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Old 31st December 2013, 14:54   #8176
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Re: A superb Car cleaning, polishing & detailing guide

My 'Blackbrűlée' Verna(June,2013) was longing for that proverbial glitter, of a showstopper at an Auto expo. Scratches, swirls, silt, muck have given it a look of its own. Goin through this extensive thread has got my back kicking to give the look that it deserves.
I managed to get some stuff from my bro in US to get the process off to a start. Here's what I have at the moment

A superb Car cleaning, polishing & detailing guide-carcare.jpg

Clay is conspicuously missing coz I thought it wouldnt make much of a difference. Gosh! what was I thinking?!
I was trying to source a decent claybar here in Hyd before I could get enough supplies from US which could take quiet a while.
Anyone who can help me in sourcing claybar? I have pinged Sanjay(BB Impex) but they have ran out of clay and are expecting it mid-jan.
I intend to use ONR as clay lube. So a single bar of clay would suffice, preferably Meguiars or Bilt Hamber.
I would also need shampoo. Snapdeal has Sonax, quiet a bargain but doesnt deliver to this part of India.
Any suggestions for both Shampoo and Clay folks?

Cheers,
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Old 31st December 2013, 15:24   #8177
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Re: A superb Car cleaning, polishing & detailing guide

Quote:
Originally Posted by blackasta View Post
I have only heard good things about bilt-hamber clay - though have never used it personally.

Placed an order a few days back, with shipping promised by 6th Jan. Let's see how the first buying experience is.
I have used only Mothers' clay - two clay bars lasted me more than 2 years, with one two wheeler and two cars, though usage is about once in 3 months.
I gave one half to a friend and another half is still in good condition.

I found the clay bar to be good enough for my use. I paid about Rs. 400-450 per piece a couple of years ago for the same.
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Old 31st December 2013, 15:34   #8178
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Re: A superb Car cleaning, polishing & detailing guide

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Originally Posted by S_U_N View Post
I have used only Mothers' clay - two clay bars lasted me more than 2 years, with one two wheeler and two cars, though usage is about once in 3 months.
I gave one half to a friend and another half is still in good condition.

I found the clay bar to be good enough for my use. I paid about Rs. 400-450 per piece a couple of years ago for the same.
+1, another Mothers Clay user here. Got them long ago from Auto-Mall and they still work! All clays are very similar, any clay which is accessible should work well.

They work happily with leftover clean Megs hyperwash soap as clay lube

Last edited by SunnyBoi : 31st December 2013 at 15:36.
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Old 31st December 2013, 15:41   #8179
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Re: A superb Car cleaning, polishing & detailing guide

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Originally Posted by prancinstallion View Post
Any suggestions for both Shampoo and Clay folks?
For clay I would suggest Meguiars over Mothers, since I have used both. Meguiars fairs better any day. Get it from Sanjay, I too got one from him long back. I divided Meguiars clay bar in two pieces and used half of it for claying n number of times. I don't recall how many times I have clayed both car & scooter. Now its has turned all brown and not much use unless you wish to clean tar. Using other half now. Get one and it should last for long.

Regarding shampoo, you could get any one of them:
1. Meguiars Hyperwash. Best I have come across.
2. Sonax
3. Amway.

Haven't used Sonax but given its Made in Germany, should be good.
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Old 31st December 2013, 15:52   #8180
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Re: A superb Car cleaning, polishing & detailing guide

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Originally Posted by prancinstallion View Post
My 'Blackbrűlée' Verna(June,2013) was longing for that proverbial glitter, of a showstopper at an Auto expo. ..........

Cheers,
To be fair, you need not have got those items from US - every one of the items pictured are available in India now (obviously some price difference is present).
If you get further opportunities, try to get items that are not available in India at all.
As for your queries

For clay:

Look here: http://www.autofresh.in/home/mothers...20-45055648457 or here http://www.autofresh.in/exterior-car...20-23295733777 or here http://www.detailedclean.in/Detailing-Clay/

For shampoo - there is a huge range, but you can look here: http://www.detailedclean.in/Washing-...Wash-Shampoos/ or here http://www.autofresh.in/pages/shampoo-/-cleaner
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Old 31st December 2013, 16:06   #8181
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Re: A superb Car cleaning, polishing & detailing guide

I have used the Bilt Hamber Medium clay and I must say it's not for the faint hearted. Do not use this on plastic and trim. You'll end up ruining them. Use only on the painted surface. The soft ones are little more kind on non-painted surface.
However if it's regular decontamination, Megs/mothers/Notorious clay works just fine. Pick one from your store nearby.
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Old 31st December 2013, 16:09   #8182
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Re: A superb Car cleaning, polishing & detailing guide

^

Isn't the Ultima Elastrofoam clay foam more VFM?

Does anyone sell Hyperwash in smaller quantity?
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Old 31st December 2013, 18:09   #8183
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I have bought the nanoskin autoscrub sponge.
Still awaiting delivery.
But its cheap for the no of uses it can give for the money compared to clay and the guide also says it can be used with hot water.
Attached Thumbnails
A superb Car cleaning, polishing & detailing guide-image3620261542.jpg  

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Old 1st January 2014, 22:11   #8184
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Re: A superb Car cleaning, polishing & detailing guide

Quote:
Originally Posted by blackasta View Post
I have only heard good things about bilt-hamber clay - though have never used it personally.

Placed an order a few days back, with shipping promised by 6th Jan. Let's see how the first buying experience is.

BH is by far the clay that can be used without any lube, just water would suffice! Kneading it becomes a pain sometimes but the clay does its job really well. Aggressive to the core!
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Old 2nd January 2014, 12:16   #8185
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Re: A superb Car cleaning, polishing & detailing guide

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Originally Posted by alstonlobo View Post
BH is by far the clay that can be used without any lube, just water would suffice! Kneading it becomes a pain sometimes but the clay does its job really well. Aggressive to the core!
I have to say that I have been using my Mother's clay without an QD for more than a year. Just some soapy water is enough. Initially it was a bit tricky, but after that, it became easy.
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Old 3rd January 2014, 09:56   #8186
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Engine bay detailing

Can one of the practitioners elaborate on engine bay cleaning & detailing please? Also please give the choice of materials (preferably what is available in India) and source. Much appreciate. Cheers
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Old 3rd January 2014, 10:35   #8187
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Re: Engine bay detailing

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Originally Posted by Waxeloquent View Post
Can one of the practitioners elaborate on engine bay cleaning & detailing please? Also please give the choice of materials (preferably what is available in India) and source. Much appreciate. Cheers
Never tried it, but itching to do it once.

This is a really good how to (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...ssional.html)- and I have most of the brushes (available in India).

The metro blaster sidekick used can be substituted by this IMO (http://machpowertools.com/skil/skil-...ric-air-blower)

The DP series engine degreaser may be substituted by a good APC.

The DP series trim detailer may be substituted by PERL in proper dilution.

Waiting for someone who has actually done it on their cars to comment!
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Old 3rd January 2014, 10:38   #8188
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Re: A superb Car cleaning, polishing & detailing guide

Quote:
Originally Posted by surd_biker View Post
Detailed my bike this weekend.
Megs Nxt Shampoo + Elastrofoam + Megs UC + Megs UP + Megs Nxt Tech Wax 2.0
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pedaltothefloor View Post
Thanks. I currently use Ultima Elastrofoam Clay Block sourced from Ultimate Detailerz in Bangalore.
What did you use as lube for the Elastrofoam clay? Will water/shampoo be fine?
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Old 3rd January 2014, 10:41   #8189
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Quote:
Originally Posted by blackasta View Post
I have most of the brushes (available in India). The metro blaster sidekick used can be substituted by this IMO (http://machpowertools.com/skil/skil-...ric-air-blower) The DP series engine degreaser may be substituted by a good APC. The DP series trim detailer may be substituted by PERL in proper dilution. Waiting for someone who has actually done it on their cars to comment!
Thanks v much. Can you please tell me a source for the brushes and APC? Checked with 3M for APC, they didn't have.

Cheers
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Old 3rd January 2014, 11:25   #8190
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Re: A superb Car cleaning, polishing & detailing guide

Quote:
Originally Posted by prancinstallion View Post
My 'Blackbrűlée' Verna(June,2013) was longing for that proverbial glitter, of a showstopper at an Auto expo. Scratches, swirls, silt, muck have given it a look of its own. Goin through this extensive thread has got my back kicking to give the look that it deserves.
I managed to get some stuff from my bro in US to get the process off to a start. Here's what I have at the moment

Attachment 1184921

Clay is conspicuously missing coz I thought it wouldnt make much of a difference. Gosh! what was I thinking?!
I was trying to source a decent claybar here in Hyd before I could get enough supplies from US which could take quiet a while.
Anyone who can help me in sourcing claybar? I have pinged Sanjay(BB Impex) but they have ran out of clay and are expecting it mid-jan.
I intend to use ONR as clay lube. So a single bar of clay would suffice, preferably Meguiars or Bilt Hamber.
I would also need shampoo. Snapdeal has Sonax, quiet a bargain but doesnt deliver to this part of India.
Any suggestions for both Shampoo and Clay folks?

Cheers,

There are much better options available if you want clay. Check out this nanoskin towel. Works as good as clay. Can be used without the fear of dropping .Also since its a towel can be used to reach hard areas

http://www.autofresh.in/exterior-car...77877-cat.html
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