Wet and Wax polish

[mach1rob]

My usual routine is hose down, then lukewarm soapy water and a good sponge down, rinse, drip dry while having a brew, then a chamois paying particular attention to any crevices and gaps like those around handles and trim where water sits, have another brew, then clay bar, like you say, it's surprising just how much oxidation it takes out! Then I use the paint cleaner if it's not been done, then the stage 2 polish finished off with the stage 3 carnauba wax. I've not used their tyre dressings yet, as I'm happy enough with Turtle Waxes "Wet n black" spray stuff for now

As for the interior, I just wipe over with the damp chamois, if it is dirty, best cleaner I've found are baby wipes! Removes the grime with a couple of wipes and cheap and cheerful, plus hand to keep in car for when kids get in a mess

Leather gets a good clean with saddle soap, and then a going over with proper hide food to keep it soft and supple, best stuff I've found so far is from a saddlery and again works out cheaper than anything from a car accessory shop, yet it does the job better.

Oh and I do the inside before the outside, so I'm not clambering around with wet and dirty feet!!

[Paranoid Carlos]

Found e-bay cheapest for leather food, Shops just want to sting when it comes to leather. Think it's called gliptone

THIS STUFF http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GLIPTONE-LIQUI...QQcmdZViewItem

[mach1rob]

Wasn't that impressed with the bottle of Gliptone that I had, I much prefer this stuff (or similar) recommended to me by a Rolls Royce owner too

http://www.saddler.co.uk/acatalog/Co...r_Leather.html

Used to be able to get similar stuff from Pet City/Smart for about the £5 mark, but I think they've stopped doing it, as last time I asked in local Pet City I just got a blank look, thankfully there's plenty of equestrian places round here, so wasn't hard to get some

EDIT

Quick hunt, this is saddle soap I use, damp sponge, quick wipe over soap, and gentle rubbing over leather, lifts the dirt out with no real effort

http://www.saddlery.biz/pp/Tack_Care...ddle_Soap.html

[empsburna]

Originally Posted by paranoid

I'm also a mequiars convert, after clay blocking it stayed smoooooooth for months. Worth the effort and the brown scum the comes off a waxed and polished car is amazing.
Whats the best order though is it wash, clay, polish , wax or what

There tyre gel is also superb not too shiney but makes them the original colour again

Bit cold at the moment though

wash (leave wet)
clay
wash (removed the lube and anything that has gathered)
polish
wax
leave 24 hours
another layer of wax

there are a number of things in between, like using a good car shampoo (not fairy liquid!) making sure you rinse out the washmit before you dunk it back into suds (this is called the two bucket method - a guide will come that will make you wince)

oh, and throw those sponges and leathers away!

I like gliptone - leaves a nice matt finish which is good for up to three months. Inbetween its a wipe over with a damp microfibre cloth.

I will try other things if people have used them and do rate them - I like to try new things out!

[HOMER]

Originally Posted by empsburna

wash (leave wet)
clay
wash (removed the lube and anything that has gathered)
polish
wax
leave 24 hours
another layer of wax

there are a number of things in between, like using a good car shampoo (not fairy liquid!) making sure you rinse out the washmit before you dunk it back into suds (this is called the two bucket method - a guide will come that will make you wince)

oh, and throw those sponges and leathers away!

I like gliptone - leaves a nice matt finish which is good for up to three months. Inbetween its a wipe over with a damp microfibre cloth.

I will try other things if people have used them and do rate them - I like to try new things out!

Hi,emp's What is a clay bar and how is it used?

[empsburna]

Originally Posted by HOMMER

Hi,emp's What is a clay bar and how is it used?

a clay bar is used to remove bonded contaminants from the surface of the car.

with lubrication you gently run the clay over the panels of the car - icking up tree sap, industrial fallout etc.

a quick pic from this morning of a 2 square foot part of a 2 year old clio bonnet.



Once clayed, the car needs to be rewashed - then polished and topped off with a wax of choice

I'l be popping up a few guides over the next few days for you to digest - give me a shout of bump the thread if you have any questions.

and showing off the end result!




//edit - i'm wearing gloves in the picture
//edit edit - i havent removed the bodyshop tape from the washer jets yet!

[windrush]

Im impressed

[mach1rob]

It is excellent stuff! The old Ti had been sat for about 12 months untouched before I got my hands on it so paint was as flat as with no shine, all rough and horrible, here's the before and after pics, and it was that easy, I didn't break into much of a sweat either

[HOMER]

Originally Posted by windrush

Im impressed

Wot

[Graham1961]

Hi Club Members. I Have Used Turtle Wax It Wet And Have Been Quite Pleased With It, I Do Not Think It Will Be As Durable As A Proper Liquid Polish But As A Quick Way Of Topping Up An Already Waxed Car Its Very Good. With The Dark Nights Now Upon Us And Good Valeting Time Short Turtle Wax-wax It Wet Is An Ideal Way To Give Your Car Some Protection Quickly.