thanks.
i do have a budget
prob looking around £250
what about Ava? looking at the P50
Nilfisk is going to prob be the core150
*** Car Wash / Valet / Detailing Thread ***
- Thread starter ShiWarrior
- Start date
thanks.
i do have a budget
prob looking around £250
what about Ava? looking at the P50
Nilfisk is going to prob be the core150
Man of Honour
I want to protect the pristine paintwork on my 2021 Nissan Leaf. Currently I snowfoam it with AG Polar Blast then give it a proper wash with Supaguard wash neutral PH shampoo that came with the car and that's it apart from using AG Tar Remover when needed. With winter approaching fast and the nasty stuff they put on the roads here I want to go further and protect the car. As you guys have never let me down I am looking for some recommendations. I was thinking of a wax with added ceramic stuff such as this from AM Details. That seems a good deal as the wax by itself is £34.95 so £39.95 with a pair of sponge applicators and four decent microfibre cloths seems a bargain. Would that be enough to protect the car or do I need a sealant as well? I will be doing it all by hand as I don't have a DA. If there is a better product I could use feel free to suggest it. Many thanks in advance.
Soldato
- Joined
- 13 Sep 2005
- Posts
- 4,347
Yeh Ava are apparently pretty good.thanks.
i do have a budget
prob looking around £250
what about Ava? looking at the P50
Nilfisk is going to prob be the core150
It's funny it seems like everyone uses Karcher and complains they never last whilst no one seems to recommend Nilfisk but they seem to be great.
Karcher Expert is the commercial grade one and you can get a 4/8 for under £200. An option anyway.
Soldato
How do you define “protect”?
Soldato
thanks.
i do have a budget
prob looking around £250
what about Ava? looking at the P50
Nilfisk is going to prob be the core150
Ava Evolution. It’s a great machine and a great warranty.
Caporegime
I have no idea how the modern versions are but my Nilfisk E130 is still going strong and it is 13 years old now. Only things replaced was the hose with a better one and needed a new wand (lasted 12 years) last year as the old one worn out.
Last edited:
My Karcher K4 Premium must be 10 years old by now. I have hated it's design from day 1 though. Far to easy to topple over. But alas, it has lasted all this time, so I guess I can't really complain.
When I change it though, I am unsure whether to go for an Ava Evolution machine, or just go the whole hog with a more permanent setup.
When I change it though, I am unsure whether to go for an Ava Evolution machine, or just go the whole hog with a more permanent setup.
Not sure how good it is but thought worth giving the heads up for anyone who fancy’s having a gamble on some Metal Polish.
Autofinesse have “Extreme” Metal Polish 300G Bottle for £3.88 - Free 5-7 Day Economy Delivery.
www.autofinesse.com
@kona786
Sorry, No Aqua Coat mega discount this time around
Autofinesse have “Extreme” Metal Polish 300G Bottle for £3.88 - Free 5-7 Day Economy Delivery.
Mercury Xtreme | Heavy-Hitting Metal Polish
Shop Mercury Xtreme, a heavy-hitting metal polish from Auto Finesse to tackle the toughest tasks on any bare metal surface of your car.
www.autofinesse.com
@kona786
Sorry, No Aqua Coat mega discount this time around
Last edited:
Haha the Aqua coat is excellent stuff. It really is awesome, so easy to apply and excellent finish and longevity for what it is. And it coats absolutely all exterior trim and windows.
Thanks for recommending it!
Cheap here at cp4less... Get it delivered free to your local ecp.
Auto Finesse Aqua Coat Hydrophobic Rinse 1Ltr | Car Parts 4 Less
Auto Finesse Aqua Coat Hydrophobic Rinse 1Ltr at the lowest UK prices from Car Parts 4 Less UK’s No.1 for Car Accessories, Car Styling & Car Care. Buy today Online, In store or by Phone + Branches Nationwide – Next Day UK Free Delivery.
www.carparts4less.co.uk
Last edited:
Finally managed to get a half decent clean on it. Hit it with my favourite quick detailer, that I will stick with over the winter months, and give it a good polish and ceramic next year.
The QD I was using was a "recipe" from Pan The Organiser, 1 part Carpro Ech2o, 1 part Carpro Reload and 8 parts water. Car feels proper smooth, and the gloss is lovely. Lasts a few weeks too, which works great for me.
The QD I was using was a "recipe" from Pan The Organiser, 1 part Carpro Ech2o, 1 part Carpro Reload and 8 parts water. Car feels proper smooth, and the gloss is lovely. Lasts a few weeks too, which works great for me.
Man of Honour
Just a wash and dry, the turtle wax ceramic coating is still on the top coat 
No QD used, no extras, just wash and wax shampoo, snow foam before that, then dry.
Roof treated with AG cleaner and repeller though.
No QD used, no extras, just wash and wax shampoo, snow foam before that, then dry.
Roof treated with AG cleaner and repeller though.
Soldato
Grr. I really wish dealerships wouldn't try and wash, coat, or polish cars. Just leave them alone. This is my dads new car, had it a week now and he gave it a wash today as the weather is half decent. We know this isn't from us as we use "proper" products. No chamois or sponges here! After the wash and dry, he calls me to take a look at what the sun has revealed. Hard to get the full effect in the pictures but you get the idea!
Guess I'll be cracking out the DA this weekend!
Guess I'll be cracking out the DA this weekend!
Soldato
I put a “do not wash” sign on my cars when they go in as I’ve been stung by that before. It’s not worth the headache
When I had my S5, I asked Audi to not wash it but asked if they could hoover it. Apparently that would have been confusing for the valeting team so they said they won’t touch it at all
When I had my S5, I asked Audi to not wash it but asked if they could hoover it. Apparently that would have been confusing for the valeting team so they said they won’t touch it at all
Soldato
Managed to get one side done. I'll do the other half tomorrow (maybes lol). Also managed to get a coat of fusso king of gloss on so that should last a few months. 
Came up trumps!
Gave the inside a quick whip round again. Still not 100% though. I think it'll take a few goings over before I'm happy.
Love the roof.
Feeling better about it. Well, that is until I turn the car around tomorrow into the sun and see the other side.
Came up trumps!
Gave the inside a quick whip round again. Still not 100% though. I think it'll take a few goings over before I'm happy.
Love the roof.
Feeling better about it. Well, that is until I turn the car around tomorrow into the sun and see the other side.
Don
Popped into Halfords as forgot to order some more Rapid Detailer - saw they also had Bumper and Trim Gel, so picked up one of those (was planning on getting the GTechniq but hadn't got round to ordering it)
Think I need to start going to AA meetings (AutoGlym Anonymous)
Closest I'll get to a foam party with 2 dirty ladies
Foamed, Washed, Dried and then Plastics done with the Bumper and Trim Gel - which has done a great job (and smells Great!)
"Before" photo of plastics was here: https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/car-wash-valet-detailing-thread.18972817/post-37211585
Had to reapply trim gel today, so has lasted 2 months - not particularly long lasting, but dead easy to apply - about 10 minutes to do both cars today
Associate
Tried a polymer coating from Duel Autocare yesterday and so far very pleased.
Very easy to use for a novice. Spray on a wet car using the foam lance, wait 5 mins, rinse and dry.
As soon as I sprayed it on, all the water beaded up and ran off.
Supposed to last 8 weeks so will see how it holds up.
Very easy to use for a novice. Spray on a wet car using the foam lance, wait 5 mins, rinse and dry.
As soon as I sprayed it on, all the water beaded up and ran off.
Supposed to last 8 weeks so will see how it holds up.
Associate
I need to re-find my enthusiasm for being a weekend warrior.... I had a 5 series that I owned and took total care over, was in superb condition when I sold it... I'm now two weeks into a 3 yr lease and haven't touched it. I just cannot get excited about cleaning the new car because it's not mine as such... Have other people found this ?