Detailing On A Budget

randy hickey

I thought it might be an idea to create a thread where we can collate and share information on various detailing-related products where we have come across a bargain.A sort of Bargain Alerts for the Car Detailing forum, if you will!
I would like it to also include good bargains that you spot with the online retailers also, e.g. Detailing Shed,Cleancar.ie, Serious Performance etc. etc.

The point of this would be twofold; apart from the obvious benefit of saving us all a few bob, it may also encourage others to get involved in some detailing who previously were reluctant due to the misconception that it's all about €300 pots of wax!

randy hickey

So, here we go.

12 Microfibre cloths for €4.99 in Homestore and More (or as I call it, B&Q for women!)

[IMG][/img]

These are a good size and actually work out a good bit cheaper than the Kent ones I was getting wholesale.

[IMG][/img]

randy hickey

Long Reach Windshield Cleaning Tool.

For any of you who are not a Russian gymnast, you will know just how awkward it can be to get down to the bottom of the rear windscreen on your average saloon car - well, contort yourself no more:

[IMG][/img]


The one on the right is €1.49 from Dealz currently, while the one on the left was sourced from Breathnach's in St Dominick's Shopping Centre in Tallaght, but at €2.
FWIW, they seem pretty similar to me.

myshirt

Can we get a price on the Russian gymnast?

randy hickey

I dunno what the current going rate is, but I was doing a good impression of one a few weeks ago trying to polish the inside rear windshield of a B5 Passat.
I wouldn't mind, but at six foot my arms aren't exactly short!
Was considering having some ribs removed when I discovered these gizmos.

randy hickey

Spray Bottles.

A pair of spray bottles for just €1.49 in Dealz currently.
Whilst these are not solvent resistant spray heads, ( and a lot of the ones that you'll pay €3 each are not solvent resistant either!), they are more than adequate for everything else.

[IMG][/img]

MetzgerMeister

I suppose I can't post any Gtechniq products here???

massy086

any chaep local clay bars????

166man

My Top Tip for those that want a cleaned polished and generally very well kept car but dont wish to fork out hundreds for Gtechniq and Dual Action polishers is, instead of buying the usual Tar Cleanse or Holts Tar Remover, honestly get a Jerry can and put two litres of petrol into it. Costs about €1.60 a litre and then just use an old spray bottle you have lying around.

Fill it up and use the petrol as the tar remover, spray on, leave for a few seconds and then power wash off. I would advise to wash the car thoroughly again after using it though - for obvious reasons!

Seriously though, detarring is such an important stage in really getting that glass like finish, spend €3 on detarring it and another €12 on a clay block. It's te best €15 you'll ever spend on a car.

I wouldn't advise buying cheap clay also, save the money on the detarring stage and fork out the rest for good quality clay, you won't regret it.

Long post I know, sorry folks!

randy hickey

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

I suppose I can't post any Gtechniq products here???

Eh, at €28.95 for 15ml of C4 (that's €1930/L :eek:) I don't think so!!

Then again, if Curran or Larry decided to do a special offer at say €15, then that could go in here!:D

MetzgerMeister

randy hickey wrote: »

if Curran or Larry decided to do a special offer at say €15, then that could go in here!:D

Are you mad?? you'd sooner get black-market condoms from the pope!! :pac:

randy hickey

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

Are you mad?? you'd sooner get black-market condoms from the pope!! :pac:

We live in hope!:D:D

randy hickey

Another long reach windscreen cleaning tool!

[IMG][/img]

[IMG][/img]

€4.99 in Mr Price in Bluebell today - beside Southside Motor Factors.

Here's the same sort of thing from Motorgeek for Stg£16.95!:
http://www.motorgeek.co.uk/cgi-bin/ecom.cgi?Command=ShowProduct&db_pid=585

BTW when I was in there I spotted they have the small tins of Hammerite for painting your brake calipers for €3.99 - the same size is €11.99 in Halfords!
Unfortunately the only colour they had in that particular branch was copper or bronze, but I'll be keeping an eye out for silver.

HJL

I got a 5 litre bottle of Turtle Wax Extreme Nano Tech Wash and Wax for €3.00 in Halfords in Letterkenny during the week. They had the 500ml bottle for €1.00 too. Not sure if it available in all stores though.

Don't really like wash n wax products, but at that price I reckon it is worth a shot.

Also Simionz Bug Shifter is €1.50 in Tesco in Letterkenny, I got one a couple of weeks ago and there was still one or two left i think. Again I don't know if it is a nationwide offer or just a clearance type offer for the specific store.

MetzgerMeister

Detailing Shed have come up with this lovely little package to get you off to a great start when you do your car next...

Wheel Cleanse + Iron Cleanse + Tar Cleanse

Nice 25% saving when you buy this package compared to buying them separately!

Curran

Nicely spotted Metz

Not exactly as "budget" as some products in the thread, but its a nice wee saving!

randy hickey

There ya go - cheaper products does not equate to inferior products.

Now yisser gettin the hang of this!:D

MetzgerMeister

randy hickey wrote: »

There ya go - cheaper products does not equate to inferior products.

Now yisser gettin the hang of this!:D

Gtec................sorry

Curran

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

Gtec................sorry

I believe there is a ban from the Detailing forum for a week, for mentioning the "g" products in this thread!

fanadman1

3 for 2 on all t cut car plan and wonder wheels products in halfords this week could be some good deals got in it for once

NickDunne

Probably the best CHEAP detailing product you'll use:



99c each, buy 2 bottles, one for a 4:1 mix for heavy dirt e.g. engine bay and the other for a 10:1 mix for general apc duties.

Also groundnut oil as a back to black for trim and plastic, or even burnt engine oil. Just make sure its well wiped after application.

Mc Love

randy hickey wrote: »

So, here we go.

12 Microfibre cloths for €4.99 in Homestore and More (or as I call it, B&Q for women!)

Picked up two packs myself - on a separate note, should cloths for waxing/cleaning/polishing be washed separately from each other (same goes for wash mitts etc)?

Curran

Mc Love wrote: »

should cloths for waxing/cleaning/polishing be washed separately from each other (same goes for wash mitts etc)?

Nope, just givem them all a good rinse out in the sink first before throwing them in

Wash separately from the regular washing though! :pac:

randy hickey

Kent Microfibre Drying Towels.

Picked up six of these in B&Q Tallaght earlier @ €2 each.
[IMG][/img]

They are marked at €5.30 each, but when you scan them at the checkout they come up as €3 each, but they are on a 3 for 2 offer at the moment, so if you buy three they work out as just €2 each!!
Just to give you an idea of what a bargain this is, these drying towels come up fairly regularly over on DW, and in a thread in June, they were seen to be a bargain at Stg£8 for 3!!

Think I'll go back for more tomorrow.:D

randy hickey

Tyre Dressing Applicator Sponge.

[IMG][/img]

The one on the right is a "proper" tyre dressing applicator, costs around €2.50 and lasts about three uses ime.

The one on the left does the same job, costs around €0.49 and has lasted over a year - dozens of uses and still going strong!

Mc Love

randy hickey wrote: »

Tyre Dressing Applicator Sponge.

[IMG][/img]

The one on the right is a "proper" tyre dressing applicator, costs around €2.50 and lasts about three uses ime.

The one on the left does the same job, costs around €0.49 and has lasted over a year - dozens of uses and still going strong!

And you can get them where?

cena

Mc Love wrote: »

And you can get them where?

Any shop should have them. They are mainly used cleaning pots and pans

MetzgerMeister

Mc Love wrote: »

And you can get them where?

Dunnes, tesco, centra etc

randy hickey

Mc Love wrote: »

And you can get them where?

Available in Lidl/Aldi also.
Come to think of it, I saw a ten pack of them in Homestore And More for €1.99 last week - so they're actually only 19c each.

NobodyImportant

This saved me a good few bob over "back to black" and so forth over the life of the car:

http://www.205gtidrivers.com/orders/orders-plasticare.html

Its a dye, so the trim goes black permanently. Apply with a sponge. Will need 2 coats. Looks great when its done and no more having to use chemicals to darken it.

One bottle was enough with plenty left over for a 2007 Civic.

166man

NobodyImportant wrote: »

This saved me a good few bob over "back to black" and so forth over the life of the car:

http://www.205gtidrivers.com/orders/orders-plasticare.html

Its a dye, so the trim goes black permanently. Apply with a sponge. Will need 2 coats. Looks great when its done and no more having to use chemicals to darken it.

One bottle was enough with plenty left over for a 2007 Civic.

*awaits MM's recommendation....


So yah just loike buy the Gtechniq C4.....:pac:

randy hickey

NobodyImportant wrote: »

This saved me a good few bob over "back to black" and so forth over the life of the car:

http://www.205gtidrivers.com/orders/orders-plasticare.html

Its a dye, so the trim goes black permanently. Apply with a sponge. Will need 2 coats. Looks great when its done and no more having to use chemicals to darken it.

One bottle was enough with plenty left over for a 2007 Civic.

I can't see any mention of price on that link.Cé mhéad sin?

NobodyImportant

Tis about €18 shipped.

randy hickey

Detailing Brushes.

[IMG][/img]

Swissvax style 5 brush set £4.49 (€5.26) plus postage of £2.50 (€2.93) to Parcel Motel plus €3.50 from Parcel Motel to me.
That's €11.69 for a set of Envy detailing brushes delivered - there was a £2.50 discount at the time, so they'd be €14.62ish now, which still ain't bad.

http://www.envyvaleting.co.uk/products_info.asp?id=151

randy hickey

IPA Isopropyl Alcohol

Also known as Isopropanol.

This is the best value IPA I could find anywhere.
I've just had 2.5L couriered to my door for €18.98 from a company in Sligo called AS-Composites Ireland.
They do 1L up to 25L.

http://www.as-ireland.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=90_97

[IMG][/img]

fanadman1

randy hickey wrote: »

Detailing Brushes.

[IMG][/img]

Swissvax style 5 brush set £4.49 (€5.26) plus postage of £2.50 (€2.93) to Parcel Motel plus €3.50 from Parcel Motel to me.
That's €11.69 for a set of Envy detailing brushes delivered - there was a £2.50 discount at the time, so they'd be €14.62ish now, which still ain't bad.

http://www.envyvaleting.co.uk/products_info.asp?id=151

gf bought me a set of these for my bday fantastic brushes comebinded with the chemical guys wheel wollies ( not a cheap product) the large one left my wheels shineing time and time again even useing agressive wheel cleaners and dtarers the brush has not even shead as much as 1 hair

Mc Love

randy hickey wrote: »

IPA Isopropyl Alcohol

Also known as Isopropanol.

This is the best value IPA I could find anywhere.
I've just had 2.5L couriered to my door for €18.98 from a company in Sligo called AS-Composites Ireland.
They do 1L up to 25L.

http://www.as-ireland.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=90_97

[IMG][/img]

What do you use this for and how would you use it?

MetzgerMeister

Mc Love wrote: »

What do you use this for and how would you use it?

It's used to prep surfaces and remove any trace of wax/polish or silicon-based products etc. if you're going to be putting down the likes of G******* products or even to provide a fully-stripped surface for an application of sealant or wax.

It's also good diluted to semi-clean a panel after D/Aing it.

randy hickey

Mc Love wrote: »

What do you use this for and how would you use it?

Mostly I'd use it to remove any oily residue from the paintwork after machine polishing because sealants in particular need clean paintwork to bond to.
Not all machine polishes are oil based, but the Menzerna range I use is.
For this I use a 25% IPA solution.

It's also handy for cleaning glass,lcd monitors etc.

IPA can be used to strip some ordinary waxes, but will have no effect on nano sealants.

randy hickey

Hand Pump Pressure Sprayers.

[IMG][/img]

The one on the left is a 1.5L heavy duty solvent-resistant Autosmart pump sprayer that costs €25 (ironically a good price for this type of sprayer in itself!).

The one on the right is a 2L standard pump sprayer that costs €3.99 in Aldi at the moment, and while I haven't tested it to see if it's solvent resistant, even if it isn't, it'll still come in handy for things like getting APR up around wheel arches etc.

Mc Love

randy hickey wrote: »

Kent Microfibre Drying Towels.

Picked up six of these in B&Q Tallaght earlier @ €2 each.
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/819/xgqh.jpg http://imageshack.us/scaled/large/819/xgqh.jpg

They are marked at €5.30 each, but when you scan them at the checkout they come up as €3 each, but they are on a 3 for 2 offer at the moment, so if you buy three they work out as just €2 each!!
Just to give you an idea of what a bargain this is, these drying towels come up fairly regularly over on DW, and in a thread in June, they were seen to be a bargain at Stg£8 for 3!!

Think I'll go back for more tomorrow.:D

Picked up 3 of these myself - great deal!

BrandNewMedium

Pretty much just about to kick off my detailing career having neglected the car for a long time, I have been scouting around for good deals and came upon this APC:

http://www.vikingdirect.ie/a/pb/Swarfega-5-litre-vehicle-cleaner/pr=QD8&id=6289677/

Grabbed 10 litres at that price, so should have me well covered. Now to work out what else I need!

Has anyone used the Swarfega before?

randy hickey

Haven't used their APC, but have used their hand cleaner which is good stuff!

I've shopped around for good value APC also, and the best deal I can find anywhere is the Autosmart G101.

I get 20L for €55, and the general purpose dilution ratio of 1:30 gives me a cost of €0.09 per litre!:eek:

Tis good shtuff too!:D

randy hickey

Just thought I'd share this:

Mistral Cleaning Products up in Antrim are currently doing a 10% OFF sale that ends on Jan 2nd.

(This is the company that I get my snowfoam from)

stimpson

I want looking for an air conditioning bomb to sort out the funky smell in the Volvo. Halfords were looking for €20, but I found this guy on adverts.ie selling it for €5.49. Met him this afternoon and he gave me freebie glass cleaner and dashboard cleaner and only took a fiver off me because he has a 10% off sale at the moment. Free deliveries on orders over €20 too.



He has lots more up there, all Polish stuff and dirt cheap. Polish shampoo, polish wheel cleaner, eh...Polish polish

The air con bomb is a bit intense, but I reckon they're all like that. Certainly smells better than it was.

http://touch.adverts.ie/member/957346

dev1lo

stimpson wrote: »

I want looking for an air conditioning bomb to sort out the funky smell in the Volvo. Halfords were looking for €20, but I found this guy on adverts.ie selling it for €5.49. Met him this afternoon and he gave me freebie glass cleaner and dashboard cleaner and only took a fiver off me because he has a 10% off sale at the moment. Free deliveries on orders over €20 too.

He has lots more up there, all Polish stuff and dirt cheap. Polish shampoo, polish wheel cleaner, eh...Polish polish

The air on bomb is a bit intense, but I reckon they're all like that. Certainly smells better than it was.

http://touch.adverts.ie/member/957346

a friend of mine is the owner of www.carcarezone.ie and all Atas products are Made in Italy :P

stimpson

dev1lo wrote: »

a friend of mine is the owner of www.carcarezone.ie and all Atas products are Made in Italy :P

So they are. They all have Polish writing though. Aircon bomb was good. I left a window open for a couple of hours and the edge has gone off the smell. Very happy with it. I gave the glass cleaner to my father in law and I'll try the dash spray myself and report back.

carcarezone

stimpson wrote: »

So they are. They all have Polish writing though. Aircon bomb was good. I left a window open for a couple of hours and the edge has gone off the smell. Very happy with it. I gave the glass cleaner to my father in law and I'll try the dash spray myself and report back.

it was a pleasure to meet you today and your feedback is greatly appreciated. Indeed majority of products contains Polish description, which may be misleading

Zaph

carcarezone, as you are posting on behalf of a company I have to ask you to refrain from posting any further until you have obtained a verified rep account from the guys in the office. They can be contacted at reps@boards.ie

Please note that further posts without having first obtained a verified rep account will result in a siteban.

carcarezone

apologies, email sent

Mc Love

Zaph wrote: »

carcarezone, as you are posting on behalf of a company I have to ask you to refrain from posting any further until you have obtained a verified rep account from the guys in the office. They can be contacted at reps@boards.ie

Please note that further posts without having first obtained a verified rep account will result in a siteban.

You really are commander of the internet unless someone reported his post!