Car Care Kit

[Leesey]

So, with finally spending quite a bit of money on a car, it's about time I start to look after the thing properly, so that means no more £5 wash and dry car washes. So, I'm just after some advice on getting a good enough basic car care kit to keep the paint work, trims and inside in excellent condition.

The car: 59 Leon Cupra
The Colour: White
Inside: Leather
Budget: £80

After buying a whole basic kit which I then can keep stocked up as and when I run out. I own a pressure washer and might invest in a snow foam lance to help the process, this is not be included in the budget. What do I need and what products would you recommend?

What I think I need;

2 Buckets
Wash MIT
Drying Towel
Micro Fibre Cloths
Wheel Brush
Shampoo
Polish
Wax
Glass Cleaner
Leather Cleaner/treatment
Wheel Cleaner

Am I thinking along the right lines? Is my budget unrealistic?

Thanks for any help, sorry if it's been posted 100 times before, I'm on my phone and away from home and it makes it awkward to search with poor reception.

 

[ackers1987]

100 I'd say for some decent stuff like dodo zanio or autoglym or MaguiaRs

 

[n_d_fox]

I'd agree that a budget of £100 is probably more realistic if you want to use quality products.

Have a look here - http://www.carwashnwax.com/ these guys do a range of kits that would be ideal to set you up. Chemical Guys products are also very good (US based company).

Or have a look at these guys - http://www.autobritedirect.co.uk/ very good products at very reasonble prices. Dont be put off by the fact that you wont have seen them on the high street before. In UK based detailing these guys have been doing the business for years. You mentioned a foam lance, these are the guys that brought them to the UK market

Overall though your list looks fine.

2 x buckets
Wash mitt - make that 2 mitts, one for the upper panels and sides then the 2nd for the bumpers and sills.
Wheel cleaner
Wheel brushes
Drying towels - i use one for the bodywork and another for the door shuts etc.
MF cloths
Window cleaner
Trim detailer
Glaze or sealant product
Wax

Also consider clay, tar removers, iron filing removers, quick detailers.

If you havent already seen it i'd recommend DetailingWorld as a forum to get registered on. You'll learn a lot there and also see what people are using and the results they are getting.

HTH, Nige

 

[Leesey]

Cheers Nige, I'll have a good look at them forums when I finally get home!

I do have some bits and bobs, I have a clay bar(Sonus maybe?) and some "born slippy" a mate gave me to try when I owned the saxo. Will have to check to see what else I have back home too.

Pay day Friday so lookin after the car is the number one priority! Would you recommend learnig to polish and wax by hand before looking into machine polishing?!

 

[jonjay]

I think that you can easily get good products that will meet your needs within your budget. You just have to know what to buy.

2 Grit Guards: http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wax/poorboys-nattys-paste-wax-blue/prod_11.html
Shampoo: http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washi...chemical-guys-citrus-wash-gloss/prod_345.html
Drying towel: http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/micro...-huge-39-fluffy-39-drying-towel/prod_634.html
clay: http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/detailing-clay/sonus-ultra-fine-clay-100g-refill/prod_327.html
Polish: http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wax/dodo-juice/dodo-juice-need-for-speed/prod_501.html
Wax:: http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wax/poorboys-nattys-paste-wax-blue/prod_11.html
Wheel Cleaner: http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheel...er-brake-duster-500ml/prod_935.html?added=935
Wheel Brush: http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wheels-and-tyres/vikan-wheel-brush/prod_389.html

Came to £74.55

Buckets you can search online and get them much cheaper - even get some from tesco if your on a budget that fit grit guards. Microfibres again can be bought from Costco for around £12 for 30x.

Can maybe shave a few pounds of here and there with replacement products but its certain possible to get what you want around your budget.

EDIT: right changed the above and got it down to £75 for you. Near enough everything you will need to make car look good.

 

[n_d_fox]

There you go mate... couple of options for you.

Personally i dont like the Costco MF's... i'd be ok with using them for work towels doing dirty jobs but i prefer something a bit more plush for my paintwork.

The Need for Speed is a bloody good shout though, completely forgot about that and was really impressed with it the last time i used it. Works really nicely by hand as well plus adds a layer of protection while cleansing the paint.

Wax wise i would maybe plump for something else. I like Nattys blue but for durability there are much better waxes for an extra tenner to so imo.

The thing with detailing / products is that one mans wine is another mans vinegar hence the reason i always advise people to look at places like DW to see what others are using and what results they are getting. That way you can see what your going to get before you buy.

Would you recommend learnig to polish and wax by hand before looking into machine polishing?!

My personal opinion is yes... but thats mainly because i think machine polishing needs to be got into carefully and with patience and practice. Its not a black art like some may give the impression and others may dissagree but i'd rather air on the side of caution when giving advice

 

[Leesey]

Yep, been having a good look around on DW. Got in touch with the guys at Autobrite. Didn't realise they were right on my door step!

Thanks for the advice Jonjay, love the BMW by the way... should be my next car in a few years time the 335d.

Should start to compile my order and get it all brought. Payday tomorrow!

 

[Leesey]

Well, Just opened my boot since buying the car and found a Auto Gylm Lifeshine care kit. Don't know if the products are any good but here it is:

Contains: INTERIOR SHAMPOO, CUSTOM WHEEL CLEANER, VINYL & RUBBER CARE, QUICK CLEAR SCREEN WASH, BIRD DROPPING WIPES, BODYWORK SHAMPOO CONDITIONER, SUPER RESIN POLISH, EXTRA GLOSS PROTECTION, CAR GLASS POLISH, SPONGE , DRYING CLOTH, POLISHING CLOTHS

Worth keeping or flogging on eBay to get different products?

Also found some Sonus Clay and Born Slippy a mate passed onto me.

 

[jonjay]

Keep it, you got everything there tbh. You can now use the 80 to buy more premium materials if you wish.

 

[jonjay]

There you go mate... couple of options for you.

Personally i dont like the Costco MF's... i'd be ok with using them for work towels doing dirty jobs but i prefer something a bit more plush for my paintwork.

The Need for Speed is a bloody good shout though, completely forgot about that and was really impressed with it the last time i used it. Works really nicely by hand as well plus adds a layer of protection while cleansing the paint.

Wax wise i would maybe plump for something else. I like Nattys blue but for durability there are much better waxes for an extra tenner to so imo.

The thing with detailing / products is that one mans wine is another mans vinegar hence the reason i always advise people to look at places like DW to see what others are using and what results they are getting. That way you can see what your going to get before you buy.

Products I chose where to keep within the budget. Definately better products out there!

DD NFS is an awesome product. Very comparable to AG SRP but it actually cuts so does get rid of light swirls rather than masks them. Fact that it leaves protection behind that is a good base for another wax on top is ace.

 

[n_d_fox]

I'm with Maz on the AG stuff too... no point in getting rid when you could utilise most of it now and then "upgrade" when you run out.

I'd chuck the sponge though and keep the polishing and drying cloth for dirty jobs (door shuts etc).

SRP would be fine for now to get the paint cleansed and EGP is a reasonable sealant. Layer some wax over those and you'll have a decent durable finish to see you through the winter months.

AutoBrite - Yes, based in Stoke too... good bunch of lads who know their beans. Mark is on holiday at the moment though so i'm not sure that they are open at the minute. You're good to go with what you have for now though.