Detailing Kit?

[Jay-ZS+]

Feel the beemer really needs a good detail, was told it had been done when I picked it up but the longer I've had it I've noticed more and more areas where polish hasn't been buffed off! lol Also the paint doesn't feel as glossy as I'd like so reckon a good clean, clay and seal job is on the cards.
Want to restock on some cleaning products and wondered if people had any recommendations.

Not entirely sure the full list of products I'm gonna need was looking on the cleanyourcar site at some of the chemical boys stuff but never used it, anyone any thoughts?

[peterzs]

Maybe a PM to Steve Cleenz.

[Jay-ZS+]

Yer after all it was after seeing images of a job he did on a supercharged xk that got me thinking about it.

Thought it may be of use to others so posted it here.

[talkingcars]

I was thinking it be nice if Steve posted in the thread.

[peterzs]

Did look good.

[Jay-ZS+]

Yer in an ideal world I'd have him do it, but dont think my student loan will stretch to it! lol

[Supercharged_Z]

what do you have already

[Jay-ZS+]

Got a few half empty bottles of Autoglym stuff but dont rate it much tbh. Had a load of gear at my parents house with my machine polisher but reckon my brothers will have attacked that!

So other than a bucket, sponge and 36 microfiber clothers (£18 at costco!) nothing really

[Supercharged_Z]

Get yourself another bucket for starters lol..

A decent washing agent I use chemical guys citrus, it lasts forever and is very nice to use

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washing-and-drying/car-wash-shampoos/chemical-guys-citrus-wash-gloss/prod_345.html

Clay if you need it (and lube)
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/detailing-clay/detailing-clay-kits/chemical-guys-clay-block-luber-kit/prod_1262.html

Polish if you want it again i have so many i use whatever takes my fancy but for your color car you can get some good ones I have this and it was great with black

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/glazes/poorboys-black-hole/prod_494.html



Wax is down to personal choice, I have really only ever used a few as they last forever but dodo juice is great

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wax/dodo-juice/dodo-juice-blue-velvet/prod_404.html


You would prob need some wheel cleaner ? up to you what though but make sure its acid fee.

Ross



p.s if you wanted to spend more thats easy to do too :) but all the above I have and use regular apart from the clay and it gets my car looking like this


http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3713/9646940361_f558dd2901_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/101206535@N08/9646940361/)
IMG_1943 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/101206535@N08/9646940361/) by regy53 (http://www.flickr.com/people/101206535@N08/), on Flickr
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7453/9650164656_1590b472b9_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/101206535@N08/9650164656/)
IMG_1940 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/101206535@N08/9650164656/) by regy53 (http://www.flickr.com/people/101206535@N08/), on Flickr
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5462/9650196886_85435d4ff6_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/101206535@N08/9650196886/)
IMG_1959 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/101206535@N08/9650196886/) by regy53 (http://www.flickr.com/people/101206535@N08/), on Flickr

[Jay-ZS+]

Cheers Ross thats great :thumbsup: Car looks great in those shots although reminds me I need to get 19" wheels and tint the rear windows! :slap:

Looked at the chemical guys sticky wheel cleaner: http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheels-and-tyres/chemical-guys-sticky-wheel-cleaner/prod_909.html

Noticed the brake pads seem to give off alot of dust so the wheel cleaner is a definite!

[Supercharged_Z]

yeah they do get dusty I end up using iron x on my wheels after cleaning them surprising what that stuff does but its very nasty lol

I found most wheel cleaners to be ok so it really does get to be personal choice. get a wheel brush and spoke brush makes life a lot easier

I also always clean the wheels first

also was you joking when you said a sponge? and one bucket? if so then dont bother buying anything as your just making a mess to start with

get a lambswool mit and 2 buckets, one for the clean soapy water, the other for rinsing your mitt of after a pass. I never used to bother until I bought my BMW but its surprising how much dirt gets in the water bucket

[peterzs]

Cars looking good, Supercharged Z.

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup: :hooray::hooray::hooray:

[Eddie]

Mine reach a point that polish alone couldn't resolve the problem, the paint needed proper detailing and then paint protection, I can now managed a snow foam followed 2 bucket wash and retain this look with zero polish.
Starting with a good base is the key here, if the paint has reached a point of no return then leave it to a pro to fix it then you to keep it looking good.

From this

http://i311.photobucket.com/albums/kk464/Eddie018/Before_zps755bb1dc.jpg (http://s311.photobucket.com/user/Eddie018/media/Before_zps755bb1dc.jpg.html)

http://i311.photobucket.com/albums/kk464/Eddie018/736496_268056636656135_1949065933_o_zps784c71c5.jp g (http://s311.photobucket.com/user/Eddie018/media/736496_268056636656135_1949065933_o_zps784c71c5.jp g.html)

http://i311.photobucket.com/albums/kk464/Eddie018/192447_268056729989459_1714024011_o_zpsda84e95d.jp g (http://s311.photobucket.com/user/Eddie018/media/192447_268056729989459_1714024011_o_zpsda84e95d.jp g.html)

To this

http://i311.photobucket.com/albums/kk464/Eddie018/After_zps4138b048.jpg (http://s311.photobucket.com/user/Eddie018/media/After_zps4138b048.jpg.html)

http://i311.photobucket.com/albums/kk464/Eddie018/739902_271541529640979_1726088481_o_zps4c71e419.jp g (http://s311.photobucket.com/user/Eddie018/media/739902_271541529640979_1726088481_o_zps4c71e419.jp g.html)

http://i311.photobucket.com/albums/kk464/Eddie018/774114_271541606307638_873411665_o_zps976447cb.jpg (http://s311.photobucket.com/user/Eddie018/media/774114_271541606307638_873411665_o_zps976447cb.jpg .html)

[Jay-ZS+]

I also always clean the wheels first

also was you joking when you said a sponge? and one bucket? if so then dont bother buying anything as your just making a mess to start with

get a lambswool mit and 2 buckets, one for the clean soapy water, the other for rinsing your mitt of after a pass. I never used to bother until I bought my BMW but its surprising how much dirt gets in the water bucket

Yer they were on the list, tbh always used to just use a sponge and fairly liquid on the zs as it had so many stone chips in the paint anyway, but gonna do the beemer properly with two buckets.

Why do you do the wheels first? I've always started with the roof and worked down doing the wheels last.

[Jay-ZS+]

Is that even the same car Eddie?! Thats a remarkable difference!! Must have been some strong wheel cleaner to go from that:
http://i311.photobucket.com/albums/kk464/Eddie018/192447_268056729989459_1714024011_o_zpsda84e95d.jp g

to:
http://i311.photobucket.com/albums/kk464/Eddie018/774114_271541606307638_873411665_o_zps976447cb.jpg

[Supercharged_Z]

Why do you do the wheels first? I've always started with the roof and worked down doing the wheels last.

I get all my gear out then do the wheels, rinse the wheels of refill bucket with clean stuff and then the car. I just find that once I have washed a car to get to the wheels which are so dirty and complicated to clean the rest of the car drys with the soap all over it.

[Eddie]

Is that even the same car Eddie?! Thats a remarkable difference!! Must have been some strong wheel cleaner to go from that:
http://i311.photobucket.com/albums/kk464/Eddie018/192447_268056729989459_1714024011_o_zpsda84e95d.jp g

to:
http://i311.photobucket.com/albums/kk464/Eddie018/774114_271541606307638_873411665_o_zps976447cb.jpg


Yes same car but I took the opportunity to have the wheels refurbished.
If your paint is in good condition to start with then the polishing will net results but if it's contaminated nothing short of compounds and polishing wheels is going to work.
I use Gtechniq products but the paint has to be clean and free from any other products, this why I only have to use a light wash and zero polishing after.
Works for me as I prefer driving rather than pending hours cleaning the car.

[peterzs]

Merc came up like a new car, well worth whatever it cost.

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

[Eddie]

Merc came up like a new car, well worth whatever it cost.

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:


Thanks Pete
I think certain cars deserve TLC, I purchased the car knowing the paint was close to dead, the previous owner parked it down the side of his house and used it high days and holidays, had the builders in and they used an industrial brick cutter while doing work on the house and it covered the car in red brick dust and cement, owner took the car to the Polish car cleaners in Tesco car park who proceeded to spray the car with traffic film cleaner in 90 deg summer heat then scrub the car with hand mittens thus using that lovely dust like sand parer, it decimated the paint. So a professional detail has the best chance to bring the paint back, Merc paint from factory is usually 50 microns or there abouts and quite hard so it has enough depth to polish out swirls and scratches, so I got lucky.

[peterzs]

Pity the poor detailer guy.

We had dust like that when we got our front blocked paved. So bad I went and washed off a couple of neighbours cars with a hose pipe!!!

[Eddie]

You're a nice neighbor :)

[Steves Cleenz]

Like i said in my PM i can supply better and cheaper products that you sent in the PM :D

the way i clean is snow foam the car, whilst thats doing its job then clean the wheels, (ideally you want 3 buckets, wheels, wash, rinse) rinse the wheels, then go round with a brush and clean all the intricate areas like badges, grills and window rubbers (still whilst foam is on the car), rinse, decontaminate the paint work with a fall out remover, leave this to soak for a few minutes to work in, rinse thoroughly, wash and rinse the vehicle, clay the paint work, rinse again, dry off then start the polishing process :)