First time polish/wax - advice please!

[Tully1980]

Hi all,

I’ve had my Cupra 300 for about a month now. I’ve been too busy having fun to think about giving it a proper clean and wax, but it’s something that I’d like to do now.

Can I have a few recommendations and suggestions on what waxes/polishes people are using?

Also, is that Hydrasilex stuff any good? It keeps popping up on my Facebook feed and it looks the business, but as with anything on FB I take it with a pinch of salt..!!

Cheers


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[cupra300uk]

Hi all,

I’ve had my Cupra 300 for about a month now. I’ve been too busy having fun to think about giving it a proper clean and wax, but it’s something that I’d like to do now.

Can I have a few recommendations and suggestions on what waxes/polishes people are using?

Also, is that Hydrasilex stuff any good? It keeps popping up on my Facebook feed and it looks the business, but as with anything on FB I take it with a pinch of salt..!!

Cheers


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I keep searching this forum and every thread I’m interested in you’re always there! I was going to ask the same sort of question, been almost 2 weeks of ownership now and the weather has been pretty crap but got a few days off and the weather seems to be good for them so need to know what people use on their pride and joy!


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[Tully1980]

I keep searching this forum and every thread I’m interested in you’re always there! I was going to ask the same sort of question, been almost 2 weeks of ownership now and the weather has been pretty crap but got a few days off and the weather seems to be good for them so need to know what people use on their pride and joy!


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I think it’s because we’re in the same boat to be honest mate ..


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[Deleted member 103408]

@Jimbobcook should be able to give you some good advise

Check out his thread here https://forums.seatcupra.net/index.php?threads/what-are-you-using.445746/#post-4791703

and just have a look through some of the threads here https://forums.seatcupra.net/index.php?forums/car-care-and-detailing.129/

be warned this can become an addiction

 

[Kinetic]

It depends on the level of protection you want to achieve and how much time you have. Personally, I use a good quality shampoo and then I apply Built Hamber double speed wax. I then keep the protection level up by using Meguiars Quik Wax every 2 or 3 weeks. This is enough for me but I'm sure classed as pretty basic by most.

 

[Legojon]

I don't want to jump on the Triple wagon. But I've painstakingly done my entire car a panel at a time polishing with Triple. Adding ultra glaze over the top (not sure it was needed but it's really easy to apply and remove). Then sealing with Collinite 476. If you check the last 1-2 pages of my Cupra readers ride, you'll see all the different polishes and glazes I've tried. And (shield on standby). Whilst I found Regloss, Black hole, Ultra glaze to look pretty much the same finished. Using Triple, Ultra glaze, Collonite is the shiniest my car has stayed for a long time. It's rained on it 3 times this week and it's just dried out and walking back to the car park yday, it still looked fantastic (even if I do say so myself) LOL.

I should also add, not sure how much into car cleaning you are. But if I had a shiny new Cupra 300 I'd be starting with snowfoam!! I can't big it up enough. Previously I had to change my wash / rinse buckets 2-3 times when washing (weekly!) as the water would be filthy. Not I only use half a bucket of water / shampoo as the snowfoam cleans so well. I'd recommend it to advise scratching that nice new paint!

 

[Jimbobcook]

Not being bias along side @Legojon but Triple and ultra glaze is very easy to use and like above a panel at a time, getting a good 1200gsm buffing towel helped me.

I went from Meguires liquid wax to autoglym and now to auto finesse.

I can also recommend autobrite products, their Project 64 is the best detailer I've used to top up the car between waxes and their wax off is great when you're ready to start it all over again lol

As above the thread @theoldboy put on is what I'm currently using... I'm by no means a pro but I find that if you can put the time in she will look shiny! (currently 6 hours for just the exterior)

For the record @Legojon has a cleaner car than me haha either that or he has more sun to make his look better haha

You're making me want to go clean the car lol

 

[Deleted member 103408]

Like i said it can become addictive but both these guys have very very nice looking cars.

 

[Jimbobcook]

I'm more than happy as I'm sure anyone else is on here to help if you have specific questions regarding what we use and how. I love a clean car!

It's all about how well that water beads and how far you see in the reflection haha

 

[Legojon]

It's all about how well that water beads and how far you see in the reflection haha

Oh no, I'm going to have to...

 

[SRGTD]

If this will be the first time you’ve washed it after a month’s ownership, it’s likely to be pretty grubby, and the paintwork will probably also need decontaminating before applying wax or sealant. As per @Legojon’s post above, don’t know how much you’re into car washing and detailing but in my opinion, the key to keeping your paintwork in good condition is your washing technique, and removing most of the dirt using a ‘‘touchless’ pre-wash stage, before making contact with the paintwork - minimal (or safe) contact with your paintwork will keep it looking good for longer, and adopting a safe washing technique will help with this.

Agree 100% with @Legojon regarding a pre-wash stage with snowfoam, which will remove much of the dirt and grime before undertaking a safe, two bucket method wash, using a lambs wool mitt, then drying with dedicated soft microfibre drying towels or a warm air dryer (not a single bucket, sponge and chamois leather, as you’ll be inflicting swirls into your paintwork).

Also, to prolong the effectiveness and durability of any protective wax or sealant, preparation is key. It’s always preferable to decontaminate your paintwork first (claying, iron fallout remover and tar/glue remover, then rinse, wash and dry again), followed up by a polishing stage to remove any scratches or swirls before applying (two coats) of wax or sealant. When applying the wax or sealant, less is more, so apply very thin coats on a foam applicator pad, leave to cure and then buff off with a soft microfibre cloth.

My current, value for money favourite wax and sealant are;

• Collinite 845 Insulator Wax - a liquid wax, which is easy to apply and buff off and has very good durability - I usually get 5-6 months good protection before it needs re-applying.
• Fusso Coat 12 Months Wax (there’s a dark and a light version). In spite of the name, it’s actually a sealant. It claims to give up to 12 months protection, although realistically it’s probably good for 6 months. It’s extremely hydrophobic, so has very strong water repellency properties - water just beads up and rolls off!

 

[Legojon]

Just to throw it out there. This is expensive and I impulse bought it and thought what have I done??? But... this drying towel is science + magic. You don't have to wring it out and I can dry the entire car in < 2 minutes. I love it!
https://www.thedetailingbooth.co.uk/klin-korea-large-duo-drying-towel-70x90-305-p.asp

Oh and you can just fold it in a 1/4 to do windows / mirrors, etc.

 

[Jimbobcook]

This thread is going to cost me money isn't it lol

 

[Jimbobcook]

Oh no, I'm going to have to...

Take that filthy picture off here lol only available after 9pm...

 

[Legojon]

Take that filthy picture off here lol only available after 9pm...

I held out as long as I could. Although if it makes you feel any better, it was at the garage Saturday and they've left the biggest, greasiest thumb print right in the center of my bonnet. I'll be taking care of that shortly!

 

[Tully1980]

Blimey... Reading all these replies has made me realise that I have a LOT to learn..!! Thanks for all of the responses so far though


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[Jimbobcook]

Blimey... Reading all these replies has made me realise that I have a LOT to learn..!! Thanks for all of the responses so far though


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That's what the forum is here for

Enjoy cleaning and it will probably take over most weekends haha its all about making sure your car is as clean as possible before doing the finishing touches.

Plenty of youtube videos on how to do individual stuff or just ask people on here.

I held out as long as I could. Although if it makes you feel any better, it was at the garage Saturday and they've left the biggest, greasiest thumb print right in the center of my bonnet. I'll be taking care of that shortly!

You should charge them for your time lol I have been good and held off putting up the beading pics haha there's always one...

 

[xyz]

After getting my R brand new, I did a full clean etc in this order using a jet wash and foam lance. Rinse, snow foam, rinse, clay bar, prewash, rinse, wash, rinse, Bilt Hamber double speed wax, Optimim Optiseal. It came out as in the picture below. Might try a different wax in future as the Bilt Hamber was hard work as a hand wax but the Optiseal was extremely easy to use! Pretty much bought everything from Cleanyourcar.co.uk. Good luck!

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[IbizaNI]

After getting my R brand new, I did a full clean etc in this order using a jet wash and foam lance. Rinse, snow foam, rinse, clay bar, prewash, rinse, wash, rinse, Bilt Hamber double speed wax, Optimim Optiseal. It came out as in the picture below. Might try a different wax in future as the Bilt Hamber was hard work as a hand wax but the Optiseal was extremely easy to use! Pretty much bought everything from Cleanyourcar.co.uk. Good luck!

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I use bilt hamber double speed wax too, when I started using it I thought it was hard to apply and take off too, discovered that giving the applicator a wee spray of water makes it easier to pick up the wax from the container, apply it as thinly as possible so you can barely see it on the car then when you take it off it's really easy and it lasts me just over 6 months having clayed and polished it beforehand, as many people say prep is the key to having protevtion lasting longer.

 

[Daire92]

Some lovely looking cars on here. I went down the professional detail route as I was too lazy to constantly be waxing my car. I had a ceramic coating applied after an intensive 2 day paint restoration. I had GTechniq coating applied and I gives me 2-3 years of protection with no need to wax the car during that period. The car is hydrophobic so water just beads off it, its chemical and corrosion resistant so if you live where roads get salted in the winter this coating protects the paint from being damaged from caked on salt. It basically the lazy mans way of keeping a car spotless. A strong powerwash is enough to knock the majority of dirt of it usually and when I give it a proper bath every few weeks, it comes up gleaming with just a wax free shampoo wash and a chamois cloth dry.