advice needed for new cleaning regime

[scorcher]

The car's off to the bodyshop tomorrow for it's new rear bumper and associated bits, so thought I'd check the status of my car care products for it's return, as the sun has finally decided to appear! http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/natur/nature-smiley-016.gif

So cleaned out the shed today to discover mice have nested in my cleaning mitt, eaten my chamois and nibbled my Meguiars 3 Step bottles [bang

Good excuse to get a whole bunch of new kit though :D

So, oh wise and expert polishers at EvoTechnik, what's the best system out at the moment, and where online can I get it? And what type of sponge, chamois, clay bar etc. do you recommend?

Bearing in mind I'd realistically have the time to give it a really thorough half day clean once a month and an hour or so every week(ish)?

[peppernick]

I love my NTX wax [ok

I like to use glass cleaner to remove the grease on the bodywork after the car has been washed and dried. Then I apply the wax. Works a treat :D

http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/4364100_0245.JPG

http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/4364100_0244.JPG

[444bhp Ray]

Always use 100% cotton cloth,nothing but.

[peppernick]

Always use 100% cotton cloth,nothing but.
Meguires' Terry Towel ;)

[Afif]

ahh i can never find the time to clean the car. I have a good relationship with the local hand wash though :D.

[Mits]

I gave my car the full Zymol treatment yesterday...took 5hrs :eek:
Wash, Hd Cleanse, Wax and wheel wax on the rims [cool

[peppernick]

I gave my car the full Zymol treatment yesterday...took 5hrs :eek:
Wash, Hd Cleanse, Wax and wheel wax on the rims [cool
You coming to Ted's tomorrow? Let's check out the shine :D

[Mits]

Yep I'll be over after midday Nick....need to give it quick wipe over, its a bit dirty after today ;)

[kris d]

I use mer polish and RaceGlaze wax. Very deep shine and came second only to Zymol in some magazine test I was reading and is a fraction of the cost. They also do polishing wadding, car dusters etc. etc.

[scorcher]

Cheers fellas - just treated myself to

Meguiars NXT® Tech Wax
Meguiars NXT® Spray Wax
NXT Generation® All Metal Polysh
Quik Clay
Hot Rims All Wheel Cleaner
Hotshine Tyre Spray
Water Magnet Drying Towel
Quik Suds

and should be getting the car back in time for my Easter holiday - yay!

Insurnace man has been and taken the R32 away - have got a 1.2 Twinport (?) Corsa until Thursday - [thumbsdow

[scorcher]

Cheers fellas - just treated myself to

Meguiars NXT® Tech Wax
Meguiars NXT® Spray Wax
NXT Generation® All Metal Polysh
Quik Clay
Hot Rims All Wheel Cleaner
Hotshine Tyre Spray
Water Magnet Drying Towel
Quik Suds

and should be getting the car back in time for my Easter holiday - yay!

Insurance man has been this afternoon and taken the R32 away - have got a 1.2 Twinport (?) Corsa until Thursday - [thumbsdow

[Shuriken]

I would love to give my car a good clean 'cos it really does need it but - 5 hours!!!

Where did you get all your stuff from scorcher?

Also, I've got a load of swirl marks all over my car, I take it a good polish would sort that out? Please excuse the novice car-cleaning questions :o

Shuriken.

[scorcher]

Half a day once a month is how much time I can spare realistically ( any more than that and the missus starts finding me DIY jobs that are more pressing :rolleyes: )

Got all the goodies from speeding.co.uk (http://www.speeding.co.uk/acatalog/Meguiars_.html)

There's a Meguiars product on that link called Scratch X that should do the trick - you may have got the swirls from using a car wash possibly?

Blurb: ScratchX is the most effective way to remove fine scratches and swirls from automotive paint by hand. This product is guaranteed to deliver the finest results possible by hand (some scratches require removal by machine applied professional formulas). ScratchX removes surface contaminants, oxidisation and blemishes as well as enhancing colour. Unlike many paint correction formulae on the market, ScratchX will not leave more scratches than it takes out. It's ideal for use as a quick touch up or to revive a car's entire finish

[Shuriken]

Thanks Scorcher, should this be applied after a normal wash or can I do it separately?

Also, that quik clay stuff, how much do you get, enough for one go or can it be reused? If it can, how many times?

Shuriken.

[Afif]

yea i got swirl marks on mine :( Stupid previous owner. Tell me how it goes shuriken and ill do it after you :D.

[Shuriken]

Haha, cheers. I would also like to point out the marks on mine were caused by the previous owner, it wasnt me :)

Shuriken.

[scorcher]

Thanks Scorcher, should this be applied after a normal wash or can I do it separately?[/QUOTE]

Afraid I dunno mate - haven't used it myself.


Also, that quik clay stuff, how much do you get, enough for one go or can it be reused? If it can, how many times?

And being Mr Useless again - I've never used a clay bar before but the Yanks on the R32 sites seem to love 'em, so thought I'd give one a shot - will report back with pics once I've done the deed

http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/alles_moegliche/mixed-smiley-045.gif