Numpties guide to detailing and products?

[Danny_FR]

I've decided that next payday I'm going to invest in some decent products to keep the FR looking its best. I've had a scout through some of the topics in this section but I haven't found anything in one place.

Basically what I want is a "print off, cut out and keep" type of guide to which products to use and in which order to use them, from when the first drop of water hits the bodywork to the very last cloth. Bear in mind that I'm not a proffesional and everything will be done by hand.

A budget of £150-200 for all products needed isn't unrealistic, is it?

 

[Danny_FR]

Oh yeah, any links to things not available in my local Hellfrauds or A1 Motorstores appreciated!

 

[skahigh]

£200 will get you alot of really good products. I have found its good to invest in the following:

- Good quality shampoo (e.g. Megs Gold Class)
- Lambs wool wash mitt + micro fibre wash mitt for the wheels
- Waffle weave towel for drying panels after washing.
- Buckets
- a few micro fibre cloths
- a few foam applicator pads
- decent wax and/or sealant.

Look at detailingworld for LOADS of info and there are some really great guides and products on sites like polishedbliss.co.uk (those guys know what they are talking about)

Here is my current cleaning routine:

- snow foam using pressure washer, rinse off
- megs gold class wash using lambs wool wash mitt and 2 bucket method (microfibre wash mitt for the wheels)
- possibly a light polish with a final finish polish or gloss (which have little or no cutting action)
- poorboys ex-p sealant left to cure for an hour then buffed off
- nattys paste wax left for 5 mins and buffed off (or it becomes damn hard work to buff!!)

sometimes takes me several hours but the results are awesome! i cant recommend the seal AND wax highly enough.

 

[__B3NNY__]

Have a look on www.detailingworld.co.uk, theres loads of guides on there and plenty of sponsers to buy your products from.

My first purchase i brought:

x2 microfibre applicater pads
x1 megs waffle weave towel
x1 megs gold class shampoo
x3 MF cloths
x1 megs lambs wool mitt
megs stg1 paint clenser
megs quick detailer and clay
AG SRP
megs next gen wax

All this came to about £80 and got these results...

http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=101732

Ive since brought some AG EGP and nattys blue wax and some AG instant tyre shine although i will be getting some better tyre shine next purchase.

Alloy cleaner is a good idea too... Megs hot rims is quite popular.

David.

 

[olaf]

Id say get one GritGuard bucket added to the lists from above.

Start off with a few things and then add more in over time.

I'd also recommend a Snow Foam lance if you have a pressure washer.........works well, looks great when your car is covered and is alot of fun

 

[Danny_FR]

Thanks for the info guys, really appreciate it!

Quite suprised actually about the costs, thought it'd be more expensive than it really is! Pays to do your homework I suppose...

Supa_Dupa_Cupra - Great results for a first timer! How did you get on with paint swirls?

Olaf - Thanks for the guide, just the type of thing I was looking for! Already got a Snow Foam lance, came with my cheapish pressure washer!

 

[__B3NNY__]

Supa_Dupa_Cupra - Great results for a first timer! How did you get on with paint swirls?

There still there mate , but if you use a polish with fillers in it it will mask them for a while, in other words a temp fix. SRP is what i used. After a full detail i tend to wax pretty much everytime i wash some people might say its over the top but it makes it hell of alot easier to clean.

David.