Hi all.
Just after some quick advice. I get my roc next week and obviously want to keep it nice and shiny and clean at all times if possible. I'm not one for spending hours at a time waxing etc.
Is there a good shampoo with wax included and also what would you recommend to keep the alloys clean. Also what would you recommend to wash it with as it appears a sponge is a complete non starter (swirls!).
Any advice would be much appreciated.
plus i also have some 'greased lightning showroom shine'.......is this stuff any good (i bought it on impulse as it looked amazing on the tv).
cheers
First time cleaner
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rocccosiffredi
- Posts: 98
- Joined: Sat Nov 28, 2009 8:36 pm
- I drive a: GT 2.0 TDI 170/184
- In: Rising Blue
- With a: Manual box
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rocccosiffredi
- Posts: 98
- Joined: Sat Nov 28, 2009 8:36 pm
- I drive a: GT 2.0 TDI 170/184
- In: Rising Blue
- With a: Manual box
Re: First time cleaner
ahem! bucket of water will have to do then!
Re: First time cleaner
sorry freds..
i'm trying to give mine a full regimen most times when it gets washed so not sure i'm best to advise but I will say if you take the time initially with certain products they will work long term.. for example you mention protecting alloys I HIGHLY recommend Chemical Guys Wheel Guard or Poor Boys Wheel Sealant if you take the time once then it will help you clean them time & time again afterwards. I did mine back in early Nov & have washed the car at least 4 times since then & the brake dust is still coming of really easily & I probably didn't leave the sealant on long enough on the initial application.
when the autoperfection guys are back they will probably be able to advise on an all in one shampoo/wash although with wax included shampoos you may find they leave residue on the windows causing smearing/dirt attraction. just something to be aware of
S
i'm trying to give mine a full regimen most times when it gets washed so not sure i'm best to advise but I will say if you take the time initially with certain products they will work long term.. for example you mention protecting alloys I HIGHLY recommend Chemical Guys Wheel Guard or Poor Boys Wheel Sealant if you take the time once then it will help you clean them time & time again afterwards. I did mine back in early Nov & have washed the car at least 4 times since then & the brake dust is still coming of really easily & I probably didn't leave the sealant on long enough on the initial application.
when the autoperfection guys are back they will probably be able to advise on an all in one shampoo/wash although with wax included shampoos you may find they leave residue on the windows causing smearing/dirt attraction. just something to be aware of
S
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chr15
- Posts: 337
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 2009 9:47 pm
- I drive a: GT 2.0 TSI
- In: Rising Blue
- With a: Manual box
- Location: Farnborough
Re: First time cleaner
The dodo juice 'sour power' shampoo is good if you want something which leaves a glossy finish. Also get your self a lambs wool washmitt. Theres plenty more you can do to help prevent swirls but that would be a good start and probably what your looking for if you don't want to spend ages doing it.
As trix said either of those wheel products are good.
As trix said either of those wheel products are good.
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themonkey
- Posts: 13
- Joined: Sun May 17, 2009 2:57 pm
- I drive a: GT 2.0 TSI
- In: Salsa Red
- With a: Manual box
Re: First time cleaner
I use a lambswool washmit, Meguiars Gold class shampoo on bodywork and wheels (though use a sponge on the wheels), always clean the bucket before washing, dry properly every time (I use a chamois).
For a quick wax finish I use the Meguiars Liquid Gold Wax, wash the car pretty much every week and wax every other, it's not a fully comprehensive regimen but it does keep it in good order.
Come spring I will be buying a clay bar and taking the wheels off to give them a good going over as they are starting to tar spot a little.
I think the key is little and often, washing each week seems excessive but it means there is never much dirt on the car and reduces the chance of damaging the paint during a wash. Plus regular waxing has it's benefits, see here
http://www.sciroccocentral.co.uk/forum/ ... f=2&t=3925" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
For a quick wax finish I use the Meguiars Liquid Gold Wax, wash the car pretty much every week and wax every other, it's not a fully comprehensive regimen but it does keep it in good order.
Come spring I will be buying a clay bar and taking the wheels off to give them a good going over as they are starting to tar spot a little.
I think the key is little and often, washing each week seems excessive but it means there is never much dirt on the car and reduces the chance of damaging the paint during a wash. Plus regular waxing has it's benefits, see here
http://www.sciroccocentral.co.uk/forum/ ... f=2&t=3925" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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autoperfection
- Posts: 191
- Joined: Sat May 02, 2009 10:25 am
Re: First time cleaner
Hi Fred,
Sorry for not getting anything on here sooner... I've some how managed to completely miss this thread, but, found it now and though I'd offer our two pence worth!
If you're not one for spending hours each week on your car, then our recommenation would be to get it prepped properly first time around, which will make maintenance much easier, more effective, and less time consuming.
As Chris has already mentioned, a good choice of shampoo would be Sour Power - it's a pH neutral formula, so it won't remove any wax or any other products you already have on the car, and it also has a slight carnauba content, which will help to add a little extra gloss during the wash stage. Having said that, you would really need to get a couple of coats of wax on to start off with, as the carnauba content of the shampoo isn't reallly high enough to substitute waxing completely.
http://www.autoperfection.com/shop/Dodo ... 250ml.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
With regards to washing, the most essential product has got to be a Sheep Puppet (or a Lambswool Wash Mitt as it's more commonly known!). A wash mitt with a really thick pile is much much better than something like a sponge, as it will help to reduce the amount of scratches and swirls that are usually inflicted during the wash stage.
http://www.autoperfection.com/shop/Auto ... -Mitt.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Trix has already made some good recommendations for the wheels, both the Chemical Guys and Poorboys products mentioned are good options. One that we recommend to anyone who asks about wheels is Rimwax. It's easy to use, very long lasting and gives excellent gloss levels.
http://www.autoperfection.com/shop/Rimw ... l-Wax.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The only other "must have" we would recommend if you're starting out completely from scrach is a good quality drying towel. If you use the wrong sort of towel, or even the right sort but one that's dirty, you're back to square one with the swirls and scratches! We can usually make some alternative recommendations for most products, but with drying towels there really is only one for us... it has to be our Super Plush Drying Towel. Quite simply, in our opinion, we just haven't found anything else that comes close.
http://www.autoperfection.com/shop/Auto ... Towel.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
If you are going to look at getting a couple of coats of wax on (which would definitely recommend) you've got a lot of choice! You could maybe look at one of the Dodo waxes, depending on what colour your car is. They do a colour charged range, with a hard and soft wax to suit different colours. Essentially though, you can use any colour wax on any colour car and you'll still get great results, as they're all good performing waxes at a reasonable price. With wax, a lot of it depends on personal preference and choice comes down to a couple of things - budget, how much effort you want to put in and what sort of results you're looking for!
http://www.autoperfection.com/shop/Dodo-Juice-1.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.autoperfection.com/shop/Wax.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Hope this helps
All the best
Taryn and Jim
Sorry for not getting anything on here sooner... I've some how managed to completely miss this thread, but, found it now and though I'd offer our two pence worth!
If you're not one for spending hours each week on your car, then our recommenation would be to get it prepped properly first time around, which will make maintenance much easier, more effective, and less time consuming.
As Chris has already mentioned, a good choice of shampoo would be Sour Power - it's a pH neutral formula, so it won't remove any wax or any other products you already have on the car, and it also has a slight carnauba content, which will help to add a little extra gloss during the wash stage. Having said that, you would really need to get a couple of coats of wax on to start off with, as the carnauba content of the shampoo isn't reallly high enough to substitute waxing completely.
http://www.autoperfection.com/shop/Dodo ... 250ml.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
With regards to washing, the most essential product has got to be a Sheep Puppet (or a Lambswool Wash Mitt as it's more commonly known!). A wash mitt with a really thick pile is much much better than something like a sponge, as it will help to reduce the amount of scratches and swirls that are usually inflicted during the wash stage.
http://www.autoperfection.com/shop/Auto ... -Mitt.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Trix has already made some good recommendations for the wheels, both the Chemical Guys and Poorboys products mentioned are good options. One that we recommend to anyone who asks about wheels is Rimwax. It's easy to use, very long lasting and gives excellent gloss levels.
http://www.autoperfection.com/shop/Rimw ... l-Wax.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The only other "must have" we would recommend if you're starting out completely from scrach is a good quality drying towel. If you use the wrong sort of towel, or even the right sort but one that's dirty, you're back to square one with the swirls and scratches! We can usually make some alternative recommendations for most products, but with drying towels there really is only one for us... it has to be our Super Plush Drying Towel. Quite simply, in our opinion, we just haven't found anything else that comes close.
http://www.autoperfection.com/shop/Auto ... Towel.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
If you are going to look at getting a couple of coats of wax on (which would definitely recommend) you've got a lot of choice! You could maybe look at one of the Dodo waxes, depending on what colour your car is. They do a colour charged range, with a hard and soft wax to suit different colours. Essentially though, you can use any colour wax on any colour car and you'll still get great results, as they're all good performing waxes at a reasonable price. With wax, a lot of it depends on personal preference and choice comes down to a couple of things - budget, how much effort you want to put in and what sort of results you're looking for!
http://www.autoperfection.com/shop/Dodo-Juice-1.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.autoperfection.com/shop/Wax.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Hope this helps
All the best
Taryn and Jim
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Ryy
- Posts: 1098
- Joined: Tue Nov 23, 2010 11:21 pm
- I drive a: GT 2.0 TSI
- In: Viper Green
- With a: Manual box
- Location: England
Re: First time cleaner
T&J that's a great post! 
Very helpful.
Rather than a link, with what you are stating, do you have a little guide on a process of using what you have suggested (with wax). I have just had my car, but would still like to give it a clean if it warms up in Jan or something. Right now it's dirty and the weather is terrible (and cold for washing!!!) - Snow is predicted.
But I want a little time to get some goods in. So will be happy to listen to a process.
I have seen how good DW is, and I'm not sure if you are on there etc. But i'm interested in keeping this car nice but with not with the effort of weekly washes for hours at a time. But a lot more than a clean every 3 months at the Kosovo Klean.
Cheers
Very helpful.
Rather than a link, with what you are stating, do you have a little guide on a process of using what you have suggested (with wax). I have just had my car, but would still like to give it a clean if it warms up in Jan or something. Right now it's dirty and the weather is terrible (and cold for washing!!!) - Snow is predicted.
But I want a little time to get some goods in. So will be happy to listen to a process.
I have seen how good DW is, and I'm not sure if you are on there etc. But i'm interested in keeping this car nice but with not with the effort of weekly washes for hours at a time. But a lot more than a clean every 3 months at the Kosovo Klean.
Cheers