As the username suggests, I am a total ignorant when it comes to Car Care and I've only recently read about all these different procedures and techniques in order to keep the car in a "showroom" condition. So after some reading here and there, I've decided to go with the Meguiars products. So far I am about to order the following:

1x Meguiars Gold Class Shampoo

1x Meguiars microfibre wash mitt

1x soft wash brush (for the rims) - (I bought that already from a local car accessories store)

My question is:

1) Can I use the gold class shampoo for the tyres/rims cleaning as well or is it necessary to buy a dedicated rims-shampoo?

2) I am also considering a wax. I am between the Gold Class Wax protection or the Tech Wax NXT 2.0. How often does waxing need to be done?

3) Do I need to buy a separate polisher? And do I use it after I've washed and dried the car, but before applying wax If I got it correctly?

4) I 'd also like to know how can the seats be cleaned apart from using a vacuum cleaner, I imagine there must be some waterless spray or something to absorb dust?

Any other products necessary for a beginner? I am not a cleaning car freak so I already think the above are more than enough but I thought ok since it is a new car, I may spend some time on it (I just hope I don't get bored soon and have all these expensive products sitting in the garage...)

Thank you!

Edited 19 February, 201214 yr by newbie69

Hi,

It can be a slippery slope when you get into it. Car care is a minefield, there are 1000's of prouductsand everyone has a different opinion.

1) Yes you can, however dedicated wheel cleaners willl give the best results, especially if you haven't used protection on your wheels.

2) The 2 waxes stated above will wear out in less than 6 weeks, a general wax is Collinite 476s or finishkare 1000p. These can be used to protect your rims too! Available on-line at cleanyourcar.co.uk and i4detailing.co.uk and many others.

3)Autoglym Super Resin Polish (SRP) is a good all in one. wash your car, claying is a necessary process IMO but not compulsary, if not claying, dry it, polish with SRP then apply your wax, 2 coats will give a nice even coverage.

4) Not heard of a waterless wash I'm afraid, I use meguiars All Purpose Cleaner (APC), this is good for doorshuts, boot and bonnet shuts, dashboard and seats, engine bays etc, highly versitile. Spray on, work with a brush, wipe with a damp microfibre a few time rinsing it in between, done, I haven't got a wet vac.

There are a lot of processes, claying is the important one missing, good guide here on it

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=17&p=161241#p161241

The wash process is the most important, you must use the 2 bucket method to avoid swirling and scratching the paint. Guide here

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=27

I personally Snow foam, rinse, wash with the 2BM, de-tar, Iron-X wheels and bodywork (removes Iron particles), wash, clay, dry, machine polish if needed with abrasive polish to remove swirls and scratches, glaze(like an oily SRP to give a great gloss), and then wax! It takes me all day and it is massively geeky.

HTH

Neil

Thanks for your suggestions! I only recently realized It can be a full-time job... Never knew there were so many different procedures, techniques etc. etc.

I have a pretty stupid question... what is claying? . . .

A clay bar is used to remove contaminants from the paint that regular washing does not remove, like tar spatter and bug particles. Once clayed the paint work is ready for polishing. Claying definately improves the finish once polished and waxed. You will also require a detailing spray to lubricate the surfaces before running the bar over them.

Hope this helps.

cheers. ive learnd ed something today!

A clay bar is basically like fancy bluetak, but a hell of a lot harder. Not necessary on brand new cars imo but definitely something that needs doing at least once a year. Clay bars have to be used with a lubricant, as I<3myvRS said, you can use detailing spray (or be cheap and just pop some car shampoo and water in to a spray bottle!). You can feel the difference just by running your fingers over a panel which has been clayed and one which hasn't, your fingers should glide over a clayed surface.

Hi again,

So I am just about ready to spend some cash on my first products but I have some last questions:

1) After washing, should I dry the car using a "presumably" high quality piece of leather that I had bought from a car accessories store or would you recommend buying the Meguiar's Water Magnet microfibre towel? How much of a difference will it make?

2) Do I need to buy some clay too? and what product would you recommend? (I'd prefer something from Meguiar's or Autoglym as I will buy everything from a Meguiars/Autoglym supplier). The car is almost 1 year old and has been frequently washed although not with the correct way of the 2 bucket method.

3) Regarding polishing I'm between Super Resin Polish and Meguiar's Ultimate Polish Micro-abrasive. 2nd one is cheaper, is it equally good?

4) For waxing, I'm between Collinite 476s and meguiar's Gold Class liquid wax? Am I right in thinking that the problem people see in GC liquid wax is that it doesn't last very long? Other than that is it equally good as the Collinite?

Thanks!

Hey Buddy,

1) Chamois leathers are a bit old school, there are much better products out there. Leathers can scratch the paint. I use a Microfibre drying towel. The water Magnet is expensive IMO, there are much cheaper products out there that are also softer. have a look on cleanyourcar.co.uk and i4detailing.co.uk just to name a couple.

2)After washing, pull your fingers along the paint, if it is rough then you would indeed benefit from claying. The meguiars smooth surface clay kit is a decent product, not used the Autoglym one but I'm sure it is up to the task.

3)By hand, go for Super resin polish with the pad that they now recommend. There is a new formula out and it is reportedly pretty good, I'll be doing my Volvo with it, but Via Dual Action polisher, This has micro abrasives in and also will fill the swirls. This is just My opinion, others may say differently, it is up to you at the end of the day. You get a Micro fibre cloth free with the new SRP too worth £7.99 as a promotion. Good deal IMO.

4) Go Collinite mate, just make sure you give the SRP underneath a good 30mins to an hour to cure first, Gold class will last 5 mins, collinite is a great product, can be used on wheels too.

HTH,

Neil

1) After washing, should I dry the car using a "presumably" high quality piece of leather that I had bought from a car accessories store or would you recommend buying the Meguiar's Water Magnet microfibre towel? How much of a difference will it make?

I'd personally use a waffle weave towel...The idea of a towel is not to rub, but pat the car dry. drying all the vertical surfaces first then the flat ones last.

2) Do I need to buy some clay too? and what product would you recommend? (I'd prefer something from Meguiar's or Autoglym as I will buy everything from a Meguiars/Autoglym supplier). The car is almost 1 year old and has been frequently washed although not with the correct way of the 2 bucket method.

Quickshine kit from Meguiar's...brilliant!

3) Regarding polishing I'm between Super Resin Polish and Meguiar's Ultimate Polish Micro-abrasive. 2nd one is cheaper, is it equally good?

I've no experience...

4) For waxing, I'm between Collinite 476s and meguiar's Gold Class liquid wax? Am I right in thin...

I use Colli 476 brilliant beading er thin layers??

I use colli 476 also this is the finish with one coat earlier this evening

Ok then! Seems I'm all ready to go... Thanks for the answers guys....