ADVICE ON PRODUCTS PLEASE

[mattyboyc]

Hi all, just after a little advice really, i have always cleaned my car with normal car shampoo (some trade stuff) applied with a soft brush, dried with a drying cloth and polished using autoglym hi deff polish, however the brush now leaves more bristles over the car than anything else so it's now time for a change of habbit, so can anyone recomend me a decent soap/shampoo to use and what to apply it with also when i use the hi deff polish i apply it with the supplied applicator pad dampened but it still seems hard work to apply, i also use auto glym bumper gell on the black plastic bits but am always open to suggestions for other products,i do find the hd polish gives a nice deep shine to the car but is this ok to use all the time as a normal polish?
Any advice always greatfully recieved,
Thanks in advance,
Matt

 

[James.Asbri]

First things first, do not use a brush. You are ruining your paintwork.

Might be worth taking a look on http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/, they give great advice and have a selection of shampoos that are acceptable to use. Do you use the 2 bucket method, if not read up on it as it's a must. When it comes to drying you can use a PB Luxury Drying towel to pat dry the car, works really well. Finally, try using a Lake Country hand pad (can be found on the above website)

 

[James.Asbri]

Also, if it helps I just finished giving mine a detail and I have listed all the products used

http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/showthread.php?t=116614

 

[FranA3]

step away from the brush matey as ibis said its doing more damage than good get a good quality lambs wool wash mitt they are cheap to but and last for ages drying again as ibis said get a quality drying towel then use your polish as normal or use a foam pad they seam to work for me well do you use a wax onto of the polish at all if your looking for a good depth of shine get some autoglym hd wax or similar that'll protect your car for ages and doesnt need doing that often either also it makes washing the car easyer as the dirt comes off alot easyer

 

[mattyboyc]

Thanks very much, i don't use the two bucket methord but will look that up,thanks for the link that looks a usefull site, looks like i need a mit and a decent drying towel then,
Thanks again,
Matt

 

[James.Asbri]

Have a good read on that website, you'll be very surprised at the damage you have been doing to your car. the 2BM will help as well using a wash mitt, high quality drying towel etc.

It is a little more costly, but, you'll be doing a lot less damage.

Good luck with finding new products

PS Can't go wrong with Polished Bliss, cheapest I've found and the service is A*

 

[mattyboyc]

step away from the brush matey as ibis said its doing more damage than good get a good quality lambs wool wash mitt they are cheap to but and last for ages drying again as ibis said get a quality drying towel then use your polish as normal or use a foam pad they seam to work for me well do you use a wax onto of the polish at all if your looking for a good depth of shine get some autoglym hd wax or similar that'll protect your car for ages and doesnt need doing that often either also it makes washing the car easyer as the dirt comes off alot easyer

Thanks, firstly the brush is going straight in the bin!!, not too sure what the "two bucket methord" is but will look that up,as for polish ect i normally wash and dry car then put a coat of auto glym super resin polish then a couple of coats of autoglym high deff wax, i also use autoglym bumper care (gel) on the black window surrounds and all other black plastic bits.

 

[crazypainter]

Matty, Depends how into it you want to get?
I went to Polished Bliss for many of the products I needed and was very happy with the results, but it was 10 hours work on the exterior only all by hand. Not something I want to do too often. having said that, the finish is awesome, def resists more dirt and so easy to top-up clean now.

However, if you want to do something thats alot more forgiving with your spare time , then I would recommend finishing with Meguiars Tech Wax 2. This will act as the sealant to your shampoo and subsequent polish work. Very easy to apply so long as the bodywork is not too hot. Always try to carry out the work in the shade.

I am not going to pitch in with what shampoos or polishes to use as there will be so many answers.

Make sure you have a good supply of cloths that you change regularly as you work.

I posted a thread on the detail I did of my own car which is Atlas Grey like yours, shout if you want a link.

 

[James.Asbri]

Thanks, firstly the brush is going straight in the bin!!, not too sure what the "two bucket methord" is but will look that up,as for polish ect i normally wash and dry car then put a coat of auto glym super resin polish then a couple of coats of autoglym high deff wax, i also use autoglym bumper care (gel) on the black window surrounds and all other black plastic bits.

Basically, it removes grit from the wash mitt.

You have one bucket of soapy water and the other with just clean water. Then once cleaning each side of the car (starting at the top and working your way down) with the wash mitt it should then go into the clean water bucket to get rid of any grit left in the mitt, this eliminates scratches to the paint work

 

[FranA3]

sounds like the polishing waxing side of it is all ok mayber use different ways to put it on by using new foam pads or something but the washing side has to change if that were a black car it would look 10000 times worse lol , the 2 bucket method is basicly using one bucket for your shampoo and one of clean water apply shampoo then rinse out sponge in clean water after a pannel then apply new shampoo from the shampoo bucket if you use this way you can see all the crap at the bottom of the bucket that would normally og back on the paint and scratch it

 

[FranA3]

haha james we posted at the same time nearly the same thng lol

 

[mattyboyc]

I looked at yours today and it does look great don't know about you but i think that atlas grey is a lovely colour when all polished up, i don't mind spending the time just want to use some decent products off to do some research now on mits ect,
Thanks again,
Matt

 

[James.Asbri]

haha james we posted at the same time nearly the same thng lol

Mine was the shorter version haha

PS Great minds think alike

 

[James.Asbri]

I looked at yours today and it does look great don't know about you but i think that atlas grey is a lovely colour when all polished up, i don't mind spending the time just want to use some decent products off to do some research now on mits ect,
Thanks again,
Matt

Again, best of luck in your research

 

[crazypainter]

I love the colour! Its looks great on a cloudy day, soaks up the moody sky, but when the sun is out, the slightly gold hue comes out......

 

[mattyboyc]

Thanks for your replys, i shall order a mit and new drying towel and start a whole new cleaning process,
Thanks again

 

[FranA3]

Mine was the shorter version haha

PS Great minds think alike

lmao yeah i went a like ott with the detail didnt i have to remmeber to cut it down next time plus that way its less typing lol , yeah they do indeed james they do

 

[Alan H]

I would recommend using one or two other products first. I'd use some AG Intensive Tar Remover (it does what it says on the tin) then a wash using the 2BM, and then to use a clay bar to remove surface contaminants, then another wash to remove any residue before applying your polish / glaze / wax of choice.

This is not the definitive way to wash your car, but the start of good practice.

You only need to clay bar your car perhaps twice a year. And polish every couple of months (dependent on what you use)

 

[FranA3]

what if you have ocd like me i do mine all the time lmao

 

[Alan H]

what if you have ocd like me i do mine all the time lmao

I'm getting that way......

I'm a member on DW the same as you FranA3

Sorry for hijacking the thread OP.

The wookie fist is an excellent quality wash mitt BTW

 

[mattyboyc]

Also, if it helps I just finished giving mine a detail and I have listed all the products used

http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/showthread.php?t=116614

That is one stunning A3!!

 

[mattyboyc]

Thanks for all your help, i have now sorted and ordered some products from PB, just one quick question though when applying polish or wax do i need to dampen the applicator and if so is this purley for lubrication or is there annother purpose for this, sorry for the daft question but i have always been one for a quick clean but now looking for better results,
Thanks again,
Matt

 

[James.Asbri]

That is one stunning A3!!

Thanks for the comment, it means a lot!

 

[James.Asbri]

lmao yeah i went a like ott with the detail didnt i have to remmeber to cut it down next time plus that way its less typing lol , yeah they do indeed james they do

That's my point exactly, short and sweet but yours is probably easier to understand haha

 

[James.Asbri]

Thanks for all your help, i have now sorted and ordered some products from PB, just one quick question though when applying polish or wax do i need to dampen the applicator and if so is this purley for lubrication or is there annother purpose for this, sorry for the daft question but i have always been one for a quick clean but now looking for better results,
Thanks again,
Matt

No need to dampen the applicator, should be easy enough to apply

 

[Padtwo]

Agree with all the above and the SRP and HD wax is a good combo. To get the best out of the SRP it needs to be worked into the paint for a bit, not just a wipe over (like I used to do). It contains fillers which need to be broken down to go into in swirls in the paint, then the wax on top to hold them in place and protect your finish, so the hard work should go into the SRP stage. Also try to apply the wax as thinly as possible.

As far as dampening the pad I think is more to do with the polishing stage rather than wax, although it might help a little on a cold day if the wax is extra hard. As you polish you break down abrasives until they are no longer efficient, they start as large particles and slowly break into smaller ones, which has the effect of refining the finish. When you first use the pad it will be dry and the polish will then soak into the pad meaning it dries out quicker and you don't have a chance to break down the abrasives, you then wipe it off the panel and drag the abrasives across the paint. Dampening the pad the first time you use it means the polish will sit on the surface better and give you a longer working time. Not really relevant with the SRP though.

You will be amazed with the 2 bucket method, or at least how much grit and dirt is left in the rinse bucket meaning you're not rubbing it into your paint!!!