The essentials of car cleaning & home detailing?

[oktapod]

Hi folks.

I'm getting close to getting my recently purchased car to a standard I'm happy with. It's just back after some re-spray work and looking very very nice indeed, and I'd like to keep it that way.

In the past, I've used a single bucket, whatever car shampoo was in the shed and a sponge. I know, I know, but back then I didn't.

So, I'm wondering what people recommend for a complete starter kit (assume I have nothing at all, nary a bucket or a hose) to allow me to keep the car looking nice. I don't have a garage or off-street parking, so would have to do any and all work in the street I live in. I have electricity (via the house) and water (via a tap at the rear of the house).

Budget - maybe £100 to get me going?

[red_slr]

I recently did the same.

I got most of my stuff off e-bay.

£100 might not do it, but should not be too far off.

2 Buckets
2 wash mitts
Wheel brush (good one)
Duragloss 901 shampoo
Bilberry wheel wash + sprayer
Some kind of cheap APC
Poorboys QD
Poorboys wheel wax
Dodo wax
Plenty of MFs (10 pack)
2 decent drying towels
2 small sponge wax applicators
Pack of small brushes
Some small and medium sponges.
Qtips
Metal polish (if applicable)

That should be enough to get you started on the outside.

I prob spent £150 ish.

After that you will need interior stuff, more paint products, snow foam, pressure washer etc etc...

Than an electric polisher.... and then it gets expensive! Paint depth reader, sun gun etc etc...

HTH

[oktapod]

Thanks.

Already got a couple of buckets but I'm going to get new ones just to start from fresh.

"Some kind of cheap APC" - what's APC?

"Poorboys QD
Poorboys wheel wax
Dodo wax" - any recommended places to buy this stuff - I'm guessing Halford's won't do it?

Otherwise most of the other stuff doesn't strike me as too difficult to come by.

I'm wondering about claying - the Meguairs clay kit, would it be a good place to start or can I get better by buying individually. And what about foamers which attach to hoses - worthwhile or just a luxury?

Ta!

[360 detailing]

Happy with the car then John?

You will get a text just shortly about Dodo juice!

Cheers

[oktapod]

Excellent. This is, by the way, my 'maintenance' research - there's still a detailing job here to be done (actually, two, but let's talk about this offline)...

Just want to be equipped so that once the car(s) are looking as they're meant to, I can keep them that way....

John

PS. Johnny is a star, and the car is looking fantastic (but you knew that ;-)

[EK993]

I've always taken my car to the Kosovo car wash car places, thought I would give cleaning it myself a go so bought a load of stuff from here:

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/

Bought:

2 x buckets / grit guards
Lambswool washmits
Microfibre towels
Waffle weave drying towels
Wheel brush
Meguiars Gold Class shampoo
Clay bar & lube
Bilberry wheel cleaner
Jetseal
Dodo Juice wax

All I need now is the enthusiasm to actually get out there and wash it!

[belleair302]

Bilt Hamber have their own website for some amazing products.

Below are listed a number of online retailers who all offer a number of products.


http://www.carwashnwax.com/ for Chemical Guys
http://www.detailedobsession.com
http://www.einszett.co.uk
http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk
http://www.meguiars.co.uk
http://www.performancemotorcare.com
http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk
http://www.theultimatefinish.co.uk
http://www.raceglaze.co.uk/index.html
http://www.carnaubawaxshop.co.uk
http://www.shinearama.co.uk
http://www.swissvax.co.uk
http://www.advancedcarproducts.com

All of these are worth checking out regarding supplies, products, prices and who offers what.

[budd]

Autosmart G101 is an excellent APC (all purpose cleaner)widely used by pro Valeters, Autosmart is generally trade only but is available in sample form from ebay :G101
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
Mirror Image is a good solid easy to apply wax,
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
Don't go mad spending loads of money on exotic glazes and waxes, Poorboys, DoDo etc while they are good products paint preperation is way more important, get the paint right first then prime with something like Autoglym SRP or Autosmart Mirror Image then seal with a good LSP I'd recommend Collinite 915 if you want a natural wax product and Finish Kare1000P if you prefer a sealant. You'll end up with a 'wet look' shine that lasts and lasts.
Also Asda were doing pretty good wash mits for £2 and buckets for 99p, buy 2 buckets drill loads of holes in the bottom of 1 bucket then put it inside the other instant grit guard

Edited by budd on Monday 15th June 22:23