walkie

Well my eyes have been opened into proper car cleaning... To think I used to use a bucket and a sponge

Anyway I want to mend my ways with the MR2, now I haven't had it from new so dont have the chance to start afresh unfortunately....

The paintwork is in dire need of a clay, pimples everywhere and I'd really like to tackle some swirls.

So this is what I am doing, let me know what you think?

·Rinse

·Wash using the 2 bucket method and Meguiars Gold Class Shampoo and Conditioner, also using Meguairs sheep skin thingy

·Rinse

·Dry using Meguairs Water Magnet

·Clay using Meguairs Quick Clay

·Wash again (is this needed??)

·Rinse

·Dry using Meguairs Water Magnet

·Polish using Meguairs Deep Crystal Paint Polish Step 1

·Wax using Meguairs NXT Generation Tech Wax

·And finish lol

What pads shall I use to apply the polish and wax, Halfrauds do a 3 pack of applicator pads - are these ok?

Also cloths to remove the wax, I bought some Halfrauds cotton 'valetor cloths' or something like that, which seem pretty good, but I heard they might be too hard possibly causing more swirls?!

Anyway appreciate your advice, let me know what you think

walks

__________________
Having a little break, concentrate on the more important things in life, swmbo and my training.

See you soon folks, take care - James

TaviaRS

I normally re-wash after claying, personal preference. Halfords do the Meguairs applicator pads Get some microfibre cloths, not the cotton ones.

Don't forget your wheels and tyres, nothing looks worse IMHO thana stunningly clean car with shiiite wheels and browny grey tyres.

__________________
A jolly sensible Mercedes E class saloon in a rather fetching bluey grey colour. No it isn't fast, no it isn't modded, and yes, it will still eat your Fabia for breakfast.

Official mobile chicane for Briskoda trackdays

Spanner

Is that what people do Do people have too much time?

A simple wash and clean, windows and wheels takes me 1-2h and thats with no polishing.



What water shortage, hey

__________________
Fabia vRS forunner to the Bentley Continental GT

Briskoda - Skoda's illegitimate family

Mods: Superchip, K&N filter, Eibach springs, FSD dampers, black front grille,

ChrisRs

I can see the swirl marks as we speak

Wardy

Seems fine to me that process Walkie. I don't personally wash again after claying, as the car always looks fine. After all, you're only spraying detailer onto the paintwork. I've never found I've left any clay debris after I've done all the panels either. But it does make sense in a way, to make sure you've got a totally clean car to polish and wax.

The products you're looking to use seem A1 to me too. Again, I'd use micro-fibre towels to remove polish/wax, instead of cotton towels or whatever - seems easier to remove with them....

HTH
Steve

__________________
Wardy's Fabia vRS
xenons : sunroof : cruise : OEM+


"Racing is life. Anything before or after is just waiting." - Steve McQueen
"If in doubt, flat out." - Colin McRae

walkie

Thanks for the tips

@ Spanner, I used to do the same tbh....... until I saw a properly cleaned, clayed, polished, wax etc car next to mine, the difference was unreal!

__________________
Having a little break, concentrate on the more important things in life, swmbo and my training.

See you soon folks, take care - James

SCOTIA

Walkie have you joined detailing world per chance

__________________
LOOK INTO MY EYES, ITS A SKODA,HONEST!!
Mark II Octy Vrs,Black magic,jumbo pack.
Gone but not forgotten
Mark I Octy Vrs,Black magic,panel filter,Forge Dv,215 bhp

walkie

I wish I didn't, I especially wish I didn't look at the 'Show it off!!' section lol

__________________
Having a little break, concentrate on the more important things in life, swmbo and my training.

See you soon folks, take care - James

SCOTIA

Know how you feel,my car looks like a shed compared to some cars on there.

__________________
LOOK INTO MY EYES, ITS A SKODA,HONEST!!
Mark II Octy Vrs,Black magic,jumbo pack.
Gone but not forgotten
Mark I Octy Vrs,Black magic,panel filter,Forge Dv,215 bhp

elegance1.8T

Quick question, why are you going straight from step one which is the deep crystal paint cleaner to the wax, shouldn't you apply the polish between the steps?

__________________
No longer a Skoda owner


But got a new BMW coming in 2 weeks, thats going to make me a really bad driver!

mdk1

I've joined aswell, not posting any pic's off mine

__________________
Mike.

Mine Skoda Roomster 3 TDI in matallic Anthracite Grey MK**LJK

Swmbo's Skoda Fabia 2.0I Elegance in Dark matallic Blue MK**LJK

walkie

Hmmmm, totals up to around £80 better be worth it

__________________
Having a little break, concentrate on the more important things in life, swmbo and my training.

See you soon folks, take care - James

Terry G

Agree with everyone else (esp. the micro fibres)
However (from experience) I would not use the NXT polish and go the whole hog and use the step 2 and 3 set. Step 1 is designed to 'strip' the build up (including wax) and removes swirls, Step 2 is the polish and Step 3 is the carnuba wax....
Make sure you follow all three otherwise you won't get the proper protection for your nice shiny car.
It looks great when finished.
If you're gonna do the other stuff then make a day of it!

thegavsters

So once you have done all this does it mean you dont have to wash your car again and it stays looking lovely? when I do a normal wash of my car, one journey later its filthy

__________________

Get your own Gamercard Sig.

elegance1.8T

Well I used the 3 step on mine a month or so ago then, due to work, did not get chance to wash it for 2 weeks and 600 miles so was looking a bit bad. It took me 15 mins to wash and dry, the dirt and tree sap came off so easy, it is well worth the effort.

__________________
No longer a Skoda owner


But got a new BMW coming in 2 weeks, thats going to make me a really bad driver!

vRS_Si

Walkie I did exactly that process last week and the car looks amazing!!
Used almost...the same stuff too!!
Megs Shampoo and conditioner
Megs clay and quick detailer
Megs step 1 paint cleaner
Poorboys Natty Blue Wax

I didn't wash again after the clay, really didn't think it was needed.
It's been a week now and the car still looks great

__________________
vRS
Mirror polished 9*18" Mercedes Alloys, APR FMIC, ABD TIP & CAI, Powder coated inlet manifold, Jabba Re-map, Blueflame/Pipewerx exhaust, Forge DV, KW v3 coilovers, Neuspeed ARB, S3 strut braces, bonnet lifters, Autostyl rear spoiler, Milotec rear diffuser & bumper grills, side rubbing strips removed, front and rear rubbing strips smoothed and colour coded, scuttle pannel colour coded, chrome grill colour coded, mk2 vRS badge, de-locked, tints, mk4 aero wipers.

TaviaRS

I did the other half's Merc last Saturday:

Wash
Clay
Wash
Swissol cleanser
PS21
Autoglym extra gloss protection
Swissol Shield wax
While the wax cured I did the wheels with Autobahn wheel wax and the tyres with Meguairs extra gloss
Went back to the bodywork and spit shined it using quick detailer and another coat of shield wax

I then cleansed the windows and applied a coat of Ombrello to all the side and rear windows and the lights.

Looks rather nice - only took 5.5 hours

__________________
A jolly sensible Mercedes E class saloon in a rather fetching bluey grey colour. No it isn't fast, no it isn't modded, and yes, it will still eat your Fabia for breakfast.

Official mobile chicane for Briskoda trackdays

chowy

I think it's hard work to remnove swirls by hand albeit not impossible.

The NXT should work well as it contains a filler that will mask minor defects like minor swirls.

One thing that has been mentioned about NXT is that it doesn't last that long and you may need to top it up regularly.

__________________
Present: BMW 130i M Sport 2007 | Titanium Silver (No need to use indicators no more )
Sadly gone: Skoda Fabia vRS 2005 | Black Magic (for pleasure)
Present: Skoda Octavia Ambiente 1.9 Tdi 2005 | Diamond Silver (for work)

Tiptronic

I joined that too. The transformations in the Show It off section are incredible. Guys like Iain (Finer Details) do some amazing work on those cars.

Just wish there was someone closer to home!

__________________
2007 (07) Citroen C4 Grand Picasso 1.6HDi Exclusive EGS

walkie

Ditto I'd love Iain to work his magic on my car, but a little too far I am afraid.

Got all my stuff, bring on Saterday

__________________
Having a little break, concentrate on the more important things in life, swmbo and my training.

See you soon folks, take care - James