*** The Car Cleaning Thread ***
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Soldato
Aye nice one.
I've been looking at all the protection types for my new car and last night someone sent me the following link which also has some great advise on cleaning and maintaining.
http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/guides.html
Jase
I've been looking at all the protection types for my new car and last night someone sent me the following link which also has some great advise on cleaning and maintaining.
http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/guides.html
Jase
Associate
Nice write up, I'll read it fully later.
Can I get all the products (or at least cheap and cheerful versions which do the job well enough) from Halfrauds? Don't fancy waiting for online delivery because I planned to clean it tomorrow.
Can I get all the products (or at least cheap and cheerful versions which do the job well enough) from Halfrauds? Don't fancy waiting for online delivery because I planned to clean it tomorrow.
Two ways of getting foam on your car, the proper and more expensive way is use a Foam lance with snow foam and a jetwash,I must admit it does look cool, but thats about it imo, its a bit of luxury that isnt necessary.
I personally use a supersquirter, which just fits onto a std hose and gives the same cleaning performance, and a similar foam on the car.
Most of the Autoglym and Megs stuff is available, but the good stuff is online only Im afraid
Soldato
Glaze fills in small swirl marks. Sealant is synthetic wax which usually lasts a very long time, longer than any Carnuba wax even Collinite.
I know that, i couldnt understand the point he was trying to make!
I must admit i havent used many sealants,I prefer the Carnuba based wax, as in my experience it lasts longer.
What have you compared against Collinite then, might add it to the stock list.
I must admit i havent used many sealants,I prefer the Carnuba based wax, as in my experience it lasts longer.
What have you compared against Collinite then, might add it to the stock list.
Caporegime
The point I am making is that using both a glaze and sealant in addition to the polishing and wax stage makes a huge difference to the final outcome and also the longevity of the other products.
I wouldn't personally just polish and then wax as it gives an inferior finish.
You did mention sealant at the end of your post, but didn't state when it should applied. For the record, glaze is applied after the polish and then a sealant is applied before the final waxing stage.
Associate
Meh, OK.
By the way, you can't have that massive write up and then NOT provide before and after pictures of the rewarding effort
Well i agree and disagree, on my Panther black ST and Dturbo, yes it would really show that a polish/glaze/sealant/wax combo had been used, but on my current perfomance blue ST you just cant tell the difference, so i just polish and wax.
As i said in the initial post everyone has their personal pref's.I find wax after the sealant dulls the finish a tad.
Soldato
I waxed last year using MegsNXT Wax, I was thinking of claying this time, and polish/wax properly.
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/detailing-clay/meguiars-quik-clay-kit/prod_226.html
This be alright for a noob?
Gotta choose a wax aswell, so many its mental.
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/detailing-clay/meguiars-quik-clay-kit/prod_226.html
This be alright for a noob?
Gotta choose a wax aswell, so many its mental.
Associate
Great thread 
I'll use this as reference for the next time i clean my car.
I'll use this as reference for the next time i clean my car.
wax over sealant is guff, it results in 2 different types of finishes messing with each other.
sealants give a really crisp finish with crazy reflections and great flake pop in metallic and pearlescent paints.
wax gives a deep glossy wet shine, so when you wax on top of sealant you lose the sharpness and flake pop, meaning the sealant was a waste of time. Some sealants and waxes also don't bond together properly.
HOWEVER, there are some special waxes on the market designed to go on top of sealants, preserving the crisp shine and reflections while adding the depth and wet look, my favourite of these being Blackfire Midnight Sun Ivory Carnauba Paste wax.
As for glazes, they do make a different to the finish, laying down a nice base for the LSP and increasing depth and gloss while masking minor defects
sealants give a really crisp finish with crazy reflections and great flake pop in metallic and pearlescent paints.
wax gives a deep glossy wet shine, so when you wax on top of sealant you lose the sharpness and flake pop, meaning the sealant was a waste of time. Some sealants and waxes also don't bond together properly.
HOWEVER, there are some special waxes on the market designed to go on top of sealants, preserving the crisp shine and reflections while adding the depth and wet look, my favourite of these being Blackfire Midnight Sun Ivory Carnauba Paste wax.
As for glazes, they do make a different to the finish, laying down a nice base for the LSP and increasing depth and gloss while masking minor defects
Blackfire wet diamond sealant lasts 6 months+
Werkstat Acrylic lasts...I dunno, seems to be forever once you've layered it
Permabanned
The megs clay is fine, but I would get some auto-clay.
http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=27&products_id=91
You get more clay for the same price and you can use water for the lube.
Oooh that sounds likesomething that would do the job, is it easy to apply?
For wheels, clean with menzerna 7.5, best wheel cleaner available by a long shot. Polish with something like Werkstat prime strong or another strongish polish, then seal the wheels with Poorboys wheel sealant
Tyres - blackfire long lasting tyre gel beats the meguiars hands down
Engine bay - meguiars super degreaser (make sure you cover up any open electrical components before applying this) and for engine bay plastics Aerospace 303 protectant.
Invest in a microfibre mitt for things like the wheels, some applicator pads for your polishes and waxes and some microfibre cloths and towels for buffing
make sure your microfibre drying towel is a waffle weave, they reduce swirls and absorb better.
Tyres - blackfire long lasting tyre gel beats the meguiars hands down
Engine bay - meguiars super degreaser (make sure you cover up any open electrical components before applying this) and for engine bay plastics Aerospace 303 protectant.
Invest in a microfibre mitt for things like the wheels, some applicator pads for your polishes and waxes and some microfibre cloths and towels for buffing
make sure your microfibre drying towel is a waffle weave, they reduce swirls and absorb better.
the best clay i've used is probably meguiars detailing clay (not the quick clay stuff)
it's twice the price but weighs twice as much so works out the same really
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