What products do i get to start with ?

C

chester2000

Member
Morning all,

OK this may open a can of worms but I'm looking to purchase new cleaning products as I'm fed up of having to wait for my detailing chap to have time to fit me in.

I haven't washed a car for ages as I live in a 2nd fllor flat....can anyone suggest what I need to get started.

I'm not looking to break the bank at the moment but would appreciate comments of shampoos etc....and when to get them from.

Cheers :thumbsup:
 
Perhaps a sandblaster if you haven't cleaned if for ages :poke:

Big question is are you looking to clean or detail?

If its just a basic clean, you will need 2 buckets, grit filter, a good car shampoo (recommend Meguiars Gold, you can get it from Halfords), plenty of water (assume you have a hose?), a good wash mit (I would go for a good quality lambskin hand mitt http://www.theultimatefinish.co.uk/car-care/wash-mitts.aspx) and shammy leather plus drying towels. You will also need a good wheel cleaner - I use bilberry, which is excellent (http://www.theultimatefinish.co.uk/...cturerid=114&gclid=CPLwuJC_2a4CFUsMtAodviBxbQ). Once you've given it a good wash and got the cr@p off, you will probably look to invest in a good clay bar, wax, DA etc etc.......

TBH wash it at least once a week - once its had a good clean it is so much easier to keep it clean.

HTH
 
+1 a wash mitt. I have a Meguiars one. I bought it from Halfords and it’s lasted me over two years with troublefree usage. Has been great. Lifts the dirts from the surface of the car. (Don’t use sponge to clean the Z4).

And agree two bucket method is great.

For the roof, get Autoglym Fabric Hood Cleaning Kit. Is a little pricey but well worth it for cleaning and maintaining the hood. Only necessary every few months. Contains two spray bottles – one shampoo and one protector. Don’t use when very windy, unless you are cleaning under a cover/port, otherwise most of the protector will blow away! I find turning back against the wind and spraying against the wind direction helps though!

Alloy / wheel cleaner, I would say be careful – is corrosive. Do not get into eyes. Don’t leave for longer than recommended period. Depending on the current state of your alloys (any corrosion), use caution with using wheel cleaner. I take an old sponge, soak it in concentrated car shampoo solution and drench the wheel. Then scrub gently. Gets rid of surface grime. Won’t tackle oil or brake dust but gets your started.
 
Oakandacorns said:
Don’t use sponge to clean the Z4
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+1 cannot agree more, tools of the devil, sponges, Trap dirt and grit and mar your paintwork

Oakandacorns said:
For the roof, get Autoglym Fabric Hood Cleaning Kit. I
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Agree, it's good stuff. I use Renovo which is a bit more expensive, but lasts longer. Whichever you use, secrets in the prep and application. Do a good clean (not with a car shampoo/wax as you don't want any repellants, I use washing up liquid to clean the roof before using Renovo and a very comprehensive rinse, and always wash the car afterwards) and always do the roof first, car second. As as Oakandacorns says, don't do it in a strong wind :)

Oakandacorns said:
Alloy / wheel cleaner, I would say be careful – is corrosive.
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This is why I use bilberry. It really is great stuff, and very safe on the wheels. Don't use wonder wheels unless you are looking for a refurbish in the near future, as its very corrosive - mate used it and it lifted the lacquer off his wheels, he states he left it on for 5 minutes as well.
 
LOL !

thanks for the tips, think i need to swat up on the two bucket trick.

are Halfords competitive on the Meguirs shampoo and wash mits ??
 
In my opinion you can't get better than cleanyourcar.co.uk very competitive and a great range of products. You also earn points which have a monetary value when you buy from them, then the next time you buy from them you can use them to get money off.
The products that got me into detailing where the Meguires 3 stage products, paint cleanser, polish, wax. I couldn't believe the results I got! This then encouraged me to delve into the world of detailing, that was about 4 years ago. Suffice to say I've spent a small fortune but learnt so much, I even Valeted/detailed for a short while.
I would say start with the basics as others have said 2BM, wash mitt etc although it's not all sponges that are bad, I would personally recommend the Zymol sponge. If your giving the car a good rinse and using the 2BM you'll be ok, also it's alot easier to see contaminants on the face of a sponge rather than hidden away in the pile of a mitt.
Get into claying too, I use Sonus ultra fine clay and wouldnt use any other for lightly bonded contaminants, I've tried quite a few and favour this.
Meguires last touch is my favourite product of all, wouldn't be without it when wash the car, dilutes down as a great clay lube and also a drying aid.
Depending how far you want to go try a paint cleanser, dodo juice lime prime is good.
For polishing by hand I use Autoglym super resin polish, it's easy on easy of nature makes things....well, easier!
Wax is a mine field, find one you like and stick to it, decide if you want durability or appearance.
I also favour Zaino Grand Finale Z8, give the car a wipe down with it and it leaves a great finish.

I'll stop now, I do enjoy detailing you might be able to tell.
 
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