Cleaning Advice

[czm]

I, like many others am really keen in taking the normal once in a blue moon bucket/sponge weekend clean a stage futher to get the motor looking good.

I have a 04 A4 1.8T Avant in Silver and am looking to bring some live back in to it.

I have purchased some new bits including new buckets and wash mits.

I have also purcaashed some Chemical Guys All in One Polish:

Chemical Guys | All-In-One Polish | Car Polish - Clean Your Car

However I am unsure of what shampoo to use and also if I should be doing something after the all in one polish.

Thanks

 

[audigex]

Shampoo I use chemical guys - they did a special charity one on detailing world, but it's much the same as their normal one. Lifts everything off nicely, just a little elbow grease needed for insect splats.

I'm not familiar with their polish - check if it's just a filler (it won't be a proper abrasive polish) or whether it also includes a wax or sealant. If not, use a wax (dark car) or sealant (light car or if only doing it rarely) to protect and bring some extra shine to the paint.

 

[czm]

Shampoo I use chemical guys - they did a special charity one on detailing world, but it's much the same as their normal one. Lifts everything off nicely, just a little elbow grease needed for insect splats.

I'm not familiar with their polish - check if it's just a filler (it won't be a proper abrasive polish) or whether it also includes a wax or sealant. If not, use a wax (dark car) or sealant (light car or if only doing it rarely) to protect and bring some extra shine to the paint.

Great thank you,
Have you any recommendations on a sealant?

 

[the_cueball]

In order to get the best from the paint, I would suggest that you decontaminate it first before going near it with a polish...

It is amazing how much dirt is stuck onto your paint, and whilst a polish will remove this as well, it's a very manual process... especially on hard Audi paint, by hand...

At the very least, I would get a clay bar and lube (you don't even need a dedicated lube, just a mix of water and your shampoo )

As for a sealant, a good one, that you can use on your paint, and wheels, and is pretty cheap and lasts for ages is FK1000P

Finish Kare 1000P Hi-Temp Sealant - Clean Your Car

For shampoo, may as well stick to the Chemical guys range:

Chemical Guys - Mr Pink Shampoo - Clean Your Car

There are millions of products for loads of different stages in detailing, it really depends on how far you want to go, how much time and money you have, and really what you are wanting to achieve from it all....

:thumb:

 

[czm]

Thanks for your help guys.

So my planned clean is:

1) Shampoo using the Chemical Guys Mr Pink Shampoo above

2) Dry using suitable cloth

3) Clay the car all over using clay bar and lube.

4) Shampoo again (is that necessary after the clay)

5) Use the Chemical Guys All in one polish I have

6) If my arms are still working - apply the Finish Kare Sealant.


How does the above procedure look?

 

[audigex]

Great thank you,
Have you any recommendations on a sealant?

I like AutoGlym Extra Gloss Protection, because it's quick, easy and seems to last fairly well. It's not the most glossy around, but it's not bad.

The CueBall's suggestion of a clay bar is a decent one, but I'd save it until you've got the main wash down - claying takes quite a while, especially the first couple of times. It will help you get the best results, but you can get away with not doing it until you're happy with what you're doing and want to step up to that next level of end result.

 

[the_cueball]

Thanks for your help guys.

So my planned clean is:

1) Shampoo using the Chemical Guys Mr Pink Shampoo above

2) Dry using suitable cloth

3) Clay the car all over using clay bar and lube.

4) Shampoo again (is that necessary after the clay)

5) Use the Chemical Guys All in one polish I have

6) If my arms are still working - apply the Finish Kare Sealant.


How does the above procedure look?

Looks OK... don't bothering drying the car before you clay it... and yes wash the car again after, then dry...

I like AutoGlym Extra Gloss Protection, because it's quick, easy and seems to last fairly well. It's not the most glossy around, but it's not bad.

The CueBall's suggestion of a clay bar is a decent one, but I'd save it until you've got the main wash down - claying takes quite a while, especially the first couple of times. It will help you get the best results, but you can get away with not doing it until you're happy with what you're doing and want to step up to that next level of end result.

That's a good idea as well... one stage at a time... I would never polish without claying first though...

Maybe just wash the car until happy with it all the new bits... and clay, then polish a wing (for example) to get some practice before doing the whole car...

I must admit I do like to clay for some reason.... I used to do it every month! lol

 

[czm]

Thanks again guys this is really helpful stuff.

One last question, the Chemical Guys - All in one polish that I have says it has a polish, wax and sealant.

Woudl I be best to:

Shampoo
Clay
Shampoo
Chemical Guys all in one polish

Then, once I get the hang of it and I get into more I could look at ditching the all in one and move to individual Polish then sealant?

 

[the_cueball]

Yeah you could do that.... get you a toe in the water for things like this to see if you like it... from there, you can start thinking about separate steps and products... sounds like a good plan…

 

[Mr-C]

Top tip.. Blue tack can be used to claybar. I have done it and it works

 

[audigex]

If you can remove it with blu-tack, a decent shampoo should have removed it.

Blu-tack will get rid of slightly stubborn insect marks etc, but it won't remove properly attached tar etc.

 

[czm]

Ok have have got everything I need after a visit to my local car detailer.

I have:
Zymol Shampoo
Maguiars Clay and lube
Chemical Guys All in One Polish
Chemcial Guys New Look Trim Gel
Kent Noodle Mit
2 x new buckets + Grit thingys
Maguiars Even Coat applicators
Maguiars Water Magnet Drying Towel
3 x Meguiars Supreme Shine Microfiber cloths

All I need now is a nice day and a free day!!!!!!!

Wish me luck and I hope I get on alright!

Quick Question:
Can you use the Trin Gel on Interior dash ect?

 

[czm]

Well I had my first foray in the world of detailing to. Was a lot of hard work but really enjoyed it and could not believe the amount of crud that came off my car.

Really is an eye opener and great fun.

Wish I had taken a few pix of the car before as it looks like a different car now, my wife could not believe how well kiddy carrier scrubbed up!!

The clay bar was amazing!!!