FULL PROPER CLEAN advice

[mcchriswood]

This weekend i am planning to do a proper full clean on my car. Because i have only just bought it i literally want to clean everything i can get too without taking the car apart at all.
So my questions are :
Where should i clean?? (im not talking about the obvious that you always wash im talking about those bits that get missed - in the door hinges etc all the bits where you open the doors)
What can i use to restore my dash and the interior plastic trim bits??
What can i use too restore my Exterior plastic trim and arches - (i want something that is going too last a long time - Regardless of its price)

Also - All i have ever done is use a 2 bucket wash method - i use Poor Boys Super Slick and Suds Shampoo and a mitt and dry using Sonus Towels. I rinse first thing and before drying with a hose. Once dried thats usually me done for the day. A day later im back too square one. Is there any more really foamy shampoos that do a better job.

If it makes a difference i have a Dark Grey mk2 GTI

It needs some attention
Chris

[Guy]

question regarding your wash process... have you clayed?

and then waxed??

for suds I would recommend bilt hamber autowash

as for your interior... I would give it a good going over with poorboys APC followed with something like poorboys natural look (although you don't have to use this)

i haven't heard anything about CG bare bones undercarriage spray... but was thinking of trying some myself

[mcchriswood]

never clayed or waxed before. Never polished :|
what about the trim. Is therre anything that will last forever even if it costs me alot

[Guy]

never clayed or waxed before. Never polished :|
what about the trim. Is therre anything that will last forever even if it costs me alot

first thing i would do is clay it... you will never get anywhere if you haven't prepared your paint... then you can polish it, glaze it if you want to and use a decent hard wax to protect all your hard work - i would recommend that you do this as you will be fighting a losing battle and always going back to square one

trim is the holy grail... read the trim thread in the stickys... there are all sorts of solutions from kiwi polish to peanut butter to black wow... I am just trialling a product called 'forever black' which is giving good initial results, but it is early days yet.

[jeynesey]

never clayed or waxed before. Never polished :|
what about the trim. Is therre anything that will last forever even if it costs me alot

I cant stress how good the results are when you clay your car, but if  its really dirty wash it PROPERLY first.

Also I would advise the usual stuff like clean a panel at a time, 2 bucket method etc.

Have a look on here and a great site is:

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/

[mcchriswood]

Ho exactly do i clay it?? Im more worried about damaging the paint.
And how often should it be clayed. Where can i buy a DECENT clay
Chris

[Guy]

Ho exactly do i clay it?? Im more worried about damaging the paint.
And how often should it be clayed. Where can i buy a DECENT clay
Chris

have a look in the sticky guides up the top about how to clay - its easy and you won't damage the paint

clay about once a year... its all that is needed

you can buy meguiars clay kit from halfords

or buy clay from various internet retails of which most people on this site use

elite car care - http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/paint-clean-clay-polish.php
or
clean your car - http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/detailing-clay/cat_9.html

[Uruk Hai]

Ho exactly do i clay it?? Im more worried about damaging the paint.
And how often should it be clayed. Where can i buy a DECENT clay
Chris

Try this :-   http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=103767