advice on cleaning kit

[Lady Mck]

:confused: there are so many different cleaning products I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good all round kit..shampoo..wax etc... and has anyone used "Shinearama" website? they seem to offer a lot. this will be hubby's job so want him to have all he will need to make my car look good!! :smilewinkgrin:

[Gismo]

Ah right then, flexes fingers........
Ok, fairy liquid, gritty sponge, one cold water filled manky bucket.....................:laugh:

Sorry, couldn't resist, as you can tell i'm the last person to advise anyone on cleaning cars :Whistle: however, don't panic, the keep it clean mob will soon be here with loads of advice :thumbs up:

[Lady Mck]

Ah right then, flexes fingers........
Ok, fairy liquid, gritty sponge, one cold water filled manky bucket.....................:laugh:

Sorry, couldn't resist, as you can tell i'm the last person to advise anyone on cleaning cars :Whistle: however, don't panic, the keep it clean mob will soon be here with loads of advice :thumbs up:

:p ha ha now that's what he would have used but not on my mini!! :laugh:

[GCA3N]

Alan is right on many levels there. You have come to the right place BTW

If I am honest it is really down to budget there are so many products out there it is daunting even to the experienced. Ian King really is the guy who can give you the best advice IMO tell him what you want to spend and he will tell you what's best.

Myself I use mostly Meguires and autoglym products with some automart stuff too. I find autoglym (AG's) stuff a good compromise on performance and cost, I'd say the same for meguires too although it's a tad more expensive.

If you can be bothered there are loads of threads on this topic within the forum so have a wee look through too.

[Lady Mck]

Alan is right on many levels there. You have come to the right place BTW

If I am honest it is really down to budget there are so many products out there it is daunting even to the experienced. Ian King really is the guy who can give you the best advice IMO tell him what you want to spend and he will tell you what's best.

Myself I use mostly Meguires and autoglym products with some automart stuff too. I find autoglym (AG's) stuff a good compromise on performance and cost, I'd say the same for meguires too although it's a tad more expensive.

If you can be bothered there are loads of threads on this topic within the forum so have a wee look through too.

cheers mate! I had a read thru some posts and have some ideas..we have auto glym shampoo and polish but was unsure about wax?? have never used it or should I say hubby hasn't..is it easy to apply by hand? and what about chrome?? bit confused there as we bought autosol(?) but not sure if can be used on all chrome trims..so many questions you'd think I'd never had car but have been used to dirty,big 4x4's not shiny happy mini's :lol:

[GCA3N]

cheers mate! I had a read thru some posts and have some ideas..we have auto glym shampoo and polish but was unsure about wax?? have never used it or should I say hubby hasn't..is it easy to apply by hand? and what about chrome?? bit confused there as we bought autosol(?) but not sure if can be used on all chrome trims..so many questions you'd think I'd never had car but have been used to dirty,big 4x4's not shiny happy mini's :lol:


I use Autoglym super resin and meguires NXT tech wax for the body and chrome, TBH wash your chrome work with what ever your washing the car with( I use megs gold class shampoo) Then use the super resin on the chrome work too. Comes up a treat, also works well on the gloss black plastic A pillars etc too.

For the alloys I just clean regularly with warm soapy water then coat in poorboys wheel sealant. Keep the break dust to a minimum ie clean regularly and you won't need harsh cleaners to take the dust off.

I use autosmart trim ultra on the black matt trim work at the bottom of the body work.( keep it away from the paintwork though) I have tried loads of stuff and easily found this the best imo. Augogylm trim stuff is quite good too but for me needs re-applied quite alot.

For the tryes (ie side walls) I use either the autoglym trim or the chemical guys trim gel also very good.

One other thing for removal of stubborn tar spots etc on the car autosmart glue and tar remover is amazing.

TBH best thing is trial and error some products suit some folks and not others.


Hope this helps.

[Flash_Amber]

I have just bought Meguires #16 wax and find it to be good, it goes on well and is easy to take off without leaving any powdery residue :cool:

[Stewart]

Dito on the Meg’s wax. I think for the price it’s a good product and easy to use. I bought the Meg’s Hyperwash 5Lt and its still going strong after three years for washing. Lets not bore you with Foaming as its just too much fun and as your hubby is washing your car..:cool:

For loads of info and a good read go to :thumbs up:
http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/index.php (http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/index.php)


Also I have used Tim at http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/ and always had a first class service with quick and reliable dispatch and packaging. Price wise Tim is usually spot on and if anything I’d rather pay a few quid on a bigger order knowing that it will be right and will arrive. :thumbs up:

Also I don’t want to suggest your Hubby washes your car poorly but after reading so much on the various sites I now wash my car completely different from say five years ago.

If you do it wrong as the other know it damages your paint. Drying your car right and using the right Mit and technique is key and I consider myself amateur hobby washer that try’s his best.

If you have a powerwasher its fantastic to rinse the car crud before you even go near it.

The AG quick Glass I think is fantastic for the windows inside and clear plastics and chrome inside the car.

AG Rubber and trim restorer for the inside rubber around the doors and boot etc and door trim and plastic around the footwells.

Although the Dash gets 303 Aerospace for max protection.


Sadly I could go on and on. :blush::smilewinkgrin:

[GCA3N]

Some excellent advice Stewart, especially on the wash techniques too, as important if not even more so than the products used.

[Lady Mck]

Dito on the Meg’s wax. I think for the price it’s a good product and easy to use. I bought the Meg’s Hyperwash 5Lt and its still going strong after three years for washing. Lets not bore you with Foaming as its just too much fun and as your hubby is washing your car..:cool:

For loads of info and a good read go to :thumbs up:
http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/index.php (http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/index.php)


Also I have used Tim at http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/ and always had a first class service with quick and reliable dispatch and packaging. Price wise Tim is usually spot on and if anything I’d rather pay a few quid on a bigger order knowing that it will be right and will arrive. :thumbs up:

Also I don’t want to suggest your Hubby washes your car poorly but after reading so much on the various sites I now wash my car completely different from say five years ago.

If you do it wrong as the other know it damages your paint. Drying your car right and using the right Mit and technique is key and I consider myself amateur hobby washer that try’s his best.

If you have a powerwasher its fantastic to rinse the car crud before you even go near it.

The AG quick Glass I think is fantastic for the windows inside and clear plastics and chrome inside the car.

AG Rubber and trim restorer for the inside rubber around the doors and boot etc and door trim and plastic around the footwells.

Although the Dash gets 303 Aerospace for max protection.


Sadly I could go on and on. :blush::smilewinkgrin:

thnaks for all the advice! I may need to re-train hubby on car washing techniques so what can you recommend...he usually uses bucket,sponges,chamois and hose to rinse
so a new method,especially if it's better ,would be gratefully received! ..fancy coming and washing it cos he's a bit grubby!! ?:lol:

[Scottie]

well you could do what I do........ wash your own car and tell your husband not to bother, although my Allan has been well trained on my preferred washing/cleaning/polishing procedure for both the car and the house. LOL

[Lady Mck]

well you could do what I do........ wash your own car and tell your husband not to bother, although my Allan has been well trained on my preferred washing/cleaning/polishing procedure for both the car and the house. LOL

:laugh: old dogs etc....wash my own car?? are you kidding?? I don't mind doing the interior but not washing it...might enjoy polishing it..now I have a mini...didn't like washing landrover I had before !!

[Doug_m]

thnaks for all the advice! I may need to re-train hubby on car washing techniques so what can you recommend...he usually uses bucket,sponges,chamois and hose to rinse
so a new method,especially if it's better ,would be gratefully received! ..fancy coming and washing it cos he's a bit grubby!! ?:lol:

Change the sponge for a MF/lambswool mitt and the chamois for a plush drying towel as they are some of the best ways to damage your car... Sponge and chamois i mean!

Its only the past year i have started getting an*l about mine but what a difference it makes. And also use two buckets. One for shampoo other plain water for rinsing mitt between shampoo dips :)

[GCA3N]

Change the sponge for a MF/lambswool mitt and the chamois for a plush drying towel as they are some of the best ways to damage your car... Sponge and chamois i mean!

Its only the past year i have started getting an*l about mine but what a difference it makes. And also use two buckets. One for shampoo other plain water for rinsing mitt between shampoo dips :)

Spot on :thumbs up:

[Lady Mck]

;) so I went and bought 2 new buckets,polishing cloths,wash mitt,lambswool mitt and microfibre towel and today hubby used his new gifts ( ha ha ) to wash my mini ! He did a good job don't you think? and he was mosy impressed with the mitts!

[Stewart]

Very nice and you can be happy your Hubby is not out there washing with that dirty sponge. On the Wool mit wash it only with cold water as hot will just kill it and to be honest if your keeping in a garage or hut I'd leave it damp in the bucket as it will last longer.

[GCA3N]

Very nice and you can be happy your Hubby is not out there washing with that dirty sponge. On the Wool mit wash it only with cold water as hot will just kill it and to be honest if your keeping in a garage or hut I'd leave it damp in the bucket as it will last longer.

I always do the second thing Stewart but I always wash with warm water using the mit.

[Stewart]

Sorry I meant that was don’t run your mit under the hot tap to clean it after the wash, I have it in warn water as well in the Bucket.

[GCA3N]

Sorry I meant that was don’t run your mit under the hot tap to clean it after the wash, I have it in warn water as well in the Bucket.


I see Stewart.

[Doug_m]

Good work :)

Keep it up.

I always rinse my lambswool mitt and hang it to dry. Never had any problems with it.

[audrey]

Really shiney :thumbs up: Great job

[k3ith]

Duragloss#901 shampoo you wont use anything again trust me, Our mini was going for another polish and I got the 901 out, wife came and said that was a quick polish , to which i replied i have only just washed it. For the price it will wee from a great height on any AG or AS shampoo.