my car 07 fab vrs (see in my sig) is looking a bit in need of a polish i think im gonna have a good go at it next saterday what would you guys say is the best product to use to make my car look better than new.

its all down to personal choice, i use (with success) autoglym, but others prefer mcquires (have i spelt it right?), poorboys etc.

Basically as i said its down to how much you want to spend (cash and time), like i said there are a few of us using autoglym and i have to admit i wouldnt use anything else, but im sure a few more will be along to reccommend to you the products they use.

What a minefield

I used this as a reference as they are one of the few places that actually test the durability etc (over 8 weeks)

Car polish | Products | Auto Express

On the strength of this (admittedly they also had a three for two offer on at Halfords) I bought the Turtle Wax Platinum Car Wax and the Turtle Wax Platinum Extra Gloss (very thin liquid, goes on after the wax, acts as sealant and also brings out 'sparkle').

Only 4 weeks or so in but well pleased, plus the Extra Gloss makes it a doddle to clean the alloy wheels of brake dust.

I prefer Meguiars. A full detail to rid it of any swirls etc would need a machine polish with something like a Porter Cable polisher, but to DIY then...

Wheels :- I always start with the wheels as doing them last always sees you spoiling the hard work elsewhere. Use a citrus based wash to remove brake dust and a wheel brush to get in between the spokes if you're not removing them. Specialist 'rim wax' will keep them clean longer and prevent corrosion.

Wash :- Megs NXT shampoo in one bucket, clean water in another. Rinse car with hose. Use a lambswool mitt to wash one panel at a time starting at the top and working down, rinsing the mitt in the clean water and resudding between each panel. Rinse.

Clay :- Using Quick Detailer as a lubricant, clay bar the whole car to remove bonded contaminents. Rinse and dry with microfibre towels.

Scratches :- Reduce the effect of any obvious surface damage with Megs ScratchX.

Swirls :- If DIY then swirls will be hard to remove, but a mild cutting polish such as AG red will help a little, and prep the surface for a good protective layer.

Protect :- In summer I use polymer based sealants such as Megs NXT or Chemical Guys M'sealer. In winter, Carnuba based wax products will give a longer lasting, deeper and wetter looking shine. Carnuba degrades at temps above 180F, and a cars surface will exceed 220F parked in the summer sun. For winter I use Simoniz Original Pure Carnuba Wax.

Apply with foam applicator pads, buff off with microfibre towels.

Finish :- Dress tyres and plastics, clean glass.

I use a combination of Jeffs Wekstat and Poorboys products mainly but do dip into the Autoglym range from time to time as well.

Will be investing in some Meguiars tyre gel soon and some Collonite 476 wax.

Have a read of the guides over on Polished Bliss - Specialist Vehicle Detailing - Services, Products and Advice for lots of useful information, starting with the two bucked wash method!

Also have a look through this section at all the cars that members have washed/detailed/valeted and see what they have used (all mention their cleaning products)

And you don't have to look very far down the list of posts either, I've heard

Steve

Protect :- In summer I use polymer based sealants such as Megs NXT or Chemical Guys M'sealer. In winter, Carnuba based wax products will give a longer lasting, deeper and wetter looking shine. Carnuba degrades at temps above 180F, and a cars surface will exceed 220F parked in the summer sun. For winter I use Simoniz Original Pure Carnuba Wax.

Apply with foam applicator pads, buff off with microfibre towels.

That's very thought- provoking. I use the Simoniz wax also, but it's a b1atch in the summer. I've used NXT Tech-Wax - may have to get some of that for summer use. It's nice stuff.

Nice to find another Simoniz user. It is a biatch to apply well, but the results are superb aren't they I was finding it hard to source in the shops too, so bought 20 tins when I last found a supply

Not sure if we are talking about the same stuff - maybe yours is a fancier version?

Yellowy brown tin with red writing on it?

That's the stuff. I think your 20 tins should last you the rest of your natural life

That was the idea A mate had his car done with that Swissol stuff and we both examined the finish of both our cars with a discerning eye one night and couldn't find any benefit to his