Wash & Wax Time . . . . . . But Which One And How?

[John A]

Those calipers did you paint them?

I didn't, no - or at least not personally.
I bought the calipers off a lad who was breaking his DB9 and then had them refurbished in that colour along with the rears. There's a bit of corrosion coming through on the rear calipers now though and I am torn between having them redone and changing the colour (and the front calipers) for something else.

I will have a look at the Labocosmetica stuff, thanks

 

[agencyscum]

I used to swear by autoglym but recently shifted to gyeon and it's one of the few products that has actually surpassed autoglym in every single way

 

[Ayjay]

I used to swear by autoglym but recently shifted to gyeon and it's one of the few products that has actually surpassed autoglym in every single way

All of them or any particular product?

 

[dave_b]

Bilt Hamber. Best I’ve ever used.

 

[agencyscum]

All of them or any particular product?

Apologies I thought we were talking about waxes gyeon q2 wax can't sing it's praises more than I have , I tied lots of their products as there's a local dealer and he was hoping I think for some good feedback but also

Gyeon Trim Wheel ceramic was mediocre
Gyeon Trim plastic ceramic was absolutely awful ( definitely a hype product) went back to g techniq

Gyeon prep was good for cleaning prep but just about the same as carbon collective citrus and less of it per bottle

Gyeon glass was ok cleaned the windows did nothing any other glass product didn't

Gyeon anti fog , windows still fog is all ill say when the rain x anti fog didn't

Tyre black
Gyeon q2 tyre tried it twice expecting it to be a miracle according to the other reviews including the remove wheels and heat method, went back to autoglym and meguirs (whichever is cheaper at the time)

Gyeon wet coat has been a so so and mystery , it's kind of a top up product you spray on but does actually seem to work in terms of cars are a doddle to clean , doesn't seem to alter the cars shine or paint lustre actually makes snow foam less of an emperor's new clothes affair in that dirt slides off with it ( I've always doubted it's efficacy

Snow foam is bilt hamber

Gyeon G2 wax expensive at 40 quid but the depth of shine and beading is like wow for very little effort dries to a haze wipe off replaced autoglym resin polish fully

Long standing go to's have always been autoglym resin polish and autoglym vinyl and rubber trim care

Interior dressing I switched to chemical guys ceramic a little goes a long way and it looks consistently semi Matt new so I'm happy despite the 28 quid price

Obviously detailing your car's is a personal thing and people's mileage varies with them, but I've used a lot over the years as they seem to appear on the market in a blaze of miracle product advertisement then dissapear if they ain't delivering , generally the above is what works for me and I've now kind of abandoned ceramic coatings in favour of wax again and a bit of effort

Happy to hear others experiences or advice on how they have used products i might have just used them incorrectly ,as I'm just relaying my experience I might be doing them disservice , everyday is a school day as they say

Ps one other product I've been kind of on the shelf about hamble jelly wash from gold label car care it certainly gets you car clean and doesn't streak or stain but for those of us from the 90s if you overdo the mixture you get an instant foam party on your drive , which just keeps growing the more water you add , so if I don't fancy a rave I stick with autoglym shampoo

 

[Bigsidavies]

The Gyeon C2, I think it’s called, is amazing. It’s the tiny bottle of stuff that you wipe onto plastic trim and it immediately makes it like new and water beads off. Used it about 2 years ago and it’s still as good as when I did it. Cost me nothing too as used my mate’s after he used it on his Boxter.

Edit: that’s a big fat lie. Just checked and it was G-Techniq C4

Gtechniq - C4 Permanent Trim Restorer

Gtechniq - C4 Permanent Trim Restorer Gtechniq C4 utilises a covalent or chemical bond to actually become an extension of the plastic molecule it's protecting. Not to be confused with much weaker electrostatic bonds used by, amongst others, ptfe based polymers Gtechniq C4 actually swaps par

www.cleanyourcar.co.uk

 

[dave_b]

What machine polish do you use and how many different compounds do you use?

 

[Chippie1]

Full detail today been out there since 7.30
Citrus pre wash
Snow foam
2 bucket method wash
Full Decontamination inc clay bar
Another wash
Polish by hand ( need to grow a pair and buy a DA polisher but worried il balls it up)
Carnuba wax literally by hand was shown this old school method warmed up in the palm of your hands and applied less chance of decontamination with applicators was impressed to be honest.

 

[Dellmassive]

Love it

 

[spooks007]

You have nothing to be afraid of with a DA polisher. Get a 15mm throw and you will be amazed on the time and effort you save.

If you scared buy a test panel from a local scrap yard and play about on that.

Another time saver is Foam rinse Foam. No need for two buckets

 

[spooks007]

What machine polish do you use and how many different compounds do you use?

I have a 15mm DA and a rotary.

It all depends on the paintwork as to what pads/ compound I use.

If it a single stage I've just started using the DIY detail Gold polish and yellow pad. Ease of use and no discolouration of plastic trim makes quick work of the van

In the past I have used the scholl S20 and their pads.

Multi stage polish I use Koch Chemie

 

[Chippie1]

You have nothing to be afraid of with a DA polisher. Get a 15mm throw and you will be amazed on the time and effort you save.

If you scared buy a test panel from a local scrap yard and play about on that.

Another time saver is Foam rinse Foam. No need for two buckets

I do foam rinse foam most of the time as it’s a lot quicker but occasionally go back to the 2 bucket method. Yes have thought about trying it on a test panel first. Have been told by my mate who’s a Detailer you can’t really go wrong with a DA
Funny I never used to wash my own vehicles but over the last couple of years really took to it and find it quite relaxing

 

[spooks007]

I do foam rinse foam most of the time as it’s a lot quicker but occasionally go back to the 2 bucket method. Yes have thought about trying it on a test panel first. Have been told by my mate who’s a Detailer you can’t really go wrong with a DA
Funny I never used to wash my own vehicles but over the last couple of years really took to it and find it quite relaxing

100% it a few hours out of the house lol. I ceramic coat all mine now and the maintenance on them now is much easier

 

[Ayjay]

15mm throw

@spooks007. Explain that for an idiot please.

 

[spooks007]

@spooks007. Explain that for an idiot please.

A rotary polisher will spin 360 degrees around the center axle of the machine

A DA will also spin 360 but also oscillate. (Moves in spinning motion and orbital motion). This random pattern reduces the risk of swirl marks and paint damage.

This oscillating motion is known as a throw. Machines vary in the amount of oscillating from around 6mm to 25mm.

The most common ones are around 15mm. Hope that helps ?

 

[Bav]

I found this vid quite useful...

...though, as a complete newbie, which compounds to use is still an unknown for me.

 

[Ayjay]

i'm afraid I don't take my car cleaning / polishing regime that seriously andI almost feel ashamed when I see how far some others on here are prepared to go!

 

[spooks007]

I found this vid quite useful...

...though, as a complete newbie, which compounds to use is still an unknown for me.

It all depends on how far you want to go with it really. With most paints getting thinner sometimes a good single stage is more than enough unless you intend on entering competitions

 

[Ayjay]

Every days a school day as I never even knew that 'polishing competitions' were a thing. I took an interest in this thread when I started investigating paint correction due to scraping on the drivers door on my van in a car park the other day. They left a scuff with light scratches and what I think is white or light grey paint behind but no actual dent - I've just been out and had a go at it with some rubbing compound as a first stage and it's already done a pretty good job but I had to stop as it's started raining. I'm going to have another go with rubbing compound, T Cut and polish before deciding whether I might need to deploy a fine wet and dry but I'm quite pleased so far.

 

[spooks007]

That a very good effort fair play. Some of those are nasty. You could try a compound with some fillers in that might be better than getting the wet and dry. An easy one to get hold of is Autoglym SUper resin Polish and can be applied by hand.

You can then apply a wax or sealant over it to protect it