Car Wax/Polish
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From: Preston
Car Wax/Polish
I'm planning on giving my car a good wash, wax and polish tomorrow (weather permitting). Now i'm no expert on this subject and usually just use something like turtle wax in a bottle and a few cloths and the results have always just been "ok".
I don't want to spend a fortune on polish/wax or materials to do the job with.
Does anyone have any suggestions for some basic kit to get me started: ie, an ok type of wax/polish and what kind of cloths etc to buy?
Any advice appreciated.
I may even post some pics on Monday once it's done!!
I don't want to spend a fortune on polish/wax or materials to do the job with.
Does anyone have any suggestions for some basic kit to get me started: ie, an ok type of wax/polish and what kind of cloths etc to buy?
Any advice appreciated.
I may even post some pics on Monday once it's done!!
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If you haven't polished it for a while, pop down to Halfords and pick up a bottle of Zymol cleaner wax. £12 and its all you need for a cracking shine and a nice smell !
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...egoryId_165527
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...egoryId_165527
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From: Belfast, Northern Ireland
Polish and wax depends on how brilliant you want it to be and condition of the paintwork. If you've a black car like me, it's a real pain to hide swirls and scrapes. The car pretty much marks itself with me just looking at it! I get a detailer to machine it and find it's well worth the money for the results.
The market is full of polish and waxes and to be honest I find it all confusing but if you are just going to Halfords they usually do alot of Autoglym and Maguiars stuff.
Do you dry the car? A good drying cloth can help but try to pat dry it rather than wipe it over the car.
I'd also recommend a couple of little polish applicators and some micro-fibre cloths for taking the polish off. They'll both help lots.
Meguiars do a decent range of polishes, and I've always found Autoglym Super Poly Resin isn't that bad a polish, although remember to use it in small amounts to get the best results. As it's white it can get down into stone chips and show them up if you put on too much, especially on a black car.
Autoglym Aquawax is brillant and I'd highly recommend it. Very easy on and off. You can also put it on the car whilst it's still wet although I prefer to get most of the excess water off first. You can also use it on the windows too. I also use it as a drying aid after I wash the car each time.
If you don't use Halfords, I'd recommend Dodo Juice waxes and Collinite. Collinite is a hardy wax that lasts for ages over the winter.
The market is full of polish and waxes and to be honest I find it all confusing but if you are just going to Halfords they usually do alot of Autoglym and Maguiars stuff.
Do you dry the car? A good drying cloth can help but try to pat dry it rather than wipe it over the car.
I'd also recommend a couple of little polish applicators and some micro-fibre cloths for taking the polish off. They'll both help lots.
Meguiars do a decent range of polishes, and I've always found Autoglym Super Poly Resin isn't that bad a polish, although remember to use it in small amounts to get the best results. As it's white it can get down into stone chips and show them up if you put on too much, especially on a black car.
Autoglym Aquawax is brillant and I'd highly recommend it. Very easy on and off. You can also put it on the car whilst it's still wet although I prefer to get most of the excess water off first. You can also use it on the windows too. I also use it as a drying aid after I wash the car each time.
If you don't use Halfords, I'd recommend Dodo Juice waxes and Collinite. Collinite is a hardy wax that lasts for ages over the winter.
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From: Preston
Cheers for the help feck - i'll look into those.
ID - I have a sponge and some car shampoo but apart from that, nothing at all. I do normally leather my car when I wash it to dry it off but just never really given it a good polish TBH. It's a black car and it's just started to look dull and tired and seems like it just needs bringing back to life really, especially with the summer coming.
I'm looking to spend maybe £20-£30 initially, not too much, and see how well it comes up after that.
ID - I have a sponge and some car shampoo but apart from that, nothing at all. I do normally leather my car when I wash it to dry it off but just never really given it a good polish TBH. It's a black car and it's just started to look dull and tired and seems like it just needs bringing back to life really, especially with the summer coming.
I'm looking to spend maybe £20-£30 initially, not too much, and see how well it comes up after that.
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OK,
I'd try to avoid using a sponge and chamois as they can induce marring which looks lke spiderwebs under light.
With only £20-£30 I'd leave the wash mitt until next time. However, bare in mind that your current washing technique is actually inducing marring and scratching. You ideally need a wash mitt and drying towel and to use the 2 bucket method. Honda paint is extremely soft.
Personally, this is what I would get from Halfords -
A clay bar will remove all of the surface contaminants that are bonded on. Sometimes when you wash your car you stand back and it looks clean, but not gleaming if you know what I mean. That's because of all of the 'stuck on' dirt that washing doesn't get rid of. To me, the clay bar stage will make a massive difference to a car that hasn't had it done. You can buy kits that are about £25 but there is no need. Just buy the clay bar and then use soapy water as your lube. A clay bar like this is perfect (£9.99) -
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...egoryId_165682
As already mentioned Zymol cleaner wax would be a good buy as Halfords don't really do any good waxes apart from the Auto Glym HD wax which is about £40. Just be aware that it is a compromise between polish and wax. Seperates would be better but money talks. here's a link -
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...egoryId_165527
Halfords is on 3 for 2 at the minute so you could splash out on some tyre spray or something like that.
I'd buy some of these foam applicators to apply the Zymol with -
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...egoryId_165609
You would need a micro fibre towel to take it off with. Something like this -
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...egoryId_165609
That little lot would come over budget but would make a HUGE differnce to the finish.
Eventually I'd definitely get a wash mitt. That will lessen the marring you are inducing with the sponge.
I hope that helps!
Nick.
I'd try to avoid using a sponge and chamois as they can induce marring which looks lke spiderwebs under light.
With only £20-£30 I'd leave the wash mitt until next time. However, bare in mind that your current washing technique is actually inducing marring and scratching. You ideally need a wash mitt and drying towel and to use the 2 bucket method. Honda paint is extremely soft.
Personally, this is what I would get from Halfords -
A clay bar will remove all of the surface contaminants that are bonded on. Sometimes when you wash your car you stand back and it looks clean, but not gleaming if you know what I mean. That's because of all of the 'stuck on' dirt that washing doesn't get rid of. To me, the clay bar stage will make a massive difference to a car that hasn't had it done. You can buy kits that are about £25 but there is no need. Just buy the clay bar and then use soapy water as your lube. A clay bar like this is perfect (£9.99) -
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...egoryId_165682
As already mentioned Zymol cleaner wax would be a good buy as Halfords don't really do any good waxes apart from the Auto Glym HD wax which is about £40. Just be aware that it is a compromise between polish and wax. Seperates would be better but money talks. here's a link -
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...egoryId_165527
Halfords is on 3 for 2 at the minute so you could splash out on some tyre spray or something like that.
I'd buy some of these foam applicators to apply the Zymol with -
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...egoryId_165609
You would need a micro fibre towel to take it off with. Something like this -
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...egoryId_165609
That little lot would come over budget but would make a HUGE differnce to the finish.
Eventually I'd definitely get a wash mitt. That will lessen the marring you are inducing with the sponge.
I hope that helps!
Nick.
