Looking To Get Myself Some Decent Cleaning/polishing Gear

bluenose1940 · September 17, 2012

Hi folks, Just got myself an IS250 in Canterbury Blue and although I cleaned my silver 220d on a regular basis, I never really got around to setting myself up with quality cleaning/polishing gear.

I think that the car that I have now lends itself to a fine high gloss, polished finish.

I intend to purchase some gear now but, what an absolute minefield it is! I started a thread back in May and had a reply from graham8370 who pointed out that there are hundreds of products available that will do a good job, although I think that 'hundreds' might just be a bit of an understatement!!

I have picked some products and am wondering if any of you experienced detailers have any thoughts on my choice of products. Any comments will be greatly appreciated

http://www.theultima...bucket-set.aspx

http://www.theultima...-wash-mitt.aspx

http://www.theultima...niq/g-wash.aspx

http://www.theultima...-clay-soft.aspx

http://www.theultima...y-drying-towel.aspx

http://www.theultima...ite-polish.aspx

This is another product that has some good feedback on the site and I thought that I might get some if anyone suggests that it might be better than the polish mentioned above.

http://www.theultima...urple-haze.aspx

I look forward to any comments for which many thanks in advance.

rodders1949 · September 17, 2012

Can't comment on any of the products myself but will offer a word of advice/warning.

If you are considering clay bar then be very careful not to apply too much pressure, always use lots of lube & make sure the clay is really really soft.

You can really mess up your cars finish if you don't follow the above.

Rodders.

bluenose1940 · September 18, 2012

Can't comment on any of the products myself but will offer a word of advice/warning.

If you are considering clay bar then be very careful not to apply too much pressure, always use lots of lube & make sure the clay is really really soft.

You can really mess up your cars finish if you don't follow the above.

Rodders.

Thank you for that rodders, I will most certainly heed your advice. I've never carried out the 'clay' procedure before so would undoubtedly be a little wary anyway. I presume that when you clay your car, that piece of clay is finished with and when you need to do your car again you would have to buy new again.

I suppose that it depends on how dirty you let your car get as to how often you have to clay it. Would I be correct in thinking that after you have clayed your car, then the better the job you make of the waxing/polishing, the better the protection will be and therefore the need to clay it again is lessened.

I was looking at some of the electric polishers yesterday and noticed that they really are quite expensive. When looking at them, they appeared to me like a tarted-up angle grinder. Does anyone know if anyone makes an adaptor that would convert a conventional angle grinder into a car polisher?

rodders1949 · September 18, 2012

With regard to the clay, they do say to keep turning it over every now and again to find a clean bit but and this is what I dont understand. The particles that come off are debris and will stick to the clay. The clay is not a huge piece but only about 3" square and it is supposed to be enough to do a complete car so how the hell are you supposed to find a clean bit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

With regard to electric polishers or attachments for an angle grinder or indeed a power drill.

Again as with the clay, be very careful about the amount of pressure used as you will invariably end up with swirls if not 100% competent in what you're doing and if the vehicle happens to be black then they will look 100% worse in the sunlight.

If you watch some vids of proffesional detailers at work ( plenty on you tube) you will see how many different processes they actually go through and believe me it all takes lots of time.

michaelH · September 28, 2012

I have a clay kit but have made little use of it. The detailing spray that comes with it is however likely to be a very good waterless cleaner and if used with soft, clean, microfibre cloths it will probaby lift off most of the stuff that the claybar would lift, but with far less risk of scratching. Spray it on, leave it for a while and let it soften the dirt etc. then wipe off. Much more effective than water and shampoo, so it will lift stuff the water would leave behind, and no need to chamois off the lime residue in a hard water area. Someone on this site once said that he would not let such stuff anywhere near his car, bit if it is OK when claying then why not with a cloth?

You can buy waterless cleaner combined with a wax for a one step job. Works OK ( I have used two bottles of the stuff, no problem) but I think the two stage operation gives better dirt removal and a better shine

The only thing I would hesitate to clean off without water is caked on road salt. My Lex is silver and as one valeter told me 'you can get away with murder with a silver car'; but I have used waterless cleaning products (eg Autoglym rapid detailer) on a my son's dark blue focus and he was delighted with the end result. You can clear a whole car about four times with one small bottle and I sometimes follow this up with a good wax. You can use it on the wheels as well, especially if you have protected them with a good wheel polish to reduce the amount of brake dust sticking to them. I don't use acid cleaners on the wheels if I can help it. Once or twice a year, perhaps.

If you have a dark blue or black car, and are a bit distrustful, try it carefully on one small part first (eg your door sills) and see how well it works. go on, try it

bluenose1940 · October 27, 2012

Hiya Michael, a bit on the late side spotting your reply, for which many apologies. I might just try the Autoglym rapid detailer and see what happens.

If you should spot this reply, I wonder if you can recommend a good wheel cleaner and polish as i want to try to avoid any problems with the wheels, a bit of a sore subject on the LOC I think.

steve2006 · October 27, 2012

My wheels are pretty new so I tend to wash them with car shampoo and then rinse,leather and then finally apply Autoglym wheel seal wax and polish off.

Easy to apply from an aerosol which lasts for ages.

bluenose1940 · October 28, 2012

My wheels are pretty new so I tend to wash them with car shampoo and then rinse,leather and then finally apply Autoglym wheel seal wax and polish off.

Easy to apply from an aerosol which lasts for ages.

Thanks for this Steve, Autoglym again eh! Seems to be popular stuff all round.