I appreciate this is a kind of heresy on this forum - so apologies in advance.

 

I am not really into detailing - or even washing my car that regularly but could do with some advice as I would like to have my new (black) Superb looking something like its name!

 

What I am looking for is some very basic suggestions.  Previously (shock horror!) I used a bucket and a dirty sponge!  I have at least graduated to hosing the worst dirt off followed by a two bucket wash with a microfibre mitt and drying with a microfibre towel - so all is not lost (though it is only Halfords shampoo)!

 

My thoughts so far have gone as far as washing it, using a clay mitt on it and then some sort of polish/protection. My priorities are doing no damage and not spending too much time, effort or money. The last time I waxed a car was in 1965 - and it has put me off ever doing it again as it took for ever and I was left with a very uneven result indeed............

 

So - thoughts are a decent but not extreme car shampoo - possibly Farecla G3 Body Prep Shampoo followed by treatment with a Farecla G3 Body Prep Clay Mitt. I presume the next step would be some sort of wax or protective product - with ease of application far more important to me than the ultimate finish.

 

Wheels too - suggestions for basic cleaning and sealing would be appreciated.

 

Finally - suggested products for removal of insect splatter as I do a fair bit of motorway driving.

 

I hope someone can help - without going over the top Any other thoughts for the lazy would be appreciated too!

 

 

 

 

Get yourself over here (About an hour) and I will instruct you fully into everything you need to know and at the same time make your car look new again

PM me if interested

Thanks for the offer Chris - but I might catch an unhealthly (and expensive and time consuming!) infection from you!     Just looking for a few simple ideas and suggestions!

Ok..no problem

To go down your Farecla route

Wash with Farecla G3 Shampoo..formerly Detox and a wash mitt ....NOT a sponge

Rinse

Use the Farecla Mitt to remove impurities in the paintwork with plenty of the soapy solution you've just used

Rinse again...then dry with a MF drying towel

Buy the Farecla G3 Polish too and their applicator pads...depends if you have micro scratches as which one to get...or both

Finish off with a Wax...Theirs is good too

Hope this helps

Thanks Chris - just what I needed!

 

I'm not sure what you mean by a polish - by my standards I don't have any obvious micros scratches and there don't seem to be any polishes in their consumer ranges?

 

I assume by waxes you mean either the G3 Resin Superwax or the G3 Supergloss Paste Wax?  Bearing in mind my previous experience in 1965 - which is most likely to give me decent results?

G3 Resin Superwax

G3 Resin Superwax

G3 Resin Superwax

Are you buying three pots?  

 

Thanks Chris - just what I needed!

 

I'm not sure what you mean by a polish - by my standards I don't have any obvious micros scratches and there don't seem to be any polishes in their consumer ranges?

 

I assume by waxes you mean either the G3 Resin Superwax or the G3 Supergloss Paste Wax?  Bearing in mind my previous experience in 1965 - which is most likely to give me decent results?

G3 Resin Superwax

G3 Resin Superwax

G3 Resin Superwax

 

 

Are you buying three pots?  

 

Not entirely sure how that happened

happened

happened!

 

 

No - just don't know which one - or if I need polish as well!

Damage in the paint will require a Paint scratch remover G3

Get this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Farecla-7165-500ml-Professional-Renovator/dp/B004RAY1L8/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1406485121&sr=8-10&keywords=farecla+g3

IF its not too scratched

Then finish with either wax

Not sure I have the courage to use the scratch remover!

Its not as harsh as you think...certainly nothing like T-Cut which should be removed from shelves!!

 

Thanks Chris - just what I needed!

 

I'm not sure what you mean by a polish - by my standards I don't have any obvious micros scratches and there don't seem to be any polishes in their consumer ranges?

 

I assume by waxes you mean either the G3 Resin Superwax or the G3 Supergloss Paste Wax?  Bearing in mind my previous experience in 1965 - which is most likely to give me decent results?

G3 Resin Superwax

G3 Resin Superwax

G3 Resin Superwax

 

I see you must be coming-up to every 50 years you go and wax a car..LOL

Good luck..

I see you must be coming-up to every 50 years you go and wax a car..LOL

Good luck..

I will need it if I make as bad an effort as the first time! I think indeed a polish which requires no skill whatsoever - spray on and walk away!

Edited 28 July, 201411 yr by Mph25

You are confusing polish with wax

Polish contains abrasives which will remove scratches and clean up the paint PRIOR TO some wax which is primarily used to protect the paintwork

Some Polishes are AIO...in that they contain fewer abrasives and a little sealer to give some protection (ie..Autoglym Super Resin Polish)..still need a wax or sealer on top

Apologies Chris. I do understand the difference but I used the wrong term when I said polish as I did mean wax  - though I confess I don't know what I used long ago - things were less sophisticated then in all probability!  I just remember trying and failing to get an even result - and I don't want to make the same mistake on a brand new car that I made on my first banger!

 

I suppose I feel confident enough about washing it and using the clay mitt but hoped there was some suitable product which I could then use to finish the job without major effort!  I did wonder about using Optimum Car Wax - which seems to fit this requirement but having read 347 pages about detailing in the last couple of days I think I am more confused than ever. Optimum products for instance have so many products that if you used them all the car would no longer fit the garage! 

 

It's difficult to find advice aimed at the guy who wants more than a quick "wash n wax" - but doesn't want to spend his life detailing his car

 

To my untutored eye it looks pretty decent straight from the dealer plus a wash - I just want to slightly improve it and protect it too!

I suggest you buy an AIO (all in one ) Then a half decent wax to go over it.

Then get some quick detailer to bring it back to its former glory after every wash.

Couldn't be easier or quicker than that.

And If you by a QD like sonax bsd or chemical guys v7 or dodo juice acrylic spritz or AD project 32. These are all sealants so your work will be protected for even longer.

Spot on advice there Carl

So - we are saying

 

Wash it

Clay it

AIO it

Wax it

QD it

 

Not sure it quite fits the title of "help for the lazy" !!

 

Seriously though - appreciate the help.

Apologies Chris. I do understand the difference but I used the wrong term when I said polish as I did mean wax  - though I confess I don't know what I used long ago - things were less sophisticated then in all probability!  I just remember trying and failing to get an even result - and I don't want to make the same mistake on a brand new car that I made on my first banger!

 

I suppose I feel confident enough about washing it and using the clay mitt but hoped there was some suitable product which I could then use to finish the job without major effort!  I did wonder about using Optimum Car Wax - which seems to fit this requirement but having read 347 pages about detailing in the last couple of days I think I am more confused than ever. Optimum products for instance have so many products that if you used them all the car would no longer fit the garage! 

 

It's difficult to find advice aimed at the guy who wants more than a quick "wash n wax" - but doesn't want to spend his life detailing his car

 

To my untutored eye it looks pretty decent straight from the dealer plus a wash - I just want to slightly improve it and protect it too!

Just love the last sentence of para 2.

What a fab forum this is...full of characterful people.

So - we are saying

Wash it

Clay it

AIO it

Wax it

QD it

Not sure it quite fits the title of "help for the lazy" !!

Seriously though - appreciate the help.

Well do this the first time, then when you come to do it again it will only require a wash and QD, that should take no longer that 30 mins.

And if you buy the sonax bsd or similar you would only need to do this once a month. Surely that's lazy enough!

:think:

So - we are saying

 

Wash it

Clay it

AIO it

Wax it

QD it

 

Not sure it quite fits the title of "help for the lazy" !!

 

Seriously though - appreciate the help.

Take it to ChrisRs, let him work his magic and bring it up to a standard where you can just do the easy maintenance bit.

 

Easy maint bit

 

Buy Sonax BSD

Wash using 2 bucket method and decent car shampoo

Dry with a purple monster or similar

Spray BSD and wipe with a microfibre 

 

Results in great looking motor.

Well - washed and clayed.  That's an hour and a half of my life I won't get back! 

Update!  3 hours later.........

 

Used a quick wax (Meguiar's Gold Class Premium Quik Wax) and while I appeciate it probably wouldn't suit you guys - it was fine for me!  So pleased with the result that I washed "clayed" (clay mitt) and waxed my wife's Honda Jazz as well - and she is pleased too.