Detailing chat

myshirt

I disagree. I think just go with a incredimitt. €20 or so, and you'll get more washes from it, and with little servicing compared to a 70's bush lambswool.

Those mitts in aldi are not great. I got them last summer as sher you can't go wrong, and they stiffened up quick.

If you like though, roll with them; one for upper half of car, one for lower. But all you are gonna get is the 6 or 7 washes. Aldi did have a soft synthetic fiber brush going there a few weeks ago, would be good cheap alternative for cleaning lug nuts and engine bays.

Can't find picture online... balls

bbari

For those who would like to get it, these will be available in Aldi on Thu the 5th Feb.

*Kol*

bbari wrote: »

For those who would like to get it, these will be available in Aldi on Thu the 5th Feb.

Just when I paid a fiver for one today!! You can never have too many noodle mitts. One for everybody in the audience!!

*Kol*

Is it okay to use water with some detergent in it instead of clay lube when claying a car? I am sure I saw a guy doing this on a car on YouTube before.

Curran

Sometimes its OK...depends on the detergent and clay. Certain ones wont work together...the detergent can make the clay to degrade and become slightly mushy or soft. Test on a small piece first. If you leave the clat sitting in the mix for a few minutes and then test on then test on the paintwork. If you've clayed before you'll notice if it has degraded or not; if you've not clayed before you may not notice. It will continue to work as normal, but may marr the paintwork more easily.

myshirt

On clay.... isn't clay, just clay.

Why are there such expensive versions? Like 3m!
I mean, is Bilt Hamber as good as these?

I prefer the approach of more passes, than trying to rush claying. Is that basically the advantage of these aggressive clays, that you get the job done quicker, and that you don't really worry about marring, as you'll be polishing anyway.

What about the guy who isn't machine polishing? Where is the clay and technique for this guy? That is principally the fear with claying, inflicting surface marring.

MetzgerMeister

I know of someone selling his D/A and a good bit of gear if anyone here is interested.

MyStubbleItches

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

I know of someone selling his D/A and a good bit of gear if anyone here is interested.

Pm sent

MetzgerMeister

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

I know of someone selling his D/A and a good bit of gear if anyone here is interested.

MyStubbleItches wrote: »

Pm sent

FYI, this has been sold.

What is the general consensus on CarPlan? I think one of their waxes was my first wax (it was a liquid one). I thought it was great, but that was over a year ago and before I had used any other waxes or learned to use a DA and such, so not sure if my opinion would be the same these days.


That said, this stuff - especially with 3 for 2, if it's of any kind of half decent quality at all - seems great value!?


http://www.halfords.ie/motoring?partnumber=114730%2C703617%2C114755%2C114722%2C114714%2C114706%2C703690%2C703674%2C703641%2C703666%2C703633%2C114771%2C703658%2C703625&sort=price-low-to-high

Curran

Will seem like good value, but in the long term it will be a bit of a false economy.

Waxes, trim dressings and that sort, wont be as durable, so you'll have to use regularly meaning you'll use lots and waste your time doing it.

Cleaners and that sort will require 2 or 3 applications versus a high quality product; false economy.

But getting that much, at that price, ye cant really lose out. I just prefer doing things right the first time and have it last a long time. Nothing worse that having to re-apply things like trim dressings after after wash.

MetzgerMeister

What's the best wax you have Curran that would suit KKV's silver Focus?

Curran

The Wolf's range of waxes are very durable! Bilt Hamber Finis Wax looks good on greys, not sure on Silver.
But as ever, prep is key!!

myshirt

I think the old adage of 'buy cheap, buy twice' applies very well in a few scenarios, and car care is one of those.

I'd lean strongly towards what Curran is saying, but then with such things out there as dedicated clay lubes, and microfiber wash solutions... and Gtechniq C5*.... it just leaves a bad taste in the mouth that you are being taken for a pony ride. Scandalous margins on those products, it's just not on.

I don't believe you can have a sustainable business by trying to treat people like idiots.

But the principle is right, so I agree. Time is money and all that also :pac:

Just FYI, if you want Carplan type quality stuff, it's out there for cheaper, even with 3 for 2 offers taken into account.

*I'm joking about the C5 :pac: but I do wish it was cheaper!

Curran

Selling any kind of products, every range has their fair share of items that make large margins. Homewares shops make huge money on candles for example.
Often there are products that are sold at a loss but that bring in follow up sales....take a coffee machine for example (not saying their sold at a loss) but revenue generated off the back of the sales of the capsules.

There are plenty of opportunities to make savings on detailing products. APC for example...any APC will be ideal for 80% of jobs, but for the other 20% having a specific detailing APC will be helpful. But its knowning when to use the run of the mill stuff and save your good stuff.

Unfortunately the resellers dont get any extra discount on the products that manufacturers are making tasty margins on!

myshirt

What the hell is this for 60 sterling?

http://www.i4detailing.co.uk/shop/festool-hi-tech-carbide-de-nibber.html

vectra

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

What's the best wax you have Curran that would suit KKV's silver Focus?

A good prep
and slap a few coats of 845 on it.

Curran

Like a razor blade for paintwork. Anything that is proud of the paintwork can be levelled using it!

myshirt

Why not wetsand?

Curran

Wet sanding affects a much larger area. That tool would remove defects the size of a pinhole, or not much bigger. Grains for dirt in a fresh paint job for example.

myshirt

Hole punch a bit of 3,000grit and glue to the rubber end of a pencil...

I hear you though, cool. Probably for the professional. Can't see myself making use of one at 60 sterling. Then again, no garage, and still have a DA rather than borrowed one :pac:

Any other non mainstream detailing tools? Just never seen that nibber before. Must read up on it!

quadrifoglio verde

vectra wrote: »

A good prep
and slap a few coats of 845 on it.

This, I'm still getting beading from the collinite back in September. Unreal stuff

Heathen

Yea, so the missus picked me up two decent heavy duty buckets today cos I was banging on about wanting to use the two bucket method

I'll keep her!!

H

166man

quadrifoglio verde wrote: »

This, I'm still getting beading from the collinite back in September. Unreal stuff

Me and Collinite 845 never got on well.

Going to try something different next time...

vectra

166man wrote: »

Me and Collinite 845 never got on well.

Going to try something different next time...

what could possibly go wrong with something so simple to use?

166man

vectra wrote: »

what could possibly go wrong with something so simple to use?

Probably me being an ape...!

nd

Just wondering do people think a hot power wash, using just the plain water setting(at a petrol station) is likely to remove wax?

Curran

On a carnauba wax it is possible if temps were higher than 50-60°C

ShaunieVW

Looking for a bit of advice. The brother is picking up an Inca van tomorrow. It has being sitting for 2 years and is covered in green crap in the outside and mould on the inside. I think I'll be ok with the interior but wondering what to tackle the paint with? I'll need something fairly heavily to get through it so was thinking good power hose down. APC and hose again followed by a wash then see where I stand?

Anyone else have similar experience? It's tornado red and looks pretty decent underneath all that so don't want to damage it.

Curran

Yeah, you are spot on!
Give it a gentle hose down, to get rid of any heavy dirt, leaves etc
APC through a pump sprayer if you havent a snowfoam lance, let it dwell, rinse off
Apply again, give it a good hose down to lift the dirt
Wash with regular shampoo

See where you stand then - it will be vastly improved, and probably a light polish will do wonders for it!