[MiloMini]

Ok guys,

I have ordered a few items to help care for my mini

two types of shampoo - just to try them out and get used to actually cleaning my car!

Simoniz and meguiars gold

10 microfibre cloths and 3 microfibre wash mitts

Sonax Quick detailer (already have) and alloy wheel cleaner (already have)

One thing I don't have is a polish and I don't want to go straight from washing to using Sonax. Am I correct in thinking the polish gives it a little protection?

Anything else I should think about using (car is Deep Blue).

Thanks

 

[GoKart7]

Yeah Milo okay fab...

Where's the car!?!

What are you doing to it - changing into VO?





As for procedure - I always polish before waxing

My steps are usually:

1.
Two bucket wash - Alloy wheels clean wash - dry

2.
Clay bar.

3.
Polish

4. Wax

5. Dress tyres (if you want to) Protect Alloy wheels (if you want to)

THeir are of course other ways depends how much time you have and what you want to do - but this way has been good for me

Now where is the car!

 

[MintMark]

So... am I right in thinking of polish as abrasive (to make the surface smooth) and then wax or sealant as a protective layer?

 

[GoKart7]

So... am I right in thinking of polish as abrasive (to make the surface smooth) and then wax or sealant as a protective layer?

Well done Mark - you're becoming the best rounded manual on the planet

:nerd:

 

[MiloMini]

So any recommendations?!!!

 

[Hat]

Shouldnt need actual polish on a new car. A some form of paint protection and wax is the best way to go. This site has some good advice depending on the type of paint you have. Shop around for the actual product though, i got the blackfire midnight sun wax for a good chunk less than these sell it.

Ive just given mine its first going over with the blackfire sealant and then the wax. Once the sun has gone down a bit ill put some pictures up


http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/choosing-paint-protection.html

 

[GoKart7]

So any recommendations?!!!

Elbow grease a cool icy drink a shade for the car and preferably some hot women to look at looking at you looking at the car looking at you thinking whats happening to me here.

:nerd:

Seriously though any good polish will do - as long as it's reputable you're fine - same for the wax

I always had autoglym wheel cleaner for the alloys never had a problem - just use a sponge and you'll be fine no need to get a brush

Also for the shampoo - I would buy one without wax in it - try snow foam for cleaning the car if you have a pressure washer you'd be amazed - if not a very good shampoo and two bucket method to keep the sponge clean when dipping back into the shampoo mix

Milo - breathe - it's cleaning a car - what possibly could go wrong? That you wash it dry it clay bar it polish it wax it and afterwards it turns Volcanic Orange?

 

[MintMark]

Watch it Milo he's talking about sponges and even I know that's bad.
I'd report him to captain Donna if I were you... she'll sort things out.

I think you need something with a deep pile to bring any grit away from the paint surface...

 

[Hat]

I posted a reply to this earlier and it said waiting authorisation from moderator? I didn't swear or anything

 

[GoKart7]

I posted a reply to this earlier and it said waiting authorisation from moderator? I didn't swear or anything

You must have forgotten to mention volcanic orange

>

 

[GoKart7]

Watch it Milo he's talking about sponges and even I know that's bad.
I'd report him to captain Donna if I were you... she'll sort things out.

I think you need something with a deep pile to bring any grit away from the paint surface...

If you find a green sponge for washing a car I'll have one

:nerd:

 

[MiloMini]

Thanks guys, I certainly won't be using a sponge!! I've already got the microfibre mitts so all's good there! There's so much to learn.

I do want to try the snow foam, been trying to get Andy to get one too - he's getting a power washer!!!

 

[GoKart7]

Thanks guys, I certainly won't be using a sponge!! I've already got the microfibre mitts so all's good there! There's so much to learn.

I do want to try the snow foam, been trying to get Andy to get one too - he's getting a power washer!!!

Got it - Andy's the rich one - whilst he's at it will he buy me an Aston Martin instead

On that one I won't need orange

>

 

[Solar red]

I using Gtechniq stuff on Sunday, on the paint, plastic and wheels.

 

[lorlux]

I bought these recently. Very satisfied. I'm not affiliated in any way with this company btw.

 

[johnan]

"Showroom Shine" for the painted bits, wheels and side windows, and "Back to Black" for the plastic trim.
Does the job very well.

 

[pjsjr13]

You must have forgotten to mention volcanic orange

>

blah blah blah blah blah... What did you say GoCart7?>

 

[andyross37]

Got it - Andy's the rich one - whilst he's at it will he buy me an Aston Martin instead

On that one I won't need orange

>

Rich people don't get nor stay rich by spending their money on other people.

I'm a tight fisted old (okay not as old as Milo) git

>

 

[MAC99]

Try getting yourself some Valet Pro Citrus pre-wash.
Dilute around say 8-1 (check dilution rates) with warm water in a sprayer, and spray it all over the car before you do anything.
Pay particular attention to the wheel arches and the lower sills where the road grime gets.
Then leave it to soak while you get the buckets and shampoo out etc (about 10 minutes), rinse it off and then wash car as normal.

Great stuff, and you will be amazed at what it shifts.

 

[N16k]

Some polishes will give you some degree of protection, but they are mainly used for removing light marks and filling up the swirls and scratches to make them less obvious. If you want protection then for a relatively cheap but good wax check out the Angelwax products, I've just purchased the dark wax from them for when my midnight black mcs arrives as I've seen the finish in person from that wax and other waxes by them and they are very good. Super glossy and sheets well too.
If you want an all in one product that polishes, fills an protects then I've found auto finesse triple to be pretty good.
Autobrite Cherry glaze is also really good at filling and producing amazing finishes.