Time to restock - and things have changed
Discussion
So it's time to get back into properly caring for our cars again, and restocking the garage shelves with product!
If there is a sticky, please point me at it, or if I need to re-join Detailers' World, likewise point me in that direction - but be kind!
Firstly, is the guidance still the same as far as procedure? I.e. foam, wash, rinse, dry? Then clay, polish, (filler polish?), wax?
Secondly, I'm assuming that most top end products will do an equally good job, but are there any stand out ones on the market? I'm particularly interested in a good filler polish, and tyre dressing. I've just bought Poorboys for protection on the recently refurbished wheels, but if there are any other suggestions, I'm listening.
I know about the be ceramic coatings, and think they are best applied by an expert, so a full detail and coating will be organised for my P&J at the end of the year - once I've saved up some pennies!
I bought a DA polisher a year ago, but bottled out on using it. I've just been told by a pro, though, that I should go ahead and use it with a very mild polish, and I will be fine. 12000 grade purchased along with the appropriate pad, so I shall be biting the bullet soon!
PS I'm sitting on a slow train from London to Dorset, bored, so decided to cheer myself up by hitting Amazon to treat myself, but thought ity best to check before I waste my money!
If there is a sticky, please point me at it, or if I need to re-join Detailers' World, likewise point me in that direction - but be kind!
Firstly, is the guidance still the same as far as procedure? I.e. foam, wash, rinse, dry? Then clay, polish, (filler polish?), wax?
Secondly, I'm assuming that most top end products will do an equally good job, but are there any stand out ones on the market? I'm particularly interested in a good filler polish, and tyre dressing. I've just bought Poorboys for protection on the recently refurbished wheels, but if there are any other suggestions, I'm listening.
I know about the be ceramic coatings, and think they are best applied by an expert, so a full detail and coating will be organised for my P&J at the end of the year - once I've saved up some pennies!
I bought a DA polisher a year ago, but bottled out on using it. I've just been told by a pro, though, that I should go ahead and use it with a very mild polish, and I will be fine. 12000 grade purchased along with the appropriate pad, so I shall be biting the bullet soon!
PS I'm sitting on a slow train from London to Dorset, bored, so decided to cheer myself up by hitting Amazon to treat myself, but thought ity best to check before I waste my money!
Loads of specific website to supply you with products. Polishes and waxes have improved hugely over the last few years and there are so many different brands, products and favourites.
Get as wash mitt, two buckets and grit guards. For a shampoo I like to use Bilt Hamber. Most of their rage of products are excellent.
Buy a number of drying cloths and microfibres.
No worries with a DA. Keep the pad moist with water or QD (Quick Detailer) and apply some pressure. Scratches on clear coat will vanish but be methodical. Menzerna make epic products fr machine polishing.
Glazes ae useful to add depth, these go on before a wax or a sealant. This is where people argue....do you buy a decent Carnuba wax or a manufactured sealant? The choice is yours.
If your car is dark....Black Hole by Poorboys is your go to product. Many uses and all of them good.
I wax my cars in the summer but come October I change to a sealant as it is easier to work on the short winter days and is not temperature specific. Long life too.
Good luck and ask away for help.
Get as wash mitt, two buckets and grit guards. For a shampoo I like to use Bilt Hamber. Most of their rage of products are excellent.
Buy a number of drying cloths and microfibres.
No worries with a DA. Keep the pad moist with water or QD (Quick Detailer) and apply some pressure. Scratches on clear coat will vanish but be methodical. Menzerna make epic products fr machine polishing.
Glazes ae useful to add depth, these go on before a wax or a sealant. This is where people argue....do you buy a decent Carnuba wax or a manufactured sealant? The choice is yours.
If your car is dark....Black Hole by Poorboys is your go to product. Many uses and all of them good.
I wax my cars in the summer but come October I change to a sealant as it is easier to work on the short winter days and is not temperature specific. Long life too.
Good luck and ask away for help.
Thanks for the reply.
Re. washing, yeah I snow foam and use two bucket two mitt method. I'm still working through a pot of Meguiars Pro Shampoo ice had for years! I have their detailer too, and Gold Class Wax, but the latter was only used for quick jobs. I've used Mothers Paste and still have some Zymol, and am thinking of Swiss Vac.
However, I'll investigate the sealant; I've had some new paintwork on the nose of the car, and that's had PPF applied. The guys also put on a ceramic coat, and the water dispersal properties are amazing.
Just ordered some Black Hole (the Amazon App on my phone is up for a hammering!) add my paint is Reflex Charcoal. There are 5 or 6 colours in it, but predominantly black and dark green. My wife's Clio sport is black, and I've promised I'll detail hers too. In fact, I'll be trying out the DA on it first.
So with the DA, moisten the pad, and keep moist, and apply the polish? I've already bought a roll of the blue 'masking' tape, so it looks like I'm ready to roll....
Re. washing, yeah I snow foam and use two bucket two mitt method. I'm still working through a pot of Meguiars Pro Shampoo ice had for years! I have their detailer too, and Gold Class Wax, but the latter was only used for quick jobs. I've used Mothers Paste and still have some Zymol, and am thinking of Swiss Vac.
However, I'll investigate the sealant; I've had some new paintwork on the nose of the car, and that's had PPF applied. The guys also put on a ceramic coat, and the water dispersal properties are amazing.
Just ordered some Black Hole (the Amazon App on my phone is up for a hammering!) add my paint is Reflex Charcoal. There are 5 or 6 colours in it, but predominantly black and dark green. My wife's Clio sport is black, and I've promised I'll detail hers too. In fact, I'll be trying out the DA on it first.
So with the DA, moisten the pad, and keep moist, and apply the polish? I've already bought a roll of the blue 'masking' tape, so it looks like I'm ready to roll....
Jump onto YouTube fo some great short videos about machine polishing. I quick email my pad, put on three 20p sized drops and begin at a slow speed. As the polish breaks down, apply more pressure and speed. As the polish turns into a thin haze you know it is working and removing the edges of the clear coat, ie the scratches, holograms etc. Move evenly across the panel and away you go. After a machine polish QD the panel and look closely at your results.
I was loathe to break out my DA polisher, but after watching a series of youtube vids I bit the bullet and quite impressed myself. 
Slow and steady, and little to zero pressure.
Try this vid as a starter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KP-eAddv2sk
Slow and steady, and little to zero pressure.
Try this vid as a starter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KP-eAddv2sk
T40ORA said:
I had a little play with the DA tonight. Just a few minutes, but the results re noticeable already.
Are there any good sites to buy things like the thin, blue, masking tape?
https://www.exceldetailingsupplies.co.uk/product-page/low-tack-24mm-masking-tapeAre there any good sites to buy things like the thin, blue, masking tape?
Edited by T40ORA on Tuesday 10th July 23:34
cheers
Chris
Gassing Station | Bodywork & Detailing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff