New newbie from Scotland here.

[mason5465sharon09]

Hi,M4RTIN4 Speak to RCZ1 she's the lady with all the experience on detailing we wouldn't be without her here on this forum :thumbup:

 

[Anonymous]

Yup, RCZ1 is THE authority on these matters. MAC, makes a good point too though. To a certain extent it is down to the individual but her guidance would certainly save you wasting money and a lot of the more expensive products are used in such small amounts that they last forever and will do twice the job of some of the cheaper but inferior products.

As a quick bit of guidance to get you started, I would source your cleaning/detailing products from somewhere other than Halfrauds. Cleanyourcar.com and Polished Bliss are excellent starting points (but not the places you can get good products). I would purchase a PH neutral alloy wheel cleaner and a good alloy cleaning brush. Wheel woolies are the best on the market. A little more pricey but they're excellent and "safe" for your alloys. Buy a good quality shampoo. One of my absolute favourites is Chemical Guys "Citrus Wash and Gloss". Excellent cleaning properties!! I wouldn't use the Simoniz wax and you need a good polish before applying any wax or sealant. I particularly like Dodo Juice's Supernatural Micro Prime. As for waxes or sealants, that really is a personal thing. Bouncer's waxes are excellent and great value for money. Avoid Turtle Wax, personally I don't really rate Autoglym too much either. They're overpriced and average products. Make sure you get a good woollen mitt and two buckets, some microfibre clothes, good applicators for your waxes/polishes etc, some good drying towels and a few buffing cloths. That'll all get you started...and probably hooked.

 

[Anonymous]

Thank you all for all your tips, I will most certainly check out the links and websites you mentioned. I am sure it will get me started. We are going tomorrow to wash the car and then do some polishing. I was just wondering whether after washing and drying your car you wax straight after or use another product in between? I am confused between polish and wax, is it the same thing? I suspect it's not.

There's a lot to learn and I am a true newbie so your advice is very much appreciated.

 

[Anonymous]

Polish adds the shine. Wax adds protection from UV and climate ETC. Personally I would polish prior to waxing.

 

[Anonymous]

Polish adds the shine. Wax adds protection from UV and climate ETC. Personally I would polish prior to waxing.

I see, so polish first then wax I get it. Thanks a lot.

 

[RCZ1]

After washing and drying your car, ideally you should decontaminate the paintwork fully before going on to polish it and then wax it.

You won't show the paintwork's full potential until decontamination has taken place. Decontamination includes tar splatter and iron contaminants. Both are picked up just though normal driving conditions. There are products you can buy which you spray on, agitate and then rinse off. Quick and simple and leaves your car feeling silky smooth. Polishing then takes the shine to another level. Stand back and admire before speaking in your shine with your wax of choice.

 

[Anonymous]

welcome to the forum :greetings-wavingblue: . completely agree with what you said about the TT forum!! I think they realise the Z is a more beautiful car but they are afraid to admit it, or maybe they don't understand how it is that the French could possibly design something better than the Germans. I owned a TT for 3 years and loved it but the RCZ is jaw droppingly beautiful. Nice car you have too. Mercury is a rare colour indeed...

Thanks! Most definitely, they hate it that RCZ is so much better looking! :lol: They seem to dwell on having the Audi badge, that's what it is! What a shame!
Audi TT is a beautiful car, but hey RCZ is better looking, rarer, and you get a lot more of boot space on top of it!!!
By the way I am not very impressed by the interior of the German makers, they all appear so dull and it seems they keep toys, equipment to minimum!

 

[Anonymous]

After washing and drying your car, ideally you should decontaminate the paintwork fully before going on to polish it and then wax it.

You won't show the paintwork's full potential until decontamination has taken place. Decontamination includes tar splatter and iron contaminants. Both are picked up just though normal driving conditions. There are products you can buy which you spray on, agitate and then rinse off. Quick and simple and leaves your car feeling silky smooth. Polishing then takes the shine to another level. Stand back and admire before speaking in your shine with your wax of choice.

I see, thank you for your advice. May I ask how often do I need to do this routine? Weekly, monthly, quarterly??
And when you use sealant?

 

[Anonymous]

After washing and drying your car, ideally you should decontaminate the paintwork fully before going on to polish it and then wax it.

You won't show the paintwork's full potential until decontamination has taken place. Decontamination includes tar splatter and iron contaminants. Both are picked up just though normal driving conditions. There are products you can buy which you spray on, agitate and then rinse off. Quick and simple and leaves your car feeling silky smooth. Polishing then takes the shine to another level. Stand back and admire before speaking in your shine with your wax of choice.

I see, thank you for your advice. May I ask how often do I need to do this routine? Weekly, monthly, quarterly??
And when you use sealant?

As a general rule you tend to use either a sealant or a wax. As to how often will depend on you and or the durability of the product. I enjoy the routine and want to reapply long before it is necessary, just because I enjoy doing so

 

[RCZ1]

After washing and drying your car, ideally you should decontaminate the paintwork fully before going on to polish it and then wax it.

You won't show the paintwork's full potential until decontamination has taken place. Decontamination includes tar splatter and iron contaminants. Both are picked up just though normal driving conditions. There are products you can buy which you spray on, agitate and then rinse off. Quick and simple and leaves your car feeling silky smooth. Polishing then takes the shine to another level. Stand back and admire before speaking in your shine with your wax of choice.

I see, thank you for your advice. May I ask how often do I need to do this routine? Weekly, monthly, quarterly??
And when you use sealant?

Twice a year should be sufficient. Spring and Autumn are my usual times for doing it.

Sealants would be applied after polishing. A sealant can be waxed over but for me, is a waste of applying the sealant as you are taking away all it's properties. One or the other for me.

 

[Anonymous]

After washing and drying your car, ideally you should decontaminate the paintwork fully before going on to polish it and then wax it.

You won't show the paintwork's full potential until decontamination has taken place. Decontamination includes tar splatter and iron contaminants. Both are picked up just though normal driving conditions. There are products you can buy which you spray on, agitate and then rinse off. Quick and simple and leaves your car feeling silky smooth. Polishing then takes the shine to another level. Stand back and admire before speaking in your shine with your wax of choice.

I see, thank you for your advice. May I ask how often do I need to do this routine? Weekly, monthly, quarterly??
And when you use sealant?

Twice a year should be sufficient. Spring and Autumn are my usual times for doing it.

Sealants would be applied after polishing. A sealant can be waxed over but for me, is a waste of applying the sealant as you are taking away all it's properties. Me or the other for me.

Ok so if you do it twice a year in between times do you just rinse the car or wash with shampoo? Doesn't it remove the wax?

 

[RCZ1]

You would wash the car as normal ensuring that you use a pH neutral shampoo, which will not degrade the wax. Different waxes have differing durability. There is no harm in adding an extra layer of wax in between times if you so wish or you can use a pre wax cleanser to remove a previous coat of wax, if you feel that is failing, then apply a new coat. The pre wax cleanser will clean up and refresh your paintwork in between the twice yearly process.


Blog: http://rczandme.wordpress.com/

 

[Anonymous]

Ok so if you do it twice a year in between times do you just rinse the car or wash with shampoo? Doesn't it remove the wax?

There is also some very good shampoo and a spray on coat to protect against this, check these out......

http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog ... bathe.html

http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog ... -plus.html

 

[RCZ1]

The links were not quite right that Ron posted.

Here's Bathe+ - a shampoo that contains a coating (protection)

http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog ... -plus.html

Wet Coat - you wash your car as normal but when still wet, spray Wet Coat on the car - 3 or 4 sprays per panel and then power wash down. Power washing activates the ingredients within Wet Coat which causes it to sheet and bead water really well. Then dry the car. It provides protection for 3 months. Superb product.
Wet Coat
http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog ... tcoat.html


Blog: http://rczandme.wordpress.com/

 

[Abzynthe]

Theres a video in this thread that shows how well it works
viewtopic.php?f=15&t=7991

 

[Anonymous]

The links were not quite right that Ron posted.

Here's Bathe+ - a shampoo that contains a coating (protection)

http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog ... -plus.html

Wet Coat - you wash your car as normal but when still wet, spray Wet Coat on the car - 3 or 4 sprays per panel and then power wash down. Power washing activates the ingredients within Wet Coat which causes it to sheet and bead water really well. Then dry the car. It provides protection for 3 months. Superb product.
Wet Coat
http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog ... tcoat.html


Blog: http://rczandme.wordpress.com/

This is great! Thanks! I've found your complete guide here too which is very detailed! I printed it off! :thumbup:

 

[Anonymous]

Theres a video in this thread that shows how well it works
viewtopic.php?f=15&t=7991

Seems to be a great and a handy product! Thanks! :thumbup:

 

[RCZ1]

The links were not quite right that Ron posted.

Here's Bathe+ - a shampoo that contains a coating (protection)

http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog ... -plus.html

Wet Coat - you wash your car as normal but when still wet, spray Wet Coat on the car - 3 or 4 sprays per panel and then power wash down. Power washing activates the ingredients within Wet Coat which causes it to sheet and bead water really well. Then dry the car. It provides protection for 3 months. Superb product.
Wet Coat
http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog ... tcoat.html


Blog: http://rczandme.wordpress.com/

This is great! Thanks! I've found your complete guide here too which is very detailed! I printed it off! :thumbup:

I'm pleased that you found it useful :thumbup:


Blog: http://rczandme.wordpress.com/

 

[Anonymous]

Or alternatively
Enjoy car.
Wash it when you feel it needs it.
Get out there and have fun, its what your car wants.(and you i suspect)
Let us know when it is bad.
Let us know when its good.
And post here your feelings and pics,and dont post if you dont want to.
Make up your own mind.Its what this forum was born for.
But at all costs,DONT FEEL INTIMIDATED.
DONT FOLLOW LEADERS, AND WATCH THE PARKING METERS...

 

[Anonymous]

Hello and welcome.

I'm a fan of Autoglym High Definition Wax. I'm sure Tiffany will love it!