So - list what a newbie should buy

[Tam]

So, got a brand new Red FR, going to wash it next weekend, therefore i have 4 working days to order and get delivered all the cleaning kit i need.

Up till now on my cars I have used a sponge, some turtle wax car shampoo, wonder wheels, a ruddy great big jet wash set to max power and to dry it off was to go as fast as possible down the local dual carriageway If i fancied doing a proper job, then i'd use a chamois leather and use the autoglym super resin polish (red one) with some on a roll "anti-scratch" rag.


Thought I might make a change this time and wash it properly.

So, using www.cleanyourcar.co.uk spec up what i should buy.

I've got listed:
For the body:
2x http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washing-drying/meguiars-lambswool-wash-mitt/prod_282.html
1x http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washing-drying/meguiars-shampoo-plus/prod_322.html
2x http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/microfibre-cloths/sonus-ultimate-drying-towel/prod_87.html

For the wheels:
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheels-tyres/sonus-rim-bright-alloy-wheel-cleaner/prod_86.html
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheels-tyres/poorboys-wheel-sealant/prod_9.html
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheels-tyres/meguiars-wheel-spoke-brush/prod_189.html
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheels-tyres/meguiars-high-gloss-tyre-gel/prod_103.html


For the polish:
??????

Also, pretend i have no form of applicators, what should i use to apply the polish, tyre gloss, tyre wax/sealant etc.etc


So, slag off the list i;ve made above, or change things for something else if you feel the need ( I think it looks like I'm spending a small fortune here!)

 

[JonoUK]

I'm going to get something along those lines. The sonus drying towels and lambswool mitts for sure. I have a microfibre one at the moment, and although it's awesome I think the lambswool one will be worth the extra/replacement cost.

I have the meg's wheel brush as well. It's great, but it doesn't seem to be able to get between the inner spokes on the 18s - it has a little rubber acorn type thing on the end of the brush and it's a tiiiny bit too wide. I might take some sandpaper to mine and trim it down a bit.

That said, though, it does clean really really well on the bits it can reach. I've not yet tried any products specifically for wheels - though I do have some Meguier's stuff - in a spray bottle, pink liquid - says it's safe for all wheels, but I'm sure it contains acid so I don't want to risk it. I will say, however, that you should invest in some goggles / face mask / snorkel when you're cleaning your wheels with it, or at least don't grin. I haven't yet found a way to use it without it flicking foam and bits of brake dust all over me. Other than that it's a great buy

Polish-wise I hear good things about AutoGlym super resin polish. I've not used it all over my car - I didn't think it needed it (see my posts in this thread

Don't know about tyres yet either. That's on my todo list

 

[Tam]

A slight sneaky bump

oh .. .... and what is the best way to remove flys (or rather the remains of flys) from the front of your car....

 

[JonoUK]

Well... personally, I use the AG fly and tar (?) remover. Spray it on, leave it a few seconds, wipe off with a soft cloth. Seems to work pretty well, so long you get them before they've had chance to get welded on by the sun.

The meg's lambswool mitt also comes with a honeycomb type bit on the back that's supposed to be for removing stubborn bugs. I don't think it should damage your paint, but don't quote me on that

 

[Tam]

Thanks for that, i cannot guarantee that the flys wont get baked on by the sun, i can do upto 1,000 miles a week, so sometimes it might go unwashed for 2-3 weeks and thats a pretty big build up of crap.

(920 miles since i picked it up last monday night )

 

[JonoUK]

know the feeling mate, i don't tend to wash cars often as a rule, but I can see this one becoming something of an obsession.

The AG fly stuff is really good though. I haven't tried anything like meguier's or some other that kind of thing fly remover. It might be better... I find the bits that are hardest to get de-flied are the silver wing mirror painted bits.