Noob - looking for kit to go over a Phantom Black car

[sub39h]

hi guys,

i've never cleaned my car properly, only recently started using the two bucket method. thought it was time to change that. my current regime is as follows:

1. go over the car with Simoniz triple wax shampoo
2. rinse with Demon Shine
3. blow dry with a leaf blower
3. Meguiars NXT 2.0 by hand

i know that i'm basiclly applying 3 layers of wax but i have NO idea what i'm doing and it seems to always come out very well...

anyhow, i'm looking for a brand new regime, and i'm willing to buy all new equipment for it. can one of the experts give me a guide as to what to buy and what to do? my car is a little swirly and i don't want to make it worse - if i can make it better then that's a bonus.

i have, maybe, £300 to spend? i want a foam lance, polisher, the right snow foam, polishes, wax etc. equipment and where to buy info would be most appreciated

S.

[monte]

Here is a great shopping list....

Hardware,
Foam lance (with the correct fitting for you jet wash)
2 detailing buckets with grit guards
1 large lambs wool mitt
1 or 2 large Plush drying towels
Couple of detailing brushes for wheels,shuts and grilles etc
Tyre dressing applicator
1 or 2 medium plush towels for applying detailing sprays and buffing (I use Chemical guys super deluxe microfiber towels)

Products,
5L snowfoam (1L is fine, 5L will last years and years)
Shampoo  (I use Chemical guys)
Bilberry spray (diluted for wheels and arches)
IronX spray
Clay bar and lube spray
Pre wax paint cleaner
Chemical Guys Blacklight Radiant Finish polish 
V7 Hybrid Paint sealant spray 
Wheel guard wax/sealant
Tyre dressing (chemical guys G6)

I've started using Chemical guys products with amazing results  
You can buy all you need from them too, and they do kits to save even more money.

Have a look here...

http://www.chemicalguysuk.com/category_s/30.htm

That should do you for now!!!

[Mandy]

3. blow dry with a leaf blower

 

Lol! I found that funny at first, but thinking about it, it actually seems like a good idea.

Must get some strange looks from your neighbours though...

[dodds-gttdi]

3. blow dry with a leaf blower

 

Lol! I found that funny at first, but thinking about it, it actually seems like a good idea.

Must get some strange looks from your neighbours though...

Could be worse, he could be out dancing round his car with a hairdryer!  That's quite an ingenious idea using a leaf blower, i've only polished a car once or twice but always manage to find bits of the car I've failed to dry properly. 

[maxload]

A few links that will be of interest to you....

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/    <-- brilliant site!!

http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/

http://www.detailingbliss.com/forum/forum.php

http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/

[stealthwolf]

In theory, if you're using demon shine, you shouldn't need to use a leaf blower! 

I'd start off with the basics and build from there. No point spending £££ if you're not somebody who enjoys/has time to wash their car. I'd always recommend on starting from a good base and it's worth getting your car detailed by a pro. You can then keep it "topped up" with regular washing and care.

Basics:
 - at least one bucket. Most go for two - one to hold the shampoo solution and one to rinse the wash mitt/sponge*
 - shampoo. Even something like Meg's Gold Class shampoo is pretty good and can be bought from halfrauds.
 - hosepipe - to rinse the car. If you are in a block of flats or somehow unable to rinse the car, use a watering can with the attachment
 - drying towel. Can help with drying. The leaf blower will work best when the car is protected with a sealant/wax.

All that can be done for maybe £10 and I'd spend the rest on a detail by a pro.







*sponge here isn't the bog standard one you buy but something like zymol

[sub39h]

thanks for the advice guys

In theory, if you're using demon shine, you shouldn't need to use a leaf blower! 

I'd start off with the basics and build from there. No point spending £££ if you're not somebody who enjoys/has time to wash their car. I'd always recommend on starting from a good base and it's worth getting your car detailed by a pro. You can then keep it "topped up" with regular washing and care.

Basics:
 - at least one bucket. Most go for two - one to hold the shampoo solution and one to rinse the wash mitt/sponge*
 - shampoo. Even something like Meg's Gold Class shampoo is pretty good and can be bought from halfrauds.
 - hosepipe - to rinse the car. If you are in a block of flats or somehow unable to rinse the car, use a watering can with the attachment
 - drying towel. Can help with drying. The leaf blower will work best when the car is protected with a sealant/wax.

All that can be done for maybe £10 and I'd spend the rest on a detail by a pro.







*sponge here isn't the bog standard one you buy but something like zymol

yeah i think being cas officer doesn't exactly leave much time to clean the car lol. plus being in a flat and not having an outside water source... only ever clean it when i'm at my parents'.

i've settled on some basic kit, snow foam lance, 2x buckets with grit guard, some decent shampoo and wax. i'll leave the polishing to the pros