Hello all!

This is my first post since I don't know when I last logged onto this site... months ago!! So hello etc. all again!

Righty... down to buisness... i've had a string of company pool cars last few months and have decided to sell my pride and joy (2002 Polo Sport) which is getting too old compared to all the new cars i'm driving.

So i'm about to take delivery in 5/6 weeks time of a brand new Polo for pottering around London in when I can't grab a car from work.... now this is the first ever brand new car that i've owned as all the others have been company/financed cars.

I want to get this right from the absolute start with the bodywork...

All advice welcome of how to begin and get that 'deep wet' look on my Polo when she arrives... colour is 'Nimbus Grey' (Gun metal).

I've refused to have my valeters touch my car at work when it arrives or even dare go near it with lifeshine as want to get it right from onset.

Thanks in advance (expecialy baker21 as i know your our resident detailer)

If you've not already requested the supplying VW dealer not to prep the car other than take the transport wrap off...I'd do so now.

As for a process:-

2 bucket wash with washmitt & drying towel(s)...sponge for wheels only, no chamois' required!

A light clay (Sonus Green) to remove anything it's picked up since leaving the factory.

Grey is crying out for some Zaino action so I'd go with Z-AIO followed by Z2 & if you're feeling really flush some Z6 too.

Zaino Europe Ltd - Car Care products UK

You can then add however many layers of Z2 you want after you've done the above whenever you get the time.

Depending on how much time & £money£ you want to spend there's all the other little bits like :-

tyre dressing

glass rain repellant

alloy wheel sealant

fabric guard/protector

Above all enjoy the car & the results of the hardwork you put in, no matter what products you use.

If you've not already requested the supplying VW dealer not to prep the car other than take the transport wrap off...I'd do so now.

As for a process:-

2 bucket wash with washmitt & drying towel(s)...sponge for wheels only, no chamois' required!

A light clay (Sonus Green) to remove anything it's picked up since leaving the factory.

Grey is crying out for some Zaino action so I'd go with Z-AIO followed by Z2 & if you're feeling really flush some Z6 too.

Zaino Europe Ltd - Car Care products UK

You can then add however many layers of Z2 you want after you've done the above whenever you get the time.

Depending on how much time & £money£ you want to spend there's all the other little bits like :-

tyre dressing

glass rain repellant

alloy wheel sealant

fabric guard/protector

Above all enjoy the car & the results of the hardwork you put in, no matter what products you use.

Zaino! Excellent i'll give it a go. I've got meguires clay and quick detail, reakon that would be ok for brand new or a little to harsh?

As for supplying dealer... thats myself I work in the branch so as soon as she is off the lorry she will be going through the PDI still wrapped... I'll do the unwrapping myself!

How good is the rain repellent @ low speeds with wipers on? Does it not smear? Is it also ok over a rain sensor?

Zaino! Excellent i'll give it a go. I've got meguires clay and quick detail, reakon that would be ok for brand new or a little to harsh?

As for supplying dealer... thats myself I work in the branch so as soon as she is off the lorry she will be going through the PDI still wrapped... I'll do the unwrapping myself!

How good is the rain repellent @ low speeds with wipers on? Does it not smear? Is it also ok over a rain sensor?

Yeah the Megs clay should be fine.

Ahh fair play, I work at a dealer also.

Rain repellant is fine over a rain sensor, I presume you can adjust the sensitivity from the stalk anyway?!

I think both the longevity & effectiveness of the repellant is largely down to application. You'll see it working on the side windows as soon as you pull away & anything 40mph> on the windscreen will in theory only require the occasional wipe.

Isn't it Dolphin Grey?

Nimbus Grey is the old TT colour which looks like grey primer...

Dolphin:

Nimbus:

mode>

Thats what the colour is called in the V-Dub book! I prefer to call it gun metal

Just want to get the paint looking as 'wet' as possible from what I apply to it... wonder what this stuff is like...

Wet Shine Mirror

Anybody used it??

wonder what this stuff is like...

Wet Shine Mirror

Anybody used it??

Wouldn't waste your hard earned!

I won some at a detailing meet & it's absolutely rubbish IMO.

Strange? They are too very different grey's!

I'm assuming it's more like Dolphin grey?

Jeff's Werkstadt?

It's an acrylic-based system, looks to be quite good!

I would go with Chris_Focus's feedback as thats what I would do, done a few new cars and it's Zaino all the way, only probelm is sourcing Zaino at the moment as there is a stock shortage in the UK...........:thumbdwn:

I also have WMF and it's not all that, your better off layering in Z6 between some Z2 and Z8 for the wet look........

Wouldn't waste your hard earned!

I won some at a detailing meet & it's absolutely rubbish IMO.

Thanks for the advice!

I'll tell you what makes this so much harder... there is now too much choice out there on what to buy, guess its all very trial and error. Up until now on all of my cars its been Autoglym Super Resin followed by Autoglym Deep Gloss and its looked OK, but all those cars have either been company cars or my own cars which were all at least 5 years old so didn't really bother much. Now I really want to go to town.

As for what colour Grey it is... yes VW call it Nimbus but it is more like Audi Dolphin... heres the colour..

I've been toying with trying out the Zaino system...think I'll give it a go

Good luck with the Polo, looks a nice colour

I've been toying with trying out the Zaino system...think I'll give it a go

Good luck with the Polo, looks a nice colour

Thanks, and Baker21 was right... looks like it is going to be hard to get hold of! Everywhere appears to be sold out

That's a new grey!

Dolphin has a very subtle blue/yellow flip to it.

Nice looking car though

Oh, and what happened to the 'rocco?

That's a new grey!

Dolphin has a very subtle blue/yellow flip to it.

Nice looking car though

Oh, and what happened to the 'rocco?

Rocco was my company car... now in a Golf Plus... not quite the same!

Thanks, and Baker21 was right... looks like it is going to be hard to get hold of! Everywhere appears to be sold out

I am currently in a situation where I have ordered £100's of Zaino items from a Zaino reseller and have not recevied any products for 3 weeks, payment has been taken and no matter how many times I ring the contact number I get nothing............:thumbdwn:

I do however have all the items you want in stock...........

Welcome back Rich :wavey:

I am due to get a brand new Race Blue vRS is a few weeks time, and I have been reading this forum with interest.

I like my car to look good and have traditionally used Autoglym products (for years in fact) and have generally been pleased.

Because I am buying a new car and wanted to start out with a good level of protection from day one, and this car will be my daily drive, I was considering Autoglym Lifeshine from the dealer (at a good price of around £100).

A products mentioned in this thread appear to offer a similar thing, with a base polish plus some sort of 'sealant' (I appreciate that there is a level of detailing than can be done prior to application to prepare the paintwork prior to application).

What are your opinions regarding Lifeshine as opposed to the other products?

Do they offer a superior level of protection, or do they just look better?

What would I expect to get if I took my £100 elsewhere?

The more I look into things the more confused I get :confused:

Any comments appreciated ...

I am due to get a brand new Race Blue vRS is a few weeks time, and I have been reading this forum with interest.

I like my car to look good and have traditionally used Autoglym products (for years in fact) and have generally been pleased.

Because I am buying a new car and wanted to start out with a good level of protection from day one, and this car will be my daily drive, I was considering Autoglym Lifeshine from the dealer (at a good price of around £100).

A products mentioned in this thread appear to offer a similar thing, with a base polish plus some sort of 'sealant' (I appreciate that there is a level of detailing than can be done prior to application to prepare the paintwork prior to application).

What are your opinions regarding Lifeshine as opposed to the other products?

Do they offer a superior level of protection, or do they just look better?

What would I expect to get if I took my £100 elsewhere?

The more I look into things the more confused I get :confused:

Any comments appreciated ...

Hope that your looking forward to receiving your new motor..........

I have used AG Lifeshine a couple of times now and also I have spoken to Chris_Focus about this product on a few occasions, he would be best placed to advise you as he really knows...........

The problem is that the durability of the product is not that great but more importantly for £100 will the dealer prep the paintwork properly or potentially seal in defects to the paintwork, I think that is most peoples complaints and concerns with the product offered as for me it's the full service your paying for and £100 seems very cheap...........:eek:

Hope that your looking forward to receiving your new motor..........

I have used AG Lifeshine a couple of times now and also I have spoken to Chris_Focus about this product on a few occasions, he would be best placed to advise you as he really knows...........

The problem is that the durability of the product is not that great but more importantly for £100 will the dealer prep the paintwork properly or potentially seal in defects to the paintwork, I think that is most peoples complaints and concerns with the product offered as for me it's the full service your paying for and £100 seems very cheap...........:eek:

The normal price quoted by the dealer can be anything up to £300, but because he mucked up delivery of my car first time around he owes me, hence the 'cost' price of £100.

I agree that they will probably 'just' apply the products, as opposed to carrying out any serious level of preparation.

Thanks for your comments, I would also be interested in Chris_Focus's comments. I have a couple of weeks before delivery.

One approach I had considered was going for the Lifeshine initially, and then recognising that over time it would pick up the usual wear & tear have it 'detailed' at a later date.

If you've been messed around with delivery before I think I'd be asking them to chuck it in the deal FOC or not at all..bearing in mind the product isn't that great as Simon says.

The kit is made up of:-

'Gloss Protectant' which is for the paintwork..leaves an ok finish but don't believe people who say it lasts for 3yrs or complete twaddle like that...if it's been applied to properly prepped paint & applied correctly you'll see no more than 4-6months protection from it.

'Glass Guard' which is the rain repellant...back and side window's application only, not windscreen. This and the following is the best part of the kit IMO. Not quite as effective as Rain-X or Carlack in that it takes that much more speed/airflow over glass to remove the water but does last ages.

'Fabric Protector' scotchgard type spray for all interior carpets & cloth seats (not leather!)

Basically does what it says on the tin...makes hoovering/cleaning mats, boot carpet that much easier & if you spill a drink or similar a damp sponge and a cloth are all that should be needed to clean up leaving no stains.

In summary, don't pay for it! & the fabric protector & glass guard are the only bits worth having.

Feel free to PM me if you need to know anymore..I may even be able to organise the above products for you if you fancy doing it yourself:thumbup:

O and while I think of it, if the dealer does agree to do it FOC make sure they don't just put a spare sticker in the window without applying the products!

I am currently in a situation where I have ordered £100's of Zaino items from a Zaino reseller and have not recevied any products for 3 weeks, payment has been taken and no matter how many times I ring the contact number I get nothing............:thumbdwn:

I do however have all the items you want in stock...........

Superb (no pun intended!).... if you could drop me a PM with what ££ you want then I shall bless your palms with gold...

Welcome back Rich :wavey:

Thanks!! Has been a while!! :wavey: Hope yourself and family are all well.

Just out of interest I did the Golf (company wagen) yesterday lunch break with a bottle of VW wax/polish thats sold out of parts department.... last night in rain it was beading really really well!!! Quite a quality stuff! Don't have a clue who makes it but certainly works well on a silver car! Don't think i'd risk using it on any other colour as it felt quite abrasive

Superb (no pun intended!).... if you could drop me a PM with what ££ you want then I shall bless your palms with gold...

Sorry mate, I meant I have the items in stock but not for sale, can't get anything Zaino at the minute and even I am awaiting stuff to stock up on what I have........

The kit is made up of ...

Chris thanks for the reply.

As my car will have the full leather and mats fitted (and the kids are a bit older) the interior treatment is probably not worthwhile. I already have some bottles of the Autoglym polish and the Extra Gloss Protection I could always apply these myself. This only really leaves the Glass Guard.

My Brother-in-Law had Lifeshine applied to one of his cars and I bet will never use the most of the products that were supplied with the car (in fact he already gave me a bottle of the Extra Gloss Protection), So I might be able to blag some more off him

I just hope :( that the weather stays dry for long enough at the end of the month so that I can apply some of it!