What a difference some clay makes!

[RLyons]

I have always been into cleaning and polishing my car but have recently started to get more into "detailing" and used some clay on my car for the first time last week. WOW, what a difference! I then polished it with AG super resin polish and coated in Dodo juice wax for dark paint. The combination of the three has really improved the look of my swirled paintwork!

I would like to get a professional detail done to remove the swirl marks but I can't afford it at the moment.

Anybody got any recommendations for new products/methods I might be missing out on?

 

[suj]

the 2 bucket method when washing, to limit more swirls occuring.

what you do is have 2 buckets
1) with water and shampoo (like you'd normally have, filled quite high)
2) with just water in it (just more then half full)

put the wash mitt into the shampoo bucket, and clean a panel, then when you take it off the panel, dip into the water only bucket, and rinse, then dip back into shampoo bucket, and repeat

what this does is transfer the dirt to the water bucket, instead of moving around on paint work

 

[cookie88888]

I have always been into cleaning and polishing my car but have recently started to get more into "detailing" and used some clay on my car for the first time last week. WOW, what a difference! I then polished it with AG super resin polish and coated in Dodo juice wax for dark paint. The combination of the three has really improved the look of my swirled paintwork!

I would like to get a professional detail done to remove the swirl marks but I can't afford it at the moment.

Anybody got any recommendations for new products/methods I might be missing out on?

Totally agree......takes some time to do it but well worth it. Makes cleaning it in the future easier and more satisfying! I use MEGIUARS CLAY BOX.

 

[tony323ci]

Also a good idea to use clay on your glass leaves it super smooth you'll love the way rainwater beads off it

 

[Dabbalz]

A mop and 2 stage polishing compound will get rid of the swirl marks, i've yet to invest and have also decided to go down the detailing road as we have a black car again.
I'm using the two bucket method too. If you can get a grit guard for the water only bucket too it'll be better as you can rub the wash mitt against this and it'll help remove the grit from the mitt which will then sink below the guard protecting the mitt further, therefore protecting your paint further.

 

[Just Waxed]

Undoubtedly the best products in my kit are... pressure washer/foam lance/snowfoam for pre-washing the car before taking a wash mitt to it.

Washed my clio 172 cup this way for seven and a half years and it hardly had a swirl on it when i sold it last month.

Money WELL spent!!

 

[RLyons]

A mop and 2 stage polishing compound will get rid of the swirl marks

How much would a mop cost me?? Really can't afford much at the moment, just want to keep my car in good nick through the winter for now - might have to sell it soon for insurance cost reasons Swirls are dramatically less visible since I bought the car and started detailing.

I will get a grit guard and clay the windows next time too - cheers for those tips!

 

[RLyons]

Also - what is the best way to stop brake dust build up on your wheels - just polish and wax as the bodywork?

 

[555geo]

Also - what is the best way to stop brake dust build up on your wheels - just polish and wax as the bodywork?

Best way is to remove the wheels and clean thoroughly. Use a clay bar to remove the stubbon marks. Seal them with a good quality sealant, I use Jetseal. and then a couple of coats of Chemical Guys Wheel Guard. You still get brake bust, but this makes it a lot easier to clean off.