Detailing virgin selection of products

[crashdesk]

Had a friend advise me on products to get to protect and perfect the looks of my new GTI.

Car is Tornado Red with 18" Monza's.

Valet Pro Bilberry wheel cleaner
FinishKare 1000P Hi-Temp Sealant
Autoglym - Instant Tyre Dressing (He said that this is great for the exterior plastics too)
Autoglym - Super Resin Polish

Anyone else use these and what do you think?

C

[golf nutter]

AG super resin polish is what i use...i like it.

[crashdesk]

I assume it's an either or with the Super Resin and FinishKare 1000P Hi-Temp Sealant? Heard nothing but amazing reviews about the FinishKare 1000P and watched some YouTube vids which backs this up. I think it has the added benefit of UV protection which the AG doesn't. Hate faded paint, especially on red cars :-)

[keith]

Had a friend advise me on products to get to protect and perfect the looks of my new GTI.

Car is Tornado Red with 18" Monza's.

Valet Pro Bilberry wheel cleaner
FinishKare 1000P Hi-Temp Sealant
Autoglym - Instant Tyre Dressing (He said that this is great for the exterior plastics too)
Autoglym - Super Resin Polish

Anyone else use these and what do you think?

C

Personally I wouldn'y use the AG Tyre Dressing as its water based so will not last long on tyres.

[stealthwolf]

Valet Pro Bilberry wheel cleaner

A very good cleaner. Not very strong but means it's not very harsh so very good for regular use and can be diluted to 1:4 to 1:10 and still be effective.

FinishKare 1000P Hi-Temp Sealant

Used this last winter. Very easy to use. If you apply a second coat, wait at least 48 hours before doing so to allow the first coat to fully cure. The effect on my car was like it was wrapped in cling film - very bling bling shiny. Didn't feel it was particularly "warm" but I guess that's subjective. Can also be used on the brake calipers and on the alloys as a wheel sealant.

Autoglym - Instant Tyre Dressing (He said that this is great for the exterior plastics too)

Don't really rate this. I prefer Megs Endurance Tyre Gel and use AG Bumper Care for plastics - see how you fare with AG's version. Again, you may like it.

Autoglym - Super Resin Polish

Proven (on DW) to be one of the best for use by hand. Will be tough work though but very worthwhile.

What other products do you have? Shampoo? Clay? Glass? Applicators? Pads? Microfibres? Brushes? etc - make sure you don't forget them!

[yellowbelly]

Had a friend advise me on products to get to protect and perfect the looks of my new GTI.

Car is Tornado Red with 18" Monza's.

Valet Pro Bilberry wheel cleaner  Good stuff and decent price
FinishKare 1000P Hi-Temp Sealant Never used it so can't comment, always used Poorboys wheel sealant.
Autoglym - Instant Tyre Dressing (He said that this is great for the exterior plastics too) Personally i would recommend Chemical Guys new look trim gel
Autoglym - Super Resin Polish - cheap enough and does the job, not alot more to say about this

Make sure you get yourself some wax otherwise any time spend polishing will be wasted without protecting it in some way.
Anyone else use these and what do you think?

Most importantly its your washing technique(s) that you want to invest time in along with the 2 bucket method, sheepskin washmit and a decent shampoo will see you right.
C

[crashdesk]

 Was thinking of Sonus Sheepskin Wash Mitt for washing duties.

I thought the FinishKare was the last step in the process, so

Wash (wheels then body)
Super Resin Polish
FinishKare

Do I need to put a wax over the sealant?

Any other recommendations for sponges, mitts, brushes etc?

[yellowbelly]

Was thinking of Sonus Sheepskin Wash Mitt for washing duties.

I thought the FinishKare was the last step in the process, so

Wash (wheels then body)
Super Resin Polish
FinishKare

Do I need to put a wax over the sealant?

Any other recommendations for sponges, mitts, brushes etc?

Sorry bud I assumed as you were opting for the high temp sealant you were using it on your wheels, hence my previous comment.

[Boothy]

Colinite 845 is worth a mention too. I've been using this on my tornado red for a few year now and it really is special in my opinion. On my red one the things which made the biggest difference to the overall look was the claying AND a good glaze. The Lusso Creme or Prima Amigo would be my choice as I've used both and both are spot on. The Amigo would probably negate the need for the SRP but its good at masking the swirls and looks superb.
 
A million and one products and combinations to be honest but the above are what I have found to be the best on the red throughout the years.

[golf nutter]

Was thinking of Sonus Sheepskin Wash Mitt for washing duties.

I thought the FinishKare was the last step in the process, so

Wash (wheels then body)
Super Resin Polish
FinishKare

Do I need to put a wax over the sealant?

Any other recommendations for sponges, mitts, brushes etc?

wash, polish, glaze, sealant, wax.

i use collinite wax and poorboys glaze for light cars.  i think i need some advice on using either the glaze or wax as it wasn't as deep as i thought it might be.

[Boothy]

Was thinking of Sonus Sheepskin Wash Mitt for washing duties.

I thought the FinishKare was the last step in the process, so

Wash (wheels then body)
Super Resin Polish
FinishKare

Do I need to put a wax over the sealant?

Any other recommendations for sponges, mitts, brushes etc?

wash, polish, glaze, sealant, wax.

i use collinite wax and poorboys glaze for light cars.  i think i need some advice on using either the glaze or wax as it wasn't as deep as i thought it might be.

[golf nutter]

 i know all the processes are important, but is it the glaze part of the process that really gives the deep shine?  i dont use a machine polisher, all by hand...is there any different way of doing it if not using a machine?

[Boothy]

One of the Pro's or Stealth will likely know more than me but if I'm applying it by hand then I usually wash with APC (EDIT: Diluted APC), wipe down with IPA and then apply the glaze in vertical strokes followed by horizontal and then diagonal. That way the fillers get right into the swirls etc and keep working it until its nearly vanished or has begun to haze over. Then lightly remove with a good microfibre cloth and buff it up. Seal the goodness in with a couple of coats of wax/sealant.

A good glaze should help with that deep, glossy finish but only if the paint is prepared right but for that real depth I think you need a machine.

Have you clayed the car?

[golf nutter]

never clayed it but will be doing next weekend all being well.  thanks for the advice.

[stealthwolf]

As above, wash and then clay the car to remove bonded contaminants. SRP is a bit of an all-in-one product. It's good by hand because it has lots of filling ability, so rather than abrading away the mark, it fills it.

I'd be careful with what I'd apply on top as you risk pulling out the fillers. Lots of glazes have cleansers which would undo your hard work. If you really want a glaze, clearkote yellow cream wax is good - despite the name, it's still a glaze. Otherwise I'd skip it and move straight to sealant. A wax on top is up to you. Some consider it overkill, others just enjoy applyig a wax for the sake of it. I wouldn't bother unless in winter, when you might not wash and top up as frequently, so wax adds that extra sacrificial layer.