Help with deciding on detailing products

BeatMaster

BeatMaster

BeatMaster

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Well I've had my Fabia vRS in Corrida Red for a few weeks now and decided it's about time I treated it to a good clean. I really need some new cleaning products as I used to use a sponge for my 306 and really I need a lambs wool mitt. Anyway, I've come up with the following products and wondered if you could cast your eyes over them and give any thoughts or opinions on the choices.

Wash
Meguiars Lambswool Wash Mitt
Chemical Guys - Citrus Wash & Gloss
Chemical Guys - Strong Wash (Bug Bugger)

Clay
Sonus SFX Ultra-Fine Detailing Clay Sampler

Polish
Autoglym Super Resin
Autoglym Metal Polish

Glaze
EZ Glaze with Acrylic Shine II

Sealant
Chemical Guys Wet Mirror Finish

Wax
Sonus SFX Pro Applicators Pkg/2
Chemical Guys - XXX Hardcore Paste Wax

Interior
Poorboys Natural Look Dressing

Tyres
Meguiars High Gloss Tyre Gel
Trim & Tyre Dressing Applicator

I can't decide on the wax as I was oriignally going to get Collinite 476S but then I saw this which looks like it produces great results with a high Carnauba content.

I was tempted to buy a foam lance for our karcher pressure washer from Halfords (£15) but not sure if I can use the Chemical Guys - Citrus Wash & Gloss with it? I'm also not sure if the Strong Wash (Bug Bugger) will be worth it although with summer coming maybe it will be. Originally was looking at the Car-Lack 68 Shampoo, anyone used this?

How long will the clay last as I've got quite a few bits of tar that I need to get rid of, just loads of small pieces. I was considering some sort of Autoglym Tar Remover but if the clay will do the same then there isn't much point in buying the tar remover.

Also require some microfibre clothes but you can pay quite a lot for them so was thinking of heading to Poundland as for even £1 each they're a lot cheaper than online.

Thanks in advance :)
 
[TW]Fox;11558353 said:
I've got the Megs tyre gel and I prefer the Autoglym spray stuff instead, leaves a better finish. What does the glaze do?
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I'm suprised about the Megs tyre gel, I always thought it was one of the best. Apparently you have to layer it get a shinier finish, the more layers the shinier it becomes.

The glaze adds a wet look and more depth to the paint - Results
 
Oh it looks ok but it's such a faff to smear on and the AG stuff gives the same results, if not better becuase its less fake, for half the effort.

I gotta get me some of that glaze!
 
BeatMaster said:
Wash
Meguiars Lambswool Wash Mitt
Some sort of microfibre mitt for wheels and dirty bits
meguiars shampoo plus or hyperwash

Clay
Sonus SFX Ultra-Fine Detailing Clay Sampler or any other fine clay
also get some quick detailer spray for lube, meguiars is prob the cheapest and does the job, I like Jeffs stuff but it costs quite a bit

Polish
Jeffs prime carnauba polish, poorboys polish, menzerna final polish
meguiars nxt metal polysh

Glaze
EZ Glaze with Acrylic Shine II or
poorboys black hole


i'd use a sealant or a wax, using both doesn't tend to give the same results

Sealant
Jeffs carnauba jet
blackfire wet diamond

Wax
poorboys
raceglaze
victoria
dodo juice

Interior
Poorboys Natural Look Dressing

Tyres
blackfire long lasting tyre gel

wheels
jeffs prime strong
poorboys wheel sealant

engine bay
meguiars super degreaser
303 aerospace protectant

also consider waffle weave drying towel like the poorboys and microfibre towels for buffing
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My thoughts:

Never used Chemical Guys stuff so cant really comment. I see Autoglym generally as an average brand. I haven't used all their range, but I find SRP, glass polish, fast glass, engine bay degreaser, and wash all very average products.

Wash.
The Megs Lambswool Mitt isn't that great, a few washes and its become very wiry. I use a generic micro fibre wash mitt and its much better.
I've not used chemical guys stuff but the Megs Wash is the best i've used so far. Very easy on and rinses well. Use a Autoglym water blade to dry, it's very good and dries the car quickly, but its not made by them so no points for Autoglym!

Clay.
I'm not big on clay and skeptical of its effectiveness particularly in a time it takes/effectiveness trade off. I still do it anyway and use the Megs kit.

Polish.
I don't hand polish often, but I did last week using SRP. Its fine for general use, but nothing special in my book. Ive got about 10 bottles of the stuff from my last job so its got to be used. Horrible white residue if you are sloppy/have lots of plastic trim/are in a rush. I usually machine polish twice a year so to be honest, hand polishes aren't going to rate highly with me.
I use Megs exhaust polsychsyhsy (or whatever its called). Does the job well.
I use Sonus Glass Polish and Autoglym Glass polish. Both I consider average.

Glaze.
Never used hand glaze - use speed glaze compund with my PC.

Sealant.
I don't generally use a sealant either.

Wax.
No idea on your suggestions, but:
P21S - Short life but good short term wax for dark paints. Better than average beading.
Megs NXT Polish/Wax - Good go between if in a rush. Have more advanced stuff now so this was never replaced.
Collinite 915 - Excellent wearing wax with deep shine, harder to apply than most and doesn't last as long as 476 but a very good all rounder.

Interior.
I just use fairly cheap interior cleaners with a dash shine. Maybe an air freshener if i'm feeling fancy. After all, I have the interior of a double decker.

Tyres.
I use same wash on wheels and a wheel cleaner (cant remember which) for stubborn deposits. Seal in with Autoglym Wheel spray protector thingy. Probably the best Autoglym product i've used.
I use the Megs Hot Shine Spray Tyre thing. Very Good.


Ive heard the Karcher foam lance isnt that great. Get a proper one and some Super Snow Foam from a popular detailing company. Gonna try mine for the first time this weekend. Nothing wrong with cheap micro fibres, I get mine from Tesco.

Sorry if this post is a bit vague/blunt - i'm quite tired :o
 
microfibre mitts dont have a deep pile so swirl your paint like a sponge and water blades are the most evil things ever invented :D
 
Don't know if a glaze would make much of a difference for yourself Fox, correct me if am wrong but sure it only makes a noticable difference to darker colours unlike silver or white.
 
[TW]Fox;11558650 said:
How can I make mine more shiney?

Other than trading it in for a black one.
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What condition is the paintwork itself in? Would paintwork correction be of any benefit?
 
you get glazes specifically designed for lighter and darker colours

here's a beemer with poorboys diamond white glaze

18.jpg
 
Stop using a wax, it doesn't work well on silver use a sealent instead imo.

Mate tried it on his, white, car using a sealent instead of a wax and made it looking a lot wetter than using wax which seemed to dull the colour a bit.

Have a look on DW better explainations for silver/lighter colours.
 
waxes give the glossy wet look which can't really be appreciated on light cars as such but sealants tend to give a bit of gloss with major reflection and flake pop which looks great on light cars
 
oh dear you are going to laugh hard at my products

I use the big green container of turtlewax all-in-one for washing the car

a chamois for drying off

Autoglym Alloy Wheel Cleaner
Turtle Wax Tyre Dressing Spay

Autoglym glass cleaner.

Erm thats about it. i have small bottles of the tar remover and bumper treatment etc but never use them. I have something else for feeding the leather on the Xantia but thats about it. ooo and cockpit shine!

For the record the turtlewax all in one actually gives a reasonable finish but I'm not fussy as the paintwork is a bit "tired" on both the mx5 and the xantia.
 
Matt82 said:
i think turtle wax platinum products are pretty damn amazing
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Got to say, I think the turtle wax platinum wash is brilliant.

and it has to be THE best smelling product out there! you guys gotta smell it to believe it!
I'd deffo invest in a quick detail spray too, i use QD for all sorts, i find it good for cleaning areas like door jams, slam pannels and hinges etc etc.
 
R B Customs said:
Got to say, I think the turtle wax platinum wash is brilliant.

and it has to be THE best smelling product out there! you guys gotta smell it to believe it!
I'd deffo invest in a quick detail spray too, i use QD for all sorts, i find it good for cleaning areas like door jams, slam pannels and hinges etc etc.
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try turtle wax extra gloss protectant. ive not seen a product bead water like it for so long. i mean, it literally lasts months and months, rain runs for its life when it lands on the car. the car stays cleaner for longer. its great.

the normal wax is nice too
 
if you think that smells good you should try some poorboys products, so amazing

poorboys natty blue - bubblegum
natty white - ice cream
natural interior dressing - marzipan
diamond white glaze seems to be a bit banana/coconut smelling

i just want to eat it all :D
 
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