Team-BHP - A superb Car cleaning, polishing & detailing guide

Garipagol - Thanks for the info on the Collinite, but im confused, reading reviews of people who have used Collinite 845 on dark colors & satisfied with the results. I myself have tried it on Black & Red, find a whole lot of difference, with a nice deep glow.
After reading this, am tempted to try out the 915 :D

Sohail - Congrats on the machine purchase ! Have you started using it ? Looking forward to your updates of your new detailing bay ! I guess you can cover it up using some temporary covering like plastic sheets ?

I'd written to Sanjay as I was confused between 845 & 476. His reply on 476 is below:

Yes its a Paste wax, like most of waxes in the market & like Shoe polish.

476s is called Permanent Auto Wax as it last longer on a Car/Boat/Aeroplane, then any available in market all over the world.

It is detergent proof, means even if you wash you car using a car shampoo or take it through automatic car washes several time, it will not strip off easily.

It is more work & you would need help to put on a car.

The need for frequent waxing is basically eliminated to maintain the travel machines.

Actually, one 845 bottle should give a Swift atleast 8-10 single applications & as you learn & become more proficient you will apply less & less for better shine & protection.

For, 476s may be 3-4 times again depending on how good you are at waxing. It will last longer in any case & is more expensive.

Hope this helps in your decision.

However, with all said and done and as I'd written to sohail99 & notorious I am now looking for a wax that is not too heavy on pocket because the conditions my car is driven in (long road trip once every month and 50 kms of daily driving) a single wax coat would never stay on for more than a week and multiple layers of 845 would mean procuring multiple bottles of it. :)

I have been recommended TurtleWax Hard Shell wax but in case there are other better waxes which are in the 400-500 range please advise. The wax might not be that durable but should not contain abrasives that damage the paint if applied too often. (once a month or two) I mean I'm not really looking for the wax to stay on for very long because I know that no matter what I use it just wouldn't.

Unfortunately I myself have never come across such a wax!!

Before I got all the collinite and other stuff, I was looking for the exact same thing!

Light on pocket wax without abrasives etc.(really couldn't find any!!)

First ever non abrasive sealant I used was NXT TechWax2.0 and first ever non abrasive wax I used was collinite845!!

Formula1, TW hard shell/precision series, etc. all have abrasives!!
Eagle one nanowax has fillers and very minimal abrasives.

You can try it (I feel its better than TW precision series car wax)

@bottle - Yea! I got the quote and I was like, 'Whoa!!' .But since its a premium carnauba wax(beauty wax) I guess the price is justified.

In US you get Pinnacle souveran(again premium wax) for a little bit more(~5k)

I'll try it out if I'm able to buy it! :D

Quote:

Originally Posted by fine69 (Post 2062937)

I have been recommended TurtleWax Hard Shell wax but in case there are other better waxes which are in the 400-500 range please advise. The wax might not be that durable but should not contain abrasives that damage the paint if applied too often. (once a month or two) I mean I'm not really looking for the wax to stay on for very long because I know that no matter what I use it just wouldn't.

Fine69:- If you are looking for good quality wax that is not had on the pocket - I would suggest go for the Platinum Series of wax from Turtle Wax. The was is in liquid form and hence easy to apply. I have used it on my cars and have loved the way it gives shine on the car.

Kailash

Quote:

Originally Posted by nirmaljusdoit (Post 2062612)

The 915 is Collinite's premium wax and so the price. If you look at all the manufacturers of wax products, they all have a so called top of the line product with a sucker price. I subscribe to the German philosophy - if the product is not high on protection it is not worth using - unless you are participating in a show car competition. Most of the premium waxes are Beauty products and are used as such. In that context I found the 845 to be a good wax product with a good measure of protection. I am happy with it. As they say a sealant gives you the shine and the wax gives you the depth. But the sealant lasts longer. So my vote goes for a good sealant. If you layer it - it gives you nice depth as well.

Here's what I have been doing for the last few weeks, I do not wash the car unless it is absolutely necessary during the week. Saturday I wash with Optimum NR (which does not strip the previous sealant) , put a layer of sealant, let the car sit thru Sunday. I have achieved a nice depth in the paint. The water beading has been is excellent. It beads in longitudinal way - the same direction I apply the sealant (the direction of wind flow over the surface). When I drive the water runs off.

I will look at waxing in Winter !!

You have a host of good sealants available Klasse, Wolfgang, DP, Blackfire, Menzerna etc. in the USD 25-45 range. Pretty much in the same ball park as the better waxes but surely a better bang for your $$ in terms of protection and longevity. I know I am sounding like a investment counselor but there you have it. However personal preferences should always prevail.

BTW, what's with your Flex?

Rgds

Quote:

Originally Posted by braveheart_77 (Post 2064392)

Guys
Can anyone guide me how to clean the thick,sticky dirt inside the logo's.alloy wheels and under the number plate.I think the reason for this is that my cars are regularly washed.
I have a innova,spark and zen.All of them are in excellent conditions but i find it very difficult to remove the dirt.Your valuable inputs will really help me get rid of these stains.
Regards
Braveheart

Shampoo the area, use a toothbrush (or even toothpick at times) to clean it, shampoo again if needed or maybe just even water. Works for me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkh (Post 2062793)

Has anyone read or got any info on autoglym products? I see that they are popular in the UK.
Anything that is worth buying from the UK? I see that most products( megs) are much higher than from the US, not sure if there is something that is UK based and worth the effort to get it from there
Any inputs?

Autoglym has been recently introduced to USA and got good reviews. They have a full range of products. You should try the european brands in UK rather than US brands which may be more expensive. Consider shipping charges when you compare.

Sonus
einszett (1z einszett uk Car Care Products, Car Polish, Car Wax, Wheel Cleaner, Spray Wax, Glass Cleaner, Rubber Care, Lubricants...)
Menzerna
Connolly Leather products

Rgds