Ive decided that the lifeshine option from skoda is a rip off and havent opted for it in the end. Now, I take delivery of my car in 3 weeks and have had been advised that the white car probably wont need any treatment and that in years to come the car will still look great.

What are your guys thoughts on this? Shall I take it to a specialist to get them to apply all the stuff it might need for £199 or shall I buy all the stuff myself and spend some quality time with my new baby or is it all just a con and shall i just leave it as is?

The only problem is that I dont normally have much time to treat the car myself, i saw a list somewhere of what may be needed and it seemed extensive.

Cheers in advance for your thoughts people

Spend half a day to a day when you get the car doing it - it will be much easier then rather than 6 months down the line:

Basically a good easy combo is:

Auto Glym Super Resin Polish

Auto Glym Extra Gloss Protection

Collinite 476s Wax

Then every month or so top up the Collinite after a wash and this will protect better than any dealer valet monkey would do with the lifeshine option. Also if you haven't opted for the leather then get on Ebay and get some Supaguard or Scotchguard interior spray to protect the seats from stains, spillages, etc.

Shouldn't cost you more than £50-70 for everything. Ooh and get some decent shampoo like Megs Gold class or NXT, a lambswool wash mit and a waffle weave drying towel.

Spend half a day to a day when you get the car doing it - it will be much easier then rather than 6 months down the line:

Basically a good easy combo is:

Auto Glym Super Resin Polish

Auto Glym Extra Gloss Protection

Collinite 476s Wax

Then every month or so top up the Collinite after a wash and this will protect better than any dealer valet monkey would do with the lifeshine option. Also if you haven't opted for the leather then get on Ebay and get some Supaguard or Scotchguard interior spray to protect the seats from stains, spillages, etc.

Shouldn't cost you more than £50-70 for everything. Ooh and get some decent shampoo like Megs Gold class or NXT, a lambswool wash mit and a waffle weave drying towel.

thanks very much for this. by the way your vrs looks good in red, i didnt even consider it! cant wait to use my dsg gearbox. how you liking your car?

You'll not go wrong with whats been recommended.

Halfords have a two for three or even three for two at the mo as well.

Get two buckets from BnQ for £1.98 and a noodle mitt from asda.

SRP £11.99

EGP £12.99

Collinite from i4detailing is £14.95

Mitts from asda are only a couple of quid

Microfibre cloths from asda are also only a couple of quid.

Ditch any Sponges/blades or Chamois's that you might of wanted to use.

EDIT: brain and fingers not in harmony

Edited 18 March, 201115 yr by prolfe

now that looks smart, hope mine will shine like that, good work!

I use Carlack68 twins.

All round protection and wax like shine.

Have a look at some detailing forums like Cleanyourcar.co.uk

They recommend this product for White vehicles.

I've detailed cars for years and found nothing better.

thanks very much for this. by the way your vrs looks good in red, i didnt even consider it! cant wait to use my dsg gearbox. how you liking your car?

It was Red, Grey or Blue...I decided on the phone when i ordered it! It does look good when it is freshly waxed! I am loving the car and the gearbox! You won't be dissapointed in it!

@Prolfe - two for three doesn't seem like a very good deal to me

As Halfords have 3for2 i would go for the SRP(1 litre), the EGP (500ml) and a bottle of Megs Gold Class Shampoo which will set you back £31.98

Get the colly from here http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/collinite-super-double-coat-wax-476s.html as they do free delivery.....Also as you're having white I would get 5litres of Tardis too http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/autosmart-tardis.html

Edited 18 March, 201115 yr by jrw

White like any othe colour needs up keep.

The paint will need cleaned thoroughly and not just shampoo and a buckets

after washing

Spray on some Iron X available from clean you car wiper over with a MF then rinse it will show the iron filings in the paintwork, the clay the paint works and de tar in needed.

To keep the finish i highly recommend Zaino paint sealants.

Just pop into the Mk1 Octavia VRS forum. The WRC 100 special edition was candy white. Mine is 2002 and the paint finish still looks like new when washed.

Car cleaning/valeting/detailing is all down to personal choice, do you want to do everything including engine bay, door shuts, wheel arches, air vents etc etc if you do then pop over to detainling world, not only will you get a wealth of info but you will also end up with an empty wallet!!!

Personally for ease, quickness and good shine I would look at gtechniq it is great stuff and very reasonable price, get the car cleaned, get rid of any tar etc with a tar remover, then clay the car if you like, then use the gtechniq p1 this is a water based polish, work that and then buff it up, then get a bottle of C2 thats the paint sealent, use about a 3rd of the bottle on the car, use a microfibre cloth or a small cotton apllicator to apply the product, then wipe it off, car is then sealed, job done, one easy to clean car for several months, then dilute a small amount in a small misting bottle and apply the diluted stuff once a month to top upo your protection and its job done, you can also use the C2 on yoru alloys as well, or use the dedicated alloy sealant C5, and for any material carpets etc inside use the I1 just spray on and walk away, job done, all of that can be had for about £50, the P1 can be bought from them as a kit, polish, applicator, MF cloths, the C2 is about £15 and the I1 is about £13 job done, then just wash as normal with a nice shampoo, dry it with a drying towel and thats it, walk away.

Obviously these items are my personal preference, others as is on this thread have other ideas, so its just down to personal choice what you want to do, maybe go and visit a local owner who is keen on cleaning etc to see what they do etc then make some choice from there.

Anywya, hope that helps a bit.

James

Don't worry.

White's a great colour - hardly shows the dirt at all:

Don't worry.

White's a great colour - hardly shows the dirt at all:

But makes it so much more satisfying when you clean it then!

cant wait for the car to look like that