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General => Detailing => Topic started by: xxpenxx on 02 May 2014, 12:14

Title: Noob @ Detailing.
Post by: xxpenxx on 02 May 2014, 12:14
Now, I bought some bits of Waxammo a while ago, they still all do a good job.

I was just wandering, a few things as so many people on the forums put so much passion into cleaning there cars.

When foaming a car, it seems some people just seem to spray it all over the car, then just wash it off. An that's it all done? I would have thought you atleast need to give it a rub over with a microfiber of something?

Also, I've heard people mention something like a Sealant. That you put on the car after you've washed it which pro longs dirty rain water etc sitting on the car, rather then having to clean the car so often?

Apologies if my post aggravates anyonee lol!
Title: Re: Noob @ Detailing.
Post by: Ginge 35Edition on 02 May 2014, 12:35
If you're referring to snow foam then it loosens up any surface dirt to make the washing easier and safer to the paint, this normally gets rinsed off after it has dwelled for a while and then the car gest washed.

A sealant is a protector for the paint and puts a layer on the car. It kinda helps with cleaning but doesn't really act as stoppa for dirt sitting on the car.
Title: Re: Noob @ Detailing.
Post by: Booth11 on 02 May 2014, 14:40
^^^
The snow foam stage is not a substitute or short cut for the 2 bucket wash.  If you rub snow foam in, you risk rubbing grit into the paintwork.  It is merely a useful preparatory wash stage that reduces the contaminants on the car by them clinging to the foam and being washed away with the rinse.
   
Spray the car with snow foam, go fill up your 2 buckets for the wash, by the time you've done this the snow foam will have dwelled  long enough, rinse off then start 2 bucket wash using a wash mitt.   
Title: Re: Noob @ Detailing.
Post by: xxpenxx on 22 May 2014, 13:31
I see, so what Jet Wash/Foam lancer is recommended?

I also need to get a new Shampoo and some sealent.

What do any of you guys suggest?

You all seem to be bang on Detailing lol!!!
Title: Re: Noob @ Detailing.
Post by: dragonfly on 22 May 2014, 14:06
Most detailing companies have a snow foam bottle and adapters to suite your pressure washer. For ratios some people use 1" of snow foam and 1" of shampoo topped with water.  You will need to adjust the foam setting to get the thickness you require.  The more thicker it's applied the more solution you will use.

If you go with the above measures don't waste good quality shampoo as part of the solution.  As for decent shampoo's try a mild or wax free product.  Something like Dodo Juice Born to be Mild.  The less you need to use the further it will go - cheap shampoo's tend to require 2/3 big capfulls whereas other's require maybe 1/2 small capfulls.

JetSeal 109 is an impressive sealant.

Again Waxamomo should be able to sort you out.
Title: Re: Noob @ Detailing.
Post by: xxpenxx on 22 May 2014, 15:35
I messaged Waxamommo a little while ago here, he didn't get back to me sadly lol
Title: Re: Noob @ Detailing.
Post by: dragonfly on 22 May 2014, 16:09
Contact him direct from his website.
Title: Re: Noob @ Detailing.
Post by: falconmick on 22 May 2014, 19:15
Try detailing world.co.uk
Title: Re: Noob @ Detailing.
Post by: JBirchy on 27 May 2014, 13:17
I messaged Waxamommo a little while ago here, he didn't get back to me sadly lol

Give Chris a shout at sales@waxamomo.co.uk - he does sponsor a few forums and therefore sometimes one or two enquiries slip through the net. He'll sort you out though, he's a good bloke.

In terms of Snow Foam, if you use the analogy of soaking your dishes in Fairy Liquid before you wash them... It will simply loosen any surface crud on the paint so you minimize the marring caused by wiping and dirt around. It should never be substituted for a proper wash, as anything strong enough to do this will damage any protection on the paint.

Method should be:

- Foam
- Rinse
- Wash
- Rinse
- Dry

Hope this helps!

Jon
Title: Re: Noob @ Detailing.
Post by: xxpenxx on 02 June 2014, 15:39
I understand the process. I just wanted advice on products.

Just bought a kersher ketwash as they on deal at argos atm. Where can I buy the foam lance, are there different types?

But yeah, I just need a nice shampoo, foam and a good spray sealant.

If anyone could help me with any of these bits let me know. Had that dodo juice shampoo before in a yellow bottle smells tropical, that stuff worked well but I'm nrarly out of it now.

Hope your all good guys, any advice or critism welcome
Title: Re: Noob @ Detailing.
Post by: Booth11 on 02 June 2014, 16:15
Snow foam lances widely available online.  You need to make sure you select a Karcher fitting.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR5.TRC2.A0.H0.Xsnow+foam+lance&_nkw=snow+foam+lance&_sacat=0&_from=R40

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washing-and-drying/snow-foam-lance-various-fittings/prod_371.html

http://www.waxamomo.co.uk/Item/pafola

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_23?url=search-alias%3Dautomotive&field-keywords=snow+foam+lance+karcher&sprefix=Snow+foam+lance+karcher%2Caps%2C315&rh=n%3A248877031%2Ck%3Asnow+foam+lance+karcher

Dodo Juice shampoo is good.  Something like Born to be Mild which is PH neutral.
Title: Re: Noob @ Detailing.
Post by: xxpenxx on 03 June 2014, 11:23
Yeah that's the stuff I've been using booth. Just weren't sure if some foam lances were recommended over others.

An also what foam to buy. Really need to find a good sealant too then that's all the bits I want sorted.
Title: Re: Noob @ Detailing.
Post by: Booth11 on 03 June 2014, 14:04
Lances are all pretty much the same.  Though these ones are suppossed to be good but are for Karcher K Series pressure washers.   http://www.theultimatefinish.co.uk/ultimate-snow-foam/karcher-k-series-ultimate-snow-foam-lance-new-and-improved.aspx

Decent snow foams include, Bilt Hamber Auto foam and Auto Brite Magifoam and Valet Pro snow foam.  I used to use Meguiars Hyper Wash but the Bilt Hamber stuff is miles better.  Thinner foam but shifts more dirt.

Sealeant wise something like Poorboys EX-P or the current fav on here seems to be Sonax NPT or Sonax BSD  as discussed here  http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=267549.0
Title: Re: Noob @ Detailing.
Post by: xxpenxx on 03 June 2014, 14:11
Yeh I did see that post, but everyone keeps confusing me haha! An I asked something before on there an got blanked lol! We just paid £100 for the pressure washer + all the other bits yet that is 50 quid lol!!

But yeah, I think it might have a foam lance in the set haven't looked at it all yet.

So, what foam would you recommend, an whats the best method of using it? Can you just leave the bottle you put it into for the pressure washer topped up? Or dilute it or something?

An just need a good spray sealant an to know the better process an then I'm all good  :grin:
Title: Re: Noob @ Detailing.
Post by: Booth11 on 03 June 2014, 16:30
I would be surprised if your kit included a proper snow foam lance, probably just a foam attachment which not necessarily the same thing.

All the foams I mentioned in my previous post are good.  You need to use about 1" snow foam solution in the lance bottle,  then top up to nearly full with warmish water and attach to  your pressure washer.  Each lance has a thickness/dilution adjustment and spray adjustment and you'll need to mess about with both these to get a good snow foam consistency.   If it's too thin, it'll just run straight off, you should be aiming for a thicker foam that will cling for a few minutes.
Title: Re: Noob @ Detailing.
Post by: xxpenxx on 03 June 2014, 17:17
Cheers mate, foam lance now purchased.

So, just got to find some decent foam and a good sealant. But I've never used either before lol! Any tips?

What do you lot use, or prefer using out of products you have tried?
Title: Re: Noob @ Detailing.
Post by: KyleB on 03 June 2014, 19:39
I use Valet Pro PH Neutral, about an inch in the bottom of my spray bottle and get a nice thick foam. It's lasted me over a year too with regular washes. I think I'm going to get their citrus snow foam next so I'd recommend that (although I haven't tried it) I'm led to believe it's a bit better a shifting bugs and the like.

Sealant wise I really like AutoGlym Extra Gloss protection, but I haven't used anything else, and actually prefer to use their HD Wax or their Aqua Wax
Title: Re: Noob @ Detailing.
Post by: xxpenxx on 04 June 2014, 01:46
Found them both on google. I'll wait an see what others suggest too. Cheers tho mate. I have got some wax but never really see the benefit of it. So thought I'd give a sealant a try. But know little about the types of products
Title: Re: Noob @ Detailing.
Post by: KyleB on 04 June 2014, 14:33
I have got some wax but never really see the benefit of it. So thought I'd give a sealant a try. But know little about the types of products

I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong but I think Wax tends to be harder wearing that a sealant and often a bit more difficult to apply. I also think I'm right in saying that Sealants can give a better finish on darker paints.
Title: Re: Noob @ Detailing.
Post by: Booth11 on 04 June 2014, 15:11
I have got some wax but never really see the benefit of it. So thought I'd give a sealant a try. But know little about the types of products

I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong but I think Wax tends to be harder wearing that a sealant and often a bit more difficult to apply. I also think I'm right in saying that Sealants can give a better finish on darker paints.

It tends to be the other way round.  Sealants usually offer greater longevity than wax, but wax gives greather depth to the finish.  Also note that you can apply wax on top of sealant but not usually sealant on top of wax as it may not bond properly.  Sealant being synthetic and wax of natural origin.  However, some quick detailers that act similar to a sealant can go on top of wax.

Finish-wise, sealants give a more sterile shine to cars but wax gives a deeper gloss.  This is especially apparent on dark cars.  The ideal combination would be wax over top of sealant but this can be time consuming.  It's personal choice of course and if you're looking to protect but save time then sealant is a good option.  That said, I would never miss out the wax phase of detailing.
Title: Re: Noob @ Detailing.
Post by: xxpenxx on 05 June 2014, 01:49
Once I've done my first wash once I've got my foam ready and a sealant. I'll see how long that takes me, then possibly wax it after. Gotta do my step dads when I do mine aswell now lol. But he can wax or put sealant on his own one haha!

Any of you got the golfgtd stickers?
Title: Re: Noob @ Detailing.
Post by: Booth11 on 05 June 2014, 06:49
Once I've done my first wash once I've got my foam ready and a sealant. I'll see how long that takes me, then possibly wax it after. Gotta do my step dads when I do mine aswell now lol. But he can wax or put sealant on his own one haha!

Any of you got the golfgtd stickers?

No, no stickers.
Title: Re: Noob @ Detailing.
Post by: KyleB on 05 June 2014, 08:05
Any of you got the golfgtd stickers?

I've got the GTDforum sticker in the rear window in the middle.
Title: Re: Noob @ Detailing.
Post by: xxpenxx on 05 June 2014, 09:57

Can you post a pic mate or pm me one? Thinking of getting them as everyone on here is pretty helpful tbh
Any of you got the golfgtd stickers?

I've got the GTDforum sticker in the rear window in the middle.
Title: Re: Noob @ Detailing.
Post by: KyleB on 06 June 2014, 11:33

Can you post a pic mate or pm me one? Thinking of getting them as everyone on here is pretty helpful tbh
Any of you got the golfgtd stickers?

I've got the GTDforum sticker in the rear window in the middle.

I'll try and get one mate, with it being an "etched" effect, it's quite hard to take a picture of.
Title: Re: Noob @ Detailing.
Post by: xxpenxx on 08 June 2014, 16:39
What ya mean by etched mate lol?
Title: Re: Noob @ Detailing.
Post by: Ginge 35Edition on 09 June 2014, 09:21
Not a solid colour.
Title: Re: Noob @ Detailing.
Post by: Booth11 on 09 June 2014, 09:24
This is what they look like.  Available in solid white, solid red or etched effect

http://www.golfgti.bigcartel.com/product/golfgti-co-uk-logo-stickers
Title: Re: Noob @ Detailing.
Post by: xxpenxx on 09 June 2014, 15:36
Thanks I'll get some when I get paid as alot of people are happy to help on here. So anyone else have other suggestions for foams or sealants? Preferably a spray sealant