Hi all,

Just bought a 2012 Octavia vrs tdi. I bought it from a main dealer and they were pushing the supagard thing a lot. I just can't bring myself to hand over £300 for it.

Therefore, I was wondering if there are any DIY alternatives that you guys have used? I have the standard half leather and alcantara seats with the grey front section. I'd like to protect this as I have two young sons who have the ability to trash anything.

I was thinking of scotch guard? Any comments or feedback will be appreciated.

Thanks

Les.

Gtechniq I1 or 303 fabric protector. Google both and see what you think.

Thank you. Gtechniq I1 looks like the one.

I see you also have candy white. Any recommendations on paint protection and polishers etc?

Thanks.

Les.

There's loads of info on cleaning and waxing you car elsewhwere on the site, though I had superguard done on our altea when it was new and TDH it was a waste of money. You can get an awful lot of stuff to look after your car for £300!- they push it because it's a nice little earner for them IMO. Which didn't rate it and only said consider it if your doing high motorway miles

If you have a jet wash DONT use TFR (traffic film remover) as it's too agressivve and strips your polish off. Use snow foam instead which is PH neutral so doesn't affect your polish (loads of how to vids on youtube). I use mostly Autoglym products- don't go to Halfords though as you can get it all cheaper either from an online supplier or off ebay.

I use AG shampoo conditioner as again it's PH neutral.

I'd recommend you use the 2 bucket system with grit guards in the bottom for the shampoo stage (again see youtube) and for pete's sake don't use a sponge or you'll just scratch your car to death- please use either a good quality microfibre or lambs wool mit. again use a microfibre towel rather than a chamoise leather to avoid scratching

Polish wise I use AG High Dev wax. It's expensive at £30 odd per pot off ebay (40 odd from halfords), but you only use a very small amount each time- with all polish the key is to put on as little as possible - I recon the pot will last me the whole time I keep the car and then some.

You'll need to consider preperation prior to waxing. if you can feel any contaminants on the paint once you've washed it (i.e. it's not totally smooth) you'll probably need to use a clay bar kit to safely lift them off the surface- again AG do one. I've also got some AG High dev cleaner too for later applications to get the old polish off before I put new on, though as I bought my vRS new it had AG resin polish on it already so I just used the high dev wax 1st time around (which is still beading nearly 3 months on). Others use collinite 845 as a wax rather than AG stuff- it's cheaper to buy, thogh this time of year you have to put it in a bucket of hot water as it's too thick to use when cold. The AG high dev stuff comes with their own applicators, you just need a decent number of microfibre cloths to polish it off afterwards, irrespectice of which polish you use- don't buy AGs miricle cloth- it 's a pain once cut and yopu get bits all over the place.

Finally don't forget your alloys- they probably deteriate easier than the paintwork due to all the brake dust and crud they get on them and once pitted you've lost the battle so keep them clean and protected- again if you haven't guessed AG do both a cleaner (which comes with plastic brushes so you don't cratch the clear laquer) and a spray polish

If you need anymore info let me know.... I don't work for AG by the way!

cheers

Ade

Candy white looks great with Werkstatt Acrylic sealant or Auto Finesse Tough coat on. Both are easy prays to apply.

Gtech I1 all the way mate, have it on my black alcantara interior in my vRS, a lyyle while after I applied it, I bought a bottle of milk at the shop, the lids wasnt on properly and some leaked out on to the seat, grabbed a microfibre cloth and just wiped it up, no stain, no gone off mil smell etc etc, seat perfect again within a minute!

There's loads of info on cleaning and waxing you car elsewhwere on the site, though I had superguard done on our altea when it was new and TDH it was a waste of money. You can get an awful lot of stuff to look after your car for £300!- they push it because it's a nice little earner for them IMO. Which didn't rate it and only said consider it if your doing high motorway miles

If you have a jet wash DONT use TFR (traffic film remover) as it's too agressivve and strips your polish off. Use snow foam instead which is PH neutral so doesn't affect your polish (loads of how to vids on youtube). I use mostly Autoglym products- don't go to Halfords though as you can get it all cheaper either from an online supplier or off ebay.

I use AG shampoo conditioner as again it's PH neutral.

I'd recommend you use the 2 bucket system with grit guards in the bottom for the shampoo stage (again see youtube) and for pete's sake don't use a sponge or you'll just scratch your car to death- please use either a good quality microfibre or lambs wool mit. again use a microfibre towel rather than a chamoise leather to avoid scratching

Polish wise I use AG High Dev wax. It's expensive at £30 odd per pot off ebay (40 odd from halfords), but you only use a very small amount each time- with all polish the key is to put on as little as possible - I recon the pot will last me the whole time I keep the car and then some.

You'll need to consider preperation prior to waxing. if you can feel any contaminants on the paint once you've washed it (i.e. it's not totally smooth) you'll probably need to use a clay bar kit to safely lift them off the surface- again AG do one. I've also got some AG High dev cleaner too for later applications to get the old polish off before I put new on, though as I bought my vRS new it had AG resin polish on it already so I just used the high dev wax 1st time around (which is still beading nearly 3 months on). Others use collinite 845 as a wax rather than AG stuff- it's cheaper to buy, thogh this time of year you have to put it in a bucket of hot water as it's too thick to use when cold. The AG high dev stuff comes with their own applicators, you just need a decent number of microfibre cloths to polish it off afterwards, irrespectice of which polish you use- don't buy AGs miricle cloth- it 's a pain once cut and yopu get bits all over the place.

Finally don't forget your alloys- they probably deteriate easier than the paintwork due to all the brake dust and crud they get on them and once pitted you've lost the battle so keep them clean and protected- again if you haven't guessed AG do both a cleaner (which comes with plastic brushes so you don't cratch the clear laquer) and a spray polish

If you need anymore info let me know.... I don't work for AG by the way!

cheers

Ade

Wow, thanks for that. I think I've decided to go for the high def wax, AG shampoo & conditioner, a microfibres mitt and towel and the wheel cleaners. Do you think I could do without the high def cleanser for a month or so as I my wife will go mental if I spend a load on polishing gear on top of the car.

I will answer your original question mate, I used Scotchguard on my seats and it does what your are asking. Just make sure you ain't wanting to use the car for a few hours after as the fumes are pretty strong until the fabric dries.

Wow, thanks for that. I think I've decided to go for the high def wax, AG shampoo & conditioner, a microfibres mitt and towel and the wheel cleaners. Do you think I could do without the high def cleanser for a month or so as I my wife will go mental if I spend a load on polishing gear on top of the car.

Oooo! I'm certainly no expert (Big cop out!), but I guess it'll depend on how clean your paintwork is and only you'll know the answer to that one. As you've just bought it from a main dealer I would have expected them to have polished it anyway before you bought it, so providing they have it should be ok- if you look on auto glym's website they have a video showing you how to apply the high dev wax, which I found helpful. There's loads of other info on there too to help you decide what to buy and when

I've used victoria auto parts on ebay quite a bit and they seem very competative for the high dev wax

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item484903c5d9

Their postage is usually free too at an individual item level which is worth remembering.

How about trying a bit of phycology on SWMBO? Price it all up at halfords, see what the bottom line is with/without the high dev cleaner then see what you can get it all for online. At VAP on ebay the high dev wax is £12 cheaper than halfords- almost the cost of the cleaner. Even a 500ml bottle of the shampoo is £1.70 cheaper at VAP.... nearly there! The custom wheel cleaner kit with the brushes is £2.50 cheaper at VAP too

As an alternative show how much you'll save doing it yourself as opposed to having it superguarded by the stealer when you'll be paying them probs circa £60 an hour for the privalidge- the superguard won't last indefinatley either and a pot of High dev will certainly last you ages- I've done mine once and it looked like I hadn't used any so I recon at least 50 waxes per tub.

Bottom line I guess is DIY and save youself a tidy sum, though be prepared to get attached to you vRS!

let us know how you get on

cheers

Ade

Oooo! I'm certainly no expert (Big cop out!), but I guess it'll depend on how clean your paintwork is and only you'll know the answer to that one. As you've just bought it from a main dealer I would have expected them to have polished it anyway before you bought it, so providing they have it should be ok- if you look on auto glym's website they have a video showing you how to apply the high dev wax, which I found helpful. There's loads of other info on there too to help you decide what to buy and when

I've used victoria auto parts on ebay quite a bit and they seem very competative for the high dev wax

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item484903c5d9

Their postage is usually free too at an individual item level which is worth remembering.

How about trying a bit of phycology on SWMBO? Price it all up at halfords, see what the bottom line is with/without the high dev cleaner then see what you can get it all for online. At VAP on ebay the high dev wax is £12 cheaper than halfords- almost the cost of the cleaner. Even a 500ml bottle of the shampoo is £1.70 cheaper at VAP.... nearly there! The custom wheel cleaner kit with the brushes is £2.50 cheaper at VAP too

As an alternative show how much you'll save doing it yourself as opposed to having it superguarded by the stealer when you'll be paying them probs circa £60 an hour for the privalidge- the superguard won't last indefinatley either and a pot of High dev will certainly last you ages- I've done mine once and it looked like I hadn't used any so I recon at least 50 waxes per tub.

Bottom line I guess is DIY and save youself a tidy sum, though be prepared to get attached to you vRS!

let us know how you get on

cheers

Ade

Firstly, happy new year. Thought I'd update you with how I got on. I ordered the AG shampoo & conditioner, high def cleanser and high def wax. I didn't use the clay as I was fairly happy with how the paint felt, but intend to use it as and when required in the future. Also bought a micro fibre mitt and drying towel. Got most of it from Victoria Autos on ebay which was much cheaper than Halfords.

Used it all today in the garage and am very happy. Pulled the car out of the garage to have a nose once it was complete and was very very pleased. It looked like its coated in glass. I'll take some pics in the morning in some light.

One question I have is how often should I give it a full clean, eg use cleanser and wax? Is iit ok to wash it every weekend and give it a once over with all the products every couple of months.

Thanks.

Les.

Firstly, happy new year. Thought I'd update you with how I got on. I ordered the AG shampoo & conditioner, high def cleanser and high def wax. I didn't use the clay as I was fairly happy with how the paint felt, but intend to use it as and when required in the future. Also bought a micro fibre mitt and drying towel. Got most of it from Victoria Autos on ebay which was much cheaper than Halfords.

Used it all today in the garage and am very happy. Pulled the car out of the garage to have a nose once it was complete and was very very pleased. It looked like its coated in glass. I'll take some pics in the morning in some light.

One question I have is how often should I give it a full clean, eg use cleanser and wax? Is iit ok to wash it every weekend and give it a once over with all the products every couple of months.

Thanks.

Les.

Hi Les,

Really pleased your pleased... if you get my drift...look forward to seeing the pickies

The AG shampoo is PH neutral, so won't strip the polish off, which is why I use it.

as the old joke goes it's yours and you can wash it as often as you like...... seriously the cleaner you can keep it the better IMO, some of the other guys on the forum wash theirs about 2 or 3 times a week. The other more experienced guys will have thoughts on how often you should do a rewax, but the rule of thumb I used on my other car was to rewax it when it starts to stop beading after I've washed off the shampoo.

I've only used the high dev wax once myself as previously I was using the AG sealer on AG resin polish (I did that twice in the 12 months I had my other Octy prior to having 'my moment' and buying the Blackline), but was so impressed with the shine I didn't hesitate suggesting it.

Dunno if I've mentioned it before but I get as much muck off before I go anywhere near the car with a microfibre mit- I use a jetwash with a soaking of snow foam first, then a blast off with the JW, really is surprising how much crud it gets rid of which helps prevent the dreaded swirls.

have a look at this post from Iain too which you might find interesting

http://www.briskoda....wash-pic-heavy/

here's how mine looks after 2 months

cheers

Ade