Home valet kit

Strider590

Can still be done with buckets, it'll just take longer.

oldhand

See,a man comes in useful sometimes........;);)

OddballJamie

Better to use two buckets if you can, one with clean water, one with soapy water. Rinse the mitts in the clean water, then dip in the soapy water to wash the next bit and so on.

Determined2save_2

OddballJamie wrote: »

Better to use two buckets if you can, one with clean water, one with soapy water. Rinse the mitts in the clean water, then dip in the soapy water to wash the next bit and so on.

Stops the grit scratching?? I think I may be learning!

Determined2save_2

oldhand wrote: »

See,a man comes in useful sometimes........;);)

Yeah I briefly contemplating find husband number 2 as my garden needs cutting too........ Then smacked myself hard around the face and decided against it!!!

OddballJamie

Determined2save wrote: »

Stops the grit scratching?? I think I may be learning!

Spot on. Here's a decent forum on washing techniques.
http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=4637

scotsbob

Two bucket wash, use microfibre cloths, then polish with Meguiars or Autoglym products and wax with products by same companies.

neilmcl

OddballJamie wrote: »

Spot on. Here's a decent forum on washing techniques.
http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=4637

Followed by a visit to http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/

red_eye

Determined2save wrote: »

As the title suggests I am looking for a shopping list of what I would need to keep my new to me 3 yr old black/aubergine car looking as shiny as possible!

In all honesty I have not a clue my old car was washed with a pressure washer and brushes that we use for our transport department at work. An occasionally taken to the local supermarket for a bit of a mini valet.

I went into halfords to be met with a massive range of everything I don't have days to spend detailing nor do I have a very big budget but if I could have recommendations of products, top tips and kit list I would be hugely appreciative.

Thanks in advance

Single woman who hasn't a clue!

i use zymol cleaner wax, its blue and it smells of bananas and coconuts. it has a tiny bit of carnuba wax so leaves a layer of protection I paid 12squid.

anything with canuba wax is good, 100% canuba wax is like £1500

as for tips
wash car roof first and work your way down to the sills and dry with a real leather chamis cloth not the imitation crap the real thing cost a bit but will last.

apply zymol and buff off when you can see the haze.

use grease for the black exterior trim, tiny bit on a cloth and rub in

for windows I use turtle wax for metallic paints* water just rolls off and you dont get that count dracula hairline on your windshield. when cleaning open the window so you can get to the edge this will stop the grim build up that makes a horrible noise when you open the windows

*try it before the "oh no polish on windows your gonna crash and your car is going to blow up into a gazillion bits........"

OddballJamie

Euro Car Parts had some car washing kits in for £6 when I was in earlier.
Don't know if they are much cop, but something to start with and then gradually get better products as you go on.
http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/car-accessories/car-cleaning-accessories/exterior-cleaning/car-gift-packs/?542771400&0&cc5_598