Detailing is it worth paying a pro ?

Use decent applicator pads and polishing cloths. No real need for a paint cleanser after claying. For items you will use more often (shampoo, snowfoam, wheel cleaner, APC etc) - consider buying bulk - cheaper in the longrun.

Will also need trim and wheel dressing.

 

The club could do with a sponsor who sells stuff like this

 

i have built up quite a collection of detailing products over the last year or so, my favourite brands are chemical guys and autobrite direct.

as dragonfly says paint cleanser wont be need after claying.

a good wheel cleaner is essential, I have a few but the best IMO is AB Very cherry acid free. but careful with your choice depending on your wheels and how they are finished.

 

agreed!

 

I'll look into that if I make Chairman or at least suggest it to whoever does

 

Mate i`ve got a paint gauge and machine polisher if you want to check your paint work out.

 

I've just got some polishing cloths and ordered a clay bar from E-bay. I'll show it to you on the rolling road day and see what you think of the finish

 

Excellent guys now have a clearer picture of what I need

Pics are a given

 

I've just had my clar bar delivered, I got a 200g Bilt Hamber one for 10.95 off e-bay.

Should i use it now or wait till I get some wax?

 

Car must be washed first.

 

I've just washed it and stuck it in the garage so I can dry it. The only place I can think of for wax is Halfords, I've used the autoglym super resin polish before, should use that or something with wax in the name?

 

Ideally it's wash > clay > wash > dry > polish > wax.

You should be able to leave out the second wash and rinse it off.

Polish gives you the shine and polishes paint and takes fine scratches out etc. wax protects the finish.

Halfords should do meguirs polishes and waxes. Auto glym are ok too

 

Go for some megs gold class wax although the autoglym wax is meant to be good as well.

 

Here is my effort of wash, clay, rinse, autoglym polish

Before


After



Not the best job but much better and only cost the price of the clay bar, I found a bottle of the polish.

Maybe you can polish a turd lol

 

Looking good.

Make sure you're using the "2 bucket method" to wash it with - have a search if you don't know what that is. Use a mitt for washing (not a sponge) and get some proper drying towels to do dry it off with, not a chamois leather. Don't use washing up liquid (it can remove the wax you're putting on) - get proper car shampoo. If you've got tar spots all over it then something like "Tardis" is great at getting rid of it, and much cheaper than using IronX I find.
You can easily spend lots of money on bottles of this and that. I'd just get the basic stuff first and see how you get on.
Pretty much all of the Bilt-Hamber stuff is good if you want a one-stop shop. Everything else people will argue about all day long, but take a look at places like http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/, http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/ and http://www.i4detailing.co.uk/ to get some ideas.

 

Looks good 1990 I've ordered some stuff probably too much !!!!

2 white buckets(with grit guards)
bilberry wheel cleaner
Tar spot remover
Bilt -hamber clay(soft)
4 spray bottles
10 microfibre towels
3 detailing brushes + wheel brush
Dodo juice kit bag to hold it all
Tyre dressing applicator
303

Already have

Zaino all in one
Zaino z2
As 101

Just need a good day/time to give it a good clean

 

It takes considerable time to get to all the tight spots, rubbers, door jams, under bonnet. Pro detailers take shortcuts, do it yourself and give it a few washes to rotate the fine detailing areas each week and it will come good after a month or so of frequent washes.

For single stage paints (not clear/metallic) you can cut back, fine cut and buff, polish and wax. If the paint is cracked and too far gone, then it's best to seal it with a wax.

My car wash kit.

Prepsol - Grease and Wax remover
Kenco Synth Chamois - internediate drying - Dashboards and uinterier wipe down
Cheap electric variable speed buff (With cutting compound)
Kitten Green Polish
Megguires - Yellotech Wax
Clean old towels for drying and hand buffing.
Black paint for under guards
Soft long fibre brush to get into air vents and clear out the dust
Newspaper (Windows)

Tips:
For interiors/upholstery/carpets - We hire a steam cleaner from supermarket with upholstery cleaning attachment, wait for dry warm weather and put boiling water in reservoir, recirculate the boiling water back into resevoir until spray nipple gets hot, (steam appears) then go hard and dont stop. Hit any grease and oil stains on carpets with debgreaser spray while steam cleaning.. Trick is go hard and dont stop or the system cools and you make everything wet.

Polishing:

After wash, leave some moisture to help distriibute polish, a damp rag is better than a dry cloth otherwise you leave too much polish to remove and it's hard work.

Waxing:
Wash again after polish to remove all dry residues, dry car thoroughly and apply a thin coat of wax and buff by hand.

Detailing:
Blacken the under guards to give better definition of wheels and remove the muddy look.

Windows:
Wipe with clean damp chamois and dry and buff with newspaper

Window/Door Rubbers:
Wipe with old damp chamois to moisten and clean.

 

Thanks for tips and info I'm keen to get stuck into mine but will wait for good day and allow a full day to complete