Getting kitted out...

[GSiFan]

It's no use. I have been bitten by the detailing bug and want to go to town on my GSi.

I would like to get properly kitted out before I start my first 'proper' detail on my car. I bought a DA polisher (Kestrel DAS6) last week, along with two pads - a compounding and a finishing pad. I also took the opportunity to order some Cherry Glaze. (Autobrite Direct did me a great deal on this package, by the way and chucked in some blue tape for good measure! ).

I have a reasonable number of Autoglym products from too many magazine subscriptions (car magazines, naturally... ), so shall begin with those. However, I am minded to upgrade my detailing product arsenal in certain areas.


Things I would like to acquire:

• All-purpose cleaner - any recommendations?
• Autosmart Reglaze, Meguiar's Last Touch or similar to help with touch ups, drying the car, etc.
• Bilt Hamber Auto-Clay - good value and well reviewed
• Non-acidic alloy wheel cleaner
• Detailing towels (microfibre) - three or four large and a few more small ones (I have a few already)
• Applicator pads
• Decent polish - Collinite 915 or similar price point
• Some trigger spray bottles (spied a pack of three on eBay for about £6.50 plus P&P)
• Some long handle detailing brushes (again, I have a few shorter ones already)

The rest I think I already have, including glass polish, tyre dressing (which I can also use for black plastic or rubber trim, etc. - right?)

Anything else?

I also want to buy a pressure washer but shall probably need to wait until the new year. And a snow foam lance to go with it, of course.

Expensive business this, isn't it!

Cheers!

Paul

[DarylAAS]

Call Juicy Detailing 01207299538... Great discounts and prices..

All-purpose cleaner - Juicy APC
Quick Detailer - Chemical Guys Pro Detailer/ Synthetic Detailer
Bilt Hamber Auto-Clay - Clay Kit/ 3 Pack Poly Clay
Non-acidic alloy wheel cleaner - Redberry(Bilberry)
Detailing towels (microfibre) - Juicy Blue Fluffy Towels
Applicator pads - Eurow Microfibre Applicator Pads
Decent polish - Any Collinite Wax is great
Some trigger spray bottles- 500ml/250ml
Some long handle detailing brushes- Wheel and Detail Brush
Bucket & Grit Guard
Chemical Guys Maxi Suds/ any dodo shampoo.. Although i go with CG for pricing

Juicy Has them All

[Das]

Anything else?

Decent grit guard bucket and wash mitts(especially as you have black). I recommend the mitts that Tesco sell. I bought a couple of the ASDA ones a couple of weeks back but I find they drag across the paintwork where as the Tesco ones glide across with a lot less friction.

Expensive business this, isn't it!

Not half. I just spent nearly £30 on DoDo Juice shampoo yeterday

[GSiFan]

Decent grit guard bucket and wash mitts(especially as you have black). I recommend the mitts that Tesco sell. I bought a couple of the ASDA ones a couple of weeks back but I find they drag across the paintwork where as the Tesco ones glide across with a lot less friction.

Grit guard bucket? I have two Halfords buckets already. What is a grit guard bucket? It is useful to know about the Tesco mitts. I shall put that on the wish list.

Not half. I just spent nearly £30 on DoDo Juice shampoo yeterday

Yikes! I shall stick to my Turtle Wax car shampoo for now. At least it's not washing up liquid!

Paul

[Das]

Grit Guard is a plastic grill that fits in the bottom of the bucket so that when you dip the mitt or :shiver: sponge :shiver: into the bucket the grit and dirt falls to the bottom of the bucket and in theory it stays there as your washing the car. You really need the bigger 20lt buckets to use them in as they do take up a bit of room in the bottom.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MEGUIARS-GRIT-...f#ht_500wt_949

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Elite-Grit-Gua...#ht_1898wt_803

[Das]

Oh btw if your looking for a good shampoo that doesn't break the bank you should try Zymol Auto Wash, around £7 from Halfords smells lovely and foams really well if you put the hose in the bucket to sud it up.

[GSiFan]

Cool. Thanks, mate.

Paul

[Gortreck]

One of the highest recommended APC's on detailing wolrd is from tesco and is called Daisy i do believe, unless they changed that recently. But its great value for money and does the job that the more expensive APC's do.

Save money where you can! I myself have just started the bulk of my collection buying a Spin Doctor rotary, 2 backing plates, one 125mm one 75mm, hex logic pads x3 in both sizes, menz sample polish kit, bilberry wheel cleaner, valet pro trim glitz, clay kit, snow foam lance and snow foam for my new karcher, 10 pack of Eurow MF towels and FK1000p sealant. All in all i spent far too much! lol But Clean your car and autobrite did help out where they can, highly recommend them, and recommend you have a read at detaliing world. They are a site dedicated to detailing your car

Tony

[GSiFan]

Thank you, Tony! I'm not sure where this detailing affliction/ obsession/ whatever came from. I think it's just wanting my beloved vehicle to be the best it can be...

I really do appreciate the advice. I have had a login at DW for a few months now. I have asked a few questions over there and they are a very helpful crowd, just like on here. Well, we are all car enthusiasts, aren't we?! And there's simply not enough time (and certainly not enough money ) in our lives to try every single different product, which is where collective wisdom kicks in.

Anyway, Autobrite Direct have already proven to be excellent and I believe in supporting club approved traders, where appropriate and where they provide best value. I may try one or two of the others too.

Paul

[roswell]

Aerospace 303 protectant is a good product for interiors and plastics but if you look on ebay at aerospace 303 patio furniture protectant you get it half the price ;-)

Collinite 845 wax is another nice product easier to remove than 476 but just as durable (detergent proof like 476 but not advertised as such)

Detailing brushes are nice but basting brushes are cheaper ;-)