You could replace SGP and EGP with Gtechniq C2. I use this on my wife's 500 and it works really well leaving a smooth and glossy finish to the paint. You can also dilute it and use it as a QD in subsequent washes.

With C2 there is no problem with it getting on any trim or glass, you can even use it on wheels if you wanted to.

They have a new solution in trial at the moment and will be releasing it soon.

Cheers

Steve

Does this mean that you don't use it on your Superb, Steve?

Strange post to make when Topic starter is explicitly asking for alternative recommendations to AG

Cheers

Steve

It was more of a comment on the other recommendations away from AG - if the OP is happy with AG (which he seems to be, aside from the trim staining), then he should stick with it.

What I'm saying is there is no "right" product, all the products mentioned are good, but so is SRP/EGP

Yes...Youre right Babs AGSRP is a good old favourite and to a lesser extent only...AGEGP is OK...ish

Both,as you say, readily available..Halfords, most Motor Factors

BUT

There are alternatives that are better in terms of both protection, swirl reduction/masking and durability

Just another reminder too..He did ask for alternatives

Does it do both jobs then, Steve...polish AND LSP?

Its designed as an easy to use single product. Not a polish though. You shouldn't need regular polishing though.

Does this mean that you don't use it on your Superb, Steve?

I did, but in the summer I used Gtechniq Exo to try it out. Basically it's an apply once every two years product, rather than every six months or so. The Superb spends about half of its life at airport car park, so I wanted something more resilient to infrequent washing, so I tried Exo. Happy with choice so far, and it suits me, but higher cost will put quite a few off.

Very happy with C2 too as both neat and as a QD.

Cheers

Steve

Yes, designed as easy to use single product

I did, but in the summer I used Gtechniq Exo to try it out. Basically it's an apply once every two years product, rather than every six months or so. The Superb spends about half of its life at airport car park, so I wanted something more resilient to infrequent washing, so I tried Exo. Happy with choice so far, and it suits me, but higher cost will put quite a few off.

Very happy with C2 too as both neat and as a QD.

Cheers

Steve

Thanks for the info, Steve.

Hi Mandp

I updated my post above, as it had wrong quote and wasn't quite clear - it was a long day yesterday

C2 is not a polish. It's classified as a nano sealant. So it seals paintwork and provides better water repellency. It's an easy to use single product to keep car in good condition and should last about six months. Maybe more with top ups when using it as a QD.

Your car shouldn't need regular polishing. I would have thought once a year would be more than adequate to keep it looking very good.

Cheers

Steve

Hi Mandp

I updated my post above, as it had wrong quote and wasn't quite clear - it was a long day yesterday

C2 is not a polish. It's classified as a nano sealant. So it seals paintwork and provides better water repellency. It's an easy to use single product to keep car in good condition and should last about six months. Maybe more with top ups when using it as a QD.

Your car shouldn't need regular polishing. I would have thought once a year would be more than adequate to keep it looking very good.

Cheers

Steve

Thanks, Steve.

Regards.

Mike.

Sorry to the OP for the thread hijack but it is topical. I would like to know if the Detailing Guru's who have posted earlier in the thread recomend using a wax on my cars?

I used to spend hours poishing my cars but have recently got bored. However my intrest has been reignited by the purchase of my new blackline.

I want to basically use something that protects the paintwork it needs to suit brand new paint work and also be sympathetic to my older red VRS paint work (55 PLATE)

My old routine

Wash with AG BSC (Green)

Faded Areas lightly buff with AG Paint renovator (Spoiler seams to get white haze from sun) (Pink)

Polish with AG SRP (Red)

Non painted areas - use AG V&RC (Yellow) or AG BC (Turquoise)

Glass - generally just microfibre cloth but sometimes AG CGP(blue)

This has served me well over the years and often get comments on the shine.

However i have always wondered if i should be using some sort of carnauba wax etc.

Any tips guys for better performance and lasting rain/dirt inhibiting qualities.

You say you polish with AGSRP....no problem

Thats OK in itself but its only an all in one product with fillers that mask scratches and a small amount of sealer to help protect the paint

BUT...the protection is short lived a few weeks at best and must be topped by a Last Stage Product (LSP) such as a dedicated sealer and/or a wax

Remember the golden rule: Wax as the last layer after sealant and polish

There are many many waxes...some cheap and others very very expensive...Swissvax Crystal Rock is almost £800 a tub!!

My choice for a newbie to wax would be Collinite 845..Cheap, easy on and buffs off easily...Good reflective ability and very durable...4 to 6 months typically

Buy here: http://www.shinearama.co.uk/product.php?id=COL-845-16oz

awesome thx.

Is that site reputable? safe to buy from.

You say you polish with AGSRP....no problem

Thats OK in itself but its only an all in one product with fillers that mask scratches and a small amount of sealer to help protect the paint

BUT...the protection is short lived a few weeks at best and must be topped by a Last Stage Product (LSP) such as a dedicated sealer and/or a wax

Remember the golden rule: Wax as the last layer after sealant and polish

There are many many waxes...some cheap and others very very expensive...Swissvax Crystal Rock is almost £800 a tub!!

My choice for a newbie to wax would be Collinite 845..Cheap, easy on and buffs off easily...Good reflective ability and very durable...4 to 6 months typically

Buy here: http://www.shinearam...id=COL-845-16oz

So...AGSRP followed by AGEGP followed by Collinite 845?

Still learning, Chris.

What if the dealers have put that guardx stuff (scotch gaurd) on as they claim to do, although i suspect its just a gimic. Will this be affected by resins and wax's etc?

So...AGSRP followed by AGEGP followed by Collinite 845?

Still learning, Chris.

You can..... but I would ditch the EGP...Collinite on its own is sufficient

What if the dealers have put that guardx stuff (scotch gaurd) on as they claim to do, although i suspect its just a gimic. Will this be affected by resins and wax's etc?

Scotchgard is a Fabric protector product

Resins? Do you mean sealers?

Scotchgard is a Fabric protector product

Resins? Do you mean sealers?

Sorry scotchguard is a trade name but i was told that the GuardX skoda equivalent is applied to the exterior aswell as the interior. https://www.gardx.co.uk/index.php?page=other&parent=1&pid=3 its got a limited warrenty and comes with its own set of resins and polishes etc.

I would prefer to stick to what im used to though and possibly and additional wax coat. Im unsure if this will effect the guardx though?

By resins i mean 'Super Resin polish' if thats classed as a sealer then yes.

All Guard X is, is a sealant

Its the samestuff as Diamondbrite..ie ...it requires a 'conserver' to maintain it

It will only last a few months....a wax as the LSP is the best bet

OR the GX can be removed with a claybar and a good machine polish

Then apply a wax and/or sealer

My choice for a newbie to wax would be Collinite 845..Cheap, easy on and buffs off easily...Good reflective ability and very durable...4 to 6 months typically

What's the difference between 845 and 476S? Which is easier to apply, longer lasting etc

What's the difference between 845 and 476S? Which is easier to apply, longer lasting etc

Theres very little difference in durability...but I like 845 for its ease of use

What's the difference between 845 and 476S? Which is easier to apply, longer lasting etc

The fundamental difference between 845 and 476s is that one is a paste and one is a liquid wax.

The 845 and 476s are made with the same ingredients, but the 476s lasts longer due to the fact that it has a higher concentration of natural and synthetic waxes. This is why the 476s is tougher to work with. The 845 has been Collinite’s overall best seller for 20 years due to the fact that it has excellent durability combined with an ease of use.

Some argue that 845 is better on lighter coloured cars as it provides more depth.

Liquid/Gel Wax (845 and 925): 5-7 months depending on UV exposure.

Paste Wax (476, 885): 9-11 Months depending on UV exposure.

Once you have waxed the car say it lasts 5 months what interim treatments are required ?

Once you have waxed the car say it lasts 5 months what interim treatments are required ?

Every time you wash you can utilise a 'Quik Detailer' product such as Megs Last Touch, C2 or Zaino Z8 (to name but a few) that will add that little extra to the protection to prolong it's life.

Making sure that you use a Shampoo which won't degrade the wax / sealant is also a worthwhile investment to ensure you get the longest durability possible.

I once saw an extreme detailing blog where some guy got a brand new Astra VXR Nurburgring Edition white and went over it with a micrometer and checked the depth of the paint once he had smoothed the paint to the correct micron's everywhere he applied about 47 layers of wax over a period of days to the car. Not sure what the purpose of it was other than just showing off but the reason i mention this is is it worth building up wax layers? and if so how many is about right.

Might have been this one http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=81391

You can..... but I would ditch the EGP...Collinite on its own is sufficient

Thanks, Chris.

I once saw an extreme detailing blog where some guy got a brand new Astra VXR Nurburgring Edition white and went over it with a micrometer and checked the depth of the paint once he had smoothed the paint to the correct micron's everywhere he applied about 47 layers of wax over a period of days to the car. Not sure what the purpose of it was other than just showing off but the reason i mention this is is it worth building up wax layers? and if so how many is about right.

Might have been this one http://www.detailing...ead.php?t=81391

That would be Marc of Heavenly Detail's old VXR, he now has a very nice Caddy to replace it.

Building up layers of waxes is fine as long as you ensure that the waxes aren't different in their structure that some will take off the layer underneath, for example, if you applied 476s and decided to put something like CG Jetseal 109 over the top you will have issues and you would be better off doing this the other way around.

There is a trend at the moment to use sealants as they repel the dirt more than a wax but some prefer working with waxes so decide to apply a sealant and a wax for added depth and gloss levels.

If you've got white residue on plastic bits, I have a solution which I use and is far cheaper and easier than buying special trim cleaner, etc.

Rub the plastic part with a large pencil rubber/eraser. It works a treat.

The only AG products I use are Fast Glass and Interior Shampoo.