I am looking to buy a kit containing everything needed to clean and polish/ protect my car.

Have never really bothered with much more than a bucket of soapy water and a sponge with a hose pipe in the past but would like to be a bit more thorough when cleaning and hopefully keep it clean/ protected for longer.

I really don't know the best products and processes so any help would be greatly appreciated, is it best to wash, clay bar, polish and wax or do other methods work better?

My car is 3 years old and while not in showroom condition, doesn't have any major paint defects but could do with a little TLC.

Hoping to spend as little as I can get away with really.

From looking around a bit I have found that there are far too many products and kits to choose from and I have no idea what to buy, was thinking of this kit (http://www.bilthamber.com/pro-introduction.php?cname=Kits&name=hydra-wax%20Deluxe%20Kit#) over most of the others I have looked at but still not sure.

Can anyone help me out?

Thanks

Firstly, get rid of the sponges and shammy leathers!! Invest in a micro fibre wash mitt and drying towels, at least 2 buckets for the 2 bucket method. Auto Glym do a wide range of products to get you started. Micro fire pads to apply polish and wax, micro fibre cloths to remove what ever product you use. A decent jet wash, snow foam attachment and snow foam (Karcher are fairly popular and they have a area on their site for refurbed machines!! I got one and it's brilliant)

Alloy wheel cleaner and wheel brushes, the list can go on and on...... Welcome to the slippery slope of vehicle cleaning!!

Try the links to see if there is anthing that can be of use.......

http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/

http://www.karcheroutlet.co.uk/products/maincat.asp?mid=Pressure-Washers

Have fun.

Hi,

Great advice above

Just to add, an essential process for me is claying the car, bilt hammer is a great one. It is basically a putty with abrasives added. It doesn't remove scratches, but it does remove bonded contaminants that washing and products like Autoglym Super resin polish don't. The clay is included in your kit which is good.

So wash with the 2 bucket method (Look at guide in this Section)

Apply the surfex HD to the bodywork then rinse

Clay (no need to dry the car)

Apply Hydra wax

Jobs a good one.

There are other steps but if that achieves the look you're after then happy days. It certainly won't make the car look worse that is for sure!

HTH

Neil

With regards to the above posts, I thought I would add my two cents. I agree completely with the methods described and these go a long way, but thought I would advise further on products. Never under estimate Autoglym stuff. Compared to many other products, they really do hold their own. Plus they are relatively cheap and readily available - and by "readily available" I mean you can pick up a lot of AG stuff in your local Halfords on a Saturday afternoon, rather than ordering something a bit more hard to come by like Poorboys. I've used many different polishes etc and I always keep coming back to Autoglym Super Resin - it really is a great product. Furthermore, Autoglym's HD wax is really good.

You couldn't go wrong with a couple of buckets, a mitt, Bodywork Shampoo, Super Resin Polish and possibly some HD wax if you budget can allow it. I also really like and use regularly some of the other AG stuff, like interior shampoo and vinyl and rubber care. Great for restoring trims to an awesome black again. Oh, one last thing - Autoglyn Engine and machine degreaser is a great product for stuff like exhausts and engine bays - literally eats grime and dirt.

So in summary I'm not saying that Autoglym products are the all round best, because obviously there are better out there, but for the price and availability, I really do love AG stuff.

Hope that helps, and mind you don't get that detailing bug this summer :p

Thanks for all of the advice, after reading up a little more i have bought these 2 kits (as they were buy one get one free )

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_821137_langId_-1_categoryId_165671

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_804657_langId_-1_categoryId_165671

I will probably use the Meguiar's kit for washing and waxing and use the autoglym stuff for windows, wheels, interior and polishing. Will also get myself a couple of new buckets and use the wash mitt now instead of a sponge

I had a look into snow foam but didn't fancy going too mad, I will see how things go for now.

I know I am missing products needed to clay, does this make a big difference or should I be okay without it?

And one more thing, what is the best order to do everything in, should I clean, then polish then wax? And do I have to dry the car before applying polish and if so, what is the best towel/ cloth to dry?

Thanks again

Some good choices. Next Gen shampoo is nice, and Next Gen wax is a nice product - it's a surprisingly good all in one product (fills in swirls very well I've found) but it's protective qualities are average at best. It's a good starter wax but you'd probably want to step up to something like a Collinite afterwards. Personally, I use Autoglym HD wax which I love. Be sure to check out some sites like Clean Your Car and Polished Bliss also - I haven't used PB but I've always had excellent service from CYC.

And in order to ascertain the best order to do things in, you just need to remember why you're actually going through each process. It typically follows:

1. Shampoo - to remove dirt, grime and loose contaminants
   
2. Clay (optional) - to remove tougher bonded contaminants typically found on a "rough to the touch" paint surface
   
3. Polish - depending on the polish, to nourish and restore paint condition either through removing a thin layer of paint (cutting) or by filling in defects such as swirls
   
4. Wax - after all of your hard work above, wax is that protective shield over your paintwork, which mainly protects your paint against the elements and also adds that nice deep, wet look shine. Will create that epic beading effect and repels water from the paint. A good wax will last several months. (There was a comprehensive test somewhere on one of the detailing forums).
   

The best way to determine if you need to clay is by doing a simple touch test. After shampooing, run the back of your fingers/hand gently along the paintwork and feel if the paintwork is rough to the touch. If it is, claying would be wise, and although it sounds expensive and a hassle, believe me its a great feeling in claying your paintwork! You'll be amazed what crud comes off the paint, I've had really dark browny/black clay bars before now.

Obviously some may argue there are some niggly bits in between, but that's a good brief overview and should answer your question.

Oh, and with regards to drying - I'd say so yes. Many use water magnet type towels, so you could probably find what they advise in other threads (or someone will be along to clarify). Personally, I use an Autoglym water blade and I find it to be great and easy.

Drying wise a generic blue drying towel that nearly all online car cleaning supplier sell are excellent value.

Just run an open ended hose over the can to take most of the sitting water off the car then lay towel on car ( remove tag off towel first) lift an edge and lightly pull over panel on flat surface. This can just about be done on top half of side panels then pant dry the bottom half

I am looking to buy a kit containing everything needed to clean and polish/ protect my car.

Have never really bothered with much more than a bucket of soapy water and a sponge with a hose pipe in the past but would like to be a bit more thorough when cleaning and hopefully keep it clean/ protected for longer.

I really don't know the best products and processes so any help would be greatly appreciated, is it best to wash, clay bar, polish and wax or do other methods work better?

My car is 3 years old and while not in showroom condition, doesn't have any major paint defects but could do with a little TLC.

Hoping to spend as little as I can get away with really.

From looking around a bit I have found that there are far too many products and kits to choose from and I have no idea what to buy, was thinking of this kit (http://www.bilthambe...20Deluxe%20Kit#) over most of the others I have looked at but still not sure.

Can anyone help me out?

Thanks

If your after a more specific kit put together by detailers for detailers then I am sure we can help you out..............

And just to add some more fuel to the fire..... Once you start, you'll never stop and your kit will grow and grow.. LOL!!

And just to add some more fuel to the fire..... Once you start, you'll never stop and your kit will grow and grow.. LOL!!

Tell me about it

If your after a more specific kit put together by detailers for detailers then I am sure we can help you out..............

Something like this would be really helpful

Have got some bits and bobs to start out with but a more complete kit seems to be on the cards soon.

It doesn't have to be the best money can buy but if something is worth paying out for then I'm happy to do so.

Is snow foam as good as people say? If so it looks like I'll be investing in some snow foam kit when my pressure washer is working again :p

Thanks