Well my eyes have been opened into proper car cleaning... To think I used to use a bucket and a sponge :eek:

Anyway I want to mend my ways with the MR2, now I haven't had it from new so dont have the chance to start afresh unfortunately....

The paintwork is in dire need of a clay, pimples everywhere and I'd really like to tackle some swirls.

So this is what I am doing, let me know what you think?

·Rinse

·Wash using the 2 bucket method and Meguiars Gold Class Shampoo and Conditioner, also using Meguairs sheep skin thingy

·Rinse

·Dry using Meguairs Water Magnet

·Clay using Meguairs Quick Clay

·Wash again (is this needed??)

·Rinse

·Dry using Meguairs Water Magnet

·Polish using Meguairs Deep Crystal Paint Polish Step 1

·Wax using Meguairs NXT Generation Tech Wax

·And finish lol

What pads shall I use to apply the polish and wax, Halfrauds do a 3 pack of applicator pads - are these ok?

Also cloths to remove the wax, I bought some Halfrauds cotton 'valetor cloths' or something like that, which seem pretty good, but I heard they might be too hard possibly causing more swirls?!

Anyway appreciate your advice, let me know what you think

walks

I normally re-wash after claying, personal preference. Halfords do the Meguairs applicator pads Get some microfibre cloths, not the cotton ones.

Don't forget your wheels and tyres, nothing looks worse IMHO thana stunningly clean car with shiiite wheels and browny grey tyres.

Is that what people do:eek: Do people have too much time?

A simple wash and clean, windows and wheels takes me 1-2h and thats with no polishing.

What water shortage, hey;)

Is that what people do:eek: Do people have too much time?

A simple wash and clean' date=' windows and wheels takes me 1-2h and thats with no polishing.

What water shortage, hey;)[/quote']

:eek: I can see the swirl marks as we speak :rofl:

Seems fine to me that process Walkie. I don't personally wash again after claying, as the car always looks fine. After all, you're only spraying detailer onto the paintwork. I've never found I've left any clay debris after I've done all the panels either. But it does make sense in a way, to make sure you've got a totally clean car to polish and wax.

The products you're looking to use seem A1 to me too. Again, I'd use micro-fibre towels to remove polish/wax, instead of cotton towels or whatever - seems easier to remove with them....

HTH

Steve

Thanks for the tips

@ Spanner, I used to do the same tbh....... until I saw a properly cleaned, clayed, polished, wax etc car next to mine, the difference was unreal!

Walkie have you joined detailing world per chance:P :P

Walkie have you joined detailing world per chance:P :P

:O:O

I wish I didn't, I especially wish I didn't look at the 'Show it off!!' section lol

:O:O

I wish I didn't' date=' I especially wish I didn't look at the 'Show it off!!' section lol[/quote']

Know how you feel,my car looks like a shed compared to some cars on there.

Quick question, why are you going straight from step one which is the deep crystal paint cleaner to the wax, shouldn't you apply the polish between the steps?

I've joined aswell, not posting any pic's off mine:D

Hmmmm, totals up to around £80 :eek: better be worth it

Agree with everyone else (esp. the micro fibres)

However (from experience) I would not use the NXT polish and go the whole hog and use the step 2 and 3 set. Step 1 is designed to 'strip' the build up (including wax) and removes swirls, Step 2 is the polish and Step 3 is the carnuba wax....

Make sure you follow all three otherwise you won't get the proper protection for your nice shiny car.

It looks great when finished.

If you're gonna do the other stuff then make a day of it!

So once you have done all this does it mean you dont have to wash your car again and it stays looking lovely? when I do a normal wash of my car, one journey later its filthy

Well I used the 3 step on mine a month or so ago then, due to work, did not get chance to wash it for 2 weeks and 600 miles so was looking a bit bad. It took me 15 mins to wash and dry, the dirt and tree sap came off so easy, it is well worth the effort.

Walkie I did exactly that process last week and the car looks amazing!!

Used almost...the same stuff too!!

Megs Shampoo and conditioner

Megs clay and quick detailer

Megs step 1 paint cleaner

Poorboys Natty Blue Wax

I didn't wash again after the clay, really didn't think it was needed.

It's been a week now and the car still looks great

I did the other half's Merc last Saturday:

Wash

Clay

Wash

Swissol cleanser

PS21

Autoglym extra gloss protection

Swissol Shield wax

While the wax cured I did the wheels with Autobahn wheel wax and the tyres with Meguairs extra gloss

Went back to the bodywork and spit shined it using quick detailer and another coat of shield wax

I then cleansed the windows and applied a coat of Ombrello to all the side and rear windows and the lights.

Looks rather nice - only took 5.5 hours :eek:

I think it's hard work to remnove swirls by hand albeit not impossible.

The NXT should work well as it contains a filler that will mask minor defects like minor swirls.

One thing that has been mentioned about NXT is that it doesn't last that long and you may need to top it up regularly.

:O:O

I wish I didn't' date=' I especially wish I didn't look at the 'Show it off!!' section lol[/quote']

I joined that too. The transformations in the Show It off section are incredible. :eek: Guys like Iain (Finer Details) do some amazing work on those cars.

Just wish there was someone closer to home!

I joined that too. The transformations in the Show It off section are incredible. :eek: Guys like Iain (Finer Details) do some amazing work on those cars.

Just wish there was someone closer to home!

Ditto I'd love Iain to work his magic on my car, but a little too far I am afraid. :(

Got all my stuff, bring on Saterday

Omg! your spelling is atrocious (sp?) lol

You're copying me again Walkie, it'll all end in tears you know.

I'm giving my furby an overhaul this weekend! Stones chips being sorted out using a tips from here (build paint up gradually and use credit card to flatten- started this process tonight). Then wash (Megs NXT Gen), Wax (Megs NXT Gen), blacked trim and tyres (all Megs). Finally polish the exhaust (autosol!).

I ran my hand over my paintwork and thought it needed doing with a clay bar but I'm scared of using one!

I was worried about using a clay too, but it really couldn't have been easier.

Join detailing world and read the guide on there.

Basics are keep the paintwork wet, apply using only light finger pressure, and keep going until it feels smooth. Wipe off with a microfibre and your all done.

One thing that has been mentioned about NXT is that it doesn't last that long and you may need to top it up regularly.

Hi, How regular are we talking?

Cheers

every 6-8 weeks max for NXT, prob better monthly...