The steps are okay but not really in the right order IMO

 

If I'm giving my paintwork the full monty (twice a year) then I

 

a. Pre wash with Bilt hamber foam,

b. Jet rinse

c. Snowfoam with Valet pro foam

d. Jet rinse

e. Tardis,

f.  Jet rinse Tardis'd areas

g. Clay mitt/bar depending on time available

h, Jet rinse

i.  Hand wash with Meguiars Gold class

j. Jet rinse

k. Dry

l.  2 coats of poorboys black hole 

m. Nattys blue paste wax (summer) or Colinite 476 wax(winter)

o.  Seal with Auto Glym Extra Gloss protection

 

I won't get onto cleaning other parts of the car, I'll run out of letters

And I'll be even worse once I have got into the machine polishing side 

of things hopefully later in the year.

I'd add 2 stages myself- use of a detox shampoo and jetwash rinse before the tardis, then iron x and rinse before the clay. Think some wipe down with IPA too before the first coat of wax. Just as well the nights are getting longer......

Dammit, Iron X I knew I was missing something,

to be fair I mainly use that on my wheels.

I'm using the Bilt hamber Korrosol at the moment.

Its pretty good stuff.  

I've just used that platinum wheels by carbon collective on my wheels, last for 2 years!

I fancy using their paint version, would it be advised to have it machined before hand to remove the swirls or use a glaze or something to fill them and then use it?

Glazes/swirl removers are temporary, think of them as a sticking plaster

to keep the paint looking good until you have time to polish out defects or

pay someone else to.

 

Personally I'd get it machine polished before going for something

like that, I wouldn't seal in imperfections if I'm honest. 

Makes sense now. Just been watching seats videos on YouTube about machine polishing

Supposed to be meeting up with another member to have a go at our cars hopefully next week with a machine polisher. If I get on well with it I may purchase one myself

Yes, there's a couple on my ebay watch list

(200 odd items at last check and worse still all buy it now stuff )

Mainly motorbike related stuff at the moment, but once I'm up and 

running on two wheels I'm in the market for one too. 

Particularly as there will be other new vehicles soon after.

Just wish I had someone who could train me up a bit on the whole polishing thing.....

Yes, there's a couple on my ebay watch list

(200 odd items at last check and worse still all buy it now stuff )

Mainly motorbike related stuff at the moment, but once I'm up and

running on two wheels I'm in the market for one too.

Particularly as there will be other new vehicles soon after.

Just wish I had someone who could train me up a bit on the whole polishing thing.....

I was bidding on one a couple of weeks ago on eBay, a basic DAS6, they bidded it up to £72 + £6 postage. The silly thing is that they are on eBay for £70 brand new haha!

Not that expensive I guess it's all the other bits that adds up, polish, pads, iron-x, tar remover then all of a sudden the bill is £200 and I've gained another expensive obsession, expensive if you only have the 1 car like me!

Edited 18 April, 201412 yr by DanHam

Dammit, Iron X I knew I was missing something,

to be fair I mainly use that on my wheels.

I'm using the Bilt hamber Korrosol at the moment.

Its pretty good stuff.

Yeah, know what you mean with the ironx, first time I used it I only got any reaction down the sides of my car, so I don't bother with the bonnet, roof etc anymore

Wait 'til you get your bike... you'll move to a whole new level of clean.. LOL

Bloody wars. Won't be doing that many steps. Will buy it today

 

Wait 'til you get your bike... you'll move to a whole new level of clean.. LOL

 

I was going to start a thread about that. 

Apart from an exhaust bung is there anything else I need?

When my garage is built I'll have a door through from the kitchen so 

I'll be able to anoint my Kawasaki with waxes and stuff of an evening

and indoors, May also put a drain in as well so I can wash indoors too

Handy being a builder sometimes

 

Bloody wars. Won't be doing that many steps. Will buy it today

 

 

 Not sure I get you, wars? To be fair a lot of those steps are rinsing and that's

 not all that hard work, The basic idea is strip it down and then 

build it all up again, You just need to be sure all the stripping chemicals and processes

are gone leaving the paint nice and ready for the protection build. 

Once you have done it all interim washes take loads less time. 

You're a somerset chap, maybe you could come over mine for a car cleaning day

if you needed a hand with anything.  

Just used my mitt for the first time today, and I have to say what an easy product it is to use.

 

I don't normally comment on products, as I have a cynical view that they should be half decent before coming to market if they want it to sell. However, this is so easy to use even though it still does the job it should, that I think they deserve a pat on the back for this.

 

I am not a pro/semi pro detailer like some of you on here, so anything that makes it more appealing for me to try has got to be a big result in my book. For any others that are like me in that you are only a "weekend warrior" at this, try one, I really don't think you are going to be disappointed.

Would one of these wonder gloves be ok for my wife, I'm getting a bit fed up of her using my clay bar on her legs.   

I see Flexipads have released their version too..... but Halfords still the bargain place to purchase on the Farecla mitt option 

 

http://www.ishinecarcare.co.uk/Flexipads_Clay_Mitt_-_Fine_Grade/p1755065_12212225.aspx

A bit pricey when the Farecla one, that works really well, is £5 cheaper

Just used my mitt for the first time today, and I have to say what an easy product it is to use.

 

I don't normally comment on products, as I have a cynical view that they should be half decent before coming to market if they want it to sell. However, this is so easy to use even though it still does the job it should, that I think they deserve a pat on the back for this.

 

I am not a pro/semi pro detailer like some of you on here, so anything that makes it more appealing for me to try has got to be a big result in my book. For any others that are like me in that you are only a "weekend warrior" at this, try one, I really don't think you are going to be disappointed.

Agree, Impressed with mine. Paid for itself in first use in sanity and time.

 

P.s. anyone know how much use will this withstand before it needs binning?

Indeed - i think that's what i said.... just pointing out that "others" are jumping on the bandwagon - No?

 

With the 3 for 2 you can't look past the Halford's deal 

Agree, Impressed with mine. Paid for itself in first use in sanity and time.

 

P.s. anyone know how much use will this withstand before it needs binning?

Ive used mine on three full cars and its still looks like new

When the rubberised section looks to be breaking down..I'll get another or three

Chemical Guys have one too. Got mine from a GB over at Detailing World

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Ive used mine on three full cars and its still looks like new

When the rubberised section looks to be breaking down..I'll get another or three

 

Any thoughts on what solution to use with it? Thinking of getting one and trying it on the Mini.

 

Got some basic car shampoo (not the normal G-Wash I use) - make it up really soapy, will that do?

Yes...I use Fairy liquid with it...but any waxless shampoo will do

Just bought three more with the 3 for 2 offer @ Halfords

I cleared the local Halford's shelf of them at the weekend. 

 

Currently using up my Megs Last Touch solution with this.

Soapy wash pad in one hand....Clay mitt in the other...works a treat

Has Alan tried it with GT-85.... 

Possibly