So this weekend I decided I would give 'detailing' a try for the first time after some inspiring work on this forum. I ordered Bilt-Hamber car soap, clay, wax and wheel cleaner plus Autoglym super resin polish. I payed £60 for the lot. The car shampoo requires just a teaspoon to a bucket! It wasn't very soapy so I was tempted to use twice as much, but the advantage is that you can see any dirt in need of elbow grease which was good. I normally use Halfords car wash and use so much that all I can see is bubbles! Claying the car was the second step and feeling the paintwork after washing it did need doing. I used a third of the bar and it took probably 60-90 minutes, supposedly I should have spent longer however the bar was gliding over the paintwork and felt smooth(I didn't use the plastic bag trick). I used soft rather than a standard clay bar as the car is only 5-6 years old and it was my first time using one. I then moved onto the interior and wheels while waiting for the car to dry. Wow my wheels have never looked so good that product is absolutely amazing. It's clear but turns red when it has reacted to the wheel and ready for cleaning. I scrubbed them with a wheel brush and got rid of dirt/brake dust that I have never managed to shift before. I then hoovered inside and used a microfibre cloth on all the surfaces and then hoovered the carpets for a second time to pick up any dirt the cloth had brought up. With the car now dry but with clay bar residue left on, so I started with the polish, not sure if I should have washed it prior to this but some of you may enlighten me, the residue helps me to know which panels I have and haven't done anyway! I used extra polish and some elbow grease on any surface scratches I saw but it didn't really cover them I don't think, probably would have been a good time for t-cut but they are not noticeable enough to worry about. With the car now looking seriously shiny and almost new I started to fall into love with it.. WAIT I Mean I started with the wax... unfortunately I only got halfway and it started raining!! When it stopped I got the shammy out to dry it and finished the job, the wax was easy to apply and a little tough to get off at first, starting with the roof and side door before rubbing off/buffing was probably not a good idea, but working on one panel at a time was better. The pot came with an application pad and a buffing towel. Finally glass wipes on the windows inside and out and a bit of 10 year old metal polish and wire wool found in the garage(cheers dad) was the final touch and I was pleased with the days work. I don't have many pictures but theres a few below. I really would recommend Bilt-Hamber products even if my pictures don't do them justice. Below is a list of main products used Bilt-Hamber auto wash car shampoo 300ml Bilt-Hamber auto clay soft 200g Bilt-Hamber auto wheel auto php neutral wheel cleaner 1l Autoglym super resin polish (new formula) Bilt-Hamber double speed wax 250ml Before After
Gave it a wash earlier as I had an early day Was going to give it a quick layer of sonax brilliant shine detailer too but started spitting. I noticed 2 different scratches and also a small cluster of scratches near the bottom of a wheel arch, at first quite gutting as I haven't put a scratch on it since I got it, must have been from my claying.. pushing too hard maybe. Lucky I've got them out, was going to go halfords for scratch X but used t-cut and PHEW its done the job, just leaves a dull patch where you end up losing the coat of wax ha Just shows how careful you have to be, thankful I bought the 'soft' bar and not the medium grade one. Feel relieved
