Truth is, I don't know how to wash a nice car.

[Sawed Off]

All these years I've just thrown some dish washing detergent in a bucket and used a sponge or chux. Now I've entered the world of nice cars and paint protection, I have no idea what I'm supposed to do. I've looked at CCP's website, and I got lost when I saw how many different cloths there are let alone the rest of it.

My Golf has the Nilrust Enduroshield two something (product? application? layer?) protection. It came with a bottle of Nilrust Heavy Duty Wash that says it's formulated for use on polymer finishes. What sort of cloths and products do I need, and how do I use them? I've been eyeing off the CCP Care Basics detailing kit. Would this be a good start?

[brimway]

All these years I've just thrown some dish washing detergent in a bucket and used a sponge or chux. Now I've entered the world of nice cars and paint protection, I have no idea what I'm supposed to do. I've looked at CCP's website, and I got lost when I saw how many different cloths there are let alone the rest of it.

My Golf has the Nilrust Enduroshield two something (product? application? layer?) protection. It came with a bottle of Nilrust Heavy Duty Wash that says it's formulated for use on polymer finishes. What sort of cloths and products do I need, and how do I use them? I've been eyeing off the CCP Care Basics detailing kit. Would this be a good start?

You're not Robinson Carusoe. Pierre at CCP will go out of his way to help you, Can highly recommend him.

[Wolfgang]

Best bet for washing is to use a microfibre mitt and a quality wash shampoo such as Duragloss 901 or (if you want off the shelf) Meguires Gold Glass.

As for drying, a microfibre waffle weave drying towel the best way to go (just get the biggest you can afford, makes drying easier).

[Transporter]

All these years I've just thrown some dish washing detergent in a bucket and used a sponge or chux. Now I've entered the world of nice cars and paint protection, I have no idea what I'm supposed to do. I've looked at CCP's website, and I got lost when I saw how many different cloths there are let alone the rest of it.

My Golf has the Nilrust Enduroshield two something (product? application? layer?) protection. It came with a bottle of Nilrust Heavy Duty Wash that says it's formulated for use on polymer finishes. What sort of cloths and products do I need, and how do I use them? I've been eyeing off the CCP Care Basics detailing kit. Would this be a good start?

Welcome to the forum mate,
Lucky you, you have lots of useful reading in this section about maintaining your paint. As other suggested the Car Care Products are great and always helpful with their advice.

[carcareproducts]

All these years I've just thrown some dish washing detergent in a bucket and used a sponge or chux. Now I've entered the world of nice cars and paint protection, I have no idea what I'm supposed to do. I've looked at CCP's website, and I got lost when I saw how many different cloths there are let alone the rest of it.

My Golf has the Nilrust Enduroshield two something (product? application? layer?) protection. It came with a bottle of Nilrust Heavy Duty Wash that says it's formulated for use on polymer finishes. What sort of cloths and products do I need, and how do I use them? I've been eyeing off the CCP Care Basics detailing kit. Would this be a good start?

Hey mate,

I do not want to comment about their car wash as i am unsure personally. Being heavy duty wording usually tends to mean (on most products) that it is more inclined to be a very strong cleaner. Any pH Neutral Wash (all the washes we sell are) is more then 110% safe to use on your Paint Protected Car and it will not remove/strip the sealant off.

To wash you can use either your personal choice of a Microfibre Wash Mitt or even a Genuine Lambswool Wash Mitt in the "Two Bucket Method" to avoid any marring/damaging of the paint. To dry off with you use either a Microfibre Chamois, or a Microfibre Waffle Weave Drying Towel (my personal pick).

You do not need any cloths, maybe for interior cleaning or what not but for exterior a wash mitt + drying towel is all you realistically need.

The basics kit is great, and has 303 aerospace protectant which is like like armorall EXCEPT! it contains no silicones, no oils, no solvents and is completely water based which leaves a satin/matt "factory" look finish to your interior trim. Much safer to use and also is SPF40.

If you have any further questions, or unsure how to use what or what product is what just let me know

Thanks


-Pierre

[Sawed Off]

Thanks very much, everyone.

Pierre, I've placed an order for the basics kit. I appreciate the offer for help, as I'm going to use it now... I guess the "two bucket method" means use one with the car wash in it and another to rinse the wash mitt out with, alternating as I go? Do I go all over the car and wash/hose off as I go, and then do a final wet rinse and then dry the entire car in one go? What about using the Fast Clean & Shine?

[Wolfgang]

Have a look at CCP's website, they have some great 'How To' videos that will help you.

The DG Fast Clean and Shine is a Quick Detailer, you can use it for spot cleaning (great for removing bird bombs) but only if your car is clean and free of grit.

Next thing you know the detailing bug will bite and you will be obsessive about keeping your car clean.

[Sawed Off]

Have a look at CCP's website, they have some great 'How To' videos that will help you.

Ouch. I'm guessing that would be the "How To" link at the top of the site that I seem to have overlooked.

The DG Fast Clean and Shine is a Quick Detailer, you can use it for spot cleaning (great for removing bird bombs) but only if your car is clean and free of grit.

Nice. That will come in handy.

Next thing you know the detailing bug will bite and you will be obsessive about keeping your car clean.

It's already happened. What started me looking at the CCP site was some dead bugs all over the front after a long drive.

[Wolfgang]

Ouch. I'm guessing that would be the "How To" link at the top of the site that I seem to have overlooked.



Nice. That will come in handy.



It's already happened. What started me looking at the CCP site was some dead bugs all over the front after a long drive.

I meant no malice by my comment in regards to the videos, I have a tendency to be to the point (too much sometimes). I'm more than happy to help save someone from abusing their car by incorrect cleaning.

Before you know it you'll have spent a whole lot of money on detailing products and your car will look fantastic.

Quick tip with removing bird bombs with the quick detailer, spray some QD on a tissue till it's damp and sit on the bomb for a few minutes and then lift and gently wipe as you go.

[Sawed Off]

I meant no malice by my comment in regards to the videos, I have a tendency to be to the point (too much sometimes).

Oh no, please don't feel you were offending me. I was just a bit embarrassed for missing a link that was kind of obvious.

Before you know it you'll have spent a whole lot of money on detailing products and your car will look fantastic.

I'm looking forward to getting started. It's like a whole new world.

Quick tip with removing bird bombs with the quick detailer, spray some QD on a tissue till it's damp and sit on the bomb for a few minutes and then lift and gently wipe as you go.

Thanks. I've been wondering how best to deal with that kind of thing. We have a lot of flying foxes up our way and that purple poop is nasty. It looks like the CCP Care Basics kit is exactly the right place for me to get started. Thanks again everyone. I really appreciate it.

[tanalasta]

I will happily admit to being a repeat customer of carcareproducts! And a happy one with that. My microfibre towel purchased some 6 years ago (waffle weave) is still good... and I only recently tossed out the poorboys concentrate because there was still some left!!! (in preference for nanolex carwash which i find really does help with drying if one rinses off using good watersheeting technique).

I use an enjo microfibre car mitt to wash my car. I suppose any microfibre mitt will do but I'll quite happily put in a good word that the enjo mitt is well made and seems like it'll last until I drop it in sand. (Disclaimer: I do not sell enjo and only own the bbq mitt and floor mop).

All you really need in addition is carwash, two buckets, perhaps a dust guard, a good hose/hosehead preferably with a flow control to easily switch on/off and a microfibre waffle weave towel! For the interior, I also recommend aerospace 303 - I use the easy wipes out of laziness, not really cost effectiveness and one or two clothes does the exterior rubber trim. Then you really only need a few for the interior as one cloth goes a long way.

Enjoy looking after your new car! If you have time ... buy a good wheel brush, some tire gloss, glass cleaner/sealant and the list goes on! But the above basics should be enough.

[Sawed Off]

Thanks, tanalasta. I can see how people can get obsessive about keeping their car sparkling. I'm already wishing I bought the Deluxe detailing pack for the glass and wheel care extras. I ended up grabbing some bits from Supercheap, but I already have more things in the basket on the CCP website. Just figuring out what else I need to help spread the shipping cost around. I'm trying to convince myself I need the random orbit polisher so I can get my older cars sparkling, too.

What I really need is recommendations for vacuums. I'm thinking something in the dustbuster size if any are worth having.

[Buller_Scott]

hey sawed off, glad to see you're getting into it!

me: for a long time, only bought off the shelf. 3+ years of doing an OKAY job, the bare minimum, but not really taking proper care of the car. now im onto the boutique stuff like on CCP, and it shows just how cheap it is to buy from someone like them, when you compare it with the prices you'll pay off the shelf at autobarn, and how much of that crap you actually have to use to get any results.

so you've got the wash mitt, shampoo, interior stuff, drying microfibre/waffle weave - do you have paint sealant etc too?

on the CCP website, if you need to fill up on products to justify shipping costs, there is plenty of stuff:
- tyre applicators - spread product well, no mess, easy to use
- light cut pad - i have one of these, and they are AWESOME for if you've got a light cutting agent to get out finer swirls, and dont mind putting in a bit of elbow grease.
- interior textile sealer
- spray wax/sealant - a mate of mine uses this and loves it, spray on wipe in, no buffing, brings out the color and protects the car. easier than waxing, but will keep your car protected.
- 303 aerospace protectant for the interior trim, exterior trim, and tyres as well - doesnt give the tyres a wet look, but rather an OEM black, slight satin finish

just keep on keeping on - some people cant be bothered to detail their car and instead get others to do it for them - not me. it's become one of my hobbies, even if i dont have a random orbital. you just need to play around with different things, and over time (it will take time) you'll have your regular products that you like to use, that suit your needs.

i got a "craftright" branded hard bottom tool bag from bunnings for like $20, and it fits the 5 microfibres that i use in a major detail, as well as little compartments to hold the 250ml bottles of product i use - i've been able to refine my process so that i only have isopropanol, 303 aerospace protectant, tyre dressing, paint sealant, and quick detail to go over the paint sealant.

play around, and enjoy it!

[carcareproducts]

I dont even have to reply, wow LOL

Nice work guys!