Kit list

[Milano_Jon]

So the CTR is here, 425 miles in and needing a good ol' clean.

Looking in the shed, i only have cheapo car shampoo used on my previous, unloved car.

All i have is the excuse of a cleaning kit that came with the car and a Karcher pressure washer...

So.....

What shall i get - does anyone have a cleaning kit list? I need everything from shampoo to bug remover to tyre finish to interior dash cleaner to vacuum nozzles!

Also, should the Karcher be used on the CTR? Dont see any reason why not, but thought i'd ask.

Thanks

[Skippy]

Not exhaustive, but..

2 biggish buckets
1 lambswool mitt (bodywork)
1 microfibre mitt (wheels)
1 soft wheel brush
2 microfibre towels (1 wheels / trim, 1 paintwork)
Many microfibre cloths (polishing, waxing, cleaning glass)
And whatever I've forgotten!

Plus:
Shampoo (Meguires Gold Class etc)
polish (many to choose from!)
wax/seal (many to choose from!)
glass cleaner (Autoglym is fine)
tyre stuff (Autoglym is fine)



Optional (and fun):
foam gun (I got the Karcher one for about £15)

[binchy]

I emailed Polishedbliss.co.uk about which products to use on my new Milano Red Civic (when it arrives) and they were very helpful and sent me the folowing reply. Hope this helps.....

Honda paint is incredibly soft compared to other marques, so it is important that the products you use are very easy on and off, otherwise you will induce marring which will ultimately lead to the appearance of swirl marks in full sun conditions. Here is a routine and list of products that I would recommend for keeping a red civic in tip top condition, with the type of look that you desire...

Wash (ideally every week)

Basic Wash Kit £34.85 -http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/pb500wash.html

Clay (once or twice a year, spring and autumn are the best times)

Meguiars Quik Clay £10.95 -http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/pb100clean.html

Polish (after claying, thus done once or twice a year)

Blackfire Gloss Enhancing Polish, applied using the white side of a German Applicator Pad, and buffed off using Deluxe Mega Towels

Blackfire Gloss Enhancing Polish £13.95 - http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/pb191polish.html

German Applicator Pad £2.55 -

http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/pb68polish.html

Deluxe Mega Towel £3.95 -

http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/pb128_402protect.html

Protect (apply a fresh coat every 4-6 weeks)

Blackfire Wet Diamond All Finish Paint Protection £21.95 - http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/pb195protect.html

This product gives a great wet shine on solid red, and is very easy to put on and take off (apply using the red side of a German Applicator Pad, buff off using Deluxe Mega Towels). There are products we do that give slightly better results on solid red (richer and warmer looking), but they are much harder to work with, and thus not ideal for soft Honda paint.

Wheels (wash weekly, protect every 4-6 weeks)

Basic Wheel Kit (gives you two protectants and a tyre dressing) £44.45 - http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/pb502wheels.html

Hope that helps and provides some food for thought, if you have any more questions please fire away, I'm always happy to help.

[Skippy]

As noted elsewhere the polishedbliss people are very informative. Lots of good info on their website too. I should really have put a link to their site in my original reply.

[richierich]

Might have to print me that list off, although I am quite happy with Meguiars would be good to use something recommended, and I do like the idea of a wet shine.

[binchy]

This is the two pictures PolishedBliss sent me of the wet look shine you should be able to achieve with the above products, which I think makes the red look so much nicer!

[w.car]

how about for black NHB? same ?

[illegalhunter]

Get a foam lance for your Karcher & some snow foam.

[binchy]

Originally Posted by w.car

how about for black NHB? same ?

Yeah i think so pal. If your in doubt, go to polishedbliss.co.uk and send them an email. It only took a day to reply. The website has loads of advice...

Polished Bliss - Specialist Vehicle Detailing - Services, Products and Advice

[w.car]

cheers mate