Bilt Hamber essentials

[Rick101]

Hi,

I need to order a few bits. I've a mix of products, most cheap or middle of the range, Meguires, Auto Glym etc.

I have used the Bilt Hamber wheel cleaner and general wash and was really impressed.
I'm looking to update/replace most of my kit with Bilt Hamber.

Are there any essentials I should include? I usually go straight to hand wash, maybe jet wash 3 or 4 times a year. Currently have Polar? but it seems to spend more time as foam on the drive.

Any recommendations?

Car is 3 yr old Exige, fibreglass, orange and used as a daily if that makes any difference.

Edited by Rick101 on Sunday 10th April 11:45

[d_a_n1979]

I found the Autofoam to be good; but prefer the KKD snowfoam I'm using currently (well, I was until my 11 year old Nilfisk deaded itself)

I haven't tried the BH Touchless; it does get good reviews, but the Autofoam will do the job well enough...

The AG Polar Blast is good; I found that 125ml with 800-900ml warm water was perfect; foamed brilliantly and ran off the car well dragging the dirt with it; any more than that and it was like I'd used clotted cream! And as you said; kept the driveway very clean...

What other 'bits' do you feel you need?

[Belle427]

I’d skip the foam personally, no real need for it.
I have the items below and find them all very good, Bilt Hamber products are very hard to beat in all honesty and good value.
Surfex hd
Atom Mac
Auto wheels
Cleanser polish
Auto Wash

[d_a_n1979]

Belle427 said:

I’d skip the foam personally, no real need for it.

Can you explain why; just interested that's all, not nit-picking etc?

[bunchofkeys]

Watching this thread with interest as I'm also going though my wash kit and updating to BH.

So far i'm impressed with the wheel cleaning product and just bought the Touch Less snow foam.
The foam will be used next week, so looking forward to the before and after results.

[Belle427]

d_a_n1979 said:

Belle427 said:

I’d skip the foam personally, no real need for it.

Can you explain why; just interested that's all, not nit-picking etc?

It does very little, if you keep your car relatively clean all year round it’s a step you can miss out.
A good pressure washer rinse will remove more.

[zsdom]

Belle427 said:

d_a_n1979 said:

Belle427 said:

I’d skip the foam personally, no real need for it.

Can you explain why; just interested that's all, not nit-picking etc?

It does very little, if you keep your car relatively clean all year round it’s a step you can miss out.
A good pressure washer rinse will remove more.

https://youtu.be/CI_sKLufqVE

Shows that a snow foam does do more than just a pressure wash

[JonChalk]

Their stuff is good - just be aware, if ceramic coated, avoid the BH foam. Advice from detailer who ceramic coated my car.

Apparently, it's ok if used EXACTLY as per BH instructions, but that means careful control of concentration, as it isn't pH neutral and could be quite alkaline if too strong.

[Rick101]

Nice one. Thanks all.

[Gio G]

Like with most products, one brand cannot master them all, I tend to mix up my detailing products, however Bilt Hamber does have a great range to cover most jobs.

Now that the weather is picking up, I use the snow foam allot less, however I have found Touchless Snowfoam + Surfex HD mixed together are a great combo for getting off dirt before a contact wash. I also like that their auto wash shampoo which has rust protection built in, good for classic car owners.

G

[p4cks]

Surfex HD is a water based degreaser. If you want better results and pay less, just use some diluted Screwfix Degreaser in a spray bottle.

[Chris32345]

Belle427 said:

It does very little, if you keep your car relatively clean all year round it’s a step you can miss out.
A good pressure washer rinse will remove more.

While it removes derbirs from the surface I've not found a pressure washer to remove any dirt without soap and being agitated

[Rick101]

Emailed BH and they got back to me within 24hs with some advice as there was a plethora of waxes and polish to choose from.

In the end went for
Auto-Wheel - 1ltr × 1
Auto-Clay - Soft × 1
Cleanser-Polish × 1
Double Speed-Wax × 1
Already have stock of the wash.

Was tempted by the Touchless for foam but in reality I probably only bother doing that two or three times a year, it was £25 and I've still got 90% of a large tub of AG Polar Blast which would go to waste.

Looking forward to getting some quality time with my love.

[bunchofkeys]

Just to update, I used the Touchless foam today on my car which was caked in Sahara sand and dried bird st.

Followed the instructions and gave it about 5mins to soak.
The pressure washer did the rest and the car is practically clean. I'm very impressed.

It's only because it started to rain, that I didn't continue with the usual shampoo and elbow grease. But very happy with the results.

[Bobupndown]

Their cleanser polish and finis wax and Korrosol are all excellent.

[swanny71]

d_a_n1979 said:

Belle427 said:

I’d skip the foam personally, no real need for it.

Can you explain why; just interested that's all, not nit-picking etc?

Not all foams are equal.
Bilt Hamber Touchless is excellent (follow the dilution instructions for best results).

[Belle427]

swanny71 said:

d_a_n1979 said:

Belle427 said:

I’d skip the foam personally, no real need for it.

Can you explain why; just interested that's all, not nit-picking etc?

Not all foams are equal.
Bilt Hamber Touchless is excellent (follow the dilution instructions for best results).

I think touchless has moved the game on slightly and looks a great product.

[Koolkat969]

JonChalk said:

Their stuff is good - just be aware, if ceramic coated, avoid the BH foam. Advice from detailer who ceramic coated my car.

Apparently, it's ok if used EXACTLY as per BH instructions, but that means careful control of concentration, as it isn't pH neutral and could be quite alkaline if too strong.

Interesting comment regarding ceramic coating.

My car has recently been ceramic coated with Gyeon ceramic coat and i was tempted to continue using BH autofoam for the prewash due to it's anti-corrisive properties. Glad i didn't after all!

[swanny71]

Koolkat969 said:

Interesting comment regarding ceramic coating.

My car has recently been ceramic coated with Gyeon ceramic coat and i was tempted to continue using BH autofoam for the prewash due to it's anti-corrisive properties. Glad i didn't after all!

Touchless and Autofoam have been kind to my coating (Cquartz UK) for 3 years but I do follow dilution instructions.
The Gyeon wax I have on another car is severely effected by them.