help me with cleaning etc

[grahamthegasman]

Hi there is many cleaners polishes sealers out there not sure what to use,been told not to bother getting juwelbrite done at dealers,can someone advise me what products to get for washing,cleaning,polishing sealing waxing etc,i want to look after my pride and joy so any help much appreciated ps bet you can tell never cleaned a car before

[Type S Bournemouth]

if you do a search you will find tons of posts on this topic

[richardc]

For general off the shelf products from Halfords etc, then Meguiars or Autoglym are the best IMHO.

There are other more expensive and arguably better products (again IMHO) available on the net from stores such as http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk.

Hope this helps

[Pottsy]

Graham,

To get started a trip to Halfords to buy...

A sponge thing (I use a Halfords own brand thing with a black material on one side for stubborn stuff).
A bucket.
Shampoo (detergent). A big bottle of Meguires Gold would be good.
A nice quality large real leather.

Wet, wash, rinse, leather, done.

Wheels are best done often, with your soapy water and an old sponge.

[grahamthegasman]

thanks guys

[Dawson]

Don't use a sponge or a chamois on a Honda, you'll add lots of swirl marks.

To start off with, buy:

2 x buckets (one for soapy water, one with clean water)
1 x wool washmitt (for car)
1 x sponge or microfibre wash mitt (for wheels)
1 x bottle of decent shampoo
1 x waffle weave towel (for drying)

My uber quick quide for washing car:

1. fill up a bucket of soapy warm water. rinse wheels + wheel arches using hose, then wash and rinse wheels.
2. Empty the bucket and fill up with clean warm soapy water, another bucket with clean cold water.
3. Rinse entire car to get rid of as much dirt as you can. Wash 1 panel at a time (working of the car to the bottom) with the wash mitt, don't apply pressure, simply glide it across the wet panel. After 1 panel is done, rinse out the wash mitt in the clean water, then dunk in the suds bucket. After every few panels, hose off the soapy water then continue.
4. Rinse entire car using the hose.
5. Dry using the towel - either glide it over the paint, or pat dry.

Very quick guide, but stick to that technique and you'll minimise the infliction of swirl marks.

Want to know more? There's some great guides on the Polished Bliss website under the Advice section. Quite heavy reading, but well worth it.

Because Honda paint is very, very soft, you'll want to minimise the amount of rubbing you do on the paint, and go for products which are easy applied and easily removed without having to put in much effort. I use:

Polish: Blackfire Gloss Enhancing Polish (link)
Sealant: Blackfire Wet Diamond All Finish Paint Protection (link)
Wax: Blackfire Wet Diamond Ivory Carnuaba Paste Wax (link)

Quite expensive products, bet they're so easy on and easy off and last for ages.

[richardc]

Originally Posted by Dawson

Don't use a sponge or a chamois on a Honda, you'll add lots of swirl marks.

To start off with, buy:

2 x buckets (one for soapy water, one with clean water)
1 x wool washmitt (for car)
1 x sponge or microfibre wash mitt (for wheels)
1 x bottle of decent shampoo
1 x waffle weave towel (for drying)

My uber quick quide for washing car:

1. fill up a bucket of soapy warm water. rinse wheels + wheel arches using hose, then wash and rinse wheels.
2. Empty the bucket and fill up with clean warm soapy water, another bucket with clean cold water.
3. Rinse entire car to get rid of as much dirt as you can. Wash 1 panel at a time (working of the car to the bottom) with the wash mitt, don't apply pressure, simply glide it across the wet panel. After 1 panel is done, rinse out the wash mitt in the clean water, then dunk in the suds bucket. After every few panels, hose off the soapy water then continue.
4. Rinse entire car using the hose.
5. Dry using the towel - either glide it over the paint, or pat dry.

Very quick guide, but stick to that technique and you'll minimise the infliction of swirl marks.

Want to know more? There's some great guides on the Polished Bliss website under the Advice section. Quite heavy reading, but well worth it.

Because Honda paint is very, very soft, you'll want to minimise the amount of rubbing you do on the paint, and go for products which are easy applied and easily removed without having to put in much effort. I use:

Polish: Blackfire Gloss Enhancing Polish (link)
Sealant: Blackfire Wet Diamond All Finish Paint Protection (link)
Wax: Blackfire Wet Diamond Ivory Carnuaba Paste Wax (link)

Quite expensive products, bet they're so easy on and easy off and last for ages.

Great advice there

[grahamthegasman]

very good advice,what do you use to apply these and do you use a paint cleaner after wash,or is paint cleaner not neccessary on new paintwork.can you use any wash with these products

[Dawson]

Originally Posted by grahamthegasman

very good advice,what do you use to apply these and do you use a paint cleaner after wash,or is paint cleaner not neccessary on new paintwork.can you use any wash with these products

I apply polish/sealant/wax using appropriate foam applicators, remove them using plush microfibre towels.

Cleaning the paintwork - clay, tar remover. Be careful with clay - it'll marr Honda paint.

For washing, choose something that won't strip existing protection but will offer lubrication so you don't scratch your paintwork. I use Poorboys Super Slick & Suds (link, but most decent ones will do. Don't use household products.

[Pottsy]

Dawson, thanks for helping out. I never post here, I'm such an amateur. I've outdone myself this year, cleaned the car twice!

[Dawson]

No probs.

[britsbest]

I feel that you can not go wrong with this product.

http://www.cleanandshiny.co.uk/Produ...roductID=10003

Take care

Bob

[Dawson]

May as well go all the way and buy some Royale Glaze...

[grahamthegasman]

wow that polish is only £1116.00!

[sandz]

Originally Posted by grahamthegasman

wow that polish is only £1116.00!

Better hurry, it now costs £7,118.00

[grahamthegasman]

seems stupid that i would have to sell car to afford the polish,but what the hell its only money

[Dawson]

It's wax, not polish.

There's plenty of great waxes for under £20, don't worry.