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For detailing obsessives

Wonderful! Thanks for the pointer. I'm still trying to navigate my way around the site, so thanks for that.

That's me up for the rest of the night while I go through all the threads...

Simon

 
Hi all,
I thought I'd open a new thread for all of us obsessed with detailing and all things cleaning related. As well as driving these beautiful cars I love to keep them in top condition too. My latest car is a bit of a fair weather garage queen, although when I'm feeling reckless I will take it out in our often terrible weather.

I'm wondering what products you've found to be the best and if you have any good hints and tips you could share with other members.

My preferred products are:
Washing: snow foam before cleaning with the two bucket method using Meguiar's ultimate wash and wax (fantastically thick and soapy shampoo)
Drying: large microfibre towels from Slims Detailing or leaf blower if the neighbours are away (very noisy to use)
Clay bars: Bilt Hammer auto clay
Wax: Swissvax best of show (ridiculously expensive but the results are stunning
General maintenance cleaning: Martin Cox blue edgeless microfibre towels, again from Slims Detailing, and Meguiar's ultimate quik detailer (only to be used when the car has the lightest dirt, otherwise swirl hell awaits!)
Wheels: Sonax extreme wheel cleaner plus (a fantastic product that gets rid of all brake dust and turns a satisfying shade of purple as it does the job), then Poorboys wheel sealant. I'm still trying to find a decent tyre dressing that doesn't cover the car in black splats during a spirited blast out of the city.

I'd be interested to hear what you guys use on your beloved Porsches.

Simon

 
I see the other section, but I'm not sure they're quite as weird as us in the 991 section.

Ref tyre dressing. For "sling free" dressing stick to Autoglym tyre dressing (not their new gel), apply with sponge or brush, never fails.

Re other products, I've tried most and ended up with this as my preferred products

Foam I use Auto Finesse Avalanche Foam

Washing: Autoglyms new HighDefinition Shampoo (worth trying over Meg's)

Wheels on the Porsche, due to the satin finish, I use a "purply one" like sonax extreme, carefully!

Most other products I use are Autoglym. I used to be a SwissVax junkie but I found that AG's products produce the same/similar result at a fraction of the cost - particularly the leather car range. (I've also won a Bentley Drivers Club Concourse d'Elegance - not my car - just using AG back in the 90's)

Drying - Big Microfibres like you and a Metropolitan - Air Force Blaster. Air blaster is awesome, but takes practice!

DA Polisher - Too chicken. Am about to buy one and will practice on the Golf (poor thing..)

 
I'm with you all the way on the Auto Finesse foam. I've tried several but the AF foams beautifully. I also agree that the Autoglym is the best out there. I tried the Meguiar's gel recently. The finish was great but most of it ended up all over my paintwork after a good drive. The water-based products are definitely better for a sling-free finish.

I'll check out the Airforce Blaster but the problem I've found with using a blower is a) they're incredibly noisy and b) by the time you've thoroughly done one side of the car the other side has already dried with water spots everywhere. I then have to resort to using a quick detailer to get rid of them, defeating the purpose of the blower.

For leather, I'm a massive fan of Gliptone, both the cleaner and conditioner. The smell is awesome!

Simon

 
I know what you mean on the water spots, I had this problem before I used a water softener (and now rainwater system) for rinse water.

If you can set up a well filtered water butt, that will work too.

The Air Force Blaster is no louder than a Dyson really, read into that what you will...

 
I have used filtered water for some time. Originally using Ionic filter cartridges which have a colour change when the resin is exhausted. I now use a Raceglaze refillable filter which is more economical but if you get one make sure you get the water tester to check on the ppm of solutes that the unit is putting out.

I have also for many years used a Metropolitan blaster and completely dispensed with chamois and microfibers to dry the car. It also doubles up as a dog blaster for our extremely hair very large Leonburgers. The dual blaster is quite loud but not deafening and the dogs love it.

Using the water filter also gives a longer life to the various wax products available. My 991 was detailed with Nanolex 4 years ago and still looks great after a wash. My recently acquired Range Rover Sport has had the GTechniq detailing so will see how it fares with its 5 year guarantee.

 
I may look into using a water filter at some point in the future but the colour of my car does a good job of hiding the dreaded swirl marks. Besides, I quite like drying the car after washing, combining that stage with a quick detailer too. If the car was black then that would be another matter. I'd try to minimise touching the paintwork as much as possible.

Jonathan, I love that you use the blaster on the dogs too. They must love car-cleaning day!

Simon

 
ScaredJimmy said:
We have Jeff, that's what we were discussing :)
Click to expand...

Yes James, I'd noted that you mentioned a softener but wasn't sure if Simon was using one - clearly not from his response.

As a matter of interest, approximately how long does a 7-litre filter last, assuming you only use it for the final rinse? Just rinse and drive the car to dry it off; more driving time...great!

Jeff

 
I would be inclined to think about investing in a comprehensive detailing session with your local Gtechniq operative and then purchase the GTechniq Essential Maintenance Pack for DIY use in order to keep your vehicle in pristine condition.

This company's products seem to be very well thought of within the trade, its customers and members on this forum.

Regards,

[font="comic sans ms,sans-serif"]Clive[/font][font="comic sans ms,sans-serif"] [/font]

 
so are we saying my 15 year old bottle of glass cleaner is probably no good..

[attachment=IMG_1293.jpg]

In fact I have a few AutoGlym products in the garage - always found them pretty good..

- Super Resin Polish

- Paint Renovator

- Tar Remover

- Clean Wheels

I need somehthing decent for the interior, for black alloys and tyre dressing - what do folks recommend? (Im assuming my rusty back to black spray or minute wax tyre dressing dont cut it either :) )

 
Bars.. made of clay ;). Seriously though, have a look on YouTube on "How to use clay bars" or something and it will explain.

Re Your AutoGlym Choices..

For your new motor, you'll want the "Custom Wheel Cleaner" but also consider an Ferous Fallout remover of some kind as a prewash.

Get yourself a new Glass Polish too as they've changed the formula slightly making it easier to use with the same awesome results

SRP is still one of the best "boggo" polishes out there but should be finished with a wax on top AG "Extra Gloss Protection" works and is easy to use as long as it's not sunny/hot, or you can invest in their HD Wax, which is well respected even amongst the pro's. Costs a few quid, but not outrageous.

AG also have an awesome soft-top kit, have a look at that too :)

Tyre Dressing - Autoglym again, Instant Tyre Dressing, use a wee sponge to put it on. DO NOT BE TEMPTED to get a gel with a white car as it will "sling" grey black splodges down the side of your new baby!

Gtechniq stuff is very good, along with SwissVax, but really for nerds. Autoglym will suit your needs and is available at your local Halfrauds, normally with a 3 for 2 offer or something!

 
Thats Perfect, think I may place an order now for a few bits for next weekend!. Will keep the other stuff for the wifes Car :)

What do you use on the interior, eg side sills, dash etc?

 
Thats Perfect, think I may place an order now for a few bits for next weekend!. Will keep the other stuff for the wifes Car :)

What do you use on the interior, eg side sills, dash etc?

 
Motorhead said:
ScaredJimmy said:
We have Jeff, that's what we were discussing :)
Click to expand...

Yes James, I'd noted that you mentioned a softener but wasn't sure if Simon was using one - clearly not from his response.

As a matter of interest, approximately how long does a 7-litre filter last, assuming you only use it for the final rinse? Just rinse and drive the car to dry it off; more driving time...great!

Jeff
Click to expand...
Hi Jeff,

The filter I used lasted me a year of cleaning a black Evo (terrible paint and fiddly spoilers, vents and splitters etc) pretty much every weekend, attached to a fairly funky garden rose attachment, but I can't find it online anywhere or in order history! I'll let you know when I find it :)

 
nigelwalsh said:
Thats Perfect, think I may place an order now for a few bits for next weekend!. Will keep the other stuff for the wifes Car :)

What do you use on the interior, eg side sills, dash etc?
Click to expand...
If you stick to AG, Interior Shampoo can be used as a pretty awesome "APC" (All purpose cleaner) inside and out, but for your leathery dash bits, get yourself the AG Leather Cleaner and Leather Cream. Apply the leather cleaner with a new shoe brush and wipe off with a slightly damp microfibre or synthetic chamois (keep rinsing and wringing it out too!)

 
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