tbourner Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 Almost run out of Sonax wash, so looking to get some new kit. Still got some Sonax polish of some kind but thinking I might do a clay treatment having never done it before. I don't want to go buying machine polishers or anything though, just some good product. I've got loads of towels and a couple of good mitts, might get a new sheepskin mitt and a couple more microfibre towels (anything better than microfibre?). So is Sonax good? Should I get a new tub of Sonax wash? Will any wash do? If I'm doing wash/clay/wash/wax can I use polish for the final stage or does it need to be wax? One of these Carnauba deals? Liquid or paste or what? Do I need a foam applicator or just the usual towels? As for claying, I've looked at loads of vids and stuff and it doesn't look as scary as I thought, might just get the Meguiars clay bar kit, I think having the 2 larger blocks will be better than the starter kit as I WILL drop them!! I read somewhere that people do the claying whilst washing, is this a bad idea? Apart from rubbing dirt across your paint is there any reason not to just use your wash as the clay lube? If not, do you have to dry properly after rinsing or can you spray the lube over wet car? Lastly, why the need to wash again after claying? So, is this a good plan of action: 1. Sonax 2 bucket wash with clean mitts and towels. 2. Meguiars clay. 3. Sonax 2 bucket wash with clean mitts and towels. 4. Meguiars Gold Class Liquid Wax. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Littler Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 You have a good starting point with the 2 bucket wash and Sonax is not too bad, for a really good car shampoo at a decent price try the 3M Car Shampoo, creates a good level of foam that will help prevent putting any swirls into the paint, but as an extra step give it a thorough rinse down with the hose or pressure washer first The Meguiars clay is a good kit, and it isn't aggressive so won't harm the paint it terms of marring. In terms of claying while washing I personally would never do that, wash the car rinse it and leave the car wet and clay the car then, top with a lube of some description like Meguiars quick detailer (the clay starter kit includes that). Depending on whether you want a polish that you can buy off the shelf, Autoglym Super Resin Polish wouldn't be a bad choice leaves a really nice finish! After the polish the best final step would be wax, collinite 476 is good choice that lasts a looks good! In terms of towels, mitts and applicators, go for the premium brands as they are better for the paint. I wrote a detailing guide for the detailing world forum let me know and i can forward it to you, it covers the best processes I've found for a full exterior detail. Hope this helps (Also will be worth contacting Christian at Invisible Touch (Stonkin on here) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pistol pete Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 Hi ya.. I am a valeter and detailer.. ( http://www.pmvaletinganddetailing.co.uk ) I personally only use Meguiars products, they work well for me and always leave a great finish, but every person is different in how they work.. doing it by hand is a lot harder and won;t get the same finish as with a machine... I highly recommend you dont use the super resin finish from auto glym i used to use it and it was very very good but they changed it slightly a few years ago and it now is very difficult to remove from paint with out leaving a grainy finish compared to other polish's you cannot use the polish as final touch as it will not protect the paint. A clay bar is excellent idea as it take so much contaminants from you paint you cannot see For what you are doing i would recommend wash http://www.amazon.co.uk/Meguiars-G12619-NXT-Car-Wash/dp/B000P0HXXM/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1315290822&sr=8-7 clay bar (comes with all you need in it) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Meguiars-Quik-Clay-Starter-Kit/dp/B001MPSTK0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1315290867&sr=8-1 polish http://www.amazon.co.uk/Meguiars-Ultimate-Polish-G19216-473ml/dp/B004HCOE8Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1315290899&sr=1-1 wax http://www.amazon.co.uk/Meguiars-High-Tech-Yellow-Wax/dp/B004ILS93C/ref=sr_1_8?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1315290934&sr=1-8 the wax is lovely to apply very smooth and leaves very long lasting finish to keep it up all i would recommend would be to wash once a week the follow on with http://www.amazon.co.uk/Meguiars-G14422EU-Ultimate-Quik-Detailer/dp/B001B0VDI6/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1315291010&sr=1-1 hope that helps.. with the polish just do an area of about 2ft sqaure and do not allow to dry.. with the wax do over with a FINE coat of wax (only what touches the car actually does anything so no need to pot on thick) leave 5 mins to cure then wipe off... hope that helps.. I use meg's every day to stunning effect and never had complaint from any customers (i have a lot of but prof stuff but used to use all of the above to great effect) done a very nice 911 on sat.. check out a few here... http://www.facebook.com/media/albums/?id=192106474176509 this is a good show of what a clay bar can bring off a clean car where the paint has now really been looked after and what can be done when detailing http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.204463852940771.58650.192106474176509&type=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Littler Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 Hi ya.. I am a valeter and detailer.. ( http://www.pmvaletinganddetailing.co.uk ) I personally only use Meguiars products, they work well for me and always leave a great finish, but every person is different in how they work.. doing it by hand is a lot harder and won;t get the same finish as with a machine... I highly recommend you dont use the super resin finish from auto glym i use to use it and it was very very good but they change it slightly a few years ago and it now is very difficult to remove from paint with out leaving a grainy finish compared to other polish's you cannot use the polish as final touch as it will not protect the paint. A clay bar is excellent idea as it take so much contaminants from you paint you cannot see For what you are doing i would recommend wash http://www.amazon.co.uk/Meguiars-G12619-NXT-Car-Wash/dp/B000P0HXXM/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1315290822&sr=8-7 clay bar (comes with all you need in it) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Meguiars-Quik-Clay-Starter-Kit/dp/B001MPSTK0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1315290867&sr=8-1 polish http://www.amazon.co.uk/Meguiars-Ultimate-Polish-G19216-473ml/dp/B004HCOE8Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1315290899&sr=1-1 wax http://www.amazon.co.uk/Meguiars-High-Tech-Yellow-Wax/dp/B004ILS93C/ref=sr_1_8?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1315290934&sr=1-8 the wax is lovely to apply very smooth and leaves very long lasting finish to keep it up all i would recommend would be to was the follow on with http://www.amazon.co.uk/Meguiars-G14422EU-Ultimate-Quik-Detailer/dp/B001B0VDI6/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1315291010&sr=1-1 hope that helps.. with the polish just do an area of about 2ft sqaure and do not allow to dry.. with the wax do over with a FINE coat of wax (only what touches the car actually does anything so no need to pot on thick) leave 5 mins to cure then wipe off... hope that helps.. I use meg's every day to stunning effect and never had complaint from any customers (i have a lot of but prof stuff but used to use all of the above to great effect) done a very nice 911 on sat.. check out a few here... http://www.facebook.com/media/albums/?id=192106474176509 Didn't know that about the Super Resin Polish, haven't used it myself in a few years, cheers for the info! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pistol pete Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 no worries.. i still have some in the shed.. i just don't use it any more as find other products work better its the grainy finish it leaves, i know several detailers round here who feel the same.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbourner Posted September 6, 2011 Author Share Posted September 6, 2011 The thing I liked with the Sonax polish was how easy it was to buff off, even in sunlight if you left it too long it came off relatively easily. So for wax after polish, what's the difference between paste and liquid? Do I need different applicators? What's best? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pistol pete Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 soft foam applicators are always best then off with microfibre cloths.. paste and liquid always seems to be down to preference.. i find the paste lasts longer and buffs of easy and a lot more for your money as it goes on thinner.. TBH no polish should be done in sunlight due to the paint being softer and more chance of leaving swirling marks Meg's do a quik wax that can be done in sunlight... thats good for a top up wax giving a good shine finish.. i cannot comment on sonax as never used it sorry... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbourner Posted September 6, 2011 Author Share Posted September 6, 2011 TBH no polish should be done in sunlight due to the paint being softer and more chance of leaving swirling marks Onto my next question then, I always get caught out by the weather, I don't have anywhere covered to do it so do I wait for an overcast day but with no rain? What happens if I've just clayed and washed it then it starts to rain, can I drive the car for a week then re-wash and do the polish and wax? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pistol pete Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 you can just be fully aware that the paint is not fully protected but the amount of cars that have no protection their whole life is amazing... you can always find a shaded area?, warm but cloudy dayz are always best.. but we do have to live around the weather.. what colour is your car if black grey dark blue etc the you will struggle in sunlight.. but if a cool colour like white silver that does not get warm to the touch (all about colour reflections) then you could prob get away with doing it in sunlight as long as its not really warm.. try early morning or in the evening... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TubbyTwo Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 To throw some other options into the Mix as personally I dont like to stick to just brand: Clay - Bilt Hamber, can be used with water as the lube, comes in larger blocks than the Megs kit. http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/autoclay.php?manufacturers_id=33&osCsid=5f6483b0a6e3e2e334db2376099b789f With regards to claying the car while washing I wouldnt, Rinse the car off well and then clay yes. Personally I wash, rinse and pat dry the car with a large MF drying towel, then assess the paint, if there is alot of Tar present A decent tar remover like Tardis will make short work if it. I like to remove as much contamination before claying otherwise you are folding every other minute to keep it clean. Once clayed a decent polish, personally I favour machine work however I have a selection of polishes i crack out for hard to reach areas. if im in a rush an AIO polish helps. (DoDo need for speed for example). Shampoo - I would seriously consider these: Valet Pro - Poseidon Wash - excellent stuff one of the best shampoos I have used excellent Dilution ratios as well. http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washing-and-drying/car-wash-shampoos/valet-pro-poseidon-wash-1000ml/prod_734.html Meguiars Shampoo Plus http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washing-and-drying/meguiars-shampoo-plus/prod_322.html When it comes to the rain its a nightmare, but a good wash and gentle polish should have you sorted again. What sort of wax are you using? my process is: -prewash -main wash 2bm -rinse -dry -de tar -if the car is bad I use Wolfs Decon Gel - http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/wolfs-chemicals-decon-gel.html -rinse -Clay -rinse -polish -IPA wipedown -seal/glaze -Protect. not mentioned the wheels or arches but there we go. A decent shampoo will help to maintain the finish. I usually send people off with a sample size Anyone would think i have cleaning OCD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pistol pete Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 Meguiars Shampoo Plus Anyone would think i have cleaning OCD excelent stuff thats what i use .. i use their whole bulk range.. I have got other products i use but mainly stuck to meg's as works well together.. you have a good process there, was not sure how far the OP wanted to go with it i can end up spending a few dayz on a single car if i go into full detailing inc arches etc etc.. so many good wheel cleaners out there too.. then you got dressing of the vynls, and tires and the interior... the list goes on and on and on.. do not forget to wax you shuts as well... water gets to those places too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TubbyTwo Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 Its an addictive obsession! I forgoet to mention the door shuts, I use Zaino AIO polish for those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbourner Posted September 6, 2011 Author Share Posted September 6, 2011 was not sure how far the OP wanted to go with it Not very!! I just want to spend a few hours on it, I don't want to go buying loads of stuff or mechanical dealys, that's why I'm thinking I'll stick with my trusted Sonax wash, get the Meg clay kit and use that, use the polish I've got as again I know it quite well, then maybe some Meg paste wax and a foamy pad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pistol pete Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 sounds good.. for what you wanna do then its about right and you will get a very nice smooth finish with that too.. loooking forward to pics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbourner Posted September 12, 2011 Author Share Posted September 12, 2011 Anyone used Chemical Guys Blacklight? http://www.chemicalguysuk.com/product_p/blklgt.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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