Whats the difference.... - Saxperience

CurtSD · 18th June 2009, 00:20

Started looking at car cleaning products since my current method is s*t. It involves halfords budget shampoo, a hose, a small rag and a sponge. But need some help been on "http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/" and whats the difference between...
Polishing
Glazes
Sealants
Wax

Also never brought wax before and it hasnt came yet got DoDo purple haze wax, so how do you actually apply the wax to your car? lol

*prepares for ur a noob spam*

CurtSD · 18th June 2009, 01:40

Had some views if you just know what the definition to one of them is it would be helpful. Thanks

titchster · 18th June 2009, 01:51

Polishes are abrasive, and should only be used when needed (usually 2 or 3 times a year).
Wax protects the paintwork, and can be applied as often as you like (some do it after every wash.)
Glaze is used between the above stages and adds to the shine.
Sealants do exactly as they say, seal everything in, adding protection to the paintwork and is usually done before waxing, but after glaze.

Andy-Lee · 18th June 2009, 01:51

Polishing buffs up the paint and helps remove surface contaminants thus making it smoother and shinier. Glazes give the paint a real wet look and shine, sealants so there name and seal the previous two in and also add extra shine. Finally wax is a final layer of shine and protection. i think anyway haha

Dodo juice wax is good imo, i apply it with just a foam applicator pad and buff off with a soft microfiber
Andy

Ashleyp · 18th June 2009, 07:09

all info about what it does is above tbh,

to apply all of this, youll need: http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/access.../prod_186.html

youll need some microfibres too:

drying: http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washin.../prod_154.html

buffing off polish: http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/microf.../prod_192.html

buffing off waxes sealants glaze etc: http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/microf.../prod_436.html

there will be no doubt some swirls on your car by the old washing method youve used, its pretty hard to get out by hand so could need someone to give it a machine polish!

guessing you have a dark coloured 306 if buying purple haze? and swirls look worse the darker the paint

J222JRA · 18th June 2009, 08:52

Budget shampoo, a rag and a sponge, mate thats baaaaaadddddddddddddddddd lol

As said above,

Polishes are generally abrasive some are very and some are very light, either way polishing is to remove scratches swirls etc and generally improves the paints condition.

Glazes, in all fairness glazes are something you only really need to bother with if you are an absolute perfectionist or if you are going to be showing your car. Glazes contain ultra fine or no polishing abrasives and are designed to add gloss, depth and wetness to the paint finish.

Sealants basically lock in the good finish that you have achieved and stop contaminates such as bird poo attacking the paint.

Waxes, quite simply enhance the paints finish as well as adding some protection to the paint. They are applied using like a microfibre applicator pad and removed using a good quality microfibre cloth.

Now polishing is not something that you want to be doing every time we hae a nice day, you should be polishing once or twice a year and for the rest of the year just keep using sealants and wax to keep the surface glossy and protected. You cannot over wax a car, the more the better.

Also as you seem pretty new to this before you polish, the car will need claying. Claying is a clay like material which you carefully rub over the paint surface (using quick detailer or water as a lubricant) which makes the paint nice and smooth by removing all the nasty contaminates. If you do not clay before polishing there is a good chance that you will produce more swirls and marks on the paint.

Sadly you are limited to the finish yiou will bw able to achieve by hand, if you want it to be perfect then you should consider machine polishing. If you dont want the expense of buying the machine etc then you should PM Wayne, he is probably one of the best detailers on here if not the best.

If you want any more info please feel free to PM me.

James

CurtSD · 18th June 2009, 15:29

Thanks for the info guys. Yes I know my old method was crap, the thing thats pushed me to actually buying the proper stuff was the state of my bonnet after "cleaning". This is whats currently in my basket, I believe ive got washing/drying, wax, sealant and clay.

Hate to ask but have I missed anything already feel like im being taken for a mug with these people lol £110!

Matt67 · 18th June 2009, 15:40

drying towels and that wax are not value for money imo.

Alanapone^p · 18th June 2009, 15:47

Tesco were doing an offer on microfibre cloths last week, £1 each... geet over there and see if they have some left, i got 2! to go with the others i have.

hellonpluto · 18th June 2009, 16:08

£15 for a bucket!! JESUS! Get to tesco, £1. Plus you'll need two buckets for the two bucket method.

Soap suds in one, clean water in the other. Rinse the washmitt in the clean water before you put it back in the soap suds. Stops putting dirt back on to the car, makes a really BIG difference.

Ashleyp · 18th June 2009, 18:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashleyp

Youll need some microfibres too:

drying: http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washin.../prod_154.html

buffing off polish: http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/microf.../prod_192.html

buffing off waxes sealants glaze etc: http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/microf.../prod_436.html

there will be no doubt some swirls on your car by the old washing method youve used, its pretty hard to get out by hand so could need someone to give it a machine polish!

guessing you have a dark coloured 306 if buying purple haze? and swirls look worse the darker the paint

as here, youll need something to buff your wax polish etc off. the drying towel here is better than the sonus in terms of value, dont get me wrong the sonus ones are great, but this one will do a car easily too and less cash

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alanapone

Tesco were doing an offer on microfibre cloths last week, £1 each... geet over there and see if they have some left, i got 2! to go with the others i have.

i wouldnt use them tbh doubt theyre that good.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hellonpluto

£15 for a bucket!! JESUS! Get to tesco, £1. Plus you'll need two buckets for the two bucket method.

Soap suds in one, clean water in the other. Rinse the washmitt in the clean water before you put it back in the soap suds. Stops putting dirt back on to the car, makes a really BIG difference.

as said tbh

james has given some great advice in this thread

youll also need some clay lube, the sonus pack is great value, a lube & clay bar for £12

get the microfibre applicators, a couple for £3.99 or something, youll need them for applying polish sealant and wax

and im not sure if maxi suds is desgned as a shampoo? or snow foam?

also, for the washmitt, use a sonus sheepskin, an extra £1 but a lot deeper pile than the microfibre ones

CurtSD · 18th June 2009, 19:25

Ok like to thank everyone for the info its been a lot of help and confusion

Already got a bucket so il be popping down tescos to get another cheap one. My changed list.. added polish, clay and lube, and changed a few things round. £113 pretty good from my last list considering what ive added.

Ashleyp · 18th June 2009, 19:39

looks like a great set of products for a starter! will be intresting to see some before and after pics

CurtSD · 18th June 2009, 19:42

Yep im sure it will make a hilarious me trying to use all this for the first time. Can imagine the first post being "Have you got the before and after pictures round the right way?" "Err.. yeah...."

Ashleyp · 18th June 2009, 20:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by CurtSD

Yep im sure it will make a hilarious me trying to use all this for the first time. Can imagine the first post being "Have you got the before and after pictures round the right way?" "Err.. yeah...."

lol its not that hard

snowfoam

wash wheels

rinse car

wash

clay

wash

dry

polish

seal

wax

do trim & tyres etc

CurtSD · 23rd June 2009, 19:45

Ok stuff arrived so have a crack at it tomorow since it needs a clean, my dad decided to clean the drive with a high pressure hose and the back of my car is filthy.

Ashleyp · 23rd June 2009, 20:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by CurtSD

Ok stuff arrived so have a crack at it tomorow since it needs a clean, my dad decided to clean the drive with a high pressure hose and the back of my car is filthy.

haha, get some before and after pics bud!

any help needed, you know where to ask

CurtSD · 18th July 2009, 17:37

Ok I know this is a month over due but I did actually clean my car and got a few pics on my phone (I know im sorry) I then had trouble getting them onto my computer. So for all who still care here they are.

Reflection off the roof

Reflection off the bonnet

Side View

Rear View

Sorry about the picture quality not only did I have a phone to take them, rushing around trying to finish cleaning it before work. Because of this I didnt get time to use the sealant or wax. Also the day after the big clean I got white marks on the roof and drivers door from the polish where I missed it and didnt buff it off. A wash the next day got rid of them though.

Ashleyp · 18th July 2009, 18:18

looking good, tyres could do with some detailing though lol

Rob-6 · 18th July 2009, 18:45

looks pretty good mate!