|
What's the best one-step car polish? Preferably something available from Halfords.
|
off the shelf stuff....autoglym super resin polish
prob cheaper at the supermarkets
|
|
|
I try all sorts and always end up coming back to Auto Glym 'Super Resin Polish' (the red logo). Apart from being a swine to remove from any black plastic mouldings should you inadvertently get any of it on them, I personally find it very hard to fault.
Cheers
DP
|
I prefer the TurtleWax Nano Extreme in the fluorescent green bottle, I have so many part-used bottles of polish, but I like this as it seems to last 6 months or more and is so easy to apply.
www.turtlewaxuk.com/prod.asp?Partcode=FG5585
Has anyone tried this yet.... www.turtlewaxuk.com/ice/main.htm
Edited by Hamsafar on 16/06/2008 at 11:22
|
In my opinion (FWIW) it has to be Collinite
either 'Marque D'Elegance No. 915' or 'Super Double Coat Auto Wax No. 476s'
|
|
|
|
Because it's moderately warm, but overcast, I've just done the bonnet, roof and boot of my VW Bora with AutoGlym Super Resin Polish before dinner - took about 15-20 minutes and was effortless as the weather conditions prevent the applied polish from drying too quickly before buffing up.
|
Scarg, prep the paint before you hit it with a polish, with a mild clay bar. Halfords should stock them. You will not believe the difference!
Autoglym SRP is a great all-in-one polish - top off with EGP for longevity. Alternatively BiltHamber Autobalm is getting good reviews at the mo. They do a claybar too, but AFAIK it´s not available in Halfords.
|
|
Just wanted to second that opinion on Bilt-Hamber products. Never tried their polish, but their auto-clay is the business. Not available in Halfords (AFAIK), but good mail order service.
Edited by drivewell on 16/06/2008 at 12:20
|
|
For me, the best polish is the one that finds its way onto the car, rather than the one that sits in the bottle for month after month.
|
I've used Mer and Auto Glym over the years, both excellent.
I have to ask, because this has been puzzling me recently, what exactly is a clay bar? And what do you do with it? I feel like I'm missing out!
|
I have to ask because this has been puzzling me recently what exactly is a clay bar? And what do you do with it? I feel like I'm missing out!
This link, over at Detailing World, is a good introduction to the use of clay.
www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=48...9
Edited by drivewell on 16/06/2008 at 21:39
|
Thanks, drivewell.
Looks a bit time-consuming but maybe I'll give it a go. Is it the sort of thing you only do once or twice a year (unless you're a detailing nut!)?
|
Hi Pat
Provided you put a good wax on after claying (and you must wax it, otherwise the surface is unprotected), and wash your car regularly, you shouldn't need to do it any more than a couple of times a year. Unless, of course, your paintwork gets contaminated by some of the substances mentioned in the article. Industrial falllout can take many forms; I've had cars covered in metal filings, I've also had sap that no shampoo would remove. There are specialist paint decontamination products, but they are generally used by pros, in extreme circumstances.
The first time you use clay, then wax, you'll be getting folks to run their fingers over the paintwork to feel how smooth it is.
Sad, I know, but that's how well it works.
|
|
|
My DiL car was sprayed after an accident, sprayed as part of warranty repair.
Looking a bit sad, Last week it was Clayed and collinited by a mobile valeter - 2.5 hrs and £40 it looked brand new. Magic - good products and he knew how to use them.
|
|
|
For absolute ease of use and a really amazing shine I've started using Turtle Wax Ice. It has to be the easiest to apply, wipe on to the paint, plastic, chrome, metal and plastic with the sponge included and then buff with the microfibre cloth in the kit.
It leaves no white marks and is similar to windolene in that is a very thin clear liquid.
This is my car after a wash and polish with the stuff.
i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll309/ventureuk/P10007...g
Wash and polish in less than an hour with this stuff.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Being the owner of a black car and needing to wax most weekends to get a 'proper' shine, I'm getting on well with Turtle Wax's Colour Magic - discard the stupid 'chip-stick' obviously. Brings mine up a treat and no worries about white marks on wiper jets, bumper trim etc, as it dries dark grey. Highly recommended and easy to use, even in direct sunlight. Run a mile from Halfords though, everything costs twice as much!
|
|
I'll tell ya one thing ... I'd never get another black car as although the look the biz when 1st cleaned, they soon show the dirt and dust in no time where'as my ole Silver Focus looked the same whether I washed it or nay ... when I lived up on Bodmin Moor, where it rains every day and twice on Sundays, I didn't wash my ole 240 GLT once in 6 years !
|
|
|
If you go on-line to Halfords you can obtain a reservation number which will enable you to call at your local branch and get 1 litre of Autoglym Super Resin polish for £11.99 which they normally retail at £14.99....seems like a good bargain as they currently charge £10.99 for the 500ml size.
|
No longer any need for the internet reservation number re Halfords branches now have the 1 litre pack of Autoglym Super Resin Polish on a promotional offer in-store for £11.99.
Edited by Geordie1 on 18/06/2008 at 12:43
|
|
I like MER. Economical to use, easy to apply and polish off, can be applied to wet or dry paint and comes off black trim easily. Leaves a good shine and lasts about six months.
|
|
|
|
|
