Advice for a skint student noob lol

[bmouthboyo]

Hi Guys,

I recently bought Black Mk3 golf and am interested in getting its coat looking good. The paintwork is in pretty good nick, few little scratches here and there.

I want to basically give it a good clean, get its shine back and give it a wax to protect it for a bit. However I don't have a lot of money and would really like to keep this basic. (Prob spend up to £40 in total if i have to)

I know you probably get this question a lot but all the posts i found link to a range of products, i am literally after giving my 12 year old car a little shine, so any suggestions?

Thanks

[Guy]

hmmm... £40 you say - i think it is impossible telling you what to use without linking to a range of products

so - the advice from me would be to..

wash using two bucket method and a mitt
rinse
clay using the clay and quick detailer
wash again using two bucket method
rinse & dry using waffle
wax using the collinite wax and applicators and microfibres
final touches using quick detailer
have a NCOT and stand back and admire your handywork 

honestly - claying is one of the best things you can do to start getting your motor shiney... but you have to protect your paintwork with wax afterwards

http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/autowash.php?manufacturers_id=33
http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/meguiars-quik-mist-and-wipe-detailer.php?cPath=68&products_id=36&
http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/collinite-23476s-paste-wax-detailing-kit.php
http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/eurow-medium-waffle-weave-microfibre-drying-towel-17-x24-.php
http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=27&products_id=363&
http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/chenille-super-soft-wash-polish-mitt.php?cPath=21_60_61&products_id=138&


1 x    Autowash
1 x    Meguiars Quik (Mist & Wipe) Detailer
1 x    Collinite #476s Paste Wax Detailing Kit
1 x    Eurow Medium Waffle Weave Microfibre Drying Towel - 17" x 24"
1 x    Sonus Green Ultra Fine Detailing Clay
1 x    Chenille Super Soft Wash/Polish Mitt

total = £51 - but you can use a discount code (edition 38) for a bit off which should help cover your postage... either that or make it up to £60 and get free shipping!

i blew the budget a bit... sorry about that  the products will last you ages though (especially the autowash) 

[bmouthboyo]

Wow thanks a lot thats great help,

With all them products will i need anything else at all? other than 2 buckets? no electric buffer?

I also read about some autoglym shampoo or something everyone is ravign about? or will what you recommended be suffice?

And once thats done how often do i need to redo it?

cheers

[Guy]

you won't need anything else to achieve what you originally requested

if you are talking about a 'buffer' then that is a whole different kettle of fish... and isn't what you originally referred 'giving your car a little shine'

don't waste your money on a buffer type thing from halfrauds... they just spread polish about... if you are after a proper polishing machine then you are looking at muchos bucks - pads, polishes and a decent machine will set you back in the region of £150.

AG shampoo - i am not sure which one you referring to... however the products mentioned will see you through. the bilt hamber shampoo is excellent... you only need 5ml of the stuff (a teaspoon) to make plenty of suds, it isn't acidic and won't corrode your paintwork so will be perfect for your paint as you said you had a few little scratches here and there

do the 2 bucket wash weekly and the wax every 3 months or when the car stops beading... clay once or twice a year... whenever your paint starts feeling 'rough' again...

[bmouthboyo]

Nice one i have ordered that lot, thanks mate huge help.

I have found the 2 bucket guide, is there one for applying the wax? or is it pretty straight forward via instructions?

Will post some pics as i go along with this one.

Cheers

[Guy]

Nice one i have ordered that lot, thanks mate huge help.

I have found the 2 bucket guide, is there one for applying the wax? or is it pretty straight forward via instructions?

Will post some pics as i go along with this one.

Cheers

wax: less is more... get an even covering with the applicator. aim for 2 coats with curing in between - don't aim for 1 thick coat as this will end up being hard to buff off

pics: do before and afters of the same panels/positions as you will really notice the difference

good luck 

[trousers]

Hi Guy

have just been reading your comments, i always thought after claying, you had to polish and then wax, have not done it before but am looking into the same as bmouthboyo, is this not the case, is it ok to use that carnuba wax for 2 coats

cheers rob

[Guy]

hi rob - normally I would recommend a surface prep like dodo juice lime prime followed but either SRP or a hand applied polish followed with 2 coats of sealant and then wax... however... the OP was on a budget and just wanted a little shine.. so I thought this was the best combination of products given the limitations 

[icenutter]

have just been reading your comments, i always thought after claying, you had to polish and then wax, have not done it before but am looking into the same as bmouthboyo, is this not the case, is it ok to use that carnuba wax for 2 coats

You can do either.  Polishing then waxing should give more 'wow', but does take more time, and it is another bottle to buy...

I've had good results with Mequiars #7 glaze with Collinite #476 over the top.

[sharpie]

if you were that skint you'd be washing it with fairy liquid and not wasting £40 washing your car