I'm not much of a car cleaner, more interested in the gadgets really. I give my black magic Octavia a jet wash and hoover every couple weeks, and use Autoglym on the glass but nothing else really (I know that sounds poor but I am always busy with other things).

Anyway I washed it tonight and I noticed how shabby the paintwork looks up close. There are quite a few stone chips to be expected of a 6year old high miler and a number of surface scratches which I can live with, but there are some swirls, fading paint, grease spots, tar spots, whitish marks and all sorts of largely cosmetic stuff which I am sure could be made to look a whole lot better with the right approach.

I've read a few threads and see reference to products and techniques that sound like they would help but mean little to me (I don't even know what claying is for example). So can someone recommend an approach for me that will improve things please, suggesting some budget products if possible and in a novice language please?

I'm only after a basic improvement, as its never going to be perfect, but I don't mind a bit of graft.

Thanks in advance

Adam

Hello mate, I am no more than a dabbler in all things "detailing" so perhaps I can be of some use.

Bottom line is elbow grease. Loads of product options available. Off the net you can get more "specialised" products, Halfords provides the essentials. But essentially u need to clean the paint work, or prep it in detailing jargon. Ie strip the paint of contaminants like bugs and tar, and old waxes and other products previously applied. This is important to achieve better results. Claying removes such contaminants. Then you need to revive the paintwork with a polish. Some products fill swirl marks as well as polish. Like Auto Finesse triple. Or you can go for full paint restoration using a polishing machine. If you're like me then hand application is option 1. Follow this up with a good sealant or wax. Job done! Hope that helps.

Smashing, thanks it does. So a clay, a polish then a wax, with a bit of sweat, I think I can manage that!!!! Off to google claying now!!

Halfords sell a clay mitt. Believe its called faracla or something like that. Not used one yet. Plan to do that with my day off on saturday. Its meant to be very easy for beginners.

Tidy so is that the clay built into the mitt itself?

A claying mitt might be an easier option? I have no experience but have been looking into things recently like yourself and heard they are easier to use and still get good results.

Looking into things it seems I will have to change a few basic things for general washing. More clear bigger bucket to see if the water is getting dirty plus another bucket! Sheepskin wash mitt, micro fibre cloths too!

I have just ordered a snow foam lance which I have never used before but if you like gadgets they do look cool.

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thread yesterday, regarding a decent one for a fiver on ebay.

 

Not clayed my car yet, but it is in the pipeline for the future. I'd recommend a couple of additional products such as an iron remover (iron x) and a tar remover (bilt hamber is a decent one, but tar x is more common). the best parts about these products is watching the contaminants be dissolved and in the case of iron x turn purple (coolio!) 

 

but only depends on how much your are wanting/willing to fork out I suppose.

Thanks all plenty to look into.

Definitely go for the clay mitt rather than using a clay bar. The mitt is much easier to use as well as been much quicker. Perfect for us novices!

Re: tar remover. I just bought a bug n tar remover from b&m bargains (not sure if they are just round here or not) and its on par with the big guys. IMO of course, I am only a learner myself.

Ha Newport is the daddy when it comes to cheap shops so we have them too! I will be having a browse in Halfords and there on Saturday before the missus has me cleaning the driveway paviers again...

This clay mitt from halfords has had good reviews and is half the price of others. They have 3 for 2 on there stuff too so could get some other goodies. That's my plan.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductMobileDisplay?catalogId=10151&storeId=10001&productId=1021399&categoryId=255233&langId=-1

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Edited 21 May, 201412 yr by Superskoda

Good spot thanks. Does a clay mitt need the lubricant I've seen mentioned in the context of a clay bar?

Yes

Can you not just dip the mitt in soapy water?

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I will be buying one of these clay mitts very soon to try out. Get good reviews on DW.

Thanks.

@Superskoda: I guess I was asking if it needed the extra spray on stuff I've seen on youtube claying videos but if soapy water will do, all the better.

Thanks.

@Superskoda: I guess I was asking if it needed the extra spray on stuff I've seen on youtube claying videos but if soapy water will do, all the better.

This is what you want:http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_804711_langId_-1_categoryId_255233

Get a bucket of this, and your mitt rinsing bucket, wash the car with this stuff to get all the old waxes ect off the car whilst keeping the mitt clean, then you can use this shampoo as a lube for the clay mitt as well, just dip it in the bucket regularly. Then after washing, and claying, rinse the car off thouroghly and dry the car well so no water marks get left behind, then go on to the polishing stage, and then the wax.

I'll give you a link that might help, from when I was in a similar position to you not that long ago:

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/311064-can-someone-help-an-idiot/?hl=+can%20+someone%20+help

Cheers for that. I will say now I'm not spending 4.5 hours on it though (famous last words!).

Cheers for that. I will say now I'm not spending 4.5 hours on it though (famous last words!).

Famous last words indeed, and here I am now 1 day away from reserving a DA polisher and starting to learn all over again.

Cheers for that. I will say now I'm not spending 4.5 hours on it though (famous last words!).

haha! I thought the same, then once you start you get very particular about every little thing...

 

my first detail i think i went out at 2 and went in the house at 8, and that was only because it was too dark to carry on!

Overall - the advice above is pretty sound; just wanted to jump back to the start.....

 

For the basic wash technique -- please look at setting up the basic 2BM (2 bucket method: wash and rinse);

preferably using bucket gritt guards and a quality lambswool or synthetic wash mitt.

So much "damage" can be done if this basic step is not carried out correctly.

 

Snow foam lance and a good foam.

 

Iron-x type product for the wheels.

Wheel mitt or detailing brush set helps.

 

Clay mitt is highly recommended.

 

Decent drying towel.

 

Polish / Sealant / Wax ...of your choice

 

Quick detailer spray (Sonax BSD) for between main wax routines.

 

 

After this you can start to look at glass treatments, rubber, metal detail etc.

Cheers, the 2 bucket method makes a lot of sense, and sorry to say I've always used one to date...

So it turns out I will probably take the 4.5 hours on my next wash! I bought some tidy kit today, taking advantage of the 3 for 2 in Halfords.

Got the Farecla clay mitt, a noodle standard wash mitt, a sheepskin polishing mitt, a large microfibre drying towel and a pair of glass rags, plus Autoglym wash, polish, seal and leather care all for £57 quid, plus two B&Q £1 10 litre buckets. I already had Autoglym glass cleaner so let's just hope for nice weather this weekend now and I will give it a go....

Thanks again for the advice, I feel comfortable with what I need to do now.

Cheers

Adam

Can't really go wrong with AG. Good luck, post results.