Cleaning your car

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MarcQuinlivan

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I'll hopefully be going along to the GTI-NI event on July 5th with Boydie and some other chaps and was thinking of giving the car a good clean beforehand.

Can anybody recommend any good products - polish, wax, that kind of thing? I'm not after anything that costs £1000 a litre - just something that will get the job done and leave a nice shine on the car. I've been meaning to do it for a while now but never got around to it - at least this gives me an excuse.

We've only got a halfrauds and a local independent place nearby but I think they both do the various turtle wax\meguires\mr. sheen brands.

Any tips on what to buy and how to give the car a good detailing would be appreciated.
 
mate if you got to the detailing part polished bliss have a good write up and good recomendations of a few polishes etc acooring to your car clolour. recomend having a read of that.
 
The Meguiars 3 stage kit is pretty good if you want to purchase off the shelf,i'd certainly recommend the clay bar as well.

I've just switched to the Blackfire range from Polished Bliss,check them out,as they have stuff on offer at the mo too.And have a good read of their advice,it'll be worth it. Defo get yourself a lambswool mit and some microfibre towels,especially the big waffle weave ones for drying off....they're awesome,so much better than chamois,and synthetic chamois.

My car's red too,and using this new stuff has brought it up super spangly,and it seems to last!
 
My recommendations you probably cant get from Halfords but here you go. This is what I use (after washing and drying)

Clay - http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/detailing-clay/sonus-ultra-fine-detailing-clay-pkg/2/prod_37.html
Clay Lube/Drying aid and also useful for helping to take wax off - http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/detailing-sprays/meguiars-last-touch/prod_225.html

then

Cleaner/Sealant - http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/sealants/carlack-68-nano-systematic-care-various-sizes-/prod_356.html

followed by

Wax - http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wax/victoria-wax/victoria-wax-3oz-concours-wax/prod_312.html

Wheel Sealant - http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheels-and-tyres/chemical-guys-wheel-guard/prod_197.html

Tyres - http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/blackfire-long-lasting-tyre-gel-wheels.html

Pack of ten of these to take off products - http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/microfibre-cloths/eurow-shag-pile-double-density-towels/prod_436.html

These to apply wax - http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/accessories/foam-wax-applicator/prod_89.html

These to apply sealant and wheel sealant - http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/accessories/blue-perl-microfibre-applicator-pads-pkg/2/prod_186.html
 
I was just on to my local independent place to check on something else and asked about cleaning products.

He recommended AutoGlym High Definition Wax - said it was the best on the market and nothing else comes close. €65 a pot but he said the pot might last two years because of the finish it puts on the car.

I asked if Meguires did anything comparable and he said that their best one is the Gold Liquid but that it is not even in the same league. Might pop in on Saturday and pick some up.

http://www.highdefinitionwax.com/
http://www.i4detailing.co.uk/acatalog/Autoglym_HD_Wax_2.html

AGHDW1.jpg
 
Marc is getting excited lol

Just go down to hellfrauds and get polish, wax, trim detailer, tyre gloss, applicator pads and microfibres

I will also bring some cleaning gear with me if you want any final touches

Also, check out my sig - that will be our banner for the show ;)
 
You cant go wrong with the megs three stage if you are a noobie to detailing like me. Everything you need in one bag and easily to get from local halfords

However I dont use it!

I use Autoglym super resin polish
Megs Carnouba wax
Autoglym black plastic and rubber restorer
Turtlewax cockpit shine
Home leather cleaner
 
I'll be heading down to castlewellan myself that day (me and possibly my bro in his MKV R32).

Gona have to give the car a good washin; myself as well as get some new tyres - i think ive been pushin my luck abit with the current rubber lol!!

Looking forward to it myself. Cheers for the invite Boydie!!

I'll be leaving from Belfast - where you guys heading from?
 
As with all things... How perfect do you really want and need your car to be? Personally i think it's a little pointless spending big bucks on waxes if you live in the UK and drive your car every day.
I always use Meguiars Gold Class Liquid Wax and it does a superb job. Not ridiculously expensive, easy to apply and buff off by hand, brings out the pearl fleck in the paint nicely and everyone always comments on the finish.
I've also been using Meguiars Hot Shine (spray gun) for the tyres. Admittedly it's not to everyone's taste because it really does give the tyres a wet, deep black shine which lasts for a couple of weeks. If you've got some nice low profile tyres i think they look brilliant when they shine, especially if you're going to a show. Maybe i'm just 'bling' like that.
 
Boydie said:
Marc is getting excited lol

Just go down to hellfrauds and get polish, wax, trim detailer, tyre gloss, applicator pads and microfibres

I will also bring some cleaning gear with me if you want any final touches

Also, check out my sig - that will be our banner for the show ;)
Click to expand...

Like I said, I've been meaning to do it for a while now, so don't mind spending a few extra quid to do it right.

The AutoGlym HD stuff comes with applicator pads and a finishing cloth anyway.

The local independent dude I was talking to this morning seems to be well up on his detailing stuff so I'll probably get what I need from him - rather support the little man than give any cash to halfrauds. The prices down here are ridiculous compared to halfrauds in newry - a set of silvertec indicator bulbs are £9.99 in Newry and €26.99 down here! I have to get some other bits and pieces too so I'm sure he'll look after me. He's the same dude I buy all my model cars from (hot wheels\maisto 1:18 stuff).

Banner looks good.

Con S3 said:
I'll be heading down to castlewellan myself that day (me and possibly my bro in his MKV R32).

...
I'll be leaving from Belfast - where you guys heading from?
Click to expand...

My bro is probably coming in his MkV GTI too, so at least the Golf chaps won't feel left out!

I'll be coming in through Dundalk\Newry and either up past Daisy Hill or else down as far as the Brass Monkey and up through Hilltown.

We can arrange a meet near the courthouse in Newry or somewhere near it and head down in convoy if everybody'll be coming through Newry.
 
I will be leaving from portadown so prob best meeting just outside the park - i will get a definate meeting spot nearer the time!
 
http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/index.php

This may open your eyes a fair bit !

If you are not into car cleaning, then this would be OTT to be honest.

You can just use stuff from your independent or from halfords.

But if you do get bitten by the detailing bug then the type of products you can use is very wide ranging and a expensive hobby :(

PolishedBliss is very good and a month ago, i placed a £300 order with them on some bits and bobs (the G220 took a majority of the fee though).

CleanYourCar is also very good and i get stuff from there too as some products, PB just doesn't do.
 
Wash- Chemical Guys citrus shine shampoo
Clay- Sonus Claying kit
Clean- Dodo juice Lime Prime
Seal- Car Lack paint sealant (optional)
Wax- 2 coats of Collinite 476's

That will be one durable finish that ll last 3-4 months at least between washes.
 
Boydie said:
If I am coming from Portadown area is it handier to meet you en route?
Click to expand...
My brother'll probably be coming in from Armagh if he's picking up his girlfriend on the morning - if that's the case then the armagh road and tandgragee roads meet at the "five-ways" roundabout there at B&Q outside Newry. That's probably where I'd be arranging to meet him anyway.

I'll do up the route on my Nav software later and see if there's much difference in mileage in your taking the tandragee road or the castlewellan road from portadown. the tandragee road is a great drive - loads of twists and turns, there's a particularly good section southof poyntzpass where it is like a tight left-right-left-right-left between old stone walls.
 
Boydie said:
If I am coming from Portadown area is it handier to meet you en route?
Click to expand...

I've calculated the route using Edwin May VW in Portadown as the starting point - for no other reason than it is central enough and I already had the location saved in my Nav Software.

It is just over 10 miles longer for you to come in the Tandragee Road through Newry than to go over the Castlewellan Road - that may be higher or lower depending on where in Portadown you are starting from.

Portdown-Castlewellan.jpg


The only other place to meet up if you take the Castlewellan Road instead is in Castlewellan itself, but I'd imagine that finding a meeting place might be a bit more difficult since there'll probably be loads of different groups meeting up outside. Whatever's handiest for everybody is fine with me.

Like I said, I'll probably be meeting my brother at B&Q anyway if he's coming in from Armagh so even if I'm on my own, I'll have a mini convoy!
 
We'll probably just meet you guys in there as we'll be coming through Ballynahinch and Castlewellan itself!!
 
OK, so I was over with my local independent dude earlier and got the following:

AutoGlym High Definition Wax
AutoGlym Intensive Tar Remover
Meguiars Gold Class Endurance High Gloss (tyre stuff)
Meguiars nxt generation All Metal Polish

I'd seen some post metioning using clay and he had a Meguiars Clay kit which I was going to buy but he said I wouldn't need it. It was only 20 quid so I wouldn't mind getting it if it was going to give a better finish. Anybody know what exactly the clay does?

I nipped over to halfrauds on the way home just to check the prices to see how they compared. Like I said before, I'd rather give the independent dude the money even if he was slightly dearer.

Surprisingly he was cheaper on the metal polish and tar remover and halfrauds didn't do the HD wax or tyre stuff.

I'm off work on Friday so weather permitting I'll get around to the detail then and will take some pics if I get a chance.
 
Rub your hand over the paintwork - it probably feels slightly rough,even after a good wash. You're feeling deposits left behind from bug-splat and tar etc. This is where the clay comes in. It has micro-fine polishing agents that gently and safely rmove these without adversely affecting the lacquer. Its mainly used in bodyshops and by detailers/enthusiasts,but simple to use,as long as you use plenty of lube. Quick detailing sprays are more commenly used,and one of these comes with the Meguiars kit. Various grades of clay are available,some more harsh than others,but the Megs should be fine. You just warm in in your hand and flatten it out,rub it over your paint,and as it removes contaminants,it becomes dirty. Just remould it and use again. It's also fab on alloys and glass.

Get some,it's easy to use and well worth the results!!
 
audi upgrades
Take a look at Polished Bliss,they've a link on here,you might get a better deal with them,they've a couple of offers running at the moment too,as well as loads of advice on all aspects of detailing. Delivery is excellent. Use high quality microfibre towels for buffing,and foam applicators for...well,applicating! I can't recommend them enough. I know it starts to get expensive,but once you've some good kit,it makes life easier.
 
Got my clay kit on the way home this evening.

The procedure (based on the bits I've bought) is presumably:
1 - wash car and dry it
2 - tar remover
3 - clay
4 - wax

Do I also need to polish it or does the AutoGlym HD Wax stuff also act as a polish? I saw on the PolishedBliss site that some waxes also combine a polish.
 
I use AutoGlym Resin Polish after claying then seal this in with the AutoGlym wax. You seem to get a longer lasting effect with a polish under the wax. Enjoy the clean (very therapeutic I find).
 
I'm off work on Friday, so I'll probably get the car washed on the way home on Thursday evening and then get an early start on Friday.

Just checked the weather for the weekend. Yesterday it was showing sun, now it is showing rain from Thursday!
 
The thing with claying (depending on what strength clay you bought) is that it can leave slight micro 'marring', ie tiny scratches on the top surface, so if you are doing the clay step (which is worth it is it leaves the paint glass smooth!), you should really give it a polish after then apply your final stage product.
If you're just looking to get a nice shine I'd maybe skip the claying this time round and wait until you can borrow a DA polisher and put some polish on afterwards.
 
I sympathise. I live in Manchester mate - we only have one type of weather here. They do say you should never clean / wax in the sunshine - not a problem in Manc !
 
jamiekip said:
The thing with claying (depending on what strength clay you bought) is that it can leave slight micro 'marring', ie tiny scratches on the top surface, so if you are doing the clay step (which is worth it is it leaves the paint glass smooth!), you should really give it a polish after then apply your final stage product.
If you're just looking to get a nice shine I'd maybe skip the claying this time round and wait until you can borrow a DA polisher and put some polish on afterwards.
Click to expand...

Might nip into Halfords tomorrow and see what polishes they have - can you recommend one?

I've been in with the local independent dude every day since Friday. If I go back again he'll think I'm a right nut job!
 
TBH with you Marc I'd have a good read through the polished bliss guides - very useful.

The thing with claying, it can cause some fine scratches or 'marring' which can take a little bit of time to remove with a proper polisher (be it Dual Action or Rotary). It all depends on the strength of the caly you are using and experience. Audi paint is especially tough so takes a bit of time and patience. You may not create any scratches at all, but I tried on a car that was full of scratches already and the owner didn't really mind me giving it a whirl.

Don't let this put you off though, it is worth learning, I just don't want you to rush your car for this weekend and have nightmare in doing so ;)

As far as polishes go, well, Autoglym Super Resin is well recommended, but this is not a corrective polish, think of it more as a concealer. It does a really good job of 'filling' in any fine scratches leaving your car with a nice finish to apply your last stage.

I personally use Menzeran 106FA on mine once a year to tidy up any fine scratching, it's not too abrasive but is pretty easy to work with and leaves a nice glossy finish.
http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/menzerna-106fa-polish.html

I then use the Wersktat Acrylic kit on my car, as this put's a great gloss coat on, then tops it off with a sealent that protects the finish - it looks awesome on pearlescent cars as it really pulls out the flake in the paint - think it would look god on yours mate!
http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/werkstat-acrylic-kit-protect.html

I'd pop a post in the detailing section, or even email Rich @ polished bliss direct - he's given me so much information over the last couple of years - they really do believe in offering unbiased advice!

Look forward to seeing the end results mate and good luck!
 
jamiekip said:
TBH with you Marc I'd have a good read through the polished bliss guides - very useful.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I had a look at them earlier - they're very good and provide excellent advice for the amateur detailer. The only thing I was unsure about from reading them was whether a polish was required or if the HD Wax I've bought is a polish & wax.

The paintwork isn't swirled and there are no scratches on it, so I probably don't need a concealer. Just something to put a nice shine on it before the wax goes on.

I'm not necessarily rushing the job to have it ready for the weekend. I have been meaning to do it for a while, and this has given me an excuse to do it - otherwise I'd have put it off for another while and never get around to it. I don't mind spending an extra few quid to do the job right, I just don't want to have to buy something that I don't really need. If it turns out that I don't have time to do it all, then I'll do it again some other time.

I'll pop into Halfords tomorrow and see what they have.
 
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