray and possibly quick detail spray and microfibre cloths to get rid of streak marks after drying with the water magnet. Also tyre gel.

 

[Jay.S]

Do a search mate these thread pop up all the time.

Also have a read through this, get the washing technique right aswell.
http://www.cliosport.net/forum/showthread.php?576095-The-Cleaning-Guide

 

[JordonM]

i'm not really sure if i i'm honest. when i was in halfords i see loads of different types of wax and shine stuff etc etc. are any of these good and worthwhile buying? ok thanks, any particular sprays? and what tyre gel?

 

[JamesBryan]

Shampoo: Meguiars Gold Class / NXT Generation Car Wash
Drying Towel as mentioned
Quick Detailer for removing water spots/streaks: Autoglym Rapid Detailer
Tyre Gel: Meguiars Endurance

That is just the basic stuff, obviously there is a lot better stuff out there if you want to get into detailing... save that for the future.

*Edit* Don't forget the microfibre cloths, wash buckets, wash mitt...

 

[JordonM]

thanks guys! whats the 'lot better stuff'? ive heard of clay waxing but not sure what it is or does.

 

[Jay.S]

Do a search mate these thread pop up all the time.

Also have a read through this, get the washing technique right aswell.
http://www.cliosport.net/forum/showthread.php?576095-The-Cleaning-Guide

My advice still stands read this explains what Clay is, what it does etc.

The 'better products' can found here

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/
http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/
http://www.i4detailing.co.uk/

 

[JordonM]

ok thanks mate

 

[JamesBryan]

thanks guys! whats the 'lot better stuff'? ive heard of clay waxing but not sure what it is or does.

By that i meant, going into more detail i.e. machine polishing, claying, glazing... and so on.

Have a look at some of the threads in this section to get an idea of what people use. It's something you won't learn overnight, so it's worth spending time looking/researching products and techniques

 

[Alex_225]

There's no real definitive brand or specific products to recommend as everyone has their preferences. The only thing I would say is that you don't have to spend a fortune on detailing gear. Many people assume that by buying, say a £60 pot of wax it'll make there car look so much better than a £10 wax. The fact that the finish is down to the prep work is often missed.

Anyway, a decent detailing kit will consist of a pressure washer, two buckets, a wash mitt, drying towel (I use two), clay, polish and wax.

You can buy plenty of good products from Halfords so don't be put off by cheaper off the shelf products, Autoglym and Meguiars products make up a good part of my detailing gear and I like plenty of, off the shelf products. As for my own recommendations, I like using the following :

Shampoo : Dodo Juice Born to be Mild
Drying Towel : Chemical Guys Miracly Dryer or any other big, fluffly type of drying towel
Clay : Sonus Green
Polish : Autoglym Super Resin or Dodo Juice Lime Prime
Wax : Collinite 845 or 476, Finishkare 1000P

You also have the option to machine polish as well as apply a glaze and sealant after polishing and before waxing. Hope that helps anyway. Also I recommend Shinearama for ordering from as they are well priced, helpful and cheap postage. (www.shinearama.co.uk)
http://shinearama.co.uk/product.php?id=CHE-MIRADRY-1

 

[JD]

Swing and a miss.

 

[Alex_225]

??

 

[JD]

You can buy plenty of good products from Halfords so don't be put off by cheaper off the shelf products, Autoglym and Meguiars products make up a good part of my detailing gear and I like plenty of, off the shelf products. As for my own recommendations, I like using the following :

Polish : Autoglym Super Resin or Dodo Juice Lime Prime
Wax : Collinite 845 or 476, Finishkare 1000P

Hope that helps.

 

[Alex_225]

I take it you're referring to my recommendations not necessarily being off the shelf?? I was purely recommending what are my preferred products, regardless of where you get them from. If it makes you feel happier, I'll recommend my favourite off the shelf products that can be bought in Halfords. Although you missed my initial point which was to avoid being drawn into the snobbery that often occurs within detailing.

So just for you mate! lol


Shampoo : Meguiars Gold Class
Drying Towel : Meguiars Water Magnet
Clay : Meguiars Smooth Surface Clay Kit
Polish : Autoglym Super Resin
Sealant : Autoglym Extra Gloss Protection
Wax : Simoniz Original

Those are all products I've used successfully and bought off the shelf in Halfords. What I choose to use regularly is a mix of products I've bought online and some I've bought in stores, also depends which car I'm detailing/cleaning.

 

[JD]

The opposite actually. I was refering to you suggesting products like SRP, LP and 476, when there are much better products out there for the job/price, without asking what his budget or requirements were. Do you know if he has a garage and is able to reapply a wax more than once every 6 months? If so a better looking wax than 476 would be best, even if it doesn't last as long. Do you know if he lives close to a railway and therefore needs the paint decontaminating? I don't seem to remember being able to buy products like IronX at Halfrauds.

There is littel to no snobbery in detailing. People with different budgets buy the best they can. The fact that I spent ££££ a year on detailing products does not make me a snob to someone who spent ££.

 

[Gally]

The opposite actually. I was refering to you suggesting products like SRP, LP and 476, when there are much better products out there for the job/price, without asking what his budget or requirements were. Do you know if he has a garage and is able to reapply a wax more than once every 6 months? If so a better looking wax than 476 would be best, even if it doesn't last as long. Do you know if he lives close to a railway and therefore needs the paint decontaminating? I don't seem to remember being able to buy products like IronX at Halfrauds.

There is littel to no snobbery in detailing. People with different budgets buy the best they can. The fact that I spent ££££ a year on detailing products does not make me a snob to someone who spent ££.

Agreed. These products are priced above some of the better products on detailing websites.

 

[JordonM]

thanks for the information everyone! In answer to questions: 1) my budget is as low as possible, as im saving for other things for my car, but obviously i still want it to look good all the time! 2) i do have a garage, but it is full, so doing things to the car in it will not be an option. 3) i dont live near a railway. hope this helps narrow down the products.

 

[SimonR.]

To be honest if you bought it second hand chances are you are going to have s**t loads of swirls anyway, I know I did.

Best you can do until then is prevent inflicting more by improving your wash method (sticky guide in this sub-forum) and using a good shampoo (Meguiars Gold Class is good which can be picked up in Halfords).

A filler polish/glaze would be good until you get a full correction such as Poorboys Black/White hole (car colour dependant) or even SRP. These will wash out however.