When I first got my RRS I had every intention of getting a couple of buckets, all the cloths, wax, clay bars, blah blah blah

Never have, can't be bothered. I have wizzed it through one of those things on a track (IMO I think it's called) splashing out £8 for 'ultimate wax' and in my opinion it looks alright.

I've no plans to sell it unless it absolutely falls to bits

It actually looks a little sexy covered in mud as I do take it off road a little now and then. Shock horror I do use it for what it was intended for sometimes.

I agree with rrsboy it's a car (with the proper engine ) not a piece of art and I love it.

Hi there

The problem is with 99% of local car wash, is speed, technique and use of products. When cleaning is completed quickly its a recipe for missing a lot of vital parts, such as inside wheels, lower seals, inside arches. When it comes to technique almost all hand wash places I have seen have no idea how to actually wash the car the right way. Dirty buckets, cheap synthetic mitts and a chamois is a recipe for disaster. This alone is going to create swirl marks, from the mitt being in dirty water and contaminated in grit. There then going to rub that all over your lacquer which without a doubt is going to creates defects. Then there's the products:( it's all about saving money on volume so half the time there is not even room for a ph neutral shampoo, and when they can't clean they know there acidic TFR will. I have witness a 2012 Audi in black have TFR sprayed over the whole car. It has then sat in the direct sunlight baking into the lacquer while queuing to be wash. This lasted for 10 minutes which in the end burnt into the lacquer:(

Now I'm sure there are quick hand washes that take a bit more time and use the right products. But I have still to see this, so my advice is invest in the right products and wash it yourself. I appreciate you don't have time to wash your vehicle on the time, but I believe it's better to wash it well every 6 weeks instead.

The following products would be great investment without getting too into it but will ensure a basic clean that will keep it nice and clean.

Ph neutral shampoo
Acidic free wheel cleaner
Ph neutral degreaser.
2 lambs wool mitts (one for the top half and the other for the seals and lower bumpers.
70/30 drying towel
A cleaner fluid to reduce marring and holograms ( also great prep for wax to ensure a clean surface for the lsp to bond too)
A decent wax or sealant to keep in that new look and most importantly making it easier to clean next time round.

I have paint corrected more sports then I can actually remember (off the top of my head lol) but in my experience they have a lacquer that is pretty hard but is also sticky at the same time. Which on its own is a strange combination and a Lengthy process to remove defects completely.

In a nut shell every sport that I have had to correct has taken in the region 15-20 hours just to compound, polish and refine, and these defects all happened inside a 15 minute car wash at the local for £20.00. So to me they are a big waste in money.

Maybe look at having the sport crystal lacquer protected. This lasts for a min 20,000 miles and reduces wash marring considerably. My personal favourite is G-Techniq C1 crystal lacquer. As long as the paint is silicone free and well prepped this protection is totally unbeatable in terms of durability. If you add a coat of EXO on top of it, there really is nothing else that will beat it.

Lol bit of a rant but I hope that helps you. If you need anymore help on products or general question, I'll happily answer them for you.

Cheers
Mike Always clean.

It’s good to know the eastern European governments had the foresight to train there population to clean cars. OK their not very good at it up here but at least they get the winter salt off. Afterwards I find a quick dry with Autoglym AquaWax does the trick. Yes I’m a lazy xxxxxxxx too.

Hugh Haddow wrote:

It’s good to know the eastern European governments had the foresight to train there population to clean cars.

I'm Eastern European and I have never been trained to wash cars. But I do know how to wash a car properly  Vadim A.

while everything Superclean says is no doubt accurate (I assume crystal lacquer is actual lacquer, and not the snake oil nonsense the salesman always try to flog you for £300.. hint: commission £180) I just can't find the enthusiasm to care enough about my paintwork being 110% perfect. Constantly. All the time!

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2010 TDV8 HSE - ooo laa laaaaaaaaa
2007 TDV8 HSE - superb car and very reliable
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2012 - dearly departed, sadly missed.. to return in late 2013 with a new TDV8!

It's always going to be 50/50, but my advice is just for the guys who like a really clean car. Just a little useful advice for the guys not in the know searching for an answer;)

G-techniq is nothing like your life shines and your super guards. This is 100% clear quartz film which becomes the surface of your lacquer and bonds instantly. If prepped correctly you'll see 24 plus months of solid protection. You would be lucky if your super guards last 2 weeks. Always clean.

Big fan of the GTech stuff here
Have not used EXO yet, but C1 (and latterly C1+) along with C1.5, C2 and a whole host of others. Not really a duff product in the range IMHO.  ON THE WAY: BMW F21 M140i
MERCEDES GL350 - Metallic Navy Blue w/Grey interior

GOING: BMW F31 335D MSport+ xDrive Touring
GONE: Land Rover Discovery 4 HSE - Stornaway Grey w/Black Interior (wish we'd kept it )
GONE: BMW F10 520D MSport - Carbon Black
GONE:MY12 RRS SDV6 HSE Sumatra/Ivory/Grand Black Privacy glass

Why are all decent sounding detailers based down south or a million miles from Newcastle!  Java black 2006

Yes they have a great range I have a lot of time for 95 % of there products. I've used pretty much the best in the market and takes a lot for a product to impress me enough to believe that much in it. So much so that my wax fridge is practically a museum piece now. Every one is having full correction with crystal lacquer protections:) Always clean.

you might need to start using your waxes if you run out of Gtechniq after their fire at the weekend

must be a nightmare dealing with loss of stock like that

Yes Rob emailed us over the weekend. They were just about to launch the smaller size EXO so that was all there at the time. As some you know EXO is super expensive, so I'm sure he's not a happy guy at the moment. He was off to dubui as well to open a g-techniq centre in the next couple of weeks which I'm sure will be hold now. Was also suppose to be down at our studio in 2 weeks to show some new secret products. But I'm sure that's at the bk of his list for now:( Always clean.

i saw his post on DW, that bit of equipment the fire brigade used was a bit I didn't know they had stuff like that, water jets punching holes through walls and spraying a mist in to bring the temp down

use the C1.5 and G-wash and glass and wheels stuff myself, but i also use use wolfs chemicals shine and seal on my wheels, cleaning and sealing all at once is time saving

Don't think I'll get round to C1+ though, no indoor space to apply or time to do it,