Starting off

irelandspurs

We bought a 2010 Qashqai in August in black and I'd like to start cleaning it myself at home and adding a bit of protection to it. I already have a nilfisk c120 pressure washer, what other basics do I need to get me started.

edburg

Basics

2 buckets for 2 bucket method
Good lambs wool/microfiber wash mitt
Decent shampoo pH neutral, perhaps avoid wash n wax types if your looking to add your own protection.

Intermediate bits

Snow foam lance with nilfisk attachment
Snow foam
3rd bucket for wheel washing
Wheel woolies/ezee brush
Drying towel
Wax
Wax applicator
Microfiber towels at least a dozen


I'd recommend products from Bilthamber as great bang for buck and decent easy to use.

But there is bucket loads of other products out there.

Have a butchers at detailshed website, main Irish based shop and dandddetailing in cork but I don't know there product lines.

irelandspurs

Thanks for reply. I got some lad to tidy it up when we first got it, he said he was going to do paint correction on it but didn't look any different than when it went in bar loads of wax on it that wasn't buffed off in places.
I've been looking through youtube and like the look of the bilt hamber products.

edburg

I should add iron/fall out remover and tar remover to the intermediate bit to.

Spend some time watching ammonyc YouTube videos, he is very good for short informative videos.

Good products to only handy if your in USA on holiday to collect them, gets expensive once you start shopping lol

demanufactured

as well as snowfoam , a 5ltr sprayer like they use for weedkillers etc is handy- and get some TFR to put into it diluted , helps with wheel cleaning and for getting heavy dirt off for a pre-wash - I use it on the lower half of the vehicle onlyalong with foaming all over.

Curran

edburg has it spot on!

The very basics are washing with the two bucket method with a good shampoo, wash mitt and drying with a good drying towel, and along with a good wheel cleaner, you have what you need to wash the car and limit any further wash damage.

After that, you can look into decontaminating the paintwork to help enhance the appearance - de-tar and de-iron...both removing bonded comtamination that regular washing wont.

Another option is to go a hand polish or glaze to help fill any defects, and protect that with a wax or sealant - this is a temporary step and will need to be repeated every 3 months or so.
The other option to get the paintwork back to factory is to have a paint correction done, and maintain the finish afterwards.....but once you have the very basics, you'll be able to keep it looking well from there out.

irelandspurs

Yeah I'm spending between €7-€10 every week jet washing it down the garage so will get a few bits and start doing it at home.