I'm trying to be good with my new car and keep it clean. Due to all the great advice I went out and bought new buckets, sponges, Mf cloths and Autoglym kit.
So it's now had a coat of Super Resin Polish and Extra Gloss Protection. On the bottles it doesn't say how often it needs to be done so I thought I'd ask what everyone else does?
How often do I use polish
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VWClaty
- Posts: 150
- Joined: Fri Jul 04, 2014 8:59 pm
- I drive a: 1.4 TSI 160
- In: Rising Blue
- With a: Manual box
Re: How often do I use polish
Every time i clean my car i polish it, mostly because i have nothing better to do.. and who doesn't love a polished car haha, i suppose its all personal preference and how clean you like your car 
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sciroccorich
- Posts: 152
- Joined: Sat Mar 15, 2014 8:10 am
- I drive a: GT 2.0 TSI
- In: Rising Blue
- With a: Manual box
Re: How often do I use polish
I clay bar, then polish my Roc, then put a decent layer of Autoglym HD wax on it every 4 months. I do however use Autoglym Aqua wax every wash because you can spray it on a wet car just before you dry it, this adds to the wax protection each time.
Polishing your car after every wash is a bit excessive (thought I had OCD) but each to their own and fair play if you have the time although not sure how much benifit your car would get.
I also use Autoglym Rapid detailer after every wash, makes your car look good and doesn't remove your wax protection like polishing may do.
If you do something similar then I'm sure your car will look wicked.............and use Car Chem 1800:1 car shampoo, as this is awesome frictionless stuff and you hardly have to use any.
Polishing your car after every wash is a bit excessive (thought I had OCD) but each to their own and fair play if you have the time although not sure how much benifit your car would get.
I also use Autoglym Rapid detailer after every wash, makes your car look good and doesn't remove your wax protection like polishing may do.
If you do something similar then I'm sure your car will look wicked.............and use Car Chem 1800:1 car shampoo, as this is awesome frictionless stuff and you hardly have to use any.
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Stu13R
- Posts: 802
- Joined: Sat Dec 20, 2014 11:56 pm
- I drive a: Scirocco R
- In: Rising Blue
- With a: DSG box
- Location: Southampton, Hants
Re: How often do I use polish
Thanks for the tips guys. 
I also heard at one of the meets that Dodo juice or something was really good. Mind you it's probably fake because I thought they were extinct.
I also heard at one of the meets that Dodo juice or something was really good. Mind you it's probably fake because I thought they were extinct.
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AshleyHerbert
- Posts: 200
- Joined: Thu Oct 02, 2014 12:08 pm
- I drive a: Scirocco R
- In: Rising Blue
- With a: Manual box
- Location: Surrey
Re: How often do I use polish
Stu I use mainly DoDo, G3 products, Meguiars and Poorboys.. all of which are very good quality. AutoGlym is OK but it's mediocre compared to the rest and it's not very good value for money.
Mainly order on eBay or Amazon, great discounts!
You shouldn't need to clay bar the car as the paint shouldn't be contaminated as it's new.
I recently invested in a Karcher K2 car and bought a snowfoam lance and it's a great investment IMHO. Reduces the risk of rubbing dirt into your paintwork!
Buy some grit guards for the buckets and a decent mitt, DoDo offer a good MITT " onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; expensive but it's well worth it.
Get some good shampoo too, I'm currently using MER High Shine shampoo and it seems pretty good, tend to chammy it off with some detailer and the car looks mint!
I'd invest in some clay bars for future use (I use BILT HAMBER medium) but most will do, 3m offer good quality clay bars. With the clay bar you'll want a good detailer, e.g. G3, it's smooth and doesn't feel greasy whereas some other detailers do.
I'd also invest in some wax, DoDo offer Purple Haze, which as you can probably tell by the name is designed for blue coloured cars, you've seen mine in the flesh and the DoDo Purple Haze really brings out the blue!
I don't use a MOP I've always use wax applicators, Meguiars ones are nice but any will do, just make sure they are soft, usually use them 2/3 times depending on how well they hold out!
Just my experience of cleaning my own car, take it or leave it!
Mainly order on eBay or Amazon, great discounts!
You shouldn't need to clay bar the car as the paint shouldn't be contaminated as it's new.
I recently invested in a Karcher K2 car and bought a snowfoam lance and it's a great investment IMHO. Reduces the risk of rubbing dirt into your paintwork!
Buy some grit guards for the buckets and a decent mitt, DoDo offer a good MITT " onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; expensive but it's well worth it.
Get some good shampoo too, I'm currently using MER High Shine shampoo and it seems pretty good, tend to chammy it off with some detailer and the car looks mint!
I'd invest in some clay bars for future use (I use BILT HAMBER medium) but most will do, 3m offer good quality clay bars. With the clay bar you'll want a good detailer, e.g. G3, it's smooth and doesn't feel greasy whereas some other detailers do.
I'd also invest in some wax, DoDo offer Purple Haze, which as you can probably tell by the name is designed for blue coloured cars, you've seen mine in the flesh and the DoDo Purple Haze really brings out the blue!
I don't use a MOP I've always use wax applicators, Meguiars ones are nice but any will do, just make sure they are soft, usually use them 2/3 times depending on how well they hold out!
Just my experience of cleaning my own car, take it or leave it!
Turn it down for what?
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Stu13R
- Posts: 802
- Joined: Sat Dec 20, 2014 11:56 pm
- I drive a: Scirocco R
- In: Rising Blue
- With a: DSG box
- Location: Southampton, Hants
Re: How often do I use polish
Great advice Ashley thanks.
What did you mean by some detailer?
What did you mean by some detailer?
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AshleyHerbert
- Posts: 200
- Joined: Thu Oct 02, 2014 12:08 pm
- I drive a: Scirocco R
- In: Rising Blue
- With a: Manual box
- Location: Surrey
Re: How often do I use polish
You're welcome.
Detailer it's also referred to as "Detailing Spray". Used to lubricate clay bars. I also use it when I've washed the car with the chamoix to give a gloss finish.
This is the one I use and I'm really happy with it.. http://www.halfords.com/motoring-travel ... iler-500ml" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Detailer it's also referred to as "Detailing Spray". Used to lubricate clay bars. I also use it when I've washed the car with the chamoix to give a gloss finish.
This is the one I use and I'm really happy with it.. http://www.halfords.com/motoring-travel ... iler-500ml" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Turn it down for what?
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Stu13R
- Posts: 802
- Joined: Sat Dec 20, 2014 11:56 pm
- I drive a: Scirocco R
- In: Rising Blue
- With a: DSG box
- Location: Southampton, Hants
Re: How often do I use polish
I will nip down to Halfords on Saturday when hopefully my new applicator and Purple Haze Pro will have arrived.AshleyHerbert wrote:You're welcome.
Detailer it's also referred to as "Detailing Spray". Used to lubricate clay bars. I also use it when I've washed the car with the chamoix to give a gloss finish.
This is the one I use and I'm really happy with it.. http://www.halfords.com/motoring-travel ... iler-500ml" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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adamgt80
- Posts: 27
- Joined: Wed Mar 11, 2015 7:42 pm
- I drive a: GT 2.0 TSI
- In: Deep Black
- With a: Manual box
- Location: Staffordshire
Re: How often do I use polish
Ashley offers some great advice there, good products to use too (although I won't get into the chamois debate! 
). I just used purple gaze myself for the first time, amazing results!
). I just used purple gaze myself for the first time, amazing results!-
Stu13R
- Posts: 802
- Joined: Sat Dec 20, 2014 11:56 pm
- I drive a: Scirocco R
- In: Rising Blue
- With a: DSG box
- Location: Southampton, Hants
Re: How often do I use polish
You've said it now Adam so you have to explain?adamgt80 wrote:Ashley offers some great advice there, good products to use too (although I won't get into the chamois debate!
I have no chamois and only use microfibre clothes to dry or polish. Do I spray on some detail stuff after the polish part and wipe off?
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adamgt80
- Posts: 27
- Joined: Wed Mar 11, 2015 7:42 pm
- I drive a: GT 2.0 TSI
- In: Deep Black
- With a: Manual box
- Location: Staffordshire
Re: How often do I use polish
Lol, I was referring to using a leather chamois, MF cloths are the way to go
You shouldn't need to use detailing spray after you've polished, that should be enough. You can use it for keeping the bodywork clean if it's only lightly dusted, or if you are just doing a quick wash and dry, then going around with the spray to give it a good glossy look. It's quicker than waxing!
You shouldn't need to use detailing spray after you've polished, that should be enough. You can use it for keeping the bodywork clean if it's only lightly dusted, or if you are just doing a quick wash and dry, then going around with the spray to give it a good glossy look. It's quicker than waxing!
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Jojreynolds
- Posts: 205
- Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2013 9:22 pm
- I drive a: Scirocco R
- In: Rising Blue
- With a: DSG box
- Location: Dartford
Re: How often do I use polish
Hi
Just done a full detail on my car today with the help of another member on here as I'm a rookie to all this detailing stuff and all I can say is wow, the difference in using great products is amazing. First used snow foam and give it a good wash, then went around the whole car with clay and that alone made a huge difference. Then added a good coat of polish and finally dodo wax. The end result is amazing. Now this is done I'll 100% keep it up in future.
Just done a full detail on my car today with the help of another member on here as I'm a rookie to all this detailing stuff and all I can say is wow, the difference in using great products is amazing. First used snow foam and give it a good wash, then went around the whole car with clay and that alone made a huge difference. Then added a good coat of polish and finally dodo wax. The end result is amazing. Now this is done I'll 100% keep it up in future.
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Topcat1910
- Posts: 43
- Joined: Sun Dec 14, 2014 9:58 pm
- I drive a: Scirocco R
- In: Rising Blue
- With a: Manual box
- Location: Ormskirk
Re: How often do I use polish
Here is the order that I use for cleaning
Please feel free to use it or change it as you see fit
1. Hose the car off using a jet wash or hose. This is to remove any large bits of dirt before snow foaming. You can also use your wheel cleaner at first to begin the wheel cleaning process. ensure you jet under the wheel arches
2a. APC (all purpose cleaner) the bottom panels, leave for 5 mins before jet washing it off this should help remove and stubborn dirt. You want to remove as much dirt as possible before washing as reduces the risk of inflicting swirl marks.
2. snow foam. Try and allow to dwell as long as possible, however do not allow the snow foam to dry on to the paint as it will induce water marks. if its hot, only allow the foam to dwell for 5 mins. if its cool and overcast you can allow longer.
3. Wheels and door shuts. I do these while the snow foam is dwelling. starting with one of the front wheels and move around the car doing the backs of the alloys using a wheel brush and then moving onto the faces. also do the wheel arches. then move along to door shuts, rear wheel, rear boot doors, exhaust. repeat the process up to bonnet.
4. Bonnet and engine bay. Lightly spray the engine bay with a dedicated engine de-greaser or acid free wheel cleaner (its more or less the same stuff) and allow to dwell for a couple of mins. agitate any areas that need it. whilst this is dwelling, wash under the bonnet and around headlight rings. also a good time to do grills etc with a small detailing brush if you have one. Then rinse the engine using either a hose or jet wash. do not go too close to the fuse box or ecu with high pressure as this will damage them then you'll be up shit creak!! Once the engine is clean, spray with an engine dressing such as Autoglym Vinyl & Rubber care whilst the engine is still wet, and then allow to dry naturally.
5. Rinse off the snow foam.
6. Wash car using 2 bucket method. make sure you have your grit guards in your buckets. It may be best to check your wash mitt for any contaminants before washing. Only wash in straight lines. do not wash in circular motions. If anything is on your mitt it may induce swirls. circles in paint are much harder to remove that straight lines!!
7. now you have a couple of option to dry the car. You can use drying towels, Aqua wax or an air dryer.
with towels, place the towels on the paint and pat dry.
using aqua wax. spray a clean damp microfibre with aqua wax and remove any water. Again do not go in circles, just straight lines.
Air dryer. Basically this is a dog dryer. this is my preferred method as the least amount of time i touch the paint the better. plus it will remove water from light rings and trim which can cause issues when polishing
Make sure every part of the car is dry including door shuts and alloys
8. decontamination of paint
This stage only really needs doing every 6 months or so. usually in spring and autumn. claying the paint can be done either during or after the washing process. cut the clay bar into quarters and kneed into a patty about 1 inch x 1 inch. use the suds from your wash mitt as the lubricant and use straight line motions to remove contaminants in the paint. ensure that both the clay and paint are wet when doing this. no pressure is needed and you will be able to hear the contaminants being picked up. Inspect the clay after doing each panel. If brown, kneed the clay until it becomes white again. if you drop the clay you MUST throw it away. don't not re-use it. Thats why you must cut the big bar into quarters.
The other way is to wash and dry and then use your clay lube in your kit and repeat the above but this is wasting product as far as i'm concerned.
The use your Purple rain. Use this on every surface on the car. It is safe to do so but again don't allow to dry on the paint. You will notice that the product will change colour to purple. This is the chemicals drawing out any iron particles in the paint which can cause unsightly stains. leave on for about 10 mins and then hose off.
Dry again.
9. Polishing. Using whichever product you like to use, put a small amount on your applicator and use straight lines to apply to one panel at a time then buff off. you may get away with doing this by hand, but best results can be obtained using a machine polisher. If you need to use one, give me a shout and i'll come and show you.
10. sealant. Follow the directions on your preferred sealant. This will add longevity to protection of paint and also adds gloss
11. Wax. Wax adds depth to the paint and gives a wet look finish. Again apply as per instructions, but remember you don't need a lot, just enough so that the paint hazes. any more and youre wasting product. Remember the drag test. Once cured, buff off very lightly with a clean microfibre. If its too hot the wax will not cure so its best to apply when its cool and out of direct strong sunlight. repeat if necessary but usually allow 3 hours before doing so
Whilst the wax is curing, make a start polishing, sealing and waxing alloys as per paint. apply tyre dressing.
12. plastic trim. several products are good for this. 3 of my preferred ones are. G-Techniq C4, Autofinesse Revive or Chemical Guys trim Gel. the C4 is expensive but will give you about 2 years of not having to dress your plastics. Revive is excellent but you must use sparingly and allow to dry fully before getting wet. Trim Gell is very thick and sticky. apply as per instructions and remove any excess product.
13. Windows. You can buy G-Techniq Glass cleaning kit. This consists of a polymer based glass sealant with is claimed to last up to 20,000 miles. Ive got this on mine and it is superb. Not a bad price at about £25. The other option is to use G-Techniq G6 glass cleaner. This is probably one of the best none polymer based glass cleaners i've used. at £8 for 500 mls its not cheap but you only need a bit and does not smear.
Next, stand back and admire your hard work. Rub your aching back and have a brew and something to eat
Above process should take you about 7 hours
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Please feel free to use it or change it as you see fit
1. Hose the car off using a jet wash or hose. This is to remove any large bits of dirt before snow foaming. You can also use your wheel cleaner at first to begin the wheel cleaning process. ensure you jet under the wheel arches
2a. APC (all purpose cleaner) the bottom panels, leave for 5 mins before jet washing it off this should help remove and stubborn dirt. You want to remove as much dirt as possible before washing as reduces the risk of inflicting swirl marks.
2. snow foam. Try and allow to dwell as long as possible, however do not allow the snow foam to dry on to the paint as it will induce water marks. if its hot, only allow the foam to dwell for 5 mins. if its cool and overcast you can allow longer.
3. Wheels and door shuts. I do these while the snow foam is dwelling. starting with one of the front wheels and move around the car doing the backs of the alloys using a wheel brush and then moving onto the faces. also do the wheel arches. then move along to door shuts, rear wheel, rear boot doors, exhaust. repeat the process up to bonnet.
4. Bonnet and engine bay. Lightly spray the engine bay with a dedicated engine de-greaser or acid free wheel cleaner (its more or less the same stuff) and allow to dwell for a couple of mins. agitate any areas that need it. whilst this is dwelling, wash under the bonnet and around headlight rings. also a good time to do grills etc with a small detailing brush if you have one. Then rinse the engine using either a hose or jet wash. do not go too close to the fuse box or ecu with high pressure as this will damage them then you'll be up shit creak!! Once the engine is clean, spray with an engine dressing such as Autoglym Vinyl & Rubber care whilst the engine is still wet, and then allow to dry naturally.
5. Rinse off the snow foam.
6. Wash car using 2 bucket method. make sure you have your grit guards in your buckets. It may be best to check your wash mitt for any contaminants before washing. Only wash in straight lines. do not wash in circular motions. If anything is on your mitt it may induce swirls. circles in paint are much harder to remove that straight lines!!
7. now you have a couple of option to dry the car. You can use drying towels, Aqua wax or an air dryer.
with towels, place the towels on the paint and pat dry.
using aqua wax. spray a clean damp microfibre with aqua wax and remove any water. Again do not go in circles, just straight lines.
Air dryer. Basically this is a dog dryer. this is my preferred method as the least amount of time i touch the paint the better. plus it will remove water from light rings and trim which can cause issues when polishing
Make sure every part of the car is dry including door shuts and alloys
8. decontamination of paint
This stage only really needs doing every 6 months or so. usually in spring and autumn. claying the paint can be done either during or after the washing process. cut the clay bar into quarters and kneed into a patty about 1 inch x 1 inch. use the suds from your wash mitt as the lubricant and use straight line motions to remove contaminants in the paint. ensure that both the clay and paint are wet when doing this. no pressure is needed and you will be able to hear the contaminants being picked up. Inspect the clay after doing each panel. If brown, kneed the clay until it becomes white again. if you drop the clay you MUST throw it away. don't not re-use it. Thats why you must cut the big bar into quarters.
The other way is to wash and dry and then use your clay lube in your kit and repeat the above but this is wasting product as far as i'm concerned.
The use your Purple rain. Use this on every surface on the car. It is safe to do so but again don't allow to dry on the paint. You will notice that the product will change colour to purple. This is the chemicals drawing out any iron particles in the paint which can cause unsightly stains. leave on for about 10 mins and then hose off.
Dry again.
9. Polishing. Using whichever product you like to use, put a small amount on your applicator and use straight lines to apply to one panel at a time then buff off. you may get away with doing this by hand, but best results can be obtained using a machine polisher. If you need to use one, give me a shout and i'll come and show you.
10. sealant. Follow the directions on your preferred sealant. This will add longevity to protection of paint and also adds gloss
11. Wax. Wax adds depth to the paint and gives a wet look finish. Again apply as per instructions, but remember you don't need a lot, just enough so that the paint hazes. any more and youre wasting product. Remember the drag test. Once cured, buff off very lightly with a clean microfibre. If its too hot the wax will not cure so its best to apply when its cool and out of direct strong sunlight. repeat if necessary but usually allow 3 hours before doing so
Whilst the wax is curing, make a start polishing, sealing and waxing alloys as per paint. apply tyre dressing.
12. plastic trim. several products are good for this. 3 of my preferred ones are. G-Techniq C4, Autofinesse Revive or Chemical Guys trim Gel. the C4 is expensive but will give you about 2 years of not having to dress your plastics. Revive is excellent but you must use sparingly and allow to dry fully before getting wet. Trim Gell is very thick and sticky. apply as per instructions and remove any excess product.
13. Windows. You can buy G-Techniq Glass cleaning kit. This consists of a polymer based glass sealant with is claimed to last up to 20,000 miles. Ive got this on mine and it is superb. Not a bad price at about £25. The other option is to use G-Techniq G6 glass cleaner. This is probably one of the best none polymer based glass cleaners i've used. at £8 for 500 mls its not cheap but you only need a bit and does not smear.
Next, stand back and admire your hard work. Rub your aching back and have a brew and something to eat
Above process should take you about 7 hours
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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Stejay21
- Posts: 29
- Joined: Wed Feb 25, 2015 10:55 pm
- I drive a: Scirocco R
- In: Rising Blue
- With a: Manual box
- Location: Manchester
Re: How often do I use polish
Some great info here guys which I found through searching the site, deserves a bump
Re: How often do I use polish
The above is more or less the order and method in which I'd do a detail, though I'd prefer to apply and rinse off the iron de-contaminator prior to the 2 bucket stage, so that I can be sure that I'm not leaving any de-contaminator product on the paint. In addition, if you want to make sure that the sealant bonds, you can apply heavily diluted IPA or, perhaps safer still, something like gyeon-prep, after the APA stage.Stejay21 wrote:Some great info here guys which I found through searching the site, deserves a bump
Similarly, the aim of polishing before applying sealant should be with the aim of permanently removing/reducing swirls, not filling in swirls with resin / product - otherwise the sealant won't adhere.
When it come to the weekly wash thereafter, instead of patting down with towels, I hook up a di vessel as the method to avoid water spots - quicker and with zero chance of adding swirls (though careful towelling should never be an issue): http://www.daqua.co.uk/divessels.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The di vessel has been the best addition to my detailing/car cleaning regime.