Detailing!

[Kemosabi1]

Well, I'm no good you know.  I've been plodding along merrily for years, washing my car as little as poss and then majority of the time taking it to the hand car wash places that scratch the heck out of your car.  I think I would have washed my own car more has I seen some of the results on here!

Spent an hour or 2 last night reading posts in this section - immense.  Can't believe how much there is to car washing!  I went on CleanYourCar.com and started trying to look at what I would need to try achieve some of the amazing finishes on here and at a minimum, not including a bucket was rattling up a bill of £65!  See below what a complete amateur put in his basket and let me know if I am on the right lines!

Dodo Juice - Born to be mild shampoo - £8
Meg Microfibre washmit £8
Microfibre drying towel £9
Carlack and Collinite 476 kit (including mits etc) £28
Meg NXT Glass Cleaner £7 (don't like dirty glass on the interior)

Is that enough?  I didn't want to go to the lengths of clay etc - baby steps, need to build up to the full deal.

Any better suggestions - starter packs anyone is aware off?  My wife insists i've gone mad looking at spending so much on cleaning gear.

[snapey]

To be honest if it's never been properly cleaned i.e. clayed, sealed etc your pretty much going to be polishing over tar, sap etc etc.

Best bet is to just go all out on it and start with a clay then correct the paint work.

Just my 2p but there are a load of experienced detailers on here who'll soon point you in the right direction.

[Kemosabi1]

Thanks mate.  Should have made the point that I am picking up my new car tom (I've had a gti prev) so would be kinda like turning over a new leaf for this one.  56 plate, 20,000 miles, black metallic, 5 door.

[keith]

Snapey has a point. but you have to start somewhere lol. My preference for wash mitts are lambswool as i dont think the microfibre ones are as good as the l/wool ones. Dodo juice shampoo is good, the megs nxt would suffice. theres endless combinations out there. if youre interested then you can check my site and I can put a deal together for you as a forum member.

[stealthwolf]

Ideally it's first wash should be a full detail. Get it done properly and then it'd be easier for you to top up.

If you don't want paintwork correction, you can leave it till later but agree with the above regarding a clay kit. Even somethig like megs smooth surface clay kit from halfords is fine.

Remember - you need TWO buckets.

Tescos do lots of microfibre cloths - £2 per pack of 2. I use this for applying products to the car.

You've made no mention of black plastic trim, wheel cleaner, tyre shine or exhaust cleaning.

[Tuffy]

Same as the other guys advice really buddy. You cant polish a turd mate, you really need to get back to a nice clean paint work free from tar, sap, and road film. worth adding some clay to your list, once you've done it and see what it takes off your car you'll know its a process thats a must. Detailing is a little a addictive mate but worth spending the extra £ as you get what you pay for.
Buy cheap buy twice!

[VC]

...bucket...yes you do need one 

one with a grit guard in the bottom FTW 

[Kemosabi1]

Ok, I'm sold re the clay - let's give it a go.  What do you do with the stuff?  Literally rub gently on the paint work?

Good shout re Tesco's too - noticed it's pretty cheap for cloths etc.   Think I will scrap the Carlack an Collinite kit then and just get the Collinite.  Not sure what the car lack stuff is anyway and if I'm getting clay is that not enough?

2 buckets - i'm on board with that too

Halfords do a lambswool mit for £7 odd, i'll plump for that instead of the microfibre.

Is there a real difference in spending £8 on a megs glass cleaner rather than some 2quid wipes from tesco?  (sorry for the ignorance but it's a hell of a mark up in price so need to justify!)

Argh!  More q's and than a's!

Basic one this - new to the forum thing, what is FTW?

[Kemosabi1]

Anyone have a tip on a decent reasonably priced clay that is safe for beginners!

[VC]

FTW = For The Win
FTMFW = For The Mother Fcuking Win

[Kemosabi1]

Thanks VC - that was killing me!

OK - revised basket totals £63 - I need to bring this down to sub £50, ideally £40 for a starter then build up gradually.

Megs NXT Glass Cleaner (essential?) £7
Microfibre drying towel £9
Dodo Juice, born to be mild shampoo £8
Megs Quik Clay Kit £12
Collinite 476s wax £14
Megs Hot rims wheel cleaner £6
remainder VAT.

Am I best just cutting my teeth with an Auto-Glym pack?

[stealthwolf]

The problem with detailing is that it's expensive. I've spent at least £400-500 on detailing stuff. A good chunk was a machine polishing kit.

[Greeners]

Tescos do lots of microfibre cloths - £2 per pack of 2. I use this for applying products to the car.

Not wanting to pick flies oh Stealthmaster but applying product with an MF is a waste of product as it both absorbs said product and cleans it off again with one hit. Use a decent foam applicator for applying and remove/buff with an MF! 

[stealthwolf]

^^^See I'm now certain I picked that up from here and then used it on detailingworld and got shot down for it. Or was it at over golfgti.co.uk?

[stealthwolf]

Okay found the thread and post: clicky

next post from Jim at AP says use MF for everything.