newbie to detailing

[mac12]

i have been using the megs 1,2,3 system,it gave an ok result but the bonnet didnt come up that well, it was a generally good finish but not brilliant.
so im thinking of getting a better shampoo like (megs gold class shampoo and conditioner)
then a megs quick clay bar and polishing kit (ive never used a clay bar before)
and then using step 2 and 3 of the megs 1,2,3 system to finish.
any advice anyone can offer on the products mentioned or others or on methods etc would be appreciated as its new to me looking after the paintwork properly, i used to just drive through the car wash thankfully not in this car though.
the colour of the car says silver on the v5 but it looks more champagne/gold to me.
thanks in advance.

[FIL 4822]

First thing i'll suggest to you is get a PORTER CABLE polisher from www.autopia.org
That'll make life easier to start.
Then go to any of these
www.elitecarcare.co.uk
www.cleanandshiney.co.uk
www.carwashnwax.co.uk
www.detailedobsession.co.uk
www.parcfermeshop.com
www.poorboysworld.net
www.detailedimage.com

Be prepared to spend lots and lots and lots ( or maybe someone will treat you for Xmas !)

[Dwabo]

can highly reccomend the megs nxt shampoo rather than the gold... used both and the nxt (for me) wins hands down.. bout the same suds but leaves a better shine and finish...
as for step 2..there are loads of different polish out there..again i use the nxt stuff.. but all down to preferance..
then a decent wax..love the nattys blue..only just over a tenner and smells like bubblegum..lovely..and good results..

am sure the more dedicated 'detailing' guys will be along to advise but for me its a very good system and am very happy with the results I achieve..by hand...
the pc route is gonna be expensive, but in the longterm then thats a choice for you... for now, I'll stick to the mk1 polisher...hand!

[ditchp]

i wash with meg's nxt shampoo, then dry and them use meg's new ultimate detailer, once a month or so give it a polish and wax using meg's stage 2/3, work's for me and i like the routine, oh and also just got some meg's all metal polish and the new tyre gell stuff to try........

[mac12]

cheers for replys, i think i will give the megs nxt shampoo a try then and the megs clay and the stage 2 and 3 or the poorboys blue sounds good and i think i will try the tyre gel stuff aswell,i just need a decent day to do it now

[rushy]

If anything mate I would keep the stage 1 as its a paint cleaner. Use that along with your clay and stage 2. These are the stages that prep the car for the wax and also the stages that give the shine as the wax is just there to protect from the previous stages. Also sealants seam to work well on silvers so you could ditch the wax all together and put a good sealant on like Jetseal 109.

[mac12]

cheers rushy

[ed taylor]

Have a look on www.detailingworld.co.uk there is a wealth of knowlage on there about detailing.

[mac12]

cheers for all the advice, i just thought i would give an update as to how i got on and what i ended up using.
nxt wash shampoo (2 bucket method)
megs clay bar and spray
wash again nxt shampoo
megs stage 1 paint restorer
megs show and shine glaze 7
poorboys ex-p sealant
megs window cleaner
megs trim restorer
autoglym alloy cleaner and then some poorboys sealant
and megs red hot tyre shine.
all excellent products and very,very easy to use.
worked really well, all set for winter now loads and loads of grime came off on the claybar, even though it felt really smooth before applying.
thanks again for advice not sure i used the best or correct method but it sure is shinny.

[BigP]

Crikey mate, that lot must have taken you a while! Good work

Any pics?