Hi guys,

Basically after doing a bit of trawling I have come up with a list of things I need.

-Wax

-Drying Towel

-Wax Application Pad

-Alloy Wheel Cleaner

I have tons of microfibre cloths already for buffing wax. So basically, I came up with two options:

1.

This kit (with a drying towel bought separately):

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Meguiars-Gold-Class-Premium-Wash-Wax-Gift-Pack-RRP-28-/230573553281?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item35af413681#ht_2849wt_1154

2. (All bought separately):

-Meguiars #26 Hi Tech Paste Wax

-Meguiars Foam Applicators Pkg/2

-Huge 38" x 28" Microfibre Drying Towel

----

Question time!

1. Both come to about the same price, however, the keen eyed amongst you will notice the kit contains LIQUID wax (not wax wax, lol). Does this make a huge difference or not? Will the results of liquid wax vs proper wax be much different?

The kit also has some decent shampoo chucked in as well as some interior spray which is a bonus, as I only have cheapo shampoo at the moment.

2. As regards to alloy wheel cleaner I was looking at 'Meguiars Hot Rims'. However, I already have at home 'Wonder Wheels U'. Now, I have the black VRS alloys (see the sig), are these a specially coated alloy? Can I already use the Wonder Wheels U I have safely, or would it be wiser to invest in the Hot Rims stuff?

Apologies for the mass of questions, just I'd rather purchase what is right (and not use anything which will mess the car up!)

Thanks again

Stu

Edited 18 January, 201115 yr by Stu vRS

Evening Stu,

In my opinion the only part of the ebay kit that is any good is the shampoo, the rest can be bettered easily by buying individual products. Also the kit doesn't include wheel cleaner from your list. If you like regular waxing the wax will be ok as durability is to be polite - dire.

**PLEASE STEP AWAY FROM THE WONDER WHEELS** ...this is seriously aggressive stuff which I'd never recommend anyone using however dirty the wheels are & especially not on wheels which are black or chrome.

One thing I would add to your list at some point is a dedicated wheel sealant which once applied will make cleaning your wheels much easier as you only need to use your normal car shampoo as opposed to a wheel cleaner - cost effective in the long run.

Some personal recommendations for good value for money products from your list -

wheel cleaner

wax

drying towel

applicators

Couple of optional shampoo & wheel sealant recommendations -

shampoo1

shampoo2

shampoo3

wheel sealant1

It appears the G-Techniq website is down but their C5 wheel armour is quite simply brilliant, here's a Youtube link-

Evening Stu,

In my opinion the only part of the ebay kit that is any good is the shampoo, the rest can be bettered easily by buying individual products. Also the kit doesn't include wheel cleaner from your list. If you like regular waxing the wax will be ok as durability is to be polite - dire.

**PLEASE STEP AWAY FROM THE WONDER WHEELS** ...this is seriously aggressive stuff which I'd never recommend anyone using however dirty the wheels are & especially not on wheels which are black or chrome.

One thing I would add to your list at some point is a dedicated wheel sealant which once applied will make cleaning your wheels much easier as you only need to use your normal car shampoo as opposed to a wheel cleaner - cost effective in the long run.

Some personal recommendations for good value for money products from your list -

wheel cleaner

wax

drying towel

applicators

Couple of optional shampoo & wheel sealant recommendations -

shampoo1

shampoo2

shampoo3

wheel sealant1

It appears the G-Techniq website is down but their C5 wheel armour is quite simply brilliant, here's a Youtube link-

Thank you very much!

So the 3M wheel cleaner isn't too harsh? No words about the Megs Hot Rims?

Thanks again.

I have used meguiars hot rims and found it very good, however, I got 3 washes from a bottle.

I now use Meguiars Wheel Brightner (also on the website linked above) which you dilute so coverage should be very good, plus the Meguiras dilution bottle is good value.

I have also used Bilberry cleaner, but personally i think Meguirs is better.

Thanks.

So the 3M stuff isn't dangerous (especially to my black alloys)?

Haha, after mentioning money on detailing products, I am again receiving grief from the parents telling me it's pointless, no difference in polish from wax, etc, etc.

I have used meguiars hot rims and found it very good, however, I got 3 washes from a bottle.

I now use Meguiars Wheel Brightner (also on the website linked above) which you dilute so coverage should be very good, plus the Meguiras dilution bottle is good value.

I have also used Bilberry cleaner, but personally i think Meguirs is better.

Sorry, yes Hot rims...probably the best of the off the shelf products from the likes of Halfords. As Simon said the bottle doesn't last long though.

If your looking for a bulk wheel cleaner then Wheel Brightner is an excellent choice.

Thanks.

So the 3M stuff isn't dangerous (especially to my black alloys)?

Haha, after mentioning money on detailing products, I am again receiving grief from the parents telling me it's pointless, no difference in polish from wax, etc, etc.

Nope, the 3M wheel cleaner is good for any wheels, regardless of colour.

Good practice is to clean the wheels when they're cold..i.e of a morning when the car's been sat overnight.

I speak from personal experience whereby a black alloy that had been sprayed with wheel cleaner after a roadtest then has chemical marks etched into the surface where the hot wheel has dried/baked the wheel cleaner on - this needed machine polishing to restore the finish!

Thanks again!

I quite like the look of this stuff, can dilute it and spray it yourself:

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheels-and-tyres/valet-pro-bilberry-wheel-cleaner-1-litre-/prod_499.html

Edit: I have never cleaned a car after it has just been driven, usually done as a day off morning job before it goes anywhere! Actually, come to think of it, I haven't cleaned that many cars...

Edited 18 January, 201115 yr by Stu vRS

**PLEASE STEP AWAY FROM THE WONDER WHEELS** ...this is seriously aggressive stuff which I'd never recommend anyone using however dirty the wheels are & especially not on wheels which are black or chrome.

Thanks again!

I quite like the look of this stuff, can dilute it and spray it yourself:

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheels-and-tyres/valet-pro-bilberry-wheel-cleaner-1-litre-/prod_499.html

Edit: I have never cleaned a car after it has just been driven, usually done as a day off morning job before it goes anywhere! Actually, come to think of it, I haven't cleaned that many cars...

I think that there is a bit of a 'cult' following of the Bilberry wheel cleaner, for me it's not that great, as Simon suggested, it does a job and as I assume yours is a new motor it may well be good enough but I would go with something else............. :yes:

One thing that may be of interest is Megs APC, use it to clean my wheels as it won't strip sealants on them if dilluted correctly, can als be used all over the car in other areas such as Engine Bay, Interior, etc..........

I think that there is a bit of a 'cult' following of the Bilberry wheel cleaner, for me it's not that great, as Simon suggested, it does a job and as I assume yours is a new motor it may well be good enough but I would go with something else............. :yes:

One thing that may be of interest is Megs APC, use it to clean my wheels as it won't strip sealants on them if dilluted correctly, can als be used all over the car in other areas such as Engine Bay, Interior, etc..........

Thanks.

Think I will just look at the 3M stuff, seems decent for the price, assuming it isn't aggressive.

Just to confirm have you been using Wonder Wheels or Wonder Wheels "U" (Universal)? If so the "U" should be fine. I some experience of using it but didn't find it that good at shifting baked on grime. Daisy All Purpose Cleaner from Tesco is pretty good as an APC and it only costs about a quid lol. You'll need a spray bottle and a dillution rate to suit.

Just to confirm have you been using Wonder Wheels or Wonder Wheels "U" (Universal)? If so the "U" should be fine. I some experience of using it but didn't find it that good at shifting baked on grime. Daisy All Purpose Cleaner from Tesco is pretty good as an APC and it only costs about a quid lol. You'll need a spray bottle and a dillution rate to suit.

Yep, I have the 'U' stuff, however after buying it I have never used it out of fear of it damaging the alloys.

So, this stuff should be alright should it?

Chemical Guys Professional Wash Kit

Chemical Guys JETSEAL 109™

Chemical Guys New Look Trim Gel 16oz

Chemical Guys MICROFIBER TOWEL 24" x16" (6 Pack)

Chemical Guys Diablo Gel Wheel & Rim Cleaner

Chemical Guys Extreme Metal Shine

Chemical Guys Wash bucket and Grit Guard

Elite car care Sonus Foam Applicator Pads (pack of 6)  

Elite car car Gilmour Foamaster II Pro Foam Gun + FREE 1 Litre Snow Foam

Elite car car Collinite 476s paste wax

Elite car care Curved Foam Tyre Dressing Applicators (2 pack)

Elite car car Snow Foam 5 Ltrs

Elite Car Care Kestrel DAS-6 - Meguiars Polishing Kit   

Asda Microfibre towels

Asda Noodle Glove

Megs clay kit

Supermarket all purpose cleaner

Wire wool

Various brushes

Autoglym Tar Remover

My revised shopping list after posting my own topic on this site. Won't be buying it all at once, and some bits and pieces (Clay bars, Wire Wool, Asda Noodle Gloves £1 and cheap microfibre towels from Asda6 for £3) I already have. Having taken all advise, I think I will have enough stuff to crack on and clean/protect the cars for a wee while! Just need to sneak the cost passed the boss, once she sanctions the funds (and the weather gets better) Then I shall be busy!

you do have a pressure washer dont you?!!

you'll need one for the lance and SF.

The Gilmour attaches to a standard hose fitting but is a lot of money for little foam, I've got a Gilmour and a Snow Foam pressure washer HD lance and the Gilmour only gets used when I can't be bothered to set up the pressure washer.

Every time I use it I wonder why the hell I bothered.

You wont get thick shaving foam from a Gilmour, just a watery sudsy foam which runs straight off the bodywork.

I'd recommend getting a Nilfisk C110 pressure washer from Amazon or Argos and an Autobrite Foam Lance from the group buy on Detailing World

Just when I think the list is complete..........................................................

Just when I think the list is complete..........................................................

Sorry Cyril, don't want you spending money on a Gilmour and being disapointed with the results

Cheers, Will look into power washer, not much in it price wise so..........

Edited 22 January, 201115 yr by Cyril

Nilfisk 110 only £51 in Argos just now, take it I will need a foam lance for the snow foaming? Where is that available from, how much and what fitting do I require.

Is it still available at Detailing world group buy????

Cheers in advance!

Hi Cyril, yes the group buy is still running here with various options/prices depending on which foam you opt for

Oh and you will need a Kew/Alto fitting for a Nilfisk :yes:

Edited 22 January, 201115 yr by alexandjen

Grand! I better get the wallet out!

Re the Wonder Wheels U - yes it'll be fine.

Re the Wonder Wheels U - yes it'll be fine.

Thanks mate, just thought I had better make sure before I dived in and used it

Thanks mate, just thought I had better make sure before I dived in and used it

You seen this Stu:

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=200769

You seen this Stu:

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=200769

I have

Looks like a lot of cash spent on detailing stuff alone!

I have

Looks like a lot of cash spent on detailing stuff alone!

It's an expensive hobby, that's for sure........... :yes: