Hi guys - I would appreciate your advice regarding giving my RRS a spring clean.

Firstly, a confession - I have been VERY lazy in keeping my RRS washed and clean over the winter months.....

However, guilt is now setting in and now that the shoots of spring are appearing I am determined to make up for this neglect by giving my Santorini Black/Ivory RRS a good 'seeing to'!

Having read a few other posts, my intention (for the first time ever) - after a thorough wash - is to refresh the paint finish with a mild clay bar.

My confusion is what to do after this. I already have some Zymol Wax (from a previous life). Do I apply the Wax directly after the clay bar treatment or should I first use polish (eg Autoglym Super Resin) and then apply the Zymol.

The Zymol trearment plan talks about usung Zymol HD Cleanse before waxing but I assume this process is replaced by the clay bar treatment....???

Any comments/advice gratefully received.

As you've already got a Zymol wax, I'd get some HD cleanse, its a slightly tricky product, but if you get the application right (ie not too much) then it gives a great finish and a superb base for the wax.

To get good results, your process should look something like this:

Wash
Rinse
Clay (can be done whilst the car is still wet - when you've finished the paint, use the old bits of clay to do the windows then the alloys too, makes SUCH a difference - I don't know what clay bar you've got, but I'd take a look at the Bilt Hamber ones (soft and normal) as they can be used with good old water, which just makes life easier )
Wash (yes again, you'll be amazed the stuff that a clay bar pulls out
Rinse
Dry
HD Cleanse (this is a cleaning/filler/glazing product and will leave a superb finish)
Wax

Stand back and admire  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

A tip for washing is to use 2 buckets. 1 for very soapy water, and one for rinsing out the wash mitt after each wipe of the car.

i.e.
Dip mitt into bucket, wash a section of the car, rinse out the mitt in the rinsing out bucket, then dip it back into the soapy bucket and repeat

This reduces the chances of scratching the car with any grit from the bucket/mitt

With the clay bar, I'd use a small amount of car shampoo + water in a spray bottle and keep spraying the area you're claying to keep it 'lubed up'

After claying, I've used AG SRP straight after, wipe clean, then used Chemical Guys EZ Creme glaze (smells amazing!), wipe away, then wax coat x2.
Paintwork feels oily and beading lasts for weeks.

The key to waxing is in the preparation.  RRS HSE TDV6 Autobiography

Last edited by AndyKay on Thu Mar 01 2012 9:44am. Edited 1 time in total

^^^ Agreed Andy
A 2 bucket wash is a good tip............and its worth getting yourself a wash mitt or decent non silcone sponge and also some microfiber towels........
I could go on for hours spending your money, but if you get a few basic tools, you;d be amazed at how much better finish you can get  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

Or if it's just a once / twice a year thing maybe be better to pay someone to do a job on it for you?

Which would be my preference as I'm lazy and dislike washing cars anyway...  2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

Pay someone, makes you keep on top of it afterwards! Jaguar XKR Convertible
MY 2012 Range Rover Sport TDV6 Autobiography in Fujian White....Mmmmmmm
Range Rover Evoque 2.2 Prestige in white - gone
Porsche Boxster S White with lots of extras! Gone
Lotus Elise 2011 Touring for sunny days - gone!

Previously....
RRS TDV8 Black 57 Plate
645ci
Jag XKR Convertible (my wife still loves this car!)
BMW 530i
BMW 328i (I loved this car)
Golf R32

I found Zymol HD cleanse to be a very hard product to work with, as it dried quickly and hell to buff off

For a pre wax cleaner, i found Dodo Juice Lime Prime Lite to be a better more easier product to work with

Completely forgot about DJ LP Nick - Rickshaw, get that instead, will be a lot easier to use.  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

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

^^^ Is that an action shot of you rrsboy, which one are you  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

Thank you for your comments & advice - much appreciated!

I have used Zymol HD Cleanse in the past (on a previous motor) and agree with npinks that it was difficult to use.

I'll give the Dodo Juice a try.

Thanks for advice re 2 bucket wash - have already got a mitt.

Clay Bar not yet purchased - was going to get something from 'Cleanyourcar' (their own brand?) but didn't spot the Bilt Hamber product.

RRSTDV8's and Jonathan's advice to 'pay someone' is tempting BUT I feel the only way I can overcome my guilt is to make an effort myself - who knows it may become therapeutic.....

Thanks again

I find the Meguiers kits are good to begin with

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/detailing-cl...d_226.html

You need to use a quick detailer as lube, but can normally do a whole car with it, just DON'T use it if you drop the clay, start again with a fresh piece

Bilt Hamber Soft Clay can be bought here, as Mr Bean says it can be used with just water and comes in a big block you can cut up in quarters and save for the next time and thus saving money

Wolf Deironiser or CarPro Iron X are a good step, before claying, to remove iron particals chemically before trying to clay them off

Careful rickshaw, Nick will have you on the dark side with an empty wallet before you can say, "which wax is good for black"  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

Have you thought about protecting your wheels, glass, plastic Trim, leather, fabric, engine bay, tyres gloss or matt what air freshener

Oh come on guys - now you're trying to make me feel VERY guilty.

I can admit to cleaning the wheels on occasions with some pink (non-acidic stuff) liquid AND applying some PoorBoys afterwards so I am not totally unkind to my RRS.

Ivory Leather is often (well occasionally) cleaned and protected with some other stuff I saw recommended on the Forum, because my wife's jeans leave blue marks - so there!!

Having just renewed tax and insurance and with the balance from my 0% Finance Deal due next week I can assure you my wallet is already very empty