Detailing - tips, pics, recommendations

[Daz3]

Thanks Liam I use AG shampoo and I've just bought some AG HD wax. Just need to get a good wash mitt and grit gaurd now and get some pics of the results.

 

[r37]

save yourself a tenner and dont get a grit guard, if you rinse your mitt properly your wash water should be as clean as when you first filled the bucket.

Shampoo CAN be used to strip wax, as can snow foam. But only in high concentrations so dont worry about it. I also like to avoid shampoos containing wax or gloss enhancers. Purely because its not the same as the wax im using, and thus wont blend with it properly. Some might disagree but im the DW forum OCD type.

 

[badman gee]

I agree, shampoo without wax only.

 

[Daz3]

Ok thanks chaps great info now feel free to come and help

 

[GazHyde]

I had the same problem after waxing the mother in laws car, put some Windolene (the blue spray on stuff) on a cloth and it wiped off with no effort

Thanks for that, I'll certainly give it a try.

 

[reddyzeddygo]

I got a deal on a couple of grit guards at Waxstock and I think they're the best thing since ...errrrr... I used buckets without grit guards

 

[Jonttt]

It deep cleans your paint work removing any old polishes and wax. Prepping your paint work for the new wax..

You already have something in your kitchen which will do this ie fairy liquid . It is the only time you should use fairy liquid on car paintwork and due to the high salt content you should rinse the car thoroughly afterwards but it is an effective cleanser prior to claying and rewaxing.

Ps for those that don't know offyourmarks (Matt) is one of the most respected detailors in the country and his attention to detail and practical real world (not what you are brainwashed into believing by marketing bumf) experience is second to none . He is a regular contributor to straight six and runs workshops for the BMWCC. It may be worth seeing if he would be interested in acting as an advisor on this thread and/or seeing if he would run a workshop at his place near Warrington (not too far from the M6). He has a Z3m S50 with 5k on the clock!

 

[badman gee]

It deep cleans your paint work removing any old polishes and wax. Prepping your paint work for the new wax..

You already have something in your kitchen which will do this ie fairy liquid . It is the only time you should use fairy liquid on car paintwork and due to the high salt content you should rinse the car thoroughly afterwards but it is an effective cleanser prior to claying and rewaxing.

Ps for those that don't know offyourmarks (Matt) is one of the most respected detailors in the country and his attention to detail and practical real world (not what you are brainwashed into believing by marketing bumf) experience is second to none . He is a regular contributor to straight six and runs workshops for the BMWCC. It may be worth seeing if he would be interested in acting as an advisor on this thread and/or seeing if he would run a workshop at his place near Warrington (not too far from the M6). He has a Z3m S50 with 5k on the clock!

I agree, it would be fantastic

 

[Jonttt]

I had the same problem after waxing the mother in laws car, put some Windolene (the blue spray on stuff) on a cloth and it wiped off with no effort

Thanks for that, I'll certainly give it a try.

mmmm I would check what it made of. As a general rule of thumb household cleaning products are too aggressive for car paintwork and will shorten the life of any wax you have protecting the paint ;-)

 

[r37]

windolene is fairly gentle as its mainly vinegar and blue dye, fine to use on glass.

Most household cleaners are also degreasers so are worse than useless on car paint (unless you want to strip wax in which fairy is perfect). IPA goes a long way to removing wax from trim, convertable roofs ect, as it warm water.

 

[Daz3]

These are my results of Auto Glym HD Wax. This is two coats put on a day between each as advised

 

[Daz3]

I have another question. Just want to know how you wash the microfibre cloths and wax application sponges? The microfibre cloths say wash in machine but not to use fabric softner? I've also got a meguiers wash mitt which can go in with the cloths. Thanks Daz

 

[r37]

a 30C delicates cycle along with the rest of my hosiary with some non bio detergent (almat from aldi works a treat) brings them up nice and clean. If you dry them on a 40C slow speed on a tumble they come up nice and fluffy too

EDIT: the wax applicators really dont need washing, but a run under hot water will do fine.

 

[stupot50]

I had the same problem after waxing the mother in laws car, put some Windolene (the blue spray on stuff) on a cloth and it wiped off with no effort

Thanks for that, I'll certainly give it a try.

mmmm I would check what it made of. As a general rule of thumb household cleaning products are too aggressive for car paintwork and will shorten the life of any wax you have protecting the paint ;-)

But we are talking about black plastic trim, not paintwork, hence I sprayed the product onto a cloth then wiped the trim only. Worked a treat

 

[Topperz]

What a waste of IPA ( Indian Pale Ale )
I've just done my z with poorboys black hole and then a coat of natty wax as a quick fix due to the weather at the moment
The last owner had her 9 years and I don't think she has ever seen any wax,did come up nice though
I'm sure if the guy I brought her of had spent 50 quid on an outside valet he would have got another £750 to £1000 for her,but that's his loss and my gain

 

[micklaw]

I have found two great products in the meguires detailer range
1 meguires last touch detailer spray produces a nice lasting shine and smooth finish used on the car when it just has light dust (use with micro fibre cloth). Or can be used after final wax coat.
2.meguires wheel brightner detailer range again . Just spray on and wash off removes brake dust tar spots and leaves the wheel clean and bright. Give them a whirl see what you think
Cheers mick

 

[zedonist]

I have 2ltr of T Cut, a DA polisher and some Collinite 845 with triple wax polishing cloth, can you explain how I use the t cut and polisher on my Caravan to get a nice restoration of colour without burning, do I need a bucket of water? I will be applying the Collinite by hand. As you can see it is quite dull:

 

[hard top]

Yeh, and the curtains......Jeremy Clarkson would not approve............

 

[badman gee]

View attachment 2330 I have 2ltr of T Cut, a DA polisher and some Collinite 845 with triple wax polishing cloth, can you explain how I use the t cut and polisher on my Caravan to get a nice restoration of colour without burning, do I need a bucket of water? I will be applying the Collinite by hand. As you can see it is quite dull:

It's a granny van

 

[zedonist]

Really disappointed, I thought this was a serious forum on detailing, and you BMG I thought you would have been constructive, and what has clarkson got todo with it?