51 replies to this topic

[Noah]

I know a few people on here who are just as obsessive as me about detailing: Jb93, Benjamin and a few others.

So I thought i'd start a thread for us obsessives to chat about what products we enjoy using and to give out tips to those who wash their cars with the broom at the petrol station still.

Detailing, ranges from thorough proper cleaning, using the correct tools and techniques to paint correction, removing swirls and scratches from your paint

A small pre-warning, you WILL get addicted to detailing, it will result in you spending silly amount of time using the right product for the right job, but seing the turn around after a job is amazing.

Noah.

[fattail95]

My favourite wax of all time, definitely Dodo Juice Supernatural Hybrid. Leaves a fantastically glossy wet finish, with excellent beading. Here's a pic of it applied to a bini >.< Very impressive!



Makes me want to weep when I catch people using the jet wash brush at the station, but I remind myself that it makes Henry stand out all the more! xD

[Noah]

Next weekend, wether provided, I'm cleaning dad's golf. I never got round to it today.

It does 85 miles a day, on salted roads. You currently can't see the VW badge on the back... :)


I have been Jet Seal 109 on everything lately. Partly because it's cheap, effective and lasts ages. Though I really wan't to have a go with the G-Techniq range.

[leroy26]

people autobright direct!!!!


there drying towel is amazeballs

[fattail95]

Next weekend, wether provided, I'm cleaning dad's golf. I never got round to it today.

It does 85 miles a day, on salted roads. You currently can't see the VW badge on the back... :)


I have been Jet Seal 109 on everything lately. Partly because it's cheap, effective and lasts ages. Though I really wan't to have a go with the G-Techniq range.

Yeah, the GTechniq range is so awesome, cant wait for Exo V2, might be pricey though. D:

[Wise Old Elf]

http://www.dailymail...ury-motors.html

Saw this guy on TV he charges a bomb. Maybe this could be your new career?

[minisilverbullet]

Fairly into detailing.

Last summer i did about 40 cars charging between 50 - 90 pounds a time.

I mostly use meguiars stuff, easy to obtain and pretty large bottles.

I also have one of these: amazing machine!


I actually enjoy bringing dull, faded, scratched, bleached and swirled paint back

[Noah]

http://www.dailymail...ury-motors.html

Saw this guy on TV he charges a bomb. Maybe this could be your new career?

To be honest..... I'd happily do it.

[fattail95]

http://www.dailymail...ury-motors.html

Saw this guy on TV he charges a bomb. Maybe this could be your new career?

To be honest..... I'd happily do it.

The cars you'd get to work with... Would be amazing

[Tomm]

http://www.dailymail...ury-motors.html

Great seats them, Clarke Strongarm, roll around the workshop all day on one!

This site is worth a nose,

http://www.kdskeltec.co.uk/

Based just down the road from me, nothing but fantastic work!

I save the detailing for the Audi, I love the patina on the mini, Marker pen touch ups and 15 different shades of red, I'd have it no other way!

[giacomo]

whats a good list of things to get as a starter? like order ect to do them in? always wanted to have ago on my mini but never knew where to start!

[iMurray]

autoglym do a great valet pack, which is a good start... suddenly you start buying anything remotely car cleaning related though...





TWO BUCKET METHOD PEOPLE

[fattail95]

whats a good list of things to get as a starter? like order ect to do them in? always wanted to have ago on my mini but never knew where to start!

A good wash routine is essential to keep the paint looking good, and to prevent inflicting swirls or scratches.

First of all wash the car using the two bucket method (2BM) and a good microfibre/lambs wool wash mitt. DO NOT use a sponge unless you want to ruin your paint by inflicting swirls/marring. The 2BM uses two separate buckets, one for shampoo and one with plain water for rinsing. The idea is you wash a panel, and then dunk the dirty mitt in the rinse bucket to remove the loose dirt from the mitt, then go back into the wash bucket and repeat. CG Citrus wash n Gloss is a great shampoo with 1:2000 dilution ratios.

After the car is cleaned, use a pressure washer and rinse off any remaining shampoo, and do under the arches if you need. The next step is decontamination, use a clay bar and lubricant to remove any fallout/tree sap from the paint, you may with to use tardis or ironx if the paint needs further decontamination.

Finally, you can move on to the polishing. For the beginner an AIO (all in one) product is advisable, as it is mildly abrasive and contains filler to remove/mask any swirl marks in the paint, leaving a very glossy finish. When you are pleased with the looks of the paint, apply a wax or sealant to protect your hard work. I advise using something akin to AG HD wax or Dodo Juice Supernatural Hybrid. Both are excellent waxes, the Dodo being better but more expensive.

Once the car is protected, just wash the car as usual using the wash mitt and 2BM and you'll notice thanks to the wax/sealant, dirt does not stick to the paint nearly as well and water will bead off nicely.

[Mini-Mad-Craig]

[minimarco]

I enjoy stroking the car's surface after clay-baring, it's so freaking smooth.

As a teenager, I worked at a gangster boss's private garage disguised as a used car dealership. I washed his cars and bikes and speedboats while he laundered his money.

Iit was 100 Canada bucks for a car, and I saved up enough money to put a deposit on my cartoon schooling.

Edited by minimarco, 04 March 2013 - 08:00 PM.