Beginner's shopping list

M

maxy1606

Member
Hello all,

After joining this forum a few months ago it has been a great source of information and assisted in helping me part with my hard-earned to become a fully fledged member of the coupe club :driving: (sorry, roadies!). I collected my 2007 Monaco blue 3.0si a few weeks ago and thought it's about time I said hello in the newbie section. However, after attempting to take some photos I simply couldn't bring myself to post such a filthy car! :oops:

So, some much needed pampering is in order first and with SWMBO jetting off to the other side of the world for six weeks, I can see the Zed and I spending some quality time together without any disapproving looks! Having ditched the sponges and chamois (I'm learning already), I'm in the market for a range of products that will see it looking smart again. I have no intentions (yet...) of investing too heavily and just want a few bits that can be easily hand applied to achieve a good finish.

After reading reviews and bits and bobs on here I've concocted a little list that I think will be a good place to start.

Traffic film remover - Valet Pro Citrus Pre Wash
Loosen the dirt - Valet Pro PH Neutral Snow Foam
Shampoo - Chemical Guys GlossWorkz
Clay - Farecla clay mitt (I hear these are easier to use than the traditional clay bar and are getting good reviews)
Polish - Prima Amigo Polymer Glaze
Wax - Autoglym HD wax

It would be great if any of you detailing gurus out there could highlight any potential mistakes or re-align me if I'm heading off course. I'm intending to do a 'big clean' every 4-6 months, with usual washes in between.

Thanks and I look forward to many more miles and smiles!

Max
 
Nice move Max :driving: Monaco blue is a rare colour but looks great when polished up
We wouldn't be offended by dirty pics in the meantime :oops:
 
Its all up to you OP and you'll need to assess your own circumstances regarding how much time you can spare (or will be allowed to spare) cleaning her up (the car that is...).
My opinion (repeat, mine, not anyone else's) is that you'll only need one of the first two products you've mentioned - I'd go with the snow foam - it will act a little like product no 1 in any event. If you have a snow foam lance with pressure washer, that is ideal - I don't yet so have to make do with the cheapo SF cannon from CleanYourCar - but it does work reasonably well. Sounds like you're probably up to speed with wash mitts, not sponges and the 2 bucket method. You should dry it off after service washes (but not if you're going to clay it - keep it wet for doing that, lubrication is the key) - take care, this is where you can cause damage, scratches etc so soft pile MF cloths and light touches - better would be, say, compressed air to blow the wet off.
The one thing you do seem to be missing is a sealant. Out of all of the products I have acquired, the sealant is head-and-shoulders above the rest and will put an invisible layer of protection around your car after application - which will massively improve the result with each was for something like 3ish months after application - so your only sealing a small number of times a year. By hand is fine. Two layers of sealant, no problem either.
You can have a trawl through a couple of my posts on this subject:
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=68659 and
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=66459

After that, it's all back to the first question - how much time do you have?
Stevo
 
and, ps, when you do find yourself with 6 weeks on your hands, you can easily lose one or two....days here: http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/index.php
Stevo
 
Thanks Stevo, just the kind of feedback I was looking for and great posts...

"The Mrs is away on hols for a bit so I got busy with the car cleaning...." I think there's definitely a pattern emerging here! :thumbsup:

I don't have a pressure washer either, is that the cannon that attaches to your hose? If so I've been contemplating that so good to know it does a reasonable job! So sealant after polish? Do you still need to wax on top for extra protection? I'm happy to spend up to a day on a thorough clean if it will set me up for simpler washes in between.
 
Hi Max
I have been using the poorboys products for a while now i can highly recommend them really easy to work with especially
the Wheel Sealant :thumbsup:
 
yes the cannon is a white bottle with big orange/red top and black spout - £35 or thereabouts from CYC. Push-fit-click (Hozelock or something) fitment. I have a multi-purpose hose head, cheapish from B&Q - covers everything I need at present.
I'm using Poorboys EX-P sealant - can't fault it. Between Poorboys and ChemGuys, that accounts for about half of the products. I find CG are a bit more expensive and am happy to get the PB equivalent as it tends to be slightly less expensive. Having said that, the items last quite a while. My Dodjuice wax could easily last the rest of my life at current rates... I've used half a bottle of sealant in a year, so at c £10 it's not that expensive.
Sealant follows after polish (you could sandwich another something in between those two - I apply PD Black hole in between the two but have found its effects limited so not sure you'll want to bother). Then wax on top of the sealant - just make sure you've left the sealant to seal/set before you wax. I generally leave the sealant for an hour then remove, apply a second coat, another hour then maybe do some wax. I rate the sealant miles above the wax, mind.
Wheel sealant, I'm using Chem Guys stuff - works nicely and fairly easy to apply - you can do all of this with the wheels on although the last couple of times I've removed the wheels.
If you can get all that done in a day - by hand - you work considerably faster than I do. There is just no way I can do the "full detail" - which for me includes machine polishing with at least two different polishes, more if the paint needs it - in a day. Last time (thread linked above), I had to take three days off work!
Anyway, my Mrs recently went on a permanent holiday so I should be right for this year's detailing.
Stevo
 
Chemical Guys and Poorboys are two of my favourites as well! :thumbsup:
Although from reading on detailingworld and cleanyourcar Sonax are making some really great products as well.

It would defintely take more than one day for me to fully wash, clay, machine polish, wax the bodywork.....and I dont have a roof!! 8)

@Max I think thats a really sound shopping list there mate. Only product I personally dont like is the AG Wax, I find Collonite or Fk1000p MUCH more durable. You could also add a spray detailer/sealant (Dodo Juice Red Mist or Sonax BSD are my two faves) for quick use after each wash.
 
Thanks guys, sounds like I'm definitely going to be adding a sealant to the list! :thumbsup:

Well I'll be missing out the machine polishing stage (baby steps!) but it does sound like I'm going to have to rise with the birds and Saturday will spill into Sunday!
 
maxy1606 said:
Thanks guys, sounds like I'm definitely going to be adding a sealant to the list! :thumbsup:

Well I'll be missing out the machine polishing stage (baby steps!) but it does sound like I'm going to have to rise with the birds and Saturday will spill into Sunday!
Click to expand...

I recommend Chemical Guys Jet Seal as a sealant. Very easy to apply and remove. I did a lot of research on this product before purchasing it myself and I am not disappointed.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom