brand new car - what to do 1st
Discussion
just taken delivery of my brand new megane r26.r & want to know whats the best way to keep the paintwork looking good & free from swirl marks?
i've also wrapped the front of the car to stope the stonechips, anybody had any experience of polishing on top of armourfend etc?
i currently use autoglm & have had good results with high definition wax but as yet i havent put anything on the car
cheers
i've also wrapped the front of the car to stope the stonechips, anybody had any experience of polishing on top of armourfend etc?
i currently use autoglm & have had good results with high definition wax but as yet i havent put anything on the car
cheers
Initially understand the basics of what washing a car actually encompasses. The best four or five bits of kit everybody should have are....
Two buckets both with grit guards.
Two natural sea sponges....not the ones you buy in Halfords or two good quality sheepskin wash mitts.
I would also buy a shampoo, something like Bilt Hamber auto wash and a good quality drying towel, not a chamois. Sonus make a good quality drying towel but there are many others too.
A good quality sealant will protect your paintwork and a good quality carnuba wax will add additional protection in addition to making the paintwork shine.
Don't park your car under trees, make sure you remove carefully any bird poo, buy some quick detailer and keep it in the boot along with a microfibre.
The world of detailing can get somewhat addictive so start with the besics and then spead your wings, try a variety of products and you can never have too many microfibre towels nor foam applicators.
Dodo Juice make some top waxes, Collinite too and you can go mad and spend £50-£2000 on waxes, if you have deep enough pockets.
Your biggst enemies will be insects and bird lime, road tar and swirl marks from not using a good mitt or natural sponge. Also rinse the car after washing with an open hose to let the water sheet off aiding drying time.
Two buckets both with grit guards.
Two natural sea sponges....not the ones you buy in Halfords or two good quality sheepskin wash mitts.
I would also buy a shampoo, something like Bilt Hamber auto wash and a good quality drying towel, not a chamois. Sonus make a good quality drying towel but there are many others too.
A good quality sealant will protect your paintwork and a good quality carnuba wax will add additional protection in addition to making the paintwork shine.
Don't park your car under trees, make sure you remove carefully any bird poo, buy some quick detailer and keep it in the boot along with a microfibre.
The world of detailing can get somewhat addictive so start with the besics and then spead your wings, try a variety of products and you can never have too many microfibre towels nor foam applicators.
Dodo Juice make some top waxes, Collinite too and you can go mad and spend £50-£2000 on waxes, if you have deep enough pockets.
Your biggst enemies will be insects and bird lime, road tar and swirl marks from not using a good mitt or natural sponge. Also rinse the car after washing with an open hose to let the water sheet off aiding drying time.
Tbh I've spent enough already & I'm just planning to continue the products I've got, based around a 2 bucket & maguires wash mitt. However as I've never owned new paint before I'm used to getting down with trying to rectify all the usual problems asociated with old paintwork. Is there any point in polishing the car before I appy the hi def wax? What are grit guards exactly? Should I apply wax to the armourfend protected parts & what is the best product for keeping allots looking new?I currently use autoglym wheel protector so the dust doesn't stick too badly.
Also I tend to just buy things from the local halfords rather than buying off the net
thanks again
Also I tend to just buy things from the local halfords rather than buying off the net
thanks again
I am not an expert but here is my view:
Grit guards stop unwanted crap getting back on the mitt.
Not had any expereince with the HD Wax, but your find even with new paint its probably got some unwanted things on it, not sure what an expert would say but prep is key and might even be worth claying (Not sure about this stage on new car) and then something like Zymol HD cleanse (Pre Wax stage) Is the bonnet different on the R26.R might need to be carefull with that.
Worth considering a sealent on top of the wax too (keeps it nicer for longer & add shine depending on the colour of the motor), try cleanmycar or ultimate finish, lot better than Halfords!
and might aswell spend some money protecting the new motor....again I only have OCD and I am not an expert
Grit guards stop unwanted crap getting back on the mitt.
Not had any expereince with the HD Wax, but your find even with new paint its probably got some unwanted things on it, not sure what an expert would say but prep is key and might even be worth claying (Not sure about this stage on new car) and then something like Zymol HD cleanse (Pre Wax stage) Is the bonnet different on the R26.R might need to be carefull with that.
Worth considering a sealent on top of the wax too (keeps it nicer for longer & add shine depending on the colour of the motor), try cleanmycar or ultimate finish, lot better than Halfords!
and might aswell spend some money protecting the new motor....again I only have OCD and I am not an expert
the problem with buying from Halfords is you are not getting the products the professionals use and therefore not showing your car to the best of its abilities.
Grit Guard = When you wash you car with a mitt or natural sea sponge dirt is held in these and if you just dunk into a bucket of soapy water little or the crud will come off the mitt / sponge. The grit guard sits at the bottom of your rinse bucket 1/3rd full and a second one sits at the bottom of your shampoo bucket this removing nearly all of your grit and mud / road debris.
Wash one panel at a time, dunk the mitt / sponge in the rinse bucket, rub against the grit guard, then dunk into the shampoo bucket this not really contaminating the shampoo bucket.
To clean your wheel most people like a product made by Bilberry which you mix with water, however P222 make a great gel which does the same job.
To protect your wheels invest some cash £12-15 on a decent wheel wax and apply two coats every six or so weeks. Inbetween washes will allow the dirt / brake dust to just flow off saving you time and effort.
Spend some time on the web, looking at detailing retailers and who stocks what. I put a list up a week or two ago so do a search and good luck.
Grit Guard = When you wash you car with a mitt or natural sea sponge dirt is held in these and if you just dunk into a bucket of soapy water little or the crud will come off the mitt / sponge. The grit guard sits at the bottom of your rinse bucket 1/3rd full and a second one sits at the bottom of your shampoo bucket this removing nearly all of your grit and mud / road debris.
Wash one panel at a time, dunk the mitt / sponge in the rinse bucket, rub against the grit guard, then dunk into the shampoo bucket this not really contaminating the shampoo bucket.
To clean your wheel most people like a product made by Bilberry which you mix with water, however P222 make a great gel which does the same job.
To protect your wheels invest some cash £12-15 on a decent wheel wax and apply two coats every six or so weeks. Inbetween washes will allow the dirt / brake dust to just flow off saving you time and effort.
Spend some time on the web, looking at detailing retailers and who stocks what. I put a list up a week or two ago so do a search and good luck.
Bilberry is good, mix 4:1 (water to product) and then use a brush to get into those wheel nuts and around the spokes. Rinse off and your wheels will look fantastic.
Any decent wheel wax is worth the outlay. Just make sure the surface is well prepared, either clay first or on new wheel maybe apply some CG's Jetseal #109 before the dedicated wheel wax.
Any decent wheel wax is worth the outlay. Just make sure the surface is well prepared, either clay first or on new wheel maybe apply some CG's Jetseal #109 before the dedicated wheel wax.
Thanks! Maybe I will try it as at 20 quid a bottle of p222 it is not cheap!
belleair302 said:
Bilberry is good, mix 4:1 (water to product) and then use a brush to get into those wheel nuts and around the spokes. Rinse off and your wheels will look fantastic.
Any decent wheel wax is worth the outlay. Just make sure the surface is well prepared, either clay first or on new wheel maybe apply some CG's Jetseal #109 before the dedicated wheel wax.
Any decent wheel wax is worth the outlay. Just make sure the surface is well prepared, either clay first or on new wheel maybe apply some CG's Jetseal #109 before the dedicated wheel wax.
Have a quick read of this http://pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&f...
Gassing Station | Bodywork & Detailing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff