Yet another noob [Archive] - Saxperience

wicked-vtr

16th October 2010, 13:50

Hi guys, im looking to get a few bits to sort out my car as she's looking a bit of a state. Im a bit of a noob when it comes to detailing, some advice from those with more experince would be great.

Currently i wash the car using two buckets and a sponge, i use turtle wax shampoo stuff from halfords, then i dry it with a leather. For wheels i use the same shampoo at a higher concentration than for the paint. I also use back to black spray on the trim (doesn't seem to work all that well) and some window cleaner stuff on the widows.

i know this isn't ideal, so ive put together a baket on cyc, do you guys rate the stuff below, or could i have done better? anything iv'e missed?

Eurow - Sheepskin Wash Mitt
Huge 38" x 28" Microfibre Drying Towel
Clay Magic Perfect Finish Kit (100g clay)
Meguiars Triple Duty Detail Brush
Valet Pro - Bilberry Wheel Cleaner (1 litre)
Vikan - Wheel Brush

Do i need to use a seperate product to clean the wheels, or is the normal car shampoo up to the job?

Im also a little confused when it comes to polishes, waxes, sealents and quick detailers.

I want something that will give the car that "wet look" shine, but i understand this can be difficult on a silver car? What sort of thing should i be using?

any help greatley appreciated. James

01edbenne

16th October 2010, 14:22

Hi James,

Fisrtly i would suggest having a read through the various guides HERE (http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/seek-advice.html). There is information on all stages of detailing your vehicle. Please NEVER use a sponge or a leather chamois as they can cause hiddeous damage to your paint and finish.

Just for refrence the order of the procedures you should follow when detailing your car are:

Pre-Wash - With a PW and Snow Foam (Search the forums or Youtube for more information on this stage)
Rinse - With PW
Wash - Via 2 bucket method with a decent car shampoo and a lambswool wash mitt
Rinse - With PW
Dry - With a Micro Fibre drying towel (Dont dry if your claying as follows)
Clay - Using a clay bar and a quick detailer as lube
Dry - With a Micro Fibre drying towel
Polish - Concise information on polishing by hand or machine can be found at the Polished Bliss site i linked
Wash - Via 2 bucket method with a decent car shampoo and a lambswool wash mitt
Dry - With a Micro Fibre drying towel
Seal - Apply via spary and a micro fibre cloth
Wax - Use a wax for lighter coloured cars and a micro fibre apllicator pad
Plastic Trims - Using a back to black product
Glass - Using a dedicated car glass product and micro fibre cloths again
Exhaust - Using Metal polish and 00 grade wire wool

I tend to do my door/ boot shuts and engine bay before i wash the entire car and also wash the wheels and tyres before hand using a dedicated wheel cleaner (More info at polished bliss!)

As for your basket, its ok, it all depends on your budget, for a start i would recomend the following:

Wash Mitt (http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washing-and-drying/meguiars-lambswool-wash-mitt/prod_282.html)
Shampoo (http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washing-and-drying/chemical-guys-maxi-suds-ii/prod_165.html)
Drying Towel (http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/microfibre-cloths/cleanyourcar-huge-39-fluffy-39-drying-towel/prod_634.html)
Wheel Cleaner (http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheels-and-tyres/valet-pro-bilberry-wheel-cleaner-1-litre-/prod_499.html)
Wheel Brush (http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheels-and-tyres/vikan-wheel-brush/prod_389.html)
Plastic Trim (http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheels-and-tyres/chemical-guys-new-look-trim-gel/prod_143.html)
Quick Detailer (http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wax/dodo-juice/dodo-juice-red-mist-tropical-250ml/prod_540.html)
Micro Fibre Cloths (http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/microfibre-cloths/ultra-fine-buffing-towels-pkg/2/prod_192.html)

Those products will be good to get you started and then as you get more funds together you can move on to claying, polishing, waxing etc

With regards to your questions:

You dont have to use a dedicated wheel cleaner but it is recomended as they are specifically desogned to shift the dirt on your wheels. Make sure to use an acid free wheel cleaner!

With regards to polishes, waxes and sealents it all depends on the colour and state of your paintwork, selaents are generic btw. Have a look at some of the products availabkle HERE (http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/)

As for that wet look shine you will need to use all of the products and techniques i have mentioned above i.e clay, polish, sealent and wax. I warn you that you will have to put in the hours to get your car to that showroom quality finish :y:

Hope this helps, Good Luck!