Advice for a newbie cleaner

[colganraz]

thanks for the advice, would you recommend this over the Dodojuice supernatural hybrid? found some for £24 so i am quite tempted to give that stuff ago as my 1st ever wax product!

[Clean Your Ride]

Personal choice pal. I have both, the NPT is cheaper, easier and quicker to apply but only about half a dozen applications per can.
The SNH tub however will last you a number of years but is not as easy to buff off as the NPT.
If you're using the Sonax BSD as a detail spray to maintain the shine and protection then it would better to buy the NPT.

@cleanyourride28

[Superfly Guy]

Thanks for the guides, il pop out tomorrow and try and pick up some stuff. Any chance you could knock up a list of basic beginners items for the occasional car cleaner. Sort of one product per phase that is easily found on the high street, supermarket or car shop (I won't have time to order from the tinterweb this time round).
Thanks

[Girlypink]

SFG has asked exactly what I was looking for. Have always just used a hand wash place to do it for me on previous cars *dont shoot me!* but I want to have a go myself. A list of products for the stages, maybe even two choices would be great. I don't have lots to spend sadly so want to be sure what I am buying is the right thing.

[mk2k41]

Power Maxed have a good offer on at the moment on a bundle of products which will cover pretty much everything you'd need to keep your car clean - http://www.powermaxed.com/clean-your...product-bundle. I've not used their products yet myself, but that's because I haven't run out of anything yet. Andy rates their products very highly so it's a safe bet. I'll be ordering that when I get paid next week. The only thing it hasn't got which you could do with having is an iron fallout remover. Bilt Hamber Korrosol is what I use and it works a treat. It's an important step as failure to remove iron particles can result in swirling being left in the paint, and also if left for long periods can affect the bodywork and allow corrosion to begin. Picking up a quick detailer spray would help protect your paintwork for longer as well. Sonax Brilliant Shine Detailer is pretty much the universally approved one on this site.

Of course you need some items to actually wash your car with. Don't use sponges or leathers whatever you do! Invest in a decent wash mitt (lambs wool are the best) for doing the body work, and personally I use a cheap microfiber mitt for the wheels. http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washin.../prod_282.html - that's what I use on the body and http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kent-Q2429-M...iber+wash+mitt is what I use for the wheels. You don't need to spend loads on buckets either, you can just pick two cheap ones up from the super market. You don't need grit guards, but you will have to be careful not to go near the bottom of the bucket when using them, so it can be a good idea to spend a bit on them just for peace of mind. After you've washed you car, you need to dry it. The best thing here is pat drying using a drying towel which will help reduce swirls and scratches. http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/index....productId=1003 is the one I use.

That covers most day to day cleaning. It's another list when it comes to more detailed cleaning, covering claying, polishing and waxing etc.

[Wes79]

SFG has asked exactly what I was looking for. Have always just used a hand wash place to do it for me on previous cars *dont shoot me!* but I want to have a go myself. A list of products for the stages, maybe even two choices would be great. I don't have lots to spend sadly so want to be sure what I am buying is the right thing.

You'll find loads of great advice around here on cleaning and on products that won't break the bank.

I agree that the Power Maxed stuff is rather good indeed and there are some fantastic offers on their products right now.

One thing I couldn't live without though.... A very good drying towel. I'm not sure where in Suffolk you are, but I'm in Ipswich and our water is so hard it's ridiculous! £10-15 on a very good drying towel (Uber or Wooly Mammoth) will be one of the best purchases you make!! I have to rinse car, the wash again a panel at a time and pat it dry.

I also used to take my previous car to a hand wash! Tesco at copdock got a lot of money from me! Haha.

[Superfly Guy]

Wilko are doing 2 for 1 on large microfiber towels.

[Girlypink]

Wes79 I'm in Stowmarket! Totally with you on the hard water! I've ordered some bits from clean your car so will have a go with them. Took real pride in polishing it today so can't wait!

[Wes79]

Excellent. Don't forget to post some piccies

[Girlypink]

If I can work out how then I certainly will. Tried yesterday but couldn't work it out!

[colganraz]

Rabid i did my first detail couple of weeks ago, gave you a little shout on DW if you saw

Also picked some of this up at FCS, have you used it before?

It seems good but i have never used any other QD to compare with!

[Clean Your Ride]

Rabid i did my first detail couple of weeks ago, gave you a little shout on DW if you saw

Also picked some of this up at FCS, have you used it before?

It seems good but i have never used any other QD to compare with!

[ATTACH]9288[/ATTACH]

Never heard of that brand before if I'm being honest. Seems cheap enough for the 500ml bottle though.
Apply QD as you would normally to bodywork then spray same bodywork with water from a hose, sprayer or watering can with a rose attachment. If the water sheets off quickly or produces little tight beads of water then the QD is considered good in detailing circles.

[colganraz]

Neither had i, they had a stand at FCS and got talking to a guy, he said they usually do alot of VW shows, thought i would give it ago, when it runs out i am going to try the farecla detailer.

I have only recently applied DJ SNH so the paint was beading well prior. i have used it on the glass though and the water just rolls off!

[Clean Your Ride]

Thanks for the guides, il pop out tomorrow and try and pick up some stuff. Any chance you could knock up a list of basic beginners items for the occasional car cleaner. Sort of one product per phase that is easily found on the high street, supermarket or car shop (I won't have time to order from the tinterweb this time round).
Thanks

Sorry for delay SFG. Been a little busy but here goes:

Best and first purchase should be a lambswool wash mitt. Mine is a Merino wool one and minimises swirls. Do NOT use a sponge under any circumstances.

Only dry the car with a specific mf drying towel. Use this by patting the towel on the bodywork, do not rub. Mine is a Wooly Mammoth, see my video here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZrG...e_gdata_player

Do NOT use a chamois or drying blade.

Microfibres should be the softest you can afford. I buy mine, Kirkland, in packs of 36 from Costco for £12.

The plushest cloths for buffing off waxes, polishes or the BSD are these Purple Monster cloths. It's like rubbing your car with a chinchilla.

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/microf...prod_1303.html

As you can see, detailing uses a variety of both expensive and inexpensive products

As a starter kit, I would recommend

Nilfisk jetwash http://www.cleanstore.co.uk/products...ct.asp?ID=7506

2 buckets with grit guards http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washin.../prod_393.html

Topps Tiles 22.5L mixing bucket http://www.toppstiles.co.uk/tprod876...et-225ltr.html

Carpro Merino wool mitt http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washin.../prod_784.html

Or Mantis MF mitt from Asda http://m.groceries.asda.com/#item/910001355410

Or Meguiars from Halfords http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...5609&langId=-1

Hozelock pressure sprayer http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hozelock-Ltd...essure+sprayer

Or garden pressure sprayer http://www.amazon.co.uk/Powerplus-Sp...ure+sprayer+2L

Valetpro Citrus pre-wash http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/valeti.../prod_728.html

BiltHamber Autofoam http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washin...prod_1165.html

Autosmart G101 All purpose cleaner http://www.shopnshine.co.uk/autosmar...urpose-cleaner

All purpose cleaner Stardrops http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stardrops-Di...ords=stardrops

Wax free shampoo such as Muc Off Uber Shampoo http://www.screwfix.com/p/muc-off-be...equestid=66580

Or Sonax Deep Gloss Shampoo (£3.19 with free delivery) http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001MPSTE..._ws_gb?ie=UTF8

Wheel Cleaner from PowerMaxed http://www.powermaxed.com/clean-your...r-frequent-use

Video here of PowerMaxed Alloy Wheel Cleaner in action
http://youtu.be/Hrg4BRvXoPc

Drying towel http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/microf...prod_1003.html

Or Kent from Amazon http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kent-Q6100-E...s=drying+towel

Plush microfibre cloths http://www.costco.co.uk/view/product...s_8.6.2/713160 instore these are just £12 incl VAT

Sonax BSD http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/detail...prod_1178.html

This is the finish and beading effects of the BSD.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoDs...e_gdata_player

http://youtu.be/U82f5hIZ-rg

Or G3 Bodyshop Detailer Spray http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...5233&langId=-1

This is the finish and beading effects of the G3.

http://youtu.be/7sgvK0StunQ

Sonax NPT http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/sealan...prod_1200.html

Wheel Woolies http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheels...prod_1037.html

Envy/Valetpro detailing brushes http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheels.../prod_973.html

Exhaust tip/s cleaned with fine grade wire wool and metal cleaner

Autosol http://www.amazon.co.uk/Autosol-Chro...l+metal+polish

Duzzit metal cleaner and polish (£1 from The Range) http://www.therange.co.uk/metal-poli...-product/68476

Best tips are to use the 2 bucket method with grit guards and a lambswool mitt, pat dry with a microfibre drying towel then apply the BSD. Sealed alloys will only need shampoo and mitt to clean.

Hope this helps?

Andy

@cleanyourride28

[Superfly Guy]

Thanks Andy, im away now so no cleaning for a couple of months. I did buy some stuff to cover all bases, most of them had been mentioned in your various posts but due to various constraints I could only purchase locally (ie Wilkinson's and Halfords), still I was very impressed with the results.