Starting out advice for products.

[Helicopter123]

I've always just washed my cars but now want to up my game. I've read about clay bars, waxes and so on but unsure of brands and exactly what I need equipment wise. In case it matters, cars are a metallic blue BMW and a non metallic Porsche. Budget not a huge issue.

[Craikeybaby]

I've been using a lot of the Auto Finesse range recently and am happy with it. I get most of my stuff from Polished Bliss, who also have some good guides on their website.

[ShiDevil]

These are good starter guides:

http://www.dodojuice.com/dodo-juice-detailing.html and http://www.meguiars.co.uk/attach/downloads/meguiar...

Start simple and build up your knowledge over time Try and stay with one brand, like DoDo, Chemical Guys, or Meguiars and then expand from there.

I use RaceGlaze for example, but filter in other products.

This is my methodology at the start of the year, give or take

1. Snow Foam Car
2. Shampoo (2 Bucket) with Sheepskin Mitt
3. Rinse with Filtered Water and Dry with a Drying Towel (Not Chamois)
4. Remove Wax with Cleaner / Clay / Iron X / Tar Remover

You only need to clay the car once a year. Unless heavily used. Remember each time you clay, you also remove wax :P

5. Polish
6. Wax (Carnuba I use RaceGlaze 55. Some people don't use a Wax but use a Sealant)
7. Wheels - Meguiars Tyre Endurance
8. Enhance with Detailing Spray (DoDo Juice Red Mist or Zaino Grand Finale

Following this, you are in maintenance mode. You have no need to Polish the car again, it's been polished the once, and you have protected it with wax. The Wax, dependent upon the quality lasts around 4-6 months. So you may wish to reapply again at some point.

Right, from a maintenance perspective.

1. Snow Foam with PH Neutral (Protects Wax)
2. Shampoo (2 Bucket) with Sheepskin Mitt (PH Neutral and Carnuba Enhanced Shampoo)
3. Rinse with Filtered Water
4. Dry with Drying Towel
5. Detail Spray - Meguiars on Wheels

Job Done

That's the way I do it anyway lol, with a few other things, but these are the core elements :P

Edited by ShiDevil on Tuesday 29th July 22:01

[ch427]

Ive always been happy with autoglym products but have been trying some stuff from autosmart lately and am quite impressed. Its a bit of a minefield as to which products to use and can become an obsession with some!
I dont really bother with 2 buckets etc but everyone has their own methods that work for them. I find a decent pressure wash rinse first is all that is needed.

[domster]

Just put a new beginner's detailing guide up here, if interested:
www.basicsofbling.com/tutorials
Obviously, it's the steps/processes that are important, pick and choose products that suit budget/preferences.