[D_Boi]

Its probably not a major thing but I wanted to know if anyone has any ideas of the best cleaning/wax products to use to keep paint looking like new?

Cheers!

[Kassim786]

Auto glym HD Wax I'll upload done photos of the beading when I get a second

[D_Boi]

Originally Posted by Kassim786

Auto glym HD Wax I'll upload done photos of the beading when I get a second

Thank you, I'll await the pics!

[Kerr]

Have a look at Detailing World website for in depth help.

[Sparky68]

Sonax carnuba

[D_Boi]

Originally Posted by Sparky68

Sonax carnuba

Looks really good. Is it expensive?

[Jase 320d]

We need to know the colour

[basim07]

What colours your car?

First thing first, give it a good wash with a decent shampoo and the two bucket method (google it)

Secondly get a good polish, loads out there deoending on your budget? An expensive wax is useless or a waste if the car isnt polished

Oh and clay the car if it hasnt been done before

And THEN wax it

Checkout detailing world forum, plenty of good beginner DIYs there!

[basim07]

My budget student detail! 12 quids worth of gear and half of a sunday! And youl get about 4-5 such details out of the gear

[basim07]

[D_Boi]

Its black with a blue shimmer.

[Digitalize]

Pre-wash - Either Snowfoam or an APC like Citrus Pre-Wash - no contact here
Wash - Something like Megs gold class, 2 bucket method
Decontaminate - IronX and TarX or similar, Iron and Tar removers.
Clay - Any good soft clay really, plenty of lube, keep the clay clean, one pass should be enough.
Polish - Good machine polish, nothing too harsh, might be worth getting someone to do this for you for a proper correction.
Glaze - Same manufacturer as Sealant
Sealant - Same manufacturer as Glaze
Wax - If you really want to, to give the best shine possible.

Then after that wash with a weaker pre-wash mix, and the same 2 bucket method. And then every month or so depending on wax, top up the wax. Strip and re-apply the full process at the start of spring/summer. It's an every 6 months sort of job.

Sealing the wheels will make them easy to clean, and under the bonnet just a good scrub with some APC should be enough for new cars like these, no need for colour restorers etc. Inside depends on leather/cloth but generally a weak APC solution to clean the surfaces, and then a good leather/cloth cleaner and a hoover is all you should need. Can clay the glass too, and seal them to help them stay clean. Tyre shine like Megs on the tyres and done pretty much.

[adamroutley]

If you want to do it "properly" then there are methods to use.

Snowfoam
Rinse
wash (2 bucket method)
dry
clay bar
wash (2 bucket method)
dry
polish
wax

There are loads of products on the market but as long as you put in the ground work it will make it easier next time around. Personally I use Auto Finesse products. This is on my Christmas list though:

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/polish...prod_1212.html

And here is my Tourer done today...Without Polishing or Waxing:

http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/or...1b27e6df07.jpg

[D_Boi]

Originally Posted by Digitalize

Pre-wash - Either Snowfoam or an APC like Citrus Pre-Wash - no contact here
Wash - Something like Megs gold class, 2 bucket method
Decontaminate - IronX and TarX or similar, Iron and Tar removers.
Clay - Any good soft clay really
Polish - Good machine polish, nothing too harsh
Glaze - Same manufacturer as Sealant
Sealant - Same manufacturer as Glaze
Wax - If you really want to.

Thank you, i just bought a whole load of stuff. Will give it a good makeover tomorrow when this weather lets up.

[gaza01]

What colour is yr car?

[D_Boi]

Originally Posted by gaza01

What colour is yr car?

Can i ask if you have any pics of yours and have you done any modz?

[Jase 320d]

If you don't want to go crazy and just want it to look good


1) Good wash with any car shampoo (no fairy liquid)

2) A quick clay with a bar if it has a few tar spots

3) polish, autoglym do a polish for dark cars which is good

4) poorboys natty paste blue wax

5) poorboys black hole show glaze for a nice wet look if you like


Wheels - any wheel cleaner (i use autosmart wheel cleaner and meguires endurance tyre gel)

For black bits i use autofinesse revive (awesome)

No need to go crazy

[Digitalize]

Clay shouldn't be used to remove tar, that's how you start getting horrible marks whilst flaying. Use a tar remover.

[Jase 320d]

Done it loads of times, polish afterwards and voila

[gaza01]

d-power ultimately u want to get the paint clean and decontaminated (thats what the claying) will do. Then u want to polish to get rid of the swirls OR use a glaze that has filling compounds that will help mask swirls. Finally u want some form or protection either a wax or sealant to protect it all.

If yr not used to detailing then id recommend skipping claying as you can do much more harm than good. Id say use autoglym super resin polish. This will clean the paint quite well and also fill some of the swirls. Wax with autoglym hd wax and yr good to go!

As said there's so much you can do and spend...its up to you where you draw the line. If you want to go one step further on yr car then look are a product called carpro reload. Fantastic for giving yr car that just waxed look and easy to use. Spray on wipe then a light buff!

[DMH-01]

A wax hardly adds anything to the appearance. The shine and depth comes from the prep.

If you're new to this then I wouldn't recommend machine polishing just yet. Instead products like PB Black Hole, Prima Amigo, AG SRP etc. can be used to fill the swirls.

At this time of the year you ideally want to be using a wax or sealant that will protect the paintwork through the winter. Plenty of cheap products that will do this (FK1000P, Colli 845 etc).

[Digitalize]

Originally Posted by Jase 320d

Done it loads of times, polish afterwards and voila

Plenty of people commit murder, doesn't make it right.

As said, claying can damage paint if done wrong, as very soft one well lubed should be fine. Machine polishing can also damage if done wrong, and polishing by hand is a waste of time IMO, you'll never get rid of swirls. So a glaze with a filling element to it will work, and FK1000P is a good cheap sealant, 3 or 4 coats and it will last 6 months.