Possibly a silly question, but im pretty new to detailing etc.

I recently gave my car one layer of Wax - was a fairly standard wax from halfords - naontech turtle wax or something.

Came up looking good, but Im sure theres better.

I have decided to buy some Collinite 476 - would I need to use a clay bar to remove the previous layer of wax? Or can I wash and go straight over the top?

Cheers,

James

Yes you can wash and go straight over the top, but....the key thing with detailing is that the quality of the shine you end up with is determined by how well you've prepared the paint in the first place.I would certainly recommend claying, and probably cleansing the paint with something like LimePrime Light.

It generally depends how good you want your car to look and how much time you want to spend on it,

I can wash, clay, cleanse and wax my Fabia in a longish afternoon and get pretty good results.

I'm normally a full day to wash, clay wax and seal my car, could easily spend two days on it if the wife would let me.

Heard a lot ofolk talking about Colinite with great results, I'd give it a go if I had some.

the best wax I ever used was Swissvax, went on like margarine and buffed up to a pristine finish, think it cost my mate 70 quid for a tiny pot....well worth it as it'll last years.

Layering waxes is fine but as has been said the surface prep is very important..........

You will find that layering different waxes will give different finishes and it all depends whether your after the looks or durability, with Collinite you get the durability but with another wax on top of it you can get the looks..........

Layering waxes is fine but as has been said the surface prep is very important..........

You will find that layering different waxes will give different finishes and it all depends whether your after the looks or durability, with Collinite you get the durability but with another wax on top of it you can get the looks..........

Cheers mate! Which wax would you recommend to get the looks?

Better do some reading on prep! Was planning on claying the car, but is there a stage in between wash, clay and wax? i.e. is it worth hand polishing a 4 month old car?

Cheers mate! Which wax would you recommend to get the looks?

Better do some reading on prep! Was planning on claying the car, but is there a stage in between wash, clay and wax? i.e. is it worth hand polishing a 4 month old car?

Which wax.........wow now that is the question..........what colour is the car?

There can be as many stages as you like really but it depends on what products you have around you, if your washing the car then claying is the next logical step, then if you have some polish whether it be by hand or machine that would be next, then a pre-wax cleaner and some wax and sealant. Ofcourse there can be other stages inbetween these like a Zaino Z6 Wipedown or equivalent.........

Which wax.........wow now that is the question..........what colour is the car?

There can be as many stages as you like really but it depends on what products you have around you, if your washing the car then claying is the next logical step, then if you have some polish whether it be by hand or machine that would be next, then a pre-wax cleaner and some wax and sealant. Ofcourse there can be other stages inbetween these like a Zaino Z6 Wipedown or equivalent.........

Wow! Now im getting confused! Octavia is Race Blue - however, my MG Midget is Blaze Orange.

The MG is the car that needs the most work - bought it in a bit of a state and am slowly working on it as an on going project. Its looking good but some detailing on the paintwork will make the world of difference.

Will also look at pre wax cleaners and polishes - be fantastic to get some gleaming!

Wow! Now im getting confused! Octavia is Race Blue - however, my MG Midget is Blaze Orange.

The MG is the car that needs the most work - bought it in a bit of a state and am slowly working on it as an on going project. Its looking good but some detailing on the paintwork will make the world of difference.

Will also look at pre wax cleaners and polishes - be fantastic to get some gleaming!

No need to be confused, it's just that some waxes work better on lighter coloured cars and some work better on darker colours cars but that doesn't mean you have to by colour specific wax if your budget only allows for one wax.

Collinite 915 looks great on Blue and although a slightly different colour here are some results with a layered wax on top:

UDM vs BMW 5 Series M Sport........ - Detailing World

As for Orange I haven't detailed an Orange car yet but as I said it doesn't have to be colour specific if you just want to source one wax. As has been said in many threads Collinite's strength is it's durability and not many beat it for the price so if your after a good base wax in your detailing gear then I would go for some 476s or 915......

For an alternative to Colinite...

I use and really like Autoglym Hi Def Wax...not cheap at about £40 a tub but gives a lovely deep, durable shine.

For an alternative to Colinite...

I use and really like Autoglym Hi Def Wax...not cheap at about £40 a tub but gives a lovely deep, durable shine.

can be had for £30 atm here

Detailing World

Wax and longevity,shine etc are wonderful hole to fall into. As stated pre-wax prep will give better results. To remove wax I use extra wash, Currently using megs hyper, wash twice like this using the two bucket method. Then dry the car with car towel placing not wiping. Polish, seal then wax and you can wax on as many laters as you wish but the laws of diminishing returns sets in. Its hard work but worth it. I use Harlys, cheep £15 a tub and lasts a long time, its concidered old school but I like it.

Over on a dedicated site there was a massive test over six months and the High Def was in the top six according to the tester. There were some far more costly waxes which failed long before expected.

Steve.

No need to be confused, it's just that some waxes work better on lighter coloured cars and some work better on darker colours cars but that doesn't mean you have to by colour specific wax if your budget only allows for one wax.

Collinite 915 looks great on Blue and although a slightly different colour here are some results with a layered wax on top:

UDM vs BMW 5 Series M Sport........ - Detailing World

As for Orange I haven't detailed an Orange car yet but as I said it doesn't have to be colour specific if you just want to source one wax. As has been said in many threads Collinite's strength is it's durability and not many beat it for the price so if your after a good base wax in your detailing gear then I would go for some 476s or 915......

That BMW looks fantastic! Have taken a lot of notes from the post as to detaling processes and products!

Thanks again!

For the blue mate I'd recommend Dodo Juice blue velvet, its very easy to apply and gives a great finish and is very durable, but probably not quite as durable as the Collinite, and its not expensive. For the orange I'd go for their Orange Crush. Dodo Juice products get very good reviews and I've found them to be excellent value for money.

To cleanse the surface prior to wax I'd use Dodo Juice Lime Prime Light, again its very easy to use and not expensive.

I'd also recommend you get yourself some good quality applicators and some decent mircrofibre cloths to buff it off with. Oh and welcome to the slippery slope of obsession that is detailing.

... welcome to the slippery slope of obsession that is detailing.

surely you mean the wallet emptying obsession that is detailing!

No need to be confused, it's just that some waxes work better on lighter coloured cars and some work better on darker colours cars but that doesn't mean you have to by colour specific wax if your budget only allows for one wax.

Collinite 915 looks great on Blue and although a slightly different colour here are some results with a layered wax on top:

UDM vs BMW 5 Series M Sport........ - Detailing World

As for Orange I haven't detailed an Orange car yet but as I said it doesn't have to be colour specific if you just want to source one wax. As has been said in many threads Collinite's strength is it's durability and not many beat it for the price so if your after a good base wax in your detailing gear then I would go for some 476s or 915......

just wondering what I should be doing with mine. at the moment im doing the following but seem to be missing out on a "sealant"

claybar

megs paint cleaner

meg #2 polish

(sometimes megs tech wax)

collinite 915

im just wondering where a sealant would come in that last and if Ive got them in the right order!

Here is everything you ever needed to know about detailing but were afraid to ask. This is from Celica-Club UK - Europes No.1 Celica Owners Club and written by Johny.

Direct link might be in member's area, but here ya go anyway: linky

Johny's Guide to Detailing.

This article is not intended to be an extensive guide and I make no apology for using Meguiars products only. I have found Meguiars to be the best but respect anyone's decision to use alternative products.

Detailing can involve hard work but the benefits are great. Your car will look good, you will feel good, people will look at your car more and you will increase the value of your car.

To get the best results preparation is the key. This is followed by using good quality products and hardware.

I will try and keep this guide as simple as possible and mention products that are readily available.

There are 5 steps to getting your car looking special and I will attempt to explain each one. Steps 2,3 & 4 only need to be done when you detail your car for the first time and then on an ‘as necessary ‘ basis. I suggest Step 2 twice a year and Steps 3 and 4 when the car looks dull and rain water no longer beads.

Step 1.- Washing.

Here we go. First of all rinse your car off with running water to remove any loose contaminants. Then throw away your sponge – these can cause extra swirl marks due to minute pieces of grit getting trapped on the surface of the sponge. Get a Lambs Wool Wash Mitt as any particles of dirt will be trapped in the wool rather than on the surface. Get 2 clean buckets and in one of them pour a small amount of shampoo. I use NXT Generation Car Wash, but Gold Class Car Wash Shampoo And Conditioner is good. Fill both buckets with water.

You now have a bucket with shampoo in and a bucket with plain water. Use the shampoo mix to clean your car with and the plain water bucket to rinse your Wash Mitt in. This is called the ‘2 bucket method’ and effectively cleans your Wash Mitt, preventing damage to your paintwork.

When you have covered all your car then rinse off with a steady stream of water. Do not spray water over your car to rinse off as this creates more work in the drying process.

To dry my car I use a Water Magnet Drying Towel. I simply drape the towel over the paintwork and drag it off to remove most of the water. To get into smaller areas you can fold the towel up and gently wipe. Wring the towel out often to remove excess water from it.

When your car is dry it is time to move to the next step.

Step 2. – Cleaning.

This is where the hard work starts but also where your preparation will start to pay off. There are 2 main paint surface problems. Above-Surface contaminants and Below-Surface Defects.

Attacking the Above-Surface problems first you could use either the Quik Clay Starter Kit/ Smooth Surface Clay Kit (see note at bottom of guide!) or Gold Class Bug And Tar Remover. To use the clay effectively is a quickly learnt art. Divide the clay bar into 3 pieces. Place 2 pieces in a protective covering to use in the future. Take the remaining piece and warm it up in your hands. Gently knead the clay into a flat shape, approximately the size of a matchbox. When the clay is nice and supple it is ready to use. You will need to apply Quik-Detailer to the paintwork first, spray plenty on as this is acting as a lubricant. You can use a mix of water and car wash shampoo to a ration of 10:1 instead and this is cheaper as well.

After spraying your paint you should then gently rub the clay over your paint using light pressure and the palm of your hand. If the clay feels like its dragging then you need to spray more lubricant on. Work a panel at a time and inspect the clay regularly. Remove any hard particles and then fold the clay , dirty side to dirty side and knead it out to matchbox size again. Keep turning the clay in this fashion to prevent rubbing dirt into your paintwork. If you drop the clay on the floor then discard it (another reason for splitting the bar into 3!). Remove residue from the paint with a Terry Towel or Microfibre cloth (or similar). Your paint should now feel as smooth as glass.

Bug And Tar remover is similar to a ‘liquid’ clay bar. It will strip any old wax or polish and general traffic film off your paintwork but won’t give it as deep a clean as a clay bar.

The next part is to attack Below-Surface problems such as swirl marks and mild scratches. Don’t expect miracles here, if you can ‘feel’ a defect when you gently run a finger nail over it then a professional polish is required. But, Scratch X is a useful product to use. Apply some to a sponge applicator and work this into the paint, a small area at a time. Remove the product with a towel/microfibre cloth. Scratch X is not a cutting compound and is safe to use. Meguiars Step One Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner is an alternative but is probably more suited to newer paintwork. Again apply using a sponge applicator and remove using a towel/microfibre cloth. Then there is Body Scrub. This uses mild ‘diminishing’ abrasives to remove stains, blemishes and oxidisation. Work into paint using a sponge applicator and remove using a Terry towel or Microfibre cloth.

Your car is now ready for the next step.

Step 3. Polish.

Polish gives your paint that rich, vibrant colour. It is polish that gives that sparkle, that shiny finish you really want. Do not confuse it with wax – that’s the next step!

Meguiars Step Two Deep Crystal Polish is a pure polish and again gives excellent results. Application technique needs to be effective to get the result you desire. Working a section at a time apply a small amount of polish onto a sponge applicator pad and work the polish into the paint until you can hardly see it. Remove immediately before it has chance to dry out, using a towel or microfibre cloth. Your paintwork has now been nourished and should be looking great. Time to Wax !

Step 4. Wax.

Wax is used to protect the paint finish from fresh contaminants.

Meguiars make several waxes. They can be either in paste or liquid form. Personal preference comes into play.

Firstly there is Step Three Deep Crystal Carnauba Wax – a good all-round wax. Next is Gold Class Clear Coat Liquid Wax, long lasting, this wax has gives great reflections and depth of colour. NXT Generation Tech Wax gives a deep, clear shine and is at its best on dark coloured cars. The NXT Tech Wax has now been superceded by the NXT TEch Wax 2.0, which is a better product!

To apply wax, again use a sponge applicator and put a very thin layer over the paint. Leave the wax on the paint as long as possible to allow it to dry (or cure). Remove using a towel/microfibre cloth.

Step 5. Maintenance.

Your car should now be looking amazing. You want to keep it looking at it’s best. This is where maintenance enters the fray.

Quik Detailer and NXT Generation Speed Detailer are products that you can use to spray on fresh contaminant. Spray it on and remove with a towel/microfibre cloth.

Quik Wax and NXT Generation Spray Wax are 2 products you can use to top up your Wax protection after washing. You can use them on wet paintwork as well. Simply spray on the paint and wipe off when dry.

Once you have cleansed, polished and waxed you only need to wash and top-up protection on a regular basis. Using paint cleaner should only be necessary under usual conditions twice a year, polish and wax can be applied as many times as you feel necessary. As a rule, when water beads start to merge together after its been raining it’s time to reapply.

The new Ultimate Quick Detailer should be used more as a finishing product or 'top-up' more than the traditional use of a quick detailer.

A few tips.

A little product goes a long way – don’t use to much, it’s expensive, wasteful, time consuming and makes it harder to do.

Use a wash mitt – not a sponge

Use the 2 bucket method

Don’t spray water when rinsing

Keep equipment clean – check regularly when using it

Use a new applicator and cloth for each process – you can’t have too many!

DON'T let Polish dry out

DO let Wax dry/cure

Work from the top of your car down

Clean your wheels first, not after you've detailed your paintwork

Take photos when you’re finished and show-off your hard work!

Well, that’s your paintwork looking great, now lets go that bit further !

Wheels & Tyres.

To get those nice alloys looking great use Hot rims All Wheel Cleaner. Spray it onto a cool alloy, allow it to work in and if the build up of brake dust is heavy then use a good quality wheel brush - one with bristles that wont damage the metal. Rinse off with running water and then dry.

Clean tyres with a deep black finish really make a difference. Meguiars Endurance High Gloss Protection Gel is long lasting and very safe. After cleaning your tyres apply using a cloth. Hot Shine Tyre Spray is easy to use, just spray onto a clean, dry tyre and you will have a ‘wet look’ tyre. Alterantively use the new Tyre Dressing Applicator Pad.

Plastic Trim.

Gold Class Trim Detailer is useful for the rubber surrounds to windows and the grilles below the windscreen. Simply apply with a cloth to regain the original colour and freshness.

Glass.

NXT Generation Glass Cleaner leaves no residue and makes glass crystal clear. Just spray it on and wipe over with a microfibre cloth. Allow to dry then give it a final wipe.

Metalwork.

Meguiars produce 2 Metal Polishes - Gold Class and NXT. Whilst the Gold Class Metal Polish was good, I've recently bought the NXT Metal Polysh and found this too be much better - especially on my exhaust.

Interior.

Many products are available here. Meguiars NXT Generation Tech Protect and the Natural Shine Vinyl And Rubber Protectant are used for keeping your dashboard clean and nourishing the plastics to prevent ageing and cracking. Simply wipe on and rub in.

Carpet And Interior Cleaner is ideal for removing stains from upholstery. Spray on, leave it work and then remove.

Car Odour Eliminator smells lovely – simply spray onto carpet or roof lining for a long lasting aroma.

Hardware.

There are a myriad of products out there so I will just list the ones that I use.

Sponge Applicator Pads – the best way to apply Polish, Wax etc,etc

Wash Mitt – safer than a sponge.

Vers –Angle Tyre Brush – to clean tyres without damaging paint work or alloys

Ultra-Safe Wheel Brush – to make cleaning alloys easier

Slide Lock Detail Brush - I've not fully tested/used this brush yet. The basis of it is that you slide the 'collar' to alter the length of the bristles. Long bristles are ideal for brushing air-vents though.

Water Magnet Drying Towel – I find this better than a Chamois in every way

Microfibre Cloths – makes product removal easier – buy them from Tesco though!

Terry Towels – handy to have – buy from Tesco as well!

Detailing Swabs – useful to get to hard to reach areas

Tyre Dressing Applicator Pad -see 2008 products for my review.

New Meguiars products tested! -

The Grit Guard and Bucket - I have bought both these items - together they eliminate the 2-bucket method. Debris falls through the guard to the bottom of the bucket and the guard stops your wash mitt from picking the debris up again. You can buy the grit guard seperatly but it is American made and they have different size buckets to the UK (true!). The guard will fit some UK buckets but may sit too high inside to be of practical use.

Versa-Angle Body Duster - a great piece of kit. It may seem pricey compare to similar products available in Supermarkets/DIY Centres but their quality is by far inferior and the head is a lot smaller. I tried mine at JapFest to remove dust and it worked a treat.

Even Coat Applicator Pads - bought a pair of these and have finally got round to using them. Much better than the applicator sponges, they are easier to hold, spread the products over the paintwork with less effort and leave a nice thin, even coating.

Supreme Shine Microfibre Cloth - I got mine courtesy of the Smooth surface Clay Kit (see below). This cloth is larger and softer than usual microfibre cloths. I'm not sure I'd buy one though if it wasn't included in the Quik Clay kit - purely because good microfibre cloths can be bought cheaper elsewhere.

Quik Wheel Detailer - new product for 2007. Tried this one today, as usual, a doddle to use but not sure how it would cope with really dirty alloys? I think I'll still stick with Hot Rims and the Ultra Safe Wheel Brush for normal detailing, but this product certainly has a place in your detailing bag - very handy for Show use when full cleaning facilities may not be available. It left my alloys looking very clean though.

Smooth Surface Clay Kit - new for 2007. This may seem a bit pricey compared to the Quik Clay Detailing System (now called Quik Clay Starter Kit) but you get 2 50g bars of clay (I'd advise to split each bar into 2 pieces for the same reason as explained in my write-up of the Quik Clay above). You still get a bottle of Quik Detailer but you also get a small plastic box to keep the clay in (handy), a Supreme Shine Microfibre cloth and a 118ml bottle of Cleaner Wax- so all in all - great value.

2008 New Products

NXT Generation Tech Wax 2.0 (liquid) - I bought this @ JapFest so have only used it once so far. Usage was easy, as with many prodcts, apply only the thinnest of layers and leave to cure for as long as possible. Then simply wipe of with a microfibre cloth. The depth of gloss on my black paintwork was extremely impressive. Whilst driving back I drove through a rain storm but all the water simply disappeared of the paint and the day after I couldn't tell it had rained so great hydrophobic qualities. Longevity is currently being tested.

Tyre Dressing Applicator Pad - I was a bit sceptical about buying this - small, cheap sponges do a great job when applying tyre dressing but this applicator is worth it! It enables you to apply the dressing accurately, it's especially ideal for 40 profile tyres. It also keeps the dressing away from for fingers and stops residue from contaminating your detailing box/bag.

There are other products that Meguiars make that deserve a mention.

Cleaner Wax – a wonderful products if you are bone idle or short on time. Its like a cleanser, polish and wax all in one! It isn’t a replacement for Steps 2,3 & 4 above though. A very under-rated product.

Quik Suds Car Wash Strips – used instead of shampoo. Loads of bubbles and that’s about it really. Tear a strip in half and use half to one bucket of water

Soft Wash Gel – Not as good as NXT Car Wash or Gold Class Shampoo

Quik Detailer Interior – ideal for a quick freshen up of your dashboard, it doesn’t leave as much shine as NXT Tech Protect or Natural Shine Protectant

Gold Class All Metal Restorer – needs to be worked in really well but gives excellent results.

Ultimate Wash Mitt – a microfibre wash mitt. I prefer the Lambs Wool one as it fits your hand better and has a safe dead-fly remover on the reverse.

What do I need to buy?

This is a question I am asked often and there is no definate answer.

If your car isn’t brand new then I suggest the following as a good starting point. Again I will apologise as all the products are Meguiars.

A Lambs Wool Wash Mitt

4 Applicator Pads

Water Magnet Drying Towel

4 Microfibre Cloths (Tesco’s!)

Gold Class Car Wash Shampoo And Conditioner

Smooth Surface Clay Kit (I recommend this rather than the Quik Clay Starter Kit)

Step One Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner

Step Two Deep Crystal Polish

Step Three Deep Crystal Carnauba Wax

The above will give you great results that you can then build on in the future.

If you have any questions about detailing then please post in this thread. My answers will probably involve Meguiars products and all the above really is a ‘potted’ version as I realise the whole ‘detailing’ thing can become scientific – I have only mentioned the products that are readily available!

I will, from time to time, add extra tips and information.

Above all, enjoy detailing your car, it can be theraputic!

A word of warning when buy Meguiars Clay Kits -

Prior to 2007 Meguiars sold the 'Quik Clay Detailing System - a 100g bar of clay with a bottle of Quik Detailer. RRP was £11.99

This has now been re-packaged as the 'Quik Clay Starter Kit' and contains the bottle of Quik Detailer but only a 50g bar of clay. RRP is £12.99

Please check packaging before buying OR consider buying the Smooth Surface Clay Kit (RRP £22.99) - this contains a bottle of Quik Detailer, 2 50g bars of clay, a handy box to keep the clay in, a Supreme Shine Microfibre Cloth and a 118ml bottle of Cleaner Wax - a great package!

MEGUIARS ULTIMATE QUICK DETAILER

This is a new product for 2007 and TBH it is simply the Mutts Nuts - easy to use and gives the best shine and reflection I've ever seen - BUY IT! - it's worth the money.

surely you mean the wallet emptying obsession that is detailing!

I reckon your spot on there mate...........

just wondering what I should be doing with mine. at the moment im doing the following but seem to be missing out on a "sealant"

claybar

megs paint cleaner

meg #2 polish

(sometimes megs tech wax)

collinite 915

im just wondering where a sealant would come in that last and if Ive got them in the right order!

Not seen the Megs Paint Cleaner about but you may want to use the Polish and then the Cleaner before applying some wax?

Sealant can be a range of products but I am a massive fan of Zaino Z8 at the moment, the finish is so good and the smell isn't bad either but you can use other products from Klasse or something like CG Blitz............Megs Ultimate Quik Detailer is also one of those products that can finish the car off nicely...........

Edited 4 February, 200917 yr by Baker21

Not seen the Meds Paint Cleaner about but you may want to use the Polish and then the Cleaner before applying some wax?

Sealant can be a range of products but I am a massive fan of Zaino Z8 at the moment, the finish is so good and the smell isn't bad either but you can use other products from Klasse or something like CG Blitz............Megs Ultimate Quik Detailer is also one of those products that can finish the car off nicely...........

cheers baker21. the megs stuff is from the 3 step range, #1 paint cleaner, #2 polish (non abrasive), #3 carnuba wax but I dont use this.

ive seen the klasse and zaino but what step would I use it, before or after the colinite wax?

cheers baker21. the megs stuff is from the 3 step range, #1 paint cleaner, #2 polish (non abrasive), #3 carnuba wax but I dont use this.

ive seen the klasse and zaino but what step would I use it, before or after the colinite wax?

Ah right, the 3 step Megs.............I haven't used this but I appreciate it's place.

If you choose to source the Zaino Z8 then I would apply this after the Collinite, as shown in my detail threads and dependant on which Klasse products your source these can replace the Collinite product............

I reckon your spot on there mate...........

Not seen the Meds Paint Cleaner about but you may want to use the Polish and then the Cleaner before applying some wax?

Sealant can be a range of products but I am a massive fan of Zaino Z8 at the moment, the finish is so good and the smell isn't bad either but you can use other products from Klasse or something like CG Blitz............Megs Ultimate Quik Detailer is also one of those products that can finish the car off nicely...........

I've used Megs 3 step before and the wax is very short lived IMHO.

I went megs cleaner, megs polish, turtlewax gloss guard, colli 476s.

Looked excellent and lasted ages

I now use the Klasse AIO and do Klasse AIO followed by 2 layers of Colli.

HTH