Ewan27

Apologies if this has been discussed before, but just wanted to link to a product I got for my Fuji HS30

http://goo.gl/ZY2QGx

It's a remote with a timer that plugs into the USB port. I tend to use it at gathering/parties to stop all those horrible "posed" photographs. The camera sits out the way on a tripod or alike and is set to take a photo every x minutes. You can set up intervals as low as 1 second and a limit the number of photographs it takes (1-400). Your limitations are the battery life on your camera (as you obviously have to leave it on) The unit itself takes doubles AA's and I've never run out of juice on it.

Just wanted to share as it was relatively cheap and works well.

 

How do you rate the Megs Gold Class shampoo? I started with that but have tried a few others since as it didn't get me all into a lather.

I tried a sample and it seemed OK, only just bought that big bottle. To be honest, as I clean weekly and use the snow foam, it's never usually all that dirty when I get to the hand wash. Not sure I'd really noticed the difference.

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Always good to generate a debate though Ewan, fair play to you for putting up a really good detailed 'beginners guide' post. New products come out all the time and new techniques arrive with them, no harm in refreshing everyone

 

I wonder how many people spend as much time on the interior as they do on the outside...

Well I was worried I was going to get abused for not doing things correctly, but the feedback has all been constructive. When I first started looking into it, all the information and advise was overwhelming to be honest. I think something similar to my original (after edits) is a decent place to grasp the basics, then you can build from there. The initial move from a sponge and fairy liquid to a microfibre and car shampoo is hardest step, after that it's an expensive, slippery slope to obsession! Here is my rather tame shelf

Thanks for all your replies. I've re-written the post to reflect the advise on here and replaced some of the products. I'll wait to see if anyone else has any insights, then I'll edit the original post. That way it'll be easier to read for anyone who is linked to it.

No need for snow foaming at all though, 2BM is more than enough. Also you need to mention that when using a jetter, you must make sure that the head is kept as far as possible from the car and always sprayed at an angle, NEVER straight on as you'll damage the paintwork. Personally I don't use a jetter at all, again a quick once over with a hose and gun attachment will get rid of the initial layer of dirt/dust.

 

For a beginner, that's a great start. Good work sir, and just wait until a couple of years down the line when it becomes an addiction!

Thanks!

It's quite daunting when you first start, like moving from your mums mop bucket and sponge from under the sink to a shelf full of products! Snow foaming is the fun part though Will take note of your warnings re paint damage.

I also don't use 2 buckets, or any buckets at all but again that is personal preference. I tend to spray the car down, apply cleaning agents with the Karcher lance then use the Mitt to wash it, I then use the Pro Valet with foam lance and leave it for 5 minutes - The results are fantastic.

 

How do you rinse your mitt between sections/panels without a bucket?

Good place to start this, good effort as loads of people ask (myself included).

 

I know products are very personal, but in terms of pure drying power I found the Megs drying MF ok, but I've fallen head over heals for this Dodo take on it.

 

http://www.theultima...ying-towel.aspx

Cheers for the heads up!

Not bad, but some of products I would definitively change. But its all personal preference.

 

I would definitely change the HyperWash for Valet Pro and I would definitely change the Clay Bar for a Bilt Hamber bar. These products just give mind boggling results!

 

I used these before a paint correction here:

 

http://www.350z-uk.c...int-correction/

I've just got placed a large order, but once my supplies have run out I'll definitely try the products you recommended, thanks a lot! Interesting thread, I've never had the cojones to use a machine polisher, but it might very well be my next investment! I think I just need to watch someone use one, or be shown how to and then I'd be ok! Anyway, thanks for your recommendations

This is an edited post to reflect some of the advise and product recommendations from other members:

Hi guys, someone asked me how I clean my car and what products I used so I wrote them a lengthy e-mail about it. I am only a beginner with detailing and I am aware I may not be using the products as per the manufacturer's instructions. This is just the method, and process that I follow. While feedback would be welcome, please don't barrage me with abuse cause I'm not using something correctly My new car is arriving in a couple of weeks, so will post picture of the finished product, although I don't have a Z anymore

First thing anyone serious about detailing will recommend is the two bucket method (2BM). Basically you have one bucket with hot water and wash concentrate, and a second "clean" bucket just filled with cold water. This is for rinsing your cleaning cloth/mitt each time, before you put it back into your hot bucket. So you would rinse your mitt in the cold, put your mitt in the hot, wash a panel, mitt back in the cold, rinse and repeat

The buckets for sale on "clean your car" are overpriced, any (clean) builders buckets would be suitable, think I got mine from a hardware store.

Snow Foam Lance - http://goo.gl/m6qELA

This fits onto your pressure washer handle. Fill it about a quarter way with the below. You can top the bottle up with water, but I tend to use it neat.

Valet Pro - Advanced Neutral Snow Foam - http://goo.gl/8hlDoh

This is the snow foam to put in your lancer, but also doubles up as a decent car shampoo (you hardly need to put any in your bucket)

Meguiars Lambswool Wash Mitt - http://goo.gl/FQ9JW6

First things to do is to pressure wash your car quickly with only water. Try and get up close on your number plates etc to remove bugs. Don't bother spending too much time on your alloys as we'll deal with those later, but get rid of the outer dirt. Next stage is to snow foam and leave it to settle for 10 minutes. Then pressure wash your car with water again, spending a little more time. Then fill your buckets (as above) and wash your car as normal, using the 2BM and the cleaning mitt. Pressure wash your car again to remove access soap and suds, take note of any areas with stubborn marks. I would then drive the car around the block a couple of times to remove excess water. Next stage is your alloys.

N.B. Make sure that the pressure washer head is kept as far as possible from the car (painted areas) and always sprayed at an angle, NEVER straight on as you'll damage the paintwork.

Bilberry Wheel Cleaner - http://goo.gl/3yIITD

Apply this with a soft brush into all the nooks of your alloy, rinse out your brush between each alloy. By the time you've done the 4th wheel, the 1st wheel will be ready to be pressure/hand washed. If you still have stubborn dirt then try a more abrasive brush and leave some neat cleaner on for longer.

Now you need to dry the car completely. I'd always recommend using microfibre cloths instead of standard towers, this one is good for drying, but you might need a couple - Dodo Plush Drying Towel - http://goo.gl/nOEssU

Meguiars - Quik Detailer Mist & Wipe - http://goo.gl/yEv52t

The next stage depends on the condition of the car after this initial clean.

1) If the car looks good, without any ingrained dirt stains then you all you need to do it spray the detailer lightly, all over the car then buff it off with:

Ultimate Ultra-Plush Buffing Cloth Pkg/3 - http://goo.gl/dRNXW8

You don't need to leave the detailer on for very long, by the time you've sprayed the whole car, you can start taking it off from the place you started.

2) If the car still has ingrained dirt on it or you want to do a complete clean then you can use a clay bar. There are instructions with it, but basically you mould the clay into the palm of your hand, spray detailer onto an area and work the bar until you feel an ever-so-slight resistance. You'll be surprised how much dirt it picks up. This does take a while to do! You don't have to do the whole car; you could just focus on particularly dirty sections.

Bilt Hamber - Auto Clay Regular - http://goo.gl/GAkr6e

Once all the detailer is off, the next stage is a wax. I've used various "quick" or "aqua" waxes but they tend to take almost as long as a "proper" wax does and don't give as good a finish. The wax I'd recommend is this:

Autoglym - High Definition wax - http://goo.gl/6LELg6

While it is expensive, it lasts a long time as you hardly need to use any to get a great finish. Again there are instructions (and applicator pads) included, but you basically cover the car in a thin layer of wax, leave it for 10 minutes, then buff it off.

I really don't think you'll need to polish your car, the finish the wax gives is very good. If you get into this then I can recommend polishes and "finishing products", but 90% of the time I use the method above (finishing with the HD wax). You can never have enough microfibre & buffing cloths so you should buy a pack of smaller ones. I think I got a pack of cheaper ones from ebay as there's not much difference between them. Once you've done a "full" clean, then you can quickly clean the car by using a rinse, snow foam and hand wash once a week. You probably only need to do the entire process every 5-6 weeks in the summer, and every 3-4 in the winter

Congrats on the new purchase

 

Japan . . . thats a funny place to get a Mustang from

Yeah, I only have low res photos just now, and a spoiler has been fitted since I got them so I'd rather wait to give it good detail and take some proper pictures, perhaps wearing a denim jacket.

I agree is it a funny place - JM-Imports specialise in Japanese imports and there were plenty of Mustangs available in Japan so I decided to go with a recommended importer sourcing from Japan rather than an unknown sourcing from the USA.

That's an awesome looking Zed you've got, sorry had there. Hope the Mustang brings you as much joy

Coming back on the forum and looking at my pics is making me sad! I'm glad I'm running a heap in between cars and not just jumping straight from the Z into the stang! I'm not expecting anywhere near the performance, but the joy of it sitting in my drive should make up for that

Hi guys, thought I'd post a fair well message as I have now sold my 2005 Ultra Yellow GT4. I purchased her 18 months ago in Newcastle for £11,500 with 12.5K miles on the clock. It had:

FSH

Factory Fitted Nismo V1 Body Kit

VX PRO TITAN TITANIUM Exhaust (Thanks to member's on here for helping me discover this!)

19" RAYS TE37

Since purchasing I did some basic cosmetic mods:

Removed excessive Nismo stickers

Obligatory stubby aerial

Refurbished and powder coated alloys - black

Nismo Gear Shifter

Custom black/yellow gear gaiter

Fitted Falken 452's all round

Only mechanical issue I had was a cooling fan failure which was fixed under a 3rd party warranty. I have since read this is quite a common fault.

Here she was before I sold her:

I put 13k miles on her and sold for £10,250 via JM-Imports (they found a buyer in France). They have now sourced me a Mustang which is on it's way over from Japan right now! If anyone's interested I'll post up pictures and spec once I have it, but it's only the V6 (a pitiful 210BHP from a 4l engine!) Again, thanks to forum members for pointing me in the direction of JM-Imports, they (Jurgen in particular) offer a great service to anyone looking to import a car.

Just wanted to say a final thanks to all the members who gave me advise initially and helped out when I had problems. This is by far the most friendly, active and helpful forum I have ever used, especially to new comers.

I do hope to hang around on here, despite not having a Z!

Cheers,

Ewan

Hi guys, I know people are usually interested when a white 1 is about so thought I'd post the link

http://goo.gl/LqIuh

Not ones this big -

You might even get free room and board along the way if you ask members nicely Are you travelling alone? Where are you starting your journey from?

I added a small detour at the end of your trip to come and see me in Annan

Are you still looking? I have a Yellow GT4 with 25,000 miles and other extras (Nismo V1 Body Kit & Mines Silence VX Pro Titan exhaust) for sale.

If you're still struggling then PM me and I'll give you my number to call.

Where are you located? I'd happily swap with you for a few days if you're anywhere near the Scotland/England border.

I paid for it and installed it; this thread was an elaborate ruse Either that or I'm an idiot for A) Not realising I had an expensive, rare exhaust upgrade and Not keeping it clean and shiny

Plastic bags over electric units and battery, slow running hose or watering can, couple old toothbrushes and then I use the foam stuff that you spray onto foot carpets over all the engine bay scrub it in then rinse off, repeat 2-3 times. Then I spray some back to black over the plastics to freshen them up, lovely jubbly.

Any pics of your results?

The power of the forum! Awesome knowledge and friendly folks to boot.

Bloody typical! When I bought my Zed, it had a nice aftermarket note coming from it, tried to see what exhaust it was and found the effing thing was standard and broke! Some other guy decided to have a look after god knows how long of ownership and finds its a £3k titanium Mines!

 

I hate you!

 

14 months! I thought the tips might be custom but I'd never inspected another Zed before this 1 so didn't know it was different. I'll post up a sound clip to see if there's much difference!

Fixed it for ya...

 

I appreciate SAM's help in identifying this!

 

No problem, Just remember me when you get rid.

Ha, thanks and will do!

Thanks for the offer but I'll have to decline

Sure I'll post 1 up, I hadn't realised mine wasn't standard up until the last couple of days so never considered it!

Please excuse the horrible picture quality and the rough cleaning job but here are pics of my Mines Silence VX Pro Titan exhaust

Once again I appreciate everyone's help in identifying this!