[AlanHo]

I am a long time user and fan of Meguiars car cleaning and polishing products. I don't wax the car very often - but when I do it is a job that takes several hours.

With a new sleek silver 2012 i30 on the horizon, I wondered what your thoughts are on when and how a new car should be given its first thorough clean and wax polish.

I waited about 4 months before polishing my present car - I just wondered whether I needed to have waited so long.

[marti30]

For many years I've used nothing more than a sponge and buckets of cold tap water on the exterior of my cars.

[eye30]

What is the finish on the car?

I just use warm water with a squirt of shampoo/wax.

Hose off the suds and dry off.

[Lorian]

For many years I've used nothing more than a sponge and buckets of cold tap water on the exterior of my cars.

Sponges tend to hold in the dirt, I have a meguiars "lambswool" (not sure what its actually made of) and that works really well, i30 is now over 2 and very few swirls in the paint work.

I have always used the Autoglym range of products (available from Autobarn).  I own two i30's and the first week I got them I washed them then applied the Autoglym Super Resin Polish followed by the Extra Gloss Protection.  I repeat this process every year at a minimum.  I live in Cairns where the sun can destroy a cars finish almost overnight. My cars are three years old this month and both look brand new.

[bumpkin]

I also use Meguiars or Autoglym, depends on what I am doing.  I waxed the i30 soon after purchase, but bear in mind she was almost 6 months old when I bought her, she had never been out of the showroom, but the paint had more curing time.

The ix20 didn't get her first wax until about 4 months old, but I did give her a buff with Autoglym High Gloss Protection within the first week.

I would never use a sponge on the car, one piece of stuck grit is all it takes for the swirls to appear, I have a Meguiars mitt also and a microfibre finger sponge gets into the grille nicely

[asathorny]

I also use Meguiars and I did wax my baby pretty soon after I  got her.....   I am debating another good waxing this spring...    This was initiated after I spoke to my cousin about the rip of paint protection thing (another thread) and he said 'Nah get it home and wax it yourself'.  He's been in the motor trade painting cars most of his working life ending up as a body shop manager, so I listened to him.

[marti30]

My 27 month old 74,0000 mile shine red i30 recently had its first wash in about five months. As usual all I used was a sponge and buckets of cold tap water. It came up fine. By the way, its average fuel consumption has edged up to 62.5mpg.

[Doggie 1]

I use Meguiars on mine but as for how long to wait for a new car, I'm not sure these days.
It used to be that you had to wait three or four months but I don't know if that is still the case with the latest paint technology.
Maybe a car painter would know?
Or even Meguiars themselves - they should know.

[Ralph1]

In most cases it is fine to use a light polish as soon as you get it home, the car has been out of production for a while, on the boat over here, in the showroom etc, so the paint has had time to "cure". The light polish is only to remove paint contamination, then hit it with a wax over the top to protect the polish.

Another member mentiond it takes him "hours" to wax a car, waxing taxes next to no time as it is done after the hard work of polishing.

The other option is a good sealant after you polish, these also vary depending on type with some you can leave on the car for up to 15-16 hours before buffing it off.

I would also reccomend a microfibre wash mitt or the lambswool one to wash with, better results with less swirling. Also think about the two bucket method of washing if you are really anal like me, again better results.

Then you could clay bar it, pre wash foam bath it, use a microfibre drying towel instead of a chamios, or just use a mini blower to dry it so you don't hurt the finish.......depends on how far you want to go. Not in this order...

Watch this vid, truly inspiring for a hack detailer like me.



Or you could just do this...



cheers

Ralph

[Doggie 1]

It would be nice to be in a position to be able to pay someone to do that periodically.
Would save the knees 

[Ralph1]

You could pay me, can't promise your i30 will look like an AMG63 after but!!!

The first vid I'm thinking probaly hitting $1000 for that type of detail, the 2nd one $4.99, but you get what you pay for.

cheers

[Dazzler]

Thanks Ralph.. I feel really guilty now 

A week or two ago I gave the Hybrid a really thorough clean and due to heaps of road works it is now worse than before I washed it. 

 I want to wash both cars again this weekend and take some photos of Trish's CW with her new Wheels 

[Doggie 1]

I want to wash both cars again this weekend and take some photos of Trish's CW with her new Wheels 

Looking forward to seeing those Dazz 

[Ralph1]

If you need any tips, ask away.

[Dazzler]

If you need any tips, ask away.

From what we have seen I believe you have earned the right to change your Personal Text to "Detailing Guru" 

[Doggie 1]

If you need any tips, ask away.

Go on, show us your tips 

[Ralph1]

I am a bit "toey" at the moment, I must confess it has been 3.5 months since I have detailed a car.

But my excuse is I am half way through my deployment to the Middle East, another 3 months and I can get my detailing on!!!

I can only imagine what the kids have done to the cars.....
 
cheers

Ralph

[Dazzler]

I am a bit "toey" at the moment, I must confess it has been 3.5 months since I have detailed a car.

But my excuse is I am half way through my deployment to the Middle East, another 3 months and I can get my detailing on!!!

I can only imagine what the kids have done to the cars.....
 
cheers

Ralph

Hopefully the site has been a bit of a diversion... You might be surprised about the kids (You have certainly set a good example)

Surely they would be more "aware" than a lot of young ones...

[Ralph1]

Yes it has been a good diversion when I can get on here, but it is heating up over here, 50.7 deg the other day, another warm one today....bout 48.4.

cheers

Ralph

[Dazzler]

Rather you than me. Taswegians complain when it gets to high 20's