Have a Hose, need Soap Suds!

[NewGolf]

Yes. I forgot to mention that. NXT is probably the easiest polish around. Sray on. Leave for five minutes and you dont even need a PC etc to get that shine. Just a soft cloth does wonders (Microfibre cloth).

The stores here dont seem to stock the liquid anymore. Only the spray on version. What would you all suggest to use as a polish/wax for a machine polisher/ PC?

I am planning on buying one soon and may be detailing a few Lambo's, Aston Martins or Porsches soon so advice would be great.

Please dont send me to Detailing World.... Them members there scare me 

I'm no expert by any means, just an "enthusiast", if anyone spots any mistakes feel free to advise.  

As a good place to start, the 3 step Meguiars product does quite a good job, along with either a Porter Cable 7424, or the new Meguiars G220. The Porter Cable is American so you will need a 240/110V transformer, the heavy yellow things found on most building sites. You will need to change the plug from a US to UK 110V 3 pin, about £1 at most electrical stores.

The G220 is a new UK product, I haven't seen or used one yet, but I can imagine it does a decent job, as their products are top notch and well priced compared to Zymol, Swissol etc.

Start with a clay bar and quik detailer, your paint will be as smooth as glass. All the instructions are on their website

http://www.meguiars.co.uk/

You will ache after 8 hours using a Porter Cable, but your paintwork will look better than most cars in a VW showroom  

[NewGolf]

Hi Sixpot,
That looks like the sorta suds I want to get the job done! I already have a Karcher pressure cleaner, can you advise on what else I'd need?
Welcome, by the way 

Lets see a pic of the GTI after you've finished !

[Steve78]

Autoglym really that bad??

No, that other guy is talking nonsense from my experience.

He must have been using some fake knocked off stuff.  Sorry to sound so dismissive, but I've never ever experienced "white marks all over the rubber parts and a second rate finish".  Ever.

[R32UK]

tbh i know the polish does leave white marks on any black plastic bits... but i thought that your just supposed to clean the black bits last???

[NewGolf]

Autoglym really that bad??

No, that other guy is talking nonsense from my experience.

He must have been using some fake knocked off stuff.  Sorry to sound so dismissive, but I've never ever experienced "white marks all over the rubber parts and a second rate finish".  Ever.

Who would make fake Autoglym products?
Well a VW dealership sold it to me along with the "Lifeshine" product.

Its only my opinion after trying both products, have you tried both and compared results?  

[JonnyG]

Hi Sixpot,
That looks like the sorta suds I want to get the job done! I already have a Karcher pressure cleaner, can you advise on what else I'd need?
Welcome, by the way 

If you already have a Karcher pressure washer, you just need an Auto-rae/Autobrite Foam Lance :

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=220214106439&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=012

A bit of Snow Foam also helps in the shampoo.  Here's what I use (It's not the HD version as in E-bay link)  :

[monzablue16v]

Not a detailing thread I come here to get away from it! The lances and snowfoam are great to get the worst of the dirt off the car before touching it to wash. I usually rinse cold, then snowfoam, hyperwash and a dash of citrus wash. I add Tardis traffic film remover if it is bad with tar or I'm rewaxing. Let it sit for 5 mins and then rinse off.
When I have rinsed it I wash with 2 buckets and a microfibre mitt, old one for the wheels and bottom of doors etc. Then dry with a bit of meguiars last touch and a monster fluffy microfibre drying cloth. I find this is a really good wash before you start polishing and waxing.

Autoglym SRP is actually a very good product if used correctly 3-4 coats of SRP will fill many smaller swirls and give a good base for a tasty wax like Dodo Juice or Collinite etc.

[Steve78]

Its only my opinion after trying both products, have you tried both and compared results? 

No, and that has no baring on the point you made.  I haven't experienced "white marks all over the rubber parts and a second rate finish" with Autoglym.  I know there are better products on the market, but in all the time I've used Autoglym I simply haven't experienced what you have described.  I've always been very, very pleased with it.  I think we are talking about different things anyway, I'm talking about the Autoglym Bodywork Shampoo Conditioner rather than Autoglym polish 

[NewGolf]

Its only my opinion after trying both products, have you tried both and compared results? 

No, and that has no baring on the point you made.  I haven't experienced "white marks all over the rubber parts and a second rate finish" with Autoglym.  I know there are better products on the market, but in all the time I've used Autoglym I simply haven't experienced what you have described.  I've always been very, very pleased with it.  I think we are talking about different things anyway, I'm talking about the Autoglym Bodywork Shampoo Conditioner rather than Autoglym polish 

Ok well you are only using one product, the shampoo conditioner! I have used that in the past and it is "ok". White bottle green writing right? You wouldn't experiance the chalky marks unless you'd used the paint restorer or SRP/UDS products.

I have the full range of AG and the SRP and Ultra Deep Shine DO leave white chalky residue over any vinyl or rubber parts which are a right pain to get off. From reading up about their range, they use chalk fillers to colour the liquids which dry and cause a problem.

Meguairs range is a far better product, try their gold class shampoo, nxt tech wax, hot wheels wheel cleaner, and then tell me you still prefer AG   
 
I'll be more specific next time for you Steve78 

[Steve78]

Meguairs range is a far better product, try their gold class shampoo, nxt tech wax, hot wheels wheel cleaner

I certainly will give it a crack as I have nothing to lose.  Might be a while though, only just bought a new 2.5 litre of the AG stuff last week...