Hello all,
Well after about a month of researching, looking up reviews of a plethora of products and their functions, and even as far as looking up how to properly wash a car i have finally completed my first exterior detail... Yes, it was totally knackering to do. This helped me understand the cleaning process http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/generalImg/guide.gif
Confession - prior to reading this forum i lived in much simpler times where i thought a water rinse, bucket of hot soapy fairy liquid water and sponge and using an old towel to dry the car was the best way to wash a car (hence the month of researching). Clearly i was a total tit.
So, anyway, onto my kit. I know some of you may wince at my wash method but let me preface this by saying i live in a flat with no access to a tap outside and running up and down two flights of stairs just doesn't work - as my girlfriend will attest.
-- Triple QX - Wheel Cleaner - Cheap wheel cleaner from ECP. This combined with ONR and the alloys come up great.
-- Optimum No Rinse Wash and Shine - pre-soak solution made first and put into a bottle similar to this - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-5L-Litr...p-Garden-Sprayer-Weed-Plant-Home/311390162702... I pre-soak each panel before going on to the actual clean which consists of main bucket with ONR and many microfibre towels - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDulbAhIUBI [Garry Dean method, he is hard to watch but he gives good advice]
-- G3 Clay Mitt (cheers Marlon for the suggestion) and ONR clay bar lube concentration
-- Dodo Juice - Lime Prime pre-wax cleanser. I decided to go for this product as essentially my 'polish' stage as i was doing the whole car by hand and also because it includes some abrasives to help with small scratches/swirls. Applied with foam applicator.
-- Auto-Finesse - Tough Coat Sealant. Spray onto foam applicator and wait to haze, easy on and easy off.
-- Dodo Juice - Purple Haze wax. Applied with dodo juice sponge mitt. I decided to go for this because my car is black and i heard loads of good reviews. After using it, i can also join the fanclub. Not only does it smell amazing, but its so easy to use. Absolutely no caking, easy on/off, and produces great deep shine to dark paint.
About 4 and half hours later i am complete.... and then back out later on in the evening for one more waxxing - ain't no water pentrating through on this ride!
Yes yes, get to the point and show us some bloody photos (see attachments):
I can only attach four photos but hopefully they convey the major improvement.
Next steps:
-- Roof clean - i already have the Autoglym roof kit but i want to try and clean the drain holes before attempting.
-- Engine bay - need to give that a clean
-- Interior - I have Autoglym leather cleaner and care balm. Just need to brighten up the plastics.
-- Polish - This will form the next stage of my research. I will be doing this all by hand so a bit unsure what products i should be using. A DA machine would be sweet but that is taking it to a new level, i am still very much an amateur.
-- Wax for alloys
-- Quick wax after general cleans to keep up on top of it.
Footnote - cheers to this forum and its contributors for getting to properly clean my car. It has made me borderline obsessive in-terms of looking up detailing products but all for the benefit of the Zed i guess :roll:
Well after about a month of researching, looking up reviews of a plethora of products and their functions, and even as far as looking up how to properly wash a car i have finally completed my first exterior detail... Yes, it was totally knackering to do. This helped me understand the cleaning process http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/generalImg/guide.gif
Confession - prior to reading this forum i lived in much simpler times where i thought a water rinse, bucket of hot soapy fairy liquid water and sponge and using an old towel to dry the car was the best way to wash a car (hence the month of researching). Clearly i was a total tit.
So, anyway, onto my kit. I know some of you may wince at my wash method but let me preface this by saying i live in a flat with no access to a tap outside and running up and down two flights of stairs just doesn't work - as my girlfriend will attest.
-- Triple QX - Wheel Cleaner - Cheap wheel cleaner from ECP. This combined with ONR and the alloys come up great.
-- Optimum No Rinse Wash and Shine - pre-soak solution made first and put into a bottle similar to this - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-5L-Litr...p-Garden-Sprayer-Weed-Plant-Home/311390162702... I pre-soak each panel before going on to the actual clean which consists of main bucket with ONR and many microfibre towels - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDulbAhIUBI [Garry Dean method, he is hard to watch but he gives good advice]
-- G3 Clay Mitt (cheers Marlon for the suggestion) and ONR clay bar lube concentration
-- Dodo Juice - Lime Prime pre-wax cleanser. I decided to go for this product as essentially my 'polish' stage as i was doing the whole car by hand and also because it includes some abrasives to help with small scratches/swirls. Applied with foam applicator.
-- Auto-Finesse - Tough Coat Sealant. Spray onto foam applicator and wait to haze, easy on and easy off.
-- Dodo Juice - Purple Haze wax. Applied with dodo juice sponge mitt. I decided to go for this because my car is black and i heard loads of good reviews. After using it, i can also join the fanclub. Not only does it smell amazing, but its so easy to use. Absolutely no caking, easy on/off, and produces great deep shine to dark paint.
About 4 and half hours later i am complete.... and then back out later on in the evening for one more waxxing - ain't no water pentrating through on this ride!
Yes yes, get to the point and show us some bloody photos (see attachments):
I can only attach four photos but hopefully they convey the major improvement.
Next steps:
-- Roof clean - i already have the Autoglym roof kit but i want to try and clean the drain holes before attempting.
-- Engine bay - need to give that a clean
-- Interior - I have Autoglym leather cleaner and care balm. Just need to brighten up the plastics.
-- Polish - This will form the next stage of my research. I will be doing this all by hand so a bit unsure what products i should be using. A DA machine would be sweet but that is taking it to a new level, i am still very much an amateur.
-- Wax for alloys
-- Quick wax after general cleans to keep up on top of it.
Footnote - cheers to this forum and its contributors for getting to properly clean my car. It has made me borderline obsessive in-terms of looking up detailing products but all for the benefit of the Zed i guess :roll:
Great results there and a credit to your product research and hard graft. Black with silver 107 alloys is a class combo. 
