Detailing Thread

[Cav]

What material and finish is it? Powder coated? If so, a hand polish without any fillers/glazes to remove light defects followed by a dedicated wheel sealant will be all you need. Just make sure you give it a thorough clean before with tar remover and fallout remover before the polish.

I'll do some digging, I didn't buy a dedicated wheel sealant in the end. I'll let you know.

[Kwacky]

It's painted and gloss

[duke63]

Wheel sealants are a waste of money.

Just use a good quality carnauba wax. Wheels are impossible to keep in perfect condition.

[Stonesie]

Gloss painted? try some C2, it should work as well as on any other painted finish.

[Kwacky]

I did think about the C2.

I've got some Gtechniq wash to use so that should help the C2. I might try the two layer approach some of the detailers use.

[Cav]

Wheel sealants are a waste of money.

Just use a good quality carnauba wax. Wheels are impossible to keep in perfect condition.

Carnuba shouldn't work due to the temperatures.

I did think about the C2.

I've got some Gtechniq wash to use so that should help the C2. I might try the two layer approach some of the detailers use.

I did too but I've created issues for myself using products that don't specify use on wheels before. You won't think it but some sealants are actually sticky and the brake dust, tyre material and road grime/dust will be attracted to the sealant. It then makes it even harder to clean. The two coat approach can help. Leave an hour or two between coats even if they say "can be layered immediately". The solvents in the product will slightly decay the first layer.

I have a sealant (303 Nano Graphene Spray) which claims 12 month longevity and can be used on wheels (obviously not going to last that long on wheels). I'm just trying to figure out a way of sending you some. The bottle is about £20 otherwise.

The most frequently recommended wheel coating is this... but it's a ceramic so you need to learn how to apply that: https://www.mycarcleaning.co.uk/product ... ating-30ml

As far as prep goes, at the very least you need to get some tar remover on the wheels before a light polish. You would wash with shampoo before and after the tar remover and then use an alcohol based cleaner after the polish to give the sealant/coating the best chance.

[Kwacky]

I've got some panel wipe for cleaning. That takes pretty much everything off.

[Cav]

Ideal. Are you heading down my way any time soon? I can try and get a smaller sprayer otherwise and send some of my 303 Graphene up to you. I'll give you some of the PPF too.

[Cav]

In relation to the new white car to keep clean....

For an overkill but super easy way to clean it use the following.
Pressure washer
Citrus pre cleaner (foaming or non-foaming)
Gel wheel cleaner (Envy Car Care Evolution is INCREDIBLE!)
Shampoo (Carpro Reset)
Spray & Rinse Sealant (Gyeon WetCoat)
Drying towel

If the car is in a bad state when you get it then you'll also want the following for the first wash:
Clay bar (Alien Magic Detailing Nano Clay)
Fallout remover (Alien Magic Detailing Wrath)
Tar remover (Alien Magic Detailing Intense)
Compound for hand use (Meguiars Ultimate Compound)
Panel wipe

For Alien Magic Detailing use code VEO-15)
For any other Detailing site try: DC5 DC10 OR DC15

[D6Nutz]

/goes to buy tippex

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[Cav]

/goes to buy tippex

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/goes to buy paint roller for said tippex

[D6Nutz]

Pressure washer
Citrus pre cleaner (foaming or non-foaming)
Gel wheel cleaner (Envy Car Care Evolution is INCREDIBLE!)
Shampoo (Carpro Reset)
Spray & Rinse Sealant (Gyeon WetCoat)
Drying towel

Ok, so looking at the list. I already have a jet wash with a snow foam lance. Guess that ticks 1 and 2.

The rest of on the shopping list, as is a new wash mit. Interested to see the wheel cleaner, I've always struggled to keep alloys clean.

Fortunately the car is in cracking condition, no blemishes on the paint at all.

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[Stonesie]

Aside from the smell, which is not "that" bad the Bilt Hamber wheel cleaner is the best I have used.

[Cav]

Pressure washer
Citrus pre cleaner (foaming or non-foaming)
Gel wheel cleaner (Envy Car Care Evolution is INCREDIBLE!)
Shampoo (Carpro Reset)
Spray & Rinse Sealant (Gyeon WetCoat)
Drying towel

Ok, so looking at the list. I already have a jet wash with a snow foam lance. Guess that ticks 1 and 2.

The rest of on the shopping list, as is a new wash mit. Interested to see the wheel cleaner, I've always struggled to keep alloys clean.

Fortunately the car is in cracking condition, no blemishes on the paint at all.

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The wheel cleaner is absolutely fantastic. I've had the same 1L bottle for 18 months now and I think I'm only half way through it. If it seems expensive at time of purchase remember it lasts for ages. You'll need to buy spray bottles too.. they're a few quid each. I really like the Autoglym ones because they have a brilliant sprayer.

It might still be worthwhile getting the fallout remover and tar remover as you'll want to use that a couple of times a year. It's particularly fun to use the fallout remover on a white car too. It helps to improve the bonding of the sealant to the paintwork. But it isn't necessary. The Alien Magic Detailing fallout remover smells of almond/marzipan.. normally they smell disgusting.

[Cav]

Gave my MTB a quick clean last night (snow foam, brush, rinse, dry, Quick Detailer).

I used my Alien Magic Krypton for the first time which is an SiO2 Detailer spray.. it works the same as any other QD so you spray one side of the cloth to wet it then 1 spray on the paint, wipe in straight lines (criss-cross), flip cloth to dry side and buff off. It's not at all grabby which is nice.

Anyway.. it seems to have made my paint look even better than with the XPEL Ceramic Boost and their own QD...

[Kwacky]

Very shiny indeed

[D6Nutz]

So, I totally forgot to buy stuff off the internet. Combined nice weather and a dirty car led me to halfrauds for supplies..

I grabbed some Meguiar’s snow foam as I'm almost out, and also Meguiar’s alloy cleaner and hybrid ceramic liquid wax.

2 1/2 hours later and it's definitely looking a bit shinier. Found a few stone chips and scratches so in the spring I'm going to give it a real bit of TLC.

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[Kwacky]

Very shiny

[Cav]

Nice. Meguiars stuff is really decent performing mate, don't be put off by it being in halfords.. it's just really expensive and doesn't dilute well.

[Kwacky]

My neighbour is washing his brand new car

In the sun

No hose

Just a bucket and sponge.

That poor car