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2.7 S-line
19-08-2008, 02:19 PM
I'm looking for any recommendations regards what to slop all over my new paintwork (quite a few obvious jokes to be had there.....) to protect it when my new car arrives

last time i just used an acrylic polish - paint was starting to look a little tired by the time i traded it in - so anyone got any protective waxes etc they feel do a good job ? (or any other cleaning/protecting tips they could share)

mkc
19-08-2008, 03:02 PM
This is how I look after my car and I do have a bit of problem mentally keeping my car clean :D

Pre Wash Rinse:
I use a hose with a Gilmour Foam Master Lance attached. The Foam Master I have a mixture of 2/3rd Super Snow Foam Chemical 1/3rd Guys Maxi Suds taking up half of the Foam Master and topped up with hot water. This gives this sort of result: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVW1iyymmFk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIppGipTkoQ&feature=related Let it stick for a few moments. As it falls off the car it will take lots of grime with it. Rinse with hose. I never used a jet wash as in the past Ive had dirt move across the paintwork leaving marks
Wash
Chemical Guys Extreme Body Wash and a 100% Sheepskin Wash mit. Starting from the top of the car working my way down. Using two buckets, one to rinse and one to add more bubbles. This stops any dirt from the wash mitt going into your bubble bucket! Rinse with water from a hose. Maybe do this twice.
Dry
Dry with a Sonus Der Wunder drying towel. NOT a Chamois!
Clay
You wont need this on a new car but its great for removing bird mess and tree wax and other debris. Lots available from Sonus, Zaino and Chemical Guys etc
Polish
Sonus do a great range
After this you can Glaze or seal the paint work before adding a wax
Wax
Victoria or Dodo Juice!
Wheels:
Having snow foamed these you should find that most of the grime comes off. Get in all the corners using warm water and a shampoo using an old wash mitt. You can use your fingers to wash all the corners, I dont get the same effects using one of those stiff brushes.
Clean with Chemical Guys Rim Cleaner (diluted!!) Wear gloves as this can sting! and then seal with Chemical Guys Wheel Guard or Poor Boys Wheel Sealant.

Ensure you use quality applicators and clothes to remove and apply the wax. Youll need a large collection of these. Dont forget to clean all the door and boot seals and pop the bonnet to clean under there too!

2.7 S-line
19-08-2008, 06:34 PM
:notworthy Wow that's what i call CLEANING a car !

lots of good info there , Ta very much - just the kinda advice i was after

been promising myself i wouldn't car wash this one !

Satch
19-08-2008, 06:40 PM
This is how I look after my car and I do have a bit of problem mentally keeping my car clean :D

Pre Wash Rinse:
I use a hose with a Gilmour Foam Master Lance attached. The Foam Master I have a mixture of 2/3rd Super Snow Foam Chemical 1/3rd Guys Maxi Suds taking up half of the Foam Master and topped up with hot water. This gives this sort of result: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVW1iyymmFk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIppGipTkoQ&feature=related Let it stick for a few moments. As it falls off the car it will take lots of grime with it. Rinse with hose. I never used a jet wash as in the past Ive had dirt move across the paintwork leaving marks
Wash
Chemical Guys Extreme Body Wash and a 100% Sheepskin Wash mit. Starting from the top of the car working my way down. Using two buckets, one to rinse and one to add more bubbles. This stops any dirt from the wash mitt going into your bubble bucket! Rinse with water from a hose. Maybe do this twice.
Dry
Dry with a Sonus Der Wunder drying towel. NOT a Chamois!
Clay
You wont need this on a new car but its great for removing bird mess and tree wax and other debris. Lots available from Sonus, Zaino and Chemical Guys etc
Polish
Sonus do a great range
After this you can Glaze or seal the paint work before adding a wax
Wax
Victoria or Dodo Juice!
Wheels:
Having snow foamed these you should find that most of the grime comes off. Get in all the corners using warm water and a shampoo using an old wash mitt. You can use your fingers to wash all the corners, I dont get the same effects using one of those stiff brushes.
Clean with Chemical Guys Rim Cleaner (diluted!!) Wear gloves as this can sting! and then seal with Chemical Guys Wheel Guard or Poor Boys Wheel Sealant.

Ensure you use quality applicators and clothes to remove and apply the wax. Youll need a large collection of these. Dont forget to clean all the door and boot seals and pop the bonnet to clean under there too!


What are you doing on Saturday?:biglaugh::D My car needs washed.

mkc
19-08-2008, 07:22 PM
Washing my car weather permitting!

www.cleanyourcar.co.uk (http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk)

Check this out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9a1cj3-3Qs4&feature=related Chemical Guys!!

2.7 S-line
19-08-2008, 08:43 PM
cleanyourcar.com - just spent loads of money

cool site thanks for the link mkc

my wife will be pleased as i'll be scrubbing and polishing her car to test it all out !

2.7 S-line
21-08-2008, 12:52 PM
ordered lots of cleaning/waxing stuff (sad really haven't got the blooming car yet - already fussing over it :Blush2:) from www.cleanyourcar.co.uk

wow very impressed delivered day after ordered, nicely packaged up with a personalised little hand written note to say thanks for the order - nice friendly touch

good prices reasonable delivery cost , will definately use them again!

mkc
21-08-2008, 12:56 PM
Glad you found them wortwhile. I use them simply because they offer some US products which you cannot get in the UK. What stuff did you get!?

2.7 S-line
21-08-2008, 02:38 PM
Glad you found them wortwhile. I use them simply because they offer some US products which you cannot get in the UK. What stuff did you get!?

this lot - some of for my other cars , some of it for my awaited one !

some sealant and wax - http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/complete-detailing-kits/collinite-476s-carlack-kit/prod_408.html

plus some Clay Magic clay and lube

also some chemical guys stuff : maxi suds II / trim gel / wheel guard

& assorted washing mits/drying towels etc


(i'm really going to try to stick to hand washing - also going to try to keep up with waxing etc , meant to do this with my last car but never did ..)

ryan427
21-08-2008, 04:30 PM
Cool, I use the Carlack stuff myself also bought from www.cleanyourcar.co.uk (http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk).

Big fan of "clean your car" fast efficient and friendly sevice, something that's sorely missing from many businesses today.

Ryan

JBlues
21-08-2008, 04:35 PM
Just out of interest do you guys rate these products better than say Autoglym products?

ryan427
21-08-2008, 06:44 PM
It's horses for courses really and depends on what your paint's like to start with, what you want to achieve, how much do you want to spend, how much time to you want to devote etc etc.

Once you start looking into these sort of things there's an amazing amount of choice.

Best bet really is to drop by the forum on www.cleanyourcar.co.uk (http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk) and spend some time reading. They're (we're) a friendly bunch and there's lot of good advice and people willing to help.

If you really just wanted a short answer then yes, these products are generally rated better than Autoglym but even then there are some very good Autoglym products which in certain situations are very hard to beat, Super Resin Polish being one of them.

Ryan

ryan427
21-08-2008, 06:56 PM
Here you go, just to get you started, have a look at this which comes highly recommended for durable protection and great looks all through the winter.

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1754&highlight=

Ryan

Red 2
21-08-2008, 07:16 PM
Have been a fan of Autoglym resin polish since my first humble little car simply because it was so easy to apply and wipe off, I could reapply it very quickly and the beading carried on for a reasonable time.

Also kept the exhaust looking ok....very sad as my wife has just commented!:o:biglaugh:

Funny how you tend to stick with your own personal tried and tested favourites though...

mkc
21-08-2008, 08:15 PM
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=611

Results can be good with various products, this is my current car. This was mainly Meguairs which you can now get in Halfords!

JBlues
22-08-2008, 11:25 AM
Thanks for the feedback Ryan, Red & Mkc.

To be honest it is a job I like doing, however, I never get longer than 1 hour to my self to attack it properly so I end up rushing things and getting it half done!

ryan427
22-08-2008, 12:32 PM
Completely understand, I have a three year old and another due in October, free time is almost non existant. I've found that if you take the time to do it right in the first instance, maintaining and keeping the look is quite easy and takes relatively little time.

That's part of the attraction of some of these "specialist" products, yes they produce a fantastic finish but part of that is due to the fact they are offering a layer of protection which helps to keep it clean i.e. makes it more difficult for the dirt to stick to it.

I wash my car once a week and I reckon I spend 30-45 mins including a prewash, shampoo, rinse, wheels and dry with a little touch up or bit more attention to a different part each time. It might be glass, wheels, trim or a another coat of wax which can take a little longer but only needs doing once every couple of months.

Once you've broken the back of it and got your car looking nice, keeping it that way doesn't take much.

Ryan

2.7 S-line
22-08-2008, 12:42 PM
Once you've broken the back of it and got your car looking nice, keeping it that way doesn't take much.

Ryan


thats what i'm banking on with my new car - always regretted not getting off to a good start with my last car http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/images/icons/icon9.gif

mkc
22-08-2008, 01:31 PM
http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=25400

A bit over the top but this is as bad as it can get.......I have no intention of removing my seats or wheels when it arrives!

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/complete-detailing-kits/collinite-carlack-kit/prod_408.html Just topped up with one of those, good price for all of that

2.7 S-line
22-08-2008, 02:36 PM
i'd hate to be the old lady that lets her shopping cart roll into the side of that car in tescos car park !

:yikes:


i admire the dedication, but all that effort on that car ??? mad as a fish ! (an R8 i could maybe see the point)

awtaylor
22-08-2008, 02:50 PM
I too am compiling a shopping list and already had the Collinite+Carlack kit on it. Great minds think alike (or we are reading the same reviews!).

However, is it not advisable to leave such treatment until the new paint is at least 6-8 weeks old?

mkc
22-08-2008, 02:54 PM
Well, I think a number of years ago I understood that clearcoat or non-clearcoat paintwork could remain soft for a number of months. However I think those days have gone with fancy new types of paint and huge cookers to bake the car prior to delivery.

I think we should do some investigation. Last thing we want to do is ruin our paintwork whilst trying to make it look nice! Ill see what I can find. Anyone else care to comment?

Cars are prepped by various detailers prior to delivery so Im certain we could do this on our cars safely when they arrive.

You go first and let me know how you get on!! :D

Plife
23-08-2008, 01:33 AM
http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=25400

A bit over the top but this is as bad as it can get.......I have no intention of removing my seats or wheels when it arrives!

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/complete-detailing-kits/collinite-carlack-kit/prod_408.html Just topped up with one of those, good price for all of that
Not got my car yet, but already looking into all the products I can get to keep it looking pristine!!

Red 2
23-08-2008, 07:39 AM
Well, I think a number of years ago I understood that clearcoat or non-clearcoat paintwork could remain soft for a number of months. However I think those days have gone with fancy new types of paint and huge cookers to bake the car prior to delivery.

I think we should do some investigation. Last thing we want to do is ruin our paintwork whilst trying to make it look nice! Ill see what I can find. Anyone else care to comment?

Cars are prepped by various detailers prior to delivery so Im certain we could do this on our cars safely when they arrive.

You go first and let me know how you get on!! :D

Am feeling completely inadequate now with my humble Autoglym super resin polish but seriously impressed!

Have to confess, the very first thing I've done with all my new cars for the last 15 years after getting them home is a careful wash and application of Autoglym. Checked first with Vauxhall, then Volvo,VW and all said the modern paints were ready for whatever. IMPO a layer of Autoglym was preferable to tree sap/bird droppings/chemicals off the roads and if Aston applied it to new cars, I was in good company.

Being sad, I also applied a shot to the exposed exhaust steel etc.Have to confess, it is quick to apply (an hour tops) and I re-do it every few months.

And, having a silver car, Autoglym told me not to bother with the extra gloss add-on, just keep with the super resin.

Wife just humours me with a sad shake of the head....:biglaugh:

Plife
29-08-2008, 12:50 PM
I am seriously thinking about asking the dealer not to clean it before I pick it up. I have seen pictures of the state cars have turned up in.....swirls all over the place!

How are people's paintwork on their new A4s?

hoju99
29-08-2008, 06:49 PM
Let you know on monday..........

Red 2
30-08-2008, 07:51 AM
I am seriously thinking about asking the dealer not to clean it before I pick it up. I have seen pictures of the state cars have turned up in.....swirls all over the place!

How are people's paintwork on their new A4s?

Mine was fine. Realistically, cars will have to be cleaned by the dealer as part of the pDI to check for any scratches etc. And as soon as anyone touches paintwork, you'll get microscopic swirl marks but regular polishing will keep it ok, dark colours needing a bit more work.

But unless you keep your car permanently locked away, just enjoy it and don't worry about the inevitable stone chips, etc, just enjoy that lovely feeling when you pick up your pristine car!

Plife
30-08-2008, 11:15 AM
Mine was fine. Realistically, cars will have to be cleaned by the dealer as part of the pDI to check for any scratches etc. And as soon as anyone touches paintwork, you'll get microscopic swirl marks but regular polishing will keep it ok, dark colours needing a bit more work.

But unless you keep your car permanently locked away, just enjoy it and don't worry about the inevitable stone chips, etc, just enjoy that lovely feeling when you pick up your pristine car!
Actually if dealers were to wash it without a sponge and chamois the swirling could be completely avoided. This is precisely what I do not want. The last time a dealer washed my car it looked like someone had ice skated across it.

You should also not reguarly polish your car as polishing removes some of the clear coat. if you do this too often you will get down to the paint. Personally I would not polish the car more than once a year. Polishing is used to remove paint imperfections and swirls. What you should do reguarly, say every 2 - 3 months, is to seal and wax the car which provides protection to the paint.

Red 2
30-08-2008, 03:51 PM
Actually if dealers were to wash it without a sponge and chamois the swirling could be completely avoided. This is precisely what I do not want. The last time a dealer washed my car it looked like someone had ice skated across it.

You should also not reguarly polish your car as polishing removes some of the clear coat. if you do this too often you will get down to the paint. Personally I would not polish the car more than once a year. Polishing is used to remove paint imperfections and swirls. What you should do reguarly, say every 2 - 3 months, is to seal and wax the car which provides protection to the paint.

I am obviously lucky with my local dealer...but what would you expect as I am fortunate enough to have the likes of A8 tech in there!;):biglaugh: Delivery was spot on, car immaculate and the odd occasion it goes in, it comes back spotless. Makes such a difference!

Re polishing, I take the point that use should be commensurate with the recommendations of the polish/wax etc manufacturers. Have to confess the one I use is re-applied every 3 months and is perfectly safe for clear coats. Each to their own as long as we are happy with the end results.

awtaylor
22-09-2008, 01:38 PM
Well, I think a number of years ago I understood that clearcoat or non-clearcoat paintwork could remain soft for a number of months. However I think those days have gone with fancy new types of paint and huge cookers to bake the car prior to delivery.

I think we should do some investigation. Last thing we want to do is ruin our paintwork whilst trying to make it look nice! Ill see what I can find. Anyone else care to comment?

Cars are prepped by various detailers prior to delivery so Im certain we could do this on our cars safely when they arrive.

You go first and let me know how you get on!! :D

Not sure if I have beaten you to it but had the opportunity to wash, clay, polish and (start) waxing this weekend. Had to find time to refit a utility room over the weekend too and endure comments from my wife including the phrase "over the top" so haven't quite finished the job yet.

Before anyone comments that I may suffer from some obsessive disorder I can confirm that there is no family history of such illness.:confused: This is not a company car and one that I may choose to keep for more than my usual 3 years therefore I am investing some time and effort in preserving the car now which I am sure I will claw back in less cleaning time in the future.

So settle back and enjoy my 10 step approach (pictures of the results will have to wait until I finish the job):

1. Rinsed wheels first with Pressure Washer (PW) to clear an amazing amount of brake dust collected in just 300 miles and that had turned my alloys a gunmetal colour.

2. Cleaned wheels with Meguires Hot Rims wheel cleaner (£7.99 from Halfords), followed by further rinse after 20 secs and then wash with Meguires Gold Class shampoo(£14.99 from Halfords), cotton wash mit(£3.49 from Halfords) and bucket (mit and bucket only used for cleaning wheels). So although I now had clean wheels I wanted to make sure that they stayed cleaner for longer and would be easier to clean - more of this later.

3. Rinsed body with PW (not too close or powerful to avoid forcing grit across surface of paint).

4. Washed using two bucket method (TBM) where one bucket contains shampoo and warm water for washing car and the other contains clean water for rinsing the lambswool washmit between applying shampoo to car, i.e. load mit with shampoo, wash car, rinse mit to get rid of grit, repeat.

Used Meguires Gold Class shampoo, slightly more concentrated than recommended as I was not concerned with stripping any wax from the paintwork. In future I will stick with manufacturer recommended concentrations otherwise you end up undoing the waxing/polishing process. Washmit was from www.thesheepskinshop.co.uk (http://www.thesheepskinshop.co.uk) - very reasonable at 2 for £12 including P&P. Clear buckets £2.98 each from B&Q (enables you to see how dirty the water is getting in case you may want to change the water in your rinse bucket).

5. Rinse body with PW.

6. Clayed bodywork whilst still wet with Bilt-Hamber Soft Auto-Clay(£10.95 plus P&P direct from manufacturer). This is a stage that I was in two minds whether or not to go through because the car is so new and unlikely to have been exposed to too many contaminents but decided to go ahead to guarantee the best possible final finish.

With Bilt-Hamber you can use water as a lubricant whereas other clays require the use of a Quick Detailer solution. So keeping the paintwork wet at all times I used about a quarter of the clay bar, neaded into a flat disc and just gently ran it across the bodywork feeling for and friction which typically indicates bonded contaminents, examining the clay at regular intervals and folding the clay in on itself to present a new surface for continued claying. So I guess that you want to know whether or not the clay lifted any contamination from the paintwork? Well I would say yes - although not a large amount there was definitely some contamination so I believe that it was a worthwhile process even for peace of mind that I would be polishing as pristine a surface that I could possibly achieve by hand.

I wasn't too concerned at marring the paintwork because I had already tested the process on my wife's 8 years old 35K mile metallic blue VW Polo which now looks like new. The piece of clay that I used for her car is now consigned to wheel claying duties.

Link to clay: http://www.bilthamber.com/autoclay.html

7. Rinsed and washed car again with TBM and dried by laying Meguiars Water Magnet Microfibre Drying Towel(£12.99 from Halfords) over painwork rather than wiping and potentially scratching (wiping the windows first to get the towel damp).

I used to use a water blade and real chamois leather which were far more effective at moving/soaking up water but have ditched these as there is too much potential to pick up grit and scratch the paint.

8. Focused back on the wheels whilst the last of the water ran out of nooks and crannies. Applied a layer of Chemical Guys Wheel Guard (£12.95 plus P&P from www.cleanyourcar.co.uk (http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk)) to alloys to provide a protective anti-static finish to prevent brake dust contaminating wheel lacquer and provide a surface that the brake dust won't adhere to as easily. This was one of the most time consuming tasks even with 5 spoke alloys. I could just about get to all of the wheel surface without removing the wheels but the Wheel Guard is really messy, an orange mousse with bubblegum smell. Will probably need a second coat at some point and perhaps a coat of wax over the top - can't wait!

Link to wheel guard: http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheels-and-tyres/chemical-guys-wheel-guard/prod_197.html

9. With my car paintwork pretty "naked" at this point I applied a layer of Carlack 68, a combined cleaner and polish (£26.95 plus P&P from www.cleanyourcar.co.uk (http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk)) which comes complete with applicators, buffing towels and Collinite 476s wax in a complete detailing kit.

Polishing is a great opportunity to pick up any imperfections and in my case this was limited to some black adhesive residue remaining from where the roof protection was secured. This came off easily with the polish.

Left the Carlack 68 to cure for 45 minutes whilst I removed the Wheel Guard from my wheels.

I selected this particular detailing kit as it seems to be accepted as the longest lasting combination on the market and ideal for protection through the winter months.

Link to detailing kit: http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/complete-detailing-kits/collinite-476s-carlack-kit/prod_408.html

10. Removed the Carlack 68 and then just had time to apply the first of a planned two thin layers of Collinite 476s wax to the bonnet before I couldn't hide the car from the sun any more and the first of the "over the top" comments started.

To complete the job I will need to wait until I next wash the car as I have been out in it a few times now and probably picked up a degree of dirt and dust that I would rather not rub into the paintwork. I will post some pictures when I am finished.

Thanks for reading - hope your found this useful and NO I am not in any way associated with Halfords or any of the other manufacturers/ distributors mentioned in this post!

Plife
22-09-2008, 04:59 PM
Not sure if I have beaten you to it but had the opportunity to wash, clay, polish and (start) waxing this weekend. Had to find time to refit a utility room over the weekend too and endure comments from my wife including the phrase "over the top" so haven't quite finished the job yet.

Before anyone comments that I may suffer from some obsessive disorder I can confirm that there is no family history of such illness.:confused: This is not a company car and one that I may choose to keep for more than my usual 3 years therefore I am investing some time and effort in preserving the car now which I am sure I will claw back in less cleaning time in the future.


Looks like a failry comprehensive washing method! Just watch out for the Hot Rims as it is acidic.

Nothing wromg with taking care in your car.....I will be doing exactly the same when mine arrives. Just make sure you keep up the paint protection!! Should help keep it in great condition!

mkc
22-09-2008, 07:50 PM
Great write up awtaylor.

Ive not used any chemicals on my wheels yet to clean them. I protected them with Chemical Guys Wheel Guard and now just wipe them clean with an old cotton sheet.

In terms of washing I did mine Saturday.

Hosed down with gentle running water
Used hose attachement with 30% SnowFoam, 20% Shampoo (forget which one!) 50% Warm water. Allowed the snowfoam to do its stuff and then hosed down again.
Washed with Sheepskin mitt TBM!
Dried with Sonus Wunder Towel and then Carlack'd and Collinite.
I did clay some areas, around the bumpers which had some sticky residue from transport.

Looks like we have some of the same things in our cleaning collection!. Ive used the Wheel Guard on my exhaust too.... No visible swirls or marks on the paint work and its like glass to touch. Mrs had a go at me for spending all Saturday morning on m car, came out and saw how good it looked so had to start again on her A3!!

awtaylor
22-09-2008, 08:31 PM
Great write up awtaylor.

Ive not used any chemicals on my wheels yet to clean them. I protected them with Chemical Guys Wheel Guard and now just wipe them clean with an old cotton sheet.

In terms of washing I did mine Saturday.

Hosed down with gentle running water
Used hose attachement with 30% SnowFoam, 20% Shampoo (forget which one!) 50% Warm water. Allowed the snowfoam to do its stuff and then hosed down again.
Washed with Sheepskin mitt TBM!
Dried with Sonus Wunder Towel and then Carlack'd and Collinite.
I did clay some areas, around the bumpers which had some sticky residue from transport.

Looks like we have some of the same things in our cleaning collection!. Ive used the Wheel Guard on my exhaust too.... No visible swirls or marks on the paint work and its like glass to touch. Mrs had a go at me for spending all Saturday morning on m car, came out and saw how good it looked so had to start again on her A3!!

Thanks mkc!

Where you went wrong is not doing your Mrs' car first;)

Not sure about snow foam, I know it makes sense and like the idea but I am a bit too self conscious:o

Plife
22-09-2008, 08:49 PM
Not sure about snow foam, I know it makes sense and like the idea but I am a bit too self conscious:o
I think it looks like great fun! Definitely on my shopping list for when mine arrives!

k6rff
25-09-2008, 11:06 PM
I'm an Autoglym nut. Not particularly cheap but my 6 year old B6 A4 was just traded for a B8 (also silver) and looked as shiney as the day i bought it.

My weekly wash is with Autoglym shampoo - jetwash first, shampoo with soft brush (Halfords) out of a bucket. Jetwash suds off, silicone squeegee excess water, wipe dry with good quality chammy. the car positively gleams. I don't know what they put in it but it certainly is good and continues to work over a long period.

I wax with Autoglym resin polish around 3 -4 times annually.

They do a 'obsessional' finish and I might give that a go this time. Everything they do appears to do exactly what it's supposed to.

Plife
26-09-2008, 11:41 AM
I'm an Autoglym nut. Not particularly cheap but my 6 year old B6 A4 was just traded for a B8 (also silver) and looked as shiney as the day i bought it.

My weekly wash is with Autoglym shampoo - jetwash first, shampoo with soft brush (Halfords) out of a bucket. Jetwash suds off, silicone squeegee excess water, wipe dry with good quality chammy. the car positively gleams. I don't know what they put in it but it certainly is good and continues to work over a long period.

I wax with Autoglym resin polish around 3 -4 times annually.

They do a 'obsessional' finish and I might give that a go this time. Everything they do appears to do exactly what it's supposed to.
Definitely ways you can improve this.

Ditch the soft brush, silcone squeegee and chamois - all are prime candidates for introducing swirls in the paintwork. Get a sheepskin/lambswool mitt for washing and a waffle weave drying towel.

Autoglym is OK and the super resin polish is great for temporarily filling in swirls, but there are better products out there....you just can't get them in Halfords!

awtaylor
26-09-2008, 04:18 PM
Definitely ways you can improve this.

Ditch the soft brush, silcone squeegee and chamois - all are prime candidates for introducing swirls in the paintwork. Get a sheepskin/lambswool mitt for washing and a waffle weave drying towel.

Autoglym is OK and the super resin polish is great for temporarily filling in swirls, but there are better products out there....you just can't get them in Halfords!

I agree that it is essential that you get a mitt and towel to avoid introduction tiny scratches in the clearcoat. There is nothing wrong with AG Super Resin Polish sealed in with Extra Gloss Protection which is what I have used in the past but have moved on. If you want to stick with AG products then you can actually get hold of the same Lifeshine packs that the Dealers will charge you around £300 to apply on eBay for around £6.50 plus £6.50 P&P although obviously you will not get the certificate but you will get the same level of protection.