Suggestions for basics cleaning / polishing / protecting

[ChrisBarns]

What would you do / products would you use if you had a day to give a really good clean to a grubby car? I'm not a cleany type of person and don't have much patenice either! I do have an electric polisher but I've only ever used it once.

Its a silver/grey cabby.

[march109]

How much do you want to spend on products? or per clean on average? I've recently got into all this bufty stuff myself but know enough to give a beginner some tips!

Heres the reflection in the paint I got on a delphin grey e30 with zaino:



Obligitory beadage shot too:

[ChrisBarns]

I don't know - when I use "normal" stuff from halfords it never seems to get the depth of shine that other people's cars have. Say £100 absolute max? I don't know if that is a lot?

[march109]

That is alot, That will get you the kit I use and £40 change. Also it will last for 20-30 or more washes.

Buy this:
http://www.pro-detailing.co.uk/index.php?p=193&c=22 to wash
http://www.pro-detailing.co.uk/index.php?p=225&c=22 to finish and protect

If you can afford a bit more these are usefull:
http://www.pro-detailing.co.uk/index.php?p=33&c=3 for the extra special washwhenyou have a bit of extra time
http://www.pro-detailing.co.uk/index.php?p=33&c=3 for applying the sealents in package two above
http://www.pro-detailing.co.uk/index.php?p=14&c=12 for anything but I use it on wheels & engine bay.

As you go along you can also add other products for interior, tyres, glass ect.. But this will all be a good start.

[march109]

Get two buckets also.

[Morat]

I used to use halfords car wash and some boggo wax, but I've decided that the better quality products are worth it because they last so much longer and give better results in less time. I'm currently using meguiars but will ditch if for Zaino when I've got my money's worth out of it!
Those pro-detailing kits look excellent value.

[d6dph]

Zaino is the best available IMO. But the reflections tend to be a little clinical and don't have the wet gloss I'm used to (From what I have seen anyway)

[march109]

Depends on the products Dave, I have but am yet to use:

http://www.pro-detailing.co.uk/index.php?p=179&c=5
and
http://www.pro-detailing.co.uk/index.php?p=22&c=5

just using zaino wash, Z-AIO and Z-CS at the moment. According to the fellas on www.detailingworld.co.uk that will give the wet look you mention.

[ChrisBarns]

Ahh, I don't want wet gloss. (I dont think) I want deep lustre. don't know the correct term so I;ve maid up my own!

[Cabgirl]

If you don't want to be using chemicals on your skin, then you should try Zymol. It's made from 100% natural products. I've been using their products for nearly 10 years. The wax I bought has lasted this long!!

If you mention Lizzie, Administrator from the ww.e30zone, he will reduce the price by the cost of the post and packaging.

http://www.johnswax.co.uk/index2.html

[Nick_TBMW]

I think most of you are missing the point - he doesn't need to know what the fanciest wax or shampoo is; he needs to know what type of polish to use. After all, none of these expensive products will make a difference if the paint preparation isn't right. The paint prep is what gives it the shine.

Claybar is a good start. Then you should look at something like Meguiars #9, or DACP - the most effective hand polishes out there. Ideally, a random orbital machine polisher with something more aggressive would do the job, but it's expensive.

[capri_rob]

Have used standard Autoglym stuff for Years - if it ain't broke don't fix it !



Taken today - proof that despite popular belief you CAN polish a turd.........