Make my car shiny!

nullogik

I've tried a few brands but I've settled on Meguairs. It isn't cheap but you pay for what you get.

http://www.meguiars.co.uk/

I'm not too keen on Mer though, never got a good shine out of those products, so one to steer clear of (unless I'm using it wrong).

anewman

I have seen the autoglym super resin polish for £6.99 in Wilkinsons which AFAIK is a good price.

nickmack

rharper83 wrote: »

What do you clean/wax/etc your car with, and would you recommend it?

I use Meguairs Gold and a polish mitten. Also use Autoglym products for glass.

nullogik

nickmack wrote: »

I use Meguairs Gold and a polish mitten. Also use Autoglym products for glass.

If you use a mitten make sure it gets washed frequently and is clean.

Someone I know scratched the whole bonnet of a customer's car brand new Mercedes sports car :eek: , because the mit he was using was full of dirt and grit.

Not that mits aren't great, they're very handy. But please check its clean before rubbing it across the bonnet of your car.

vansboy

I'm a convert from Mer, for NEW cars, to meguiars, but the older vehicles, Mer is still favourite.

Autoglym is popular, but not best value for £$£

VB

brazilianwax

I'm obsessed with polishing my (black) car - won't use anything but P21S on it. The carnuba wax makes it shine like a mirror :j :j

A good 4 hours that was yesterday. Well, apart from the sunburn and the aching arms and legs!!! :rotfl: :rotfl:

shown73

I agree with the carnauba treatment, I get Jof's from Ebay, and the results are streets ahead of the normal High St products. The first time I used it on a faded red old Mondeo was just amazing, and it has also lasted much longer than normal polish. No going back now, its worth a bit of digging on Ebay, and the extra cost. I only bought a little trial bottle, and I'm still using it. Seems to cover better, and lasts longer anyway, so the price difference isn't so great. Doesn't need colour restorer first either. I'm not easily impressed, but I must admit I was gobsmacked, makes the old Ford look like a Ferrari. Well, the colour anyway....

anewman

Carnuba wax is used as a buzzword in waxes. Seems to be on every wax product I have ever bought. I presume you guys are referring to something that's nearly pure carnuba?

shown73

Not sure about the proportions, only that it works. The place I buy mine from has even set up a blog, for testimonials, etc., and seems to have built up a pretty big and loyal customer base. There are two or three similar outlets on Ebay, but Jof's is the only one I've tried, and its done such a remarkable job that I'm happy to stick with it, although I'm sure they are all about the same. Just seems so much better than the normal waxes.

JasonLVC

I can vouch for P21S - it's expensive but easy to put on/off and gives a glass like finish that lasts a few months. Well worth investing in.

For new cars, autoglym is alright but it is a polish and therefore contains abrasives which, if you use every week will damage your cars top coat/laquer layer eventually or if you rub too hard - so use one or twice a year to remove the grime and instead use waxes to keep the shine/protection.

Autoglymn do a sealant (high gloss protection) so use your suoer resin polish first and then put the sealant on top and it will protect the shine for longer as well - and you can still then put a wax coat on top for extra depth.

For older cars, polishes should be used sparingly too, but more often as older cars have 'tougher' paintwork generally than modern, water-based paints and top coats.

I personally use Megs, especially their NXT speed wax (great for quickie top up of car shine), P21S and Autoglymn super resin once in a while - and please use micro fibre clothes or special circular sponges for applying the waxes/polishes - don't use rags or stockinette materials - way too rough for modern metallic finishes.

For more advanced folks, also try Meguiers Clay (plasticine type material) - use with supplied spray/lubricant to remove all contaminants off the car - very hard work but essential if you;ve an oldish car that's not been looked after before.

It'll take a few days or many hours to get all these layers on but the effort will be rewarded in the look of your car.