I was in exactly the same boat as you about a fortnight ago and posted my list of purchases and my first attempt here: http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/346280-recently-cleaned-thread/?p=4242554

You, sir, are an absolute legend. You've done a fantastic job there, car looks great!

I inherited a K4 Karcher and already have two lambs wool wash mitts.

 

I went for this snow foam lance http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271424356037?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

Snow foam http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/350827498994?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

I ordered this drying towel http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321143994854?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

These microfiber cloths http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271842078548?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

This Clay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/140952679360?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

Wheel cleaner http://www.powermaxed.com/clean-your-car/alloy-wheel-cleaner-frequent-use

 

another wheel cleaner http://www.powermaxed.com/clean-your-car/alloy-wheel-cleaner-stain-remover

 

Shampoo http://www.powermaxed.com/clean-your-caravan/car-wash-shampoo-wax

 

Glass sealant http://www.powermaxed.com/clean-your-car/rain-off-glass-sealant

 

Sealant http://www.powermaxed.com/clean-your-car/sealant

 

I didn't bother with grit guards, as the car should be quite clean before I even wash the car. The sealant seems very simple, can you can top up by spraying a diluted amount on the car after each was.

Wet car

Snow foam

rinse

Shampoo wash with two buckets

rinse

CLAY

dry

Polish

Apply sealant

 

Forgot to add the clay stage, do I need to clean after the clay?

I usually rinse straight after a claying

Claying only needs doing once or twice a year

Wet car

Snow foam

rinse

Shampoo wash with two buckets

rinse

CLAY

dry

Polish

Apply sealant

Forgot to add the clay stage, do I need to clean after the clay?

I do and use autobrite waxoff to get the surface as clean as possible though as ever its a personal choice and others have their own preferences. You might want to detar with something like tardis and then use iron x or similar to get rid of any ferrous fall out before you clay to make the claying easier.

Good advice Ade

sealant seems very simple, can you can top up by spraying a diluted amount on the car after each was.

 

 

According to Wayne @ Powermaxed, yes, each time you wash the car, rinse, allow the excess rinse water to drip off for a minute or two then spray a 40:1 diluted water/sealant onto the still wet surface... leave a few minutes then dry with a microfibre towel of your choice ... I applied the sealant the first time straight by hand, then will use this "top up" method each time I wash the car... Powermaxed Quick Detailer between washes as a "waterless wash" (see post 9 of this topic)

 

I am not using wax at all ... rather sealant after Powermaxed TFR then claying with a Farecla Clay Mitt. ... as Chris says, claying should not be needed again for a few months.

 

Alan.

Hopefully on a brand new car the clay shouldn't pick up much. Thanks for the advice.

some really good advice on this thread, i was in a similar situation Mike, being red i wanted my Monte to stay looking its best, i washed, clayed, polished and stuck on 2 coats of Autoglym HD wax including the gloss back bumper trims and roof spoiler, that was about 2 weeks ago now and i just give it a quick clean with snowfoam at the weekends, do the wheels and slick up the tyres, initial clean took me about 2 hours but was well worth it and only needs a maintenance wash when it looks grubby  

Finally got around to giving it a good clean. I snow foamed, clayed, polished, and sealed. Took ****ing ages.

I then decided as I'd spent a few hours cleaning it, the forecast is **** and I'm not using it for a few days, I thought I'd hide it in the garage. Had to move gym equipment and relegate the kids bikes to the shed, but she's in

I had a few issues. I couldn't get a thick foam, I tried adjusting both knobs and used warm water. Maybe my foam lance isn't very good.

With the claying, I used water as recommended by the clay manufacturer. I didn't really pic anything up, the car has done 200 miles, should I had anything? I just rubbed it gently over the panels.

How much sealant should I be using, is less more with it? I found it quite hard to buff out so think I may have used too much.

I think I will have to pop up to Chris for some tuition, need to get a DA first, I think I would be more confident with some training.

There are a few swirls on the car, but I think this is expected even on a new car unfortunately

The car looks great. Well done

 

BTW......Youre very welcome any time Mike

Just fire off an eMail or PM me when youre ready..Only 3 hours away

Looks great pal. Thanks for sharing.