Just a quick note too ask, how do you clean your cars? What equipment (Pressure washer/brushes/mits/clays) do you use and what shampoo's/snow foams?

My car is shocking just now (Can't even see the skoda emblem in the wheel centre for salt and dirt)

I plan to invest in a pressure washer and some cleaning products very very soon!

Also, what is the two bucket method?

Look forward to hearing how everyones regime differs!

Have a look in the 'Styling and Car Care' section, there's a load of Pinned advice at the top of the section, its worth taking your time and having a good read first.

My personal cleaning routing is;

1. Snow-foam the car using a PH Neutral snow foam, I don't use a pressure washer just an old car wash hosepipe attachment (it works fine for me).

2. While the snow foam is doing it's business I clean the wheels and wheel arches. I use 3 or 4 different brushes at this stage and use supermarket APC (all purpose cleaner) for the arches applied with a garden sprayer, for the wheels I use Asda Wash'n'Wax mix applied to the wheels with a foaming sprayer and worked with brushes. If you clean your wheels weekly then really you don't need to use a dedicated wheel cleaner as it just strips off any protection (wax or sealant) you've put on your wheels.

3. Rinse off the wheels and the snow-foam.

4. Re-apply another layer of snow-foam and while thats on the car I clean around the badges, shuts, grills etc with a brush.

5. Rinse the car again.

6. Wash using a decent quality car shampoo (I use Posiedon - absolutely fantastic stuff) with a washmitt and 2 bucket method. Thats one bucket of shampoo and one bucket of clean water - dip the mitt in the shampoo, clean half a panel, rinse the mitt in the clear bucket to get the crap off, back into the shampoo and clean the rest of the panel then back into the rinse bucket - work your way round the car like that, starting with the roof and work your way around the car getting lower and lower and rinsing each panel at a time.

7. Dry the car using a drying agent (some dilute Quick Detailer - I use Meguires Last Touch) and a drying towel.

8. Finish off by cleaning the glass, quick wipe down with a Quick Detailer (I use Meguires Ultimeat Quick Detailer at this stage), tyre dressing, trim dressing if needed, and a bit of metal polish on the tailpipe.

That takes about an 45 minutes to 1 hour. When you get into polishing and using sealants/waxes it gets even more complicated.

When you get into the 'Detailing' game you can spend a fortune and an awful lot of time doing it as it gets addictive.

For me:

soak

Foam

rinse

wash using 2BM using a Lambs Wool Mitt

dry - Large microfibre towel

then as a LSP a bit of detailing spray to make it all shiney again

Its cos its already got two coats of Colly 476 and some EGP Sealant on it.

For me:

soak

Foam

rinse

wash using 2BM using a Lambs Wool Mitt

dry - Large microfibre towel

then as a LSP a bit of detailing spray to make it all shiney again

Its cos its already got two coats of Colly 476 and some EGP Sealant on it.

What is Colly 476/EGP and LSP? excuse my ignorance! Need to oredr some bits and pieces up and may as well order the whole lot in one go!

Think when I get better weather in Scotland I will have a good go at the vRS and practice for the new car. Need to get good layer of protection on both if we are to have same again next year!

LSP is Last Stage Protection, the final product you apply to your car after the cleaning, polishing, cleansing has been done. LSP's can either be a wax or a sealant, 'generally' waxes are deemed to give a bit better gloss/finish whereas sealants give a more long lasting/durable finish. Some people will apply a sealant and then top it up with a wax when needed, you can't put sealant on top of waxes though, some chemistry reason why it doesn't work.

There are dozens of different waxes and sealants varying greatly in price, ease of application, durability and finish. Check out www.deailingworld.co.uk for advice and reviews. Some people prefer waxes, some sealants, most products aren't available in places like Halfords and you'll also find a list of suppliers on detailingworld as well.

Colly 476 is Collinite 476 a wax made by Collinite - very well respected wax and very durable, often used as a winter wax.

EGP is Extra Gloss Protection, a sealant made by Autoglym - a durable sealant but a bit of a pain to apply.

Sorry should of explained more.

Thanks KR MAN for doing it for me.

I sealed my paint and then waxed it on top. It had a pre winter wax a few weeks ago. Waiting for the weather to warm up a bit before it gets the big treatment of Polish, Clay, Sealant and wax x3.

Should be a lot easier now I have a machine polisher (Kestral DAS6)

to any newbies i'd recommend ditching Sponges, Chamois's and Blades and get some noodle or lambswool mitts, lots of microfibre cloths, an extra bucket and a pressure washer. One bucket for nice clean wash solution and one for rinsing the dirt. A detailing spray is also handy to give some shine after drying. Anything else is a bonus, waxes, clays, sealants etc.

Thanks to both of you for that. I plan to invest in a couple of buckets (with traps in bottom) a pressure washer, some mitts and cloths, decent shampoo (or snow foam) and some wax/sealers. I will research the best way to clean and protect wheels, the vRS ones are looking wee bit tired but I will clean them up and try to avoid full refurb.

I will have a look at detailing world later and take advice on protecting wheels to make the bit easier to clean next time.

I have a synthetic chamois from autoglym, would you ditch it? Have some blue micro fibre cloths from Maguires (came with some stuff that you spray on whilst wet and then dry with blue cloths) I bought a clay kit in the summer but time and work prevented me from using it :-(

This summer I could be busy, will get the vRS done before the Scout arrives cos I don't think the prospect of doing two at once will be appealing in the (2 day) Bar-B-Cue season!

ditch the chamois

other stuff is great.

I have used colly on the wheels too - makes them easier to keep spotless. So maybe your spray on wax would be good for this.

its getting them clean in the first place thats harder.

ooh, also as i have a white car i have some Autosmart Tardis tar and glue remover - gets rid of those tiny little tar spots really easily.

Just for your info

the difference between a Polish and Seal and a Polish, Seal and two coats of Colly.

The first you will notice that the beads are flatter and different sizes, the second they are tighter and higher.

Then for the colly as well:

Edited 5 January, 201115 yr by prolfe

A bit over the top I know if you just want to clean your car ....but Baker21 does some fantastic detailing and a lot can be learned just by following one through

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=190170

The Baker 21 post was very interesting. Need to spend some money on kit and equipment I think! Don't think I will be going quite so mad though!

Interesting to see diff between using Colly and not. I am actually looking foward to the nicer weather coming, so I can get cracked on with getting the vRS done. Will start as I mean to go on with the new car. I guess making an effort like Baker 21 has done results in the next time it needs doing it should be a slightly quicker process? A full blown wash wax seal and colly not being required EVERY time?

Chamois is in the bin! :-)

Thanks for the replies,

Cyril

Once you've washed it, sealed it, and waxed it with the Colly (in that order), it'll be fine and you'll only need to top the Colly up every 2 -3 months as it's very durable.

Well, just worked out a shopping list of bits and bobs I will need to have a crack at the cars (with advice from you lads and from detailing forums)

Buckets with Grit guards x2

Gilmour foam master 2

Super snow foam

Valet Pro - Poseidon Wash - 5 litre

Sonus rim bright

Auto Finish care tyre dress

Autosmart Cherry Glaze (to polish paint and glass)

Polishing pads Sonus SFX

Megs Lambswool mitts

Megs last touch (dilute for drying/claying)

Waffle Weave Drying cloths Sonus Ultimate

Collinite 476 (Wax)

Dodo juice red mist (Seal wheels)

Autoglym metal polish (Exhaust)

Autoglym Extra Gloss Protection (seal)

Megs clay kit

Supermarket all purpose cleaner (Wheel Arches)

Wire wool (Exhaust)

The cost of all this? About £300!

I have tried to keep the cost down as much as possible by leaving out pressure washers and lances and not going for 5 litres of everything. Now to tell the wife how important car cleaning and protection is!

Are there any glaring omissions, or items which may be used for several applications thus allowing me to drop one or two items?

Advice, as always, welcome!

Cyril

Edited 8 January, 201115 yr by Cyril

Does half a mile of 6" deep flood water count?

certainly washed all the salt off the bottom!!

Cyril - Red Mist is not really a dedicated wheel sealant, more of a quick detailer

Are you planning to polish by hand or machine?

A wheel brush, a set of detailing brushes, microfibre cloths, buffing cloths would be on my list

Where are you planning to buy this little lot from?

New to this game so just feeling my way. I will be initially polishing by hand (not sure about the masking and machine polishing yet)

I have looked at the "Clean your car" website which seems to have most of the things I am looking at (easier if I can order all from same site)

I have a wheel brush and some bits and pieces already, what would you say would be a good wheel sealer? Anything on my list, or should I look elsewhere for a dedicated sealer?

Cheers,

Cyril

New to this game so just feeling my way. I will be initially polishing by hand (not sure about the masking and machine polishing yet)

I have looked at the "Clean your car" website which seems to have most of the things I am looking at (easier if I can order all from same site)

I have a wheel brush and some bits and pieces already, what would you say would be a good wheel sealer? Anything on my list, or should I look elsewhere for a dedicated sealer?

Cheers,

Cyril

I,ve got Colly 476s on my wheels at the moment, last ages and just needs normal car shampoo to clean up once treated

Thats one hell of a shopping list there - lets try and save a bit of money

Foam; http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/gilmour-foamaster-ii-pro-foam-gun-and-free-1-litre-snow-fo.php?manufacturers_id=34. You get the Gilmour and a free litre of foam. OK it's not the best foam but it's a starter and it'll last a while as you don't need much, £52. You can move onto better foam like Valet Pro later on.

Wash; http://www.chemicalguysuk.com/product_p/prowshkit.htm. £49 gets you the bucket, gritt guard, wash mitt, a decent shampoo, drying towel, and some detailing spray. Use this bucket and gritt guard as your rinse bucket and use any other bucket you already have as your wash bucket, just rinse the mitt out thoroughly every panel.

Sealant; http://www.chemicalguysuk.com/Paint_Sealant_JetSeal_109Auto_Detailing_Resin_Pain_p/jet.htm. Brilliant sealant for bodywork and wheels, easy to apply, very durable. £22.

Trim/Tyres; http://www.chemicalguysuk.com/TRIM_AND_TIRE_SHINE_EXTREME_WET_SHINE_DRESSING_p/newlkk.htm. Use it on trim and tyres, lasts longer than most. £12.

Clay; http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/meguiars-quik-clay-detailing-system.php?manufacturers_id=6. A real good starter kit and has a bottle of quick detailer in it as well £13

Applicator pads;http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/sonus-foam-applicator-pads-pack-of-6.php?cPath=64. Good value 6 for £6.

Microfibres; http://www.chemicalguysuk.com/FLUFFER_MIRACLE_SUPRA_RED_RACE_EDITION_MICROFIB_p/fluff.htm. 6 pack of good microfibres £20.

Collinite; http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/index.php?manufacturers_id=26&osCsid=2e8fcaf40cd3c91cf777528101fef0a6. £16.

Glass/Metal polish; just use what's already in the house..

That little lot will save you £100, its from 2 dealers so that'll keep the postage down and a lot of the stuff will last ages. It's a comprehensive kit to get you started and give you time to get your technique right before you start buying more expensive shampoo's etc.. Car cleaning stuff does cost a lot if your buying good stuff but you don't have to go mad, from Asda I use; car glass cleaner which was 99p, a Clark noodle mitt for my wheels 99p, a toilet brush for the wheel arches 99prom and they all do the same job a 'proper' stuff that cost 5 times as much.

Just had a quick look at those items, that is really good, thanks. I have the Megs clay already (bought last year and unopened due to work) I need to look into using the clay as I have never used it before. I know it lifts crud and that to freshen up the bar you simply fold it to get a clean surface. How long does it last though? At what point is it thrown away and replaced?

I will wait until the bucket comes into stock and then order up the items you suggest.

The Collinite looks good, I can use it on my wheels too. Would you recommend the wax or the liquid (845)?

I have a friend who can get "Traffic film remover" for free, don't get a bottle with label so not sure what it is exactly but I suspect it is turtle wax product, I could try that in the Gilmour and see what the results are.

I cleaned the 1 inch of snow off my drive yesterday then awoke to another 3 inches :-( Think it will be a while before I get to the car cleaning weather!

Thanks for taking the time to research items and prices, it is much appreciated.

Think the wife is suspecting something, I have suggested a trip to Asda this afternoon!

Cyril

Just had a quick look at those items, that is really good, thanks. I have the Megs clay already (bought last year and unopened due to work) I need to look into using the clay as I have never used it before. I know it lifts crud and that to freshen up the bar you simply fold it to get a clean surface. How long does it last though? At what point is it thrown away and replaced?

I will wait until the bucket comes into stock and then order up the items you suggest.

The Collinite looks good, I can use it on my wheels too. Would you recommend the wax or the liquid (845)?

I have a friend who can get "Traffic film remover" for free, don't get a bottle with label so not sure what it is exactly but I suspect it is turtle wax product, I could try that in the Gilmour and see what the results are.

I cleaned the 1 inch of snow off my drive yesterday then awoke to another 3 inches :-( Think it will be a while before I get to the car cleaning weather!

Thanks for taking the time to research items and prices, it is much appreciated.

Think the wife is suspecting something, I have suggested a trip to Asda this afternoon!

Cyril

I use the hard wax, 476s will last approx 6 months.

Traffic film remover (TFR) will be ok for the first wash before you wax but after that a mild shampoo will be required as the TFR may strip your wax off