Pre Polish & waxing

[Anonymous]

What can I use BEFORE polishing & waxing.

I need a product to clean the paint prior to polishing, not something to cut but just to clean the paint, then finish off with a nice polish & wax. Something that will clean the paint and also make the polishing easier to do and give a more effective finish .
When I went to polish the lads car earlier today it was obvious that the paint was dirtier than it actually looked.

Come on K, thinking cap on :thumbup:

 

[RCZ1]

Re: Pre Polish & waxing

What can I use BEFORE polishing & waxing.

I need a product to clean the paint prior to polishing, not something to cut but just to clean the paint, then finish off with a nice polish & wax. Something that will clean the paint and also make the polishing easier to do and give a more effective finish .
When I went to polish the lads car earlier today it was obvious that the paint was dirtier than it actually looked.

Come on K, thinking cap on :thumbup:

Is this on his new car?

The paintwork probably will be dirtier than it looks, especially at this time of year. The thing that stops paintwork from really shining is contaminants such as tar and iron contamination, etc. I would suggest this is what you need to do to get the shine back again. Do you own a tar remover and did you ever get some Iron X for the iron contaminants? A clay would be good here too. When you feel the paintwork with your hand does it feel rough? If you get a plastic bag, put your hand inide and rub it gently over the paint, you will
"hear" the contaminants as they catch on the bag. It's quite noticeable. Do it again after you have clayed or decontaminated and the difference is staggering.

After you have done that a great paint cleanser is Dodo Lime Prime. I know you have the Lite version but I find the original version much easier to work with. Another one is Werkstat Prime which you can get from Polished Bliss. Prime is a really good cleanser. When you use it on paintwork that you think is really clean, it stills picks up loads more grime as you'll see from the pad you use.
I use Prime to polish my windows before applying the Gtechniq rain repellent (G1) as its so good at cleaning and gets them really clean.

Sometimes a light abrasive polish is better used in circumstances like this as this will also help to remove any contaminants.

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah K, it's the Beemer. The paint looks great with a nice glaze to it, but when I went to polish it the cloths were getting very dirty. :thumbdown:

Claying sounds like hard work :eusa-think:

I forgot I had Lime Prime Lite :lol: :thumbup:

I've got Iron x here too.

So what do you suggest.
A wash, then iron x, then Lime Lite, polish, wax. :eusa-think:

Lime Lite is a cleanser is'nt it :eusa-think:

 

[RCZ1]

Re: Pre Polish & waxing

Yeah K, it's the Beemer. The paint looks great with a nice glaze to it, but when I went to polish it the cloths were getting very dirty. :thumbdown:

Claying sounds like hard work :eusa-think:

I forgot I had Lime Prime Lite :lol: :thumbup:

I've got Iron x here too.

So what do you suggest.
A wash, then iron x, then Lime Lite, polish, wax. :eusa-think:

Lime Lite is a cleanser is'nt it :eusa-think:

Claying isn't hard work, in fact, I find it very therapeutic. You just need to use plenty of lube before you put the clay on the paintwork, but it's very effective.

Use your Iron X and get some tar remover and spray it all over the car. Use the tar remover first, spray a panel at a time, leave a couple of minutes, agitate, then remove (or whatever the instructions for yours say). Then when you've done that's use your Iron X and spray a panel at a time, leave for 4 or 5 minutes, then rinse. If its real bad, you may have to do it twice.

So:
Wash
Tar remover
Iron X
Lime Prime Lite
Polish (you don't have to use a polish after Lime Prime as it cleanses and polishes but that's up to you)
Wax

It does sound from your explanation that contaminates are the problem.

Good luck and you can show us some photos when you are done

Don't you have snow in Wales? No chance of cleaning our cars this weekend

 

[Anonymous]

I use a product called car-lack68. This is a German product and has been around for years. A real good paint cleaner.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks K,

I was a bit confused as to whether I should polish after the Lime Lite, It seemed a bit pointless.

Yeah we have had a bit of snow, all gone now :thumbup:

That's another issue, someone decided to take some snow off the roof, kids I'm guessing, and they have left a bit of a swirl mark, nothing too bad but still bloody annoying as there wasn't a mark on the car :evil:

I cant really do much with it yet because by the time the lad gets in from work it has started to get a bit damp and dark.

When he washed it yesterday it was starting to freeze over before he could dry it off :?

 

[Anonymous]

I use a product called car-lack68. This is a German product and has been around for years. A real good paint cleaner.

Is it this cleanser Ron ?
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/engine-an ... d_354.html

OR
www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/sealants/carlack ... d_356.html

Car-Lack have a big range :eusa-think:

There's a specialist cleaner, a nano cleaner, a shampoo, polishing cleanser, and all under the car-Lack68 logo. :crazy:

 

[RCZ1]

Re: Pre Polish & waxing

Car Lack have just updated their range but I've not used them. Ron will be able to point you in the right direction.

Yes at this time of year, it's better to do it earlier in the day otherwise you get the water freezing on the car or the products themselves don't work as they should.

 

[Anonymous]

The packaging has changed since I bought mine. I hope this link works. You had a link to it but for a 500ml bottle and you really do not need that much. It works a dream and is just so simple and easy to use.
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/sealants/ ... d_380.html

 

[Anonymous]

Re: Pre Polish & waxing

The packaging has changed since I bought mine. I hope this link works. You had a link to it but for a 500ml bottle and you really do not need that much. It works a dream and is just so simple and easy to use.
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/sealants/ ... d_380.html

That does look interesting...and good value!! :thumbup:

 

[RCZ1]

Re: Pre Polish & waxing

The packaging has changed since I bought mine. I hope this link works. You had a link to it but for a 500ml bottle and you really do not need that much. It works a dream and is just so simple and easy to use.
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/sealants/ ... d_380.html

That does look interesting...and good value!! :thumbup:

Judging by the looks of Ron's car, it works really well

 

[Anonymous]

I came across it down at the detailing meet last year. Memory fails as per usual :crazy: however I know RCZ1 will be able to fill in the blanks

 

[Anonymous]

Re: Pre Polish & waxing

The packaging has changed since I bought mine. I hope this link works. You had a link to it but for a 500ml bottle and you really do not need that much. It works a dream and is just so simple and easy to use.
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/sealants/ ... d_380.html

That does look interesting...and good value!! :thumbup:

Judging by the looks of Ron's car, it works really well

Any photos that I ever see of Pearl she is gleaming right enough! I love the finish of the Collinite 476s but it's an absolute ba#%*rd to work in!!

 

[Anonymous]

Any photos that I ever see of Pearl she is gleaming right enough! I love the finish of the Collinite 476s but it's an absolute ba#%*rd to work in!!

That is because Pearl belongs to our Queen of Detailing :clap:

 

[RCZ1]

Re: Pre Polish & waxing

I used Collinite 476 once and never again. It was a nightmare to remove. Probably user error on my part as it was the first paste wax that I had used but it was not my favourite. Although, it is highly recommended by many. Once on, it does last for ages and is very resilient.

 

[Anonymous]

Pre Polish & waxing

I used Collinite 476 once and never again. It was a nightmare to remove. Probably user error on my part as it was the first paste wax that I had used but it was not my favourite. Although, it is highly recommended by many. Once on, it does last for ages and is very resilient.

It really does last an awfully long time. I have seen it last up to 5 or 6 months between applications. However, as you say it is a bit of a nightmare. I just want something that's easy to apply and that has some longevity. I'm not sure that I've yet found a product that I am truly happy with. What would you say are essentials for my box of "basic" detailing products? Would be interested in your thoughts too RON. Lord knows you've tried enough products!! :lol:

 

[Anonymous]

It really does last an awfully long time. I have seen it last up to 5 or 6 months between applications. However, as you say it is a bit of a nightmare. I just want something that's easy to apply and that has some longevity. I'm not sure that I've yet found a product that I am truly happy with. What would you say are essentials for my box of "basic" detailing products? Would be interested in your thoughts too RON. Lord knows you've tried enough products!! :lol:

Well. I will upset our Queen with my response, however I am not a fan of snowfoam. It makes a hell of a mess and does not work as a pre wash. The car remains just about as dirty as before it was applied. Footnote.... I do use it because I'm too afraid not to, but wonder why I bother. I use Chemical Guys - Citruswash+gloss as my shampoo (mainly because it does the job and I bought a dozen bottles :crazy I would then rinse the car in deionised water as this leaves the car streak free and towel dry. That would be a basic wash
For a more in depth clean then the shed gets emptied of the products, the wife goes out, the cat goes to sleep and I begin with the basic wash, followed by ironex and tardis,clean the paintwork with the car-lack and apply Swissvax onyx polish. Wheels get the Planet Polish - wheel seal + shine treatment.
I have various other products that are used between these two stages such as PERL = Plastic Engine Rubber Leather
so a multi use product that gives excellent results used neat on the tyre walls. Reload - A spray sealant that can be used on wet cars, so is easy to use after a wash, simply spray on wipe off. Car is dry and shiny. Easy peasy.

 

[Anonymous]

Re: Pre Polish & waxing

Thanks RON! Sounds good. I bought the Citruswash on the back of your recommendation to me some months back. The large size has lasted me forever and was exceptional value for money. Smells pretty good for a car shampoo too (that's the smell emanating from the bucket as I fill it...NOT because I've been sniffing my car)!! Will have to investigate some of the other products you mentioned. Have looked at discussions on detailingworld but I find myself quickly becoming lost by the range of products and what they all (claim) to do!!!

 

[RCZ1]

Re: Pre Polish & waxing

I used Collinite 476 once and never again. It was a nightmare to remove. Probably user error on my part as it was the first paste wax that I had used but it was not my favourite. Although, it is highly recommended by many. Once on, it does last for ages and is very resilient.

It really does last an awfully long time. I have seen it last up to 5 or 6 months between applications. However, as you say it is a bit of a nightmare. I just want something that's easy to apply and that has some longevity. I'm not sure that I've yet found a product that I am truly happy with. What would you say are essentials for my box of "basic" detailing products? Would be interested in your thoughts too RON. Lord knows you've tried enough products!! :lol:

People say that 476 will last a year or more, so it is good value for money but hard work.

To some extent Ron is right about snowfoam but it DOES do a job of softening the dirt making it easier to remove therefore reducing the risk of marring. I've recently been using a new product, Valet Pro Advanced Neutral Snow Foam but used as a Pre wash through a chemical sprayer. You can dilute up to 1:20, which is how I use it and it's the best Pre wash ever. It really does clean. Spray on, leave for 5 minutes and power wash off. Car is about 90% clean, without washing. At the detailing day last year, Lee demonstrated the cleaning powers of a Snow foam against a Pre wash. The Pre wash visibly removed more dirt than the snow foam. SF is more for summer use when the car does not get too dirty and Pre wash for winter months.

Basic detailing products would be:
A Pre wash (as above)
Shampoo (used many but Chemical Guys Citrus Wash and Gloss is by far the best)
A good polish or cleanser (Dodo Juice Lime Prime used before one of their waxes is a great combination or Werkstat Prime is also good)
Wax or Sealant (the Carlack system would be very easy to use as its cleanses, polishes and applies protection and is long lasting or Gtechniq's revamped sealants like C2v2 can be diluted or used neat and can give up to 8 months protection).
If you want a wax, a Dodo Juice wax is good. Dodo Supernatural or Supernatural Hybrid Paste Wax (which is both a wax and a sealant therefore giving longer durability that sealants give).

http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalo ... CDkQ8wIwAg

Quick Detailer - Chemical Guys Synthetic Detailer or Gtechniq C2v2 can be used diluted too - its a very versatile product at a very good price. Quick Detailers are used when you've washed and dried the car and just want to give it that bit of bling and removed finger prints / water marks.
You don't need to have fussy preparation for the C2v2. Spray on, spread and then buff off, streak free. It's also easy to top up layers every 3 months or so, I'd you want.

Sorry, I've gone on a bit but hopefully there is something there that will be of help.

 

[Anonymous]

Re: Pre Polish & waxing

Thank you to you both for your very informative responses. At least I've got the shampoo right!! :lol: I think I'll try out some of your various suggestions and see what works for me. I still get a little discombobulated by all the terminologies. Detailer, decontaminant, carnuba wax, clay bar etc etc etc... I'm going to have to find myself a detailing dictionary/glossary of terms. There must be one on the Internet somewhere.