Car polishing/waxing

[Russ]

Took advantage of the sunny weather over the weekend to give my GTI a good cleaning and this (http://www.flickr.com/photos/russellburt/5511733440/sizes/l/in/photostream/) this was the end result.

I used Tesco bodywork shampoo followed by a cheap clay bar I bought from ebay about 3 years ago but never got around to ever using. I used the clay over all the panels and glass and applied a layer of AutoGlym Super Resin and AustGlym Extra Gloss Protection after that. RainX for the windows and mirrors, Mer Bumper and Yinyl on the plastics and Gliptone Leather Cleaner and Conditioner for the interior trim (the conditioner has the scent of new leather built-in so smells great too). Spend about 3 hours altogether and I was pleased with it.

Providing you don't pay a gang of Poles a fiver to do it for you, what do you guys use? :)

[MovedGoalPosts]

Providing you don't pay a gang of Poles a fiver to do it for you, what do you guys use? :)

I pay a gang of Poles a tenner - It's more expensive down south :erm:

[Wayfair]

Pretty basic me, good rinse off and then a nice soapy wash all over with something like CarPlan Triplewax Car Shampoo, then while it's still wet I use AutoGlym Aqua Wax, it leaves a great finish even on the windows and it's not too heavy.

I have in the past gone for top draw pro stuff but as I work on a chemical plant I have to clean / wax it every week or so and I found the pro stuff was no better than what I use now.

[pabscars]

Sod the Poles, what time can I drop mine off.

Looks like you've done a blinding job Russ, but what the heck is a clay bar?

I personally have tried loads of cleaning polishing combinations over the years, even blended a few of my own, but I really rate products made by Meguiars.

There 3 step car polish is very good indeed, easy to apply via a damp sponge, and the finish is fantastic.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_19 9031_langId_-1_categoryId_165527

[dilli-theclaw]

My dad brings his round to mine oddly. He bought some stuff from ideal world answears by it.

So Peter and I just rock on :)

[Chris]

Flipping heck Russ, you scrubbed it so hard you wiped your number plate off. :Yikes: :D

[Gary L]

Have you thought about debadging it Russ, and taking that Escort badge off?

[Taf]

Inside the wheel arches needs a good scrub... and is that a scar on the NS rear bumper?

Mine gets a drop of detergent and loads of water twice a year.

[Russ]

A clay bar is...well, a bar of clay! You rub it over washed paintwork and it removes grit that washing and waxing can't get at, and the bodywork comes up feeling as smooth as glass. Takes a lot of effort but it's worth it. Just YouTube 'clay bar'.

Not interested in debadging it although when I was younger I probably would. I prefer to keep it more understated. It does have one or two scratches which I'll get rid of with some touch up paint although the mess on the rear nearside door bumper means the strip will need to be replaced.

[Osem]

I've used the Proshine/Showroom Shine waterless system for ages and it's excellent. The paintwork and trim on my metallic silver car always come up brilliantly and there are none of the swirl marks I used to get using the traditional washing method followed by wax. I was highly sceptical about waterless cleaners before I tried it but have found the above to be excellent on paint, glass, plastic and metal trim. Evidently this stuff works by encapsulating any dirt, grime etc. with a protective layer so that it's effectively lubricated off the surface without scratching. A layer of wax protection is left behind after buffing which seems to keep the car cleaner for longer and makes subsequent cleaning easier. We live in a hard water area and a big bonus is that I no longer get any watermarks when I clean the car. I also use it for cleaning our stainless steel cooker, hood and fridge from time to time as it gets them clean but leaves no scratches.

There aren't many products I'd rate 100% but this one I would definitely recommend to anyone. At about £15 for a 32fl oz bottle it's not cheap (a bottle does my car about 6 times) but it saves a whole load of time/effort and the results are superb. If you buy it from Ideal World you can actually try it and send it back for a refund if you don't like it.

This is the original stuff I used but I've since been using Greased Lightning's Showroom Shine which appears to be identical.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/ProShine-Spray-Shine-1-Litre/dp/B0033B0V4I/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1299665293&sr=8-2

[Hom3r]

I use this Guy

http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/20072010/36/britain-s-most-expensive-car-wash-0.html

But at £7,000 not often :D

[Ramrod]

I used to use shampoo, wax, rotary polisher etc......but now I just use Optimum No Rinse (http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/optimum-no-rinse-wash-and-shine-8oz-new-formula.php)........much easier :)

[swiftflo]

Come on guys this is a "Cable Forum". There is a detailing forum for car talk !!!!!!!!

[Mr_love_monkey]

I get a group of 12 naked women to rub various parts of their body all over the car. Doesn't get it clean, but who cares?

[Stuart]

I pay nothing.. Don't have a car so have nothing I can clean.

[Mr_love_monkey]

I pay nothing.. Don't have a car so have nothing I can clean.

you can come and clean mine if you want (though you would have to remain fully clothed)

[Stuart]

I'll pass, thanks..