Hope I am not overstepping the mark here but I have seen a few threads recently appear about snow foam and protecting against bug splatter and the like. Personally I enjoy keeping my freely looking as good, if not better than the day I picked it up....between muddy sessions!!

A few of us lurk over on a well known detailing/cleaning forum and between us (including those members that do this for a living) can hopefully offer some basic advice on the best products and processes.

For some this is a hobby, an obsession or maybe just a chore!

Feel free to use this thread to ask any questions about removing those stubborn scratches/swirls/stains or splats! General paint/trim/alloy wheel care and long lasting winter protection products for when washing a freely isn't an option!

Maybe if theres is enough interest, a small sub section could be an idea!

Basics for me are;

- A pH neutral snowfoam used diluted in a garden sprayer for a pre wash.
- A non acid based wheel cleaner.
- A non acid based fallout remover.
- Pressure washer, I use the Nilfisk a few of us bought for £30-40, more than adequate.
- Two bucket method (to keep the crap in one bucket, and nice soapyness in another)
- A good shampoo
- Quality wash mitt, not sponge.
- A swirl/scratch filler and glaze.
- A decent wax
- A long lasting tyre gel
- A quick detailer spray to top up the wax after a normal wash.
- Tar remover (Autosmart Tardis is the only weapon of choice for me)
- Good stash of microfibres/drying towels

The floodgates are now open to the whole raft of paint prep products, sealants, glazes, swirl fillers, scratch removers and protection! But based on questions, we can recommend products!

Over to you lot!

James 2013 FL2 - Black Edition Auto
2013 FL2 - Black Edition Manual GONE!
Founder of the 'Microscopic LR Spoiler Badge Club'
Destroyer of chrome rears.....

Ill let others jump in but for snow foam I use a strong mix of elite s own brand..... plus there's a 10pct discount for members of the other place.

Really wax.... I just got some samples from them too.... one if the small ones is enough to do the fl2 two may be three times. As suggested to me ( after a good clean ) I placed the wax on my hands then rubbed all over the car.... gave the neighbours something to talk about lol.

T Terran



'The' Car For The Modern Day UK Roads ( ie all the pot holes )

'A Freelander that leaks oil is just marking its territory' - Wise words

Now a member of the FL2 'Silly Bill' Club

PS look on ebay for autoglm pid kits.... to me provides a good base....

T Terran



'The' Car For The Modern Day UK Roads ( ie all the pot holes )

'A Freelander that leaks oil is just marking its territory' - Wise words

Now a member of the FL2 'Silly Bill' Club

Wash method is along the lines of Jimski, prewash, two buckets and dry

Sealing I use sealent sprays, at the moment GTechniq c1.5 but will be going over too C2v3 due to it lasting longer

Used to use waxes but some can be hard work so I went off them,

Fallout remover is a good thing too, I use Wolf Chemicals DeIroniser as it can dry and will turn a love shade of purple and yellow whilst ridding my car and wheels of crap

Polishing I head towards my Meguiers DA and microfibre polishing kit Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

Whilst on detailing world I read recently about a Microfibre looking cloth which was a clay cloth

Basically soak it in a bucket of your wash shampoo, and one side is used to clay the car, benefits are it faster than traditional car clay and if you drop it you can just rinse out and start again

Looked really good, but thought I'd see if anyone uses them artdeshine clay cloth
 Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

I saw that clay cloth, will be looking into that when I'm due a decon!! I'm a big 'Poorboys World' fan, their 'Black Hole' and 'QD+' is simply effortless and gives fantastic results on my santorini.

Will be giving it a blast by machine polisher when I get chance. Just ordered the Wolfs Deironizer so will chuck some pics up shortly, it's certainly the most cost effective fallout remover.

For me, it's an Auto Finesse and Poorboys World dominated market with Bilt Hamber wax. 2013 FL2 - Black Edition Auto
2013 FL2 - Black Edition Manual GONE!
Founder of the 'Microscopic LR Spoiler Badge Club'
Destroyer of chrome rears.....

Got some auto finese deironizer (can't recall it's actual name)

Not tried it yet but will

I used to be dodo juice fan and loved there Supernatral wax but spray on wipe off is the future of protecting the car Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

Any one had their Gtec freebie yet ?

T Terran



'The' Car For The Modern Day UK Roads ( ie all the pot holes )

'A Freelander that leaks oil is just marking its territory' - Wise words

Now a member of the FL2 'Silly Bill' Club

Gtec? you mean showroom shine? Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

There are so many products! I only use Turtle wax and Autoglym and I haven't even attempted to clay for wax the car!

I'm a complete novice at the moment!

npinks wrote:

Gtec? you mean showroom shine?

Yep - http://www.freel2.com/forum/topic15579.html

T Terran



'The' Car For The Modern Day UK Roads ( ie all the pot holes )

'A Freelander that leaks oil is just marking its territory' - Wise words

Now a member of the FL2 'Silly Bill' Club

thought so, but the answer is No  Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

For wax I use the collinite 476 and really gives an awesome depth to the paint. Is hard work to put on tho, made the mistake of doing it a day before rock climbing and had trouble getting off the ground...

Additional to jimski I have some glass cloths (not made of glasss...for glass and a bunch of applicator sponges. I use a leather wash/conditioner from sonus which seems to do the trick, and a quick interior detailer too. Use the aerospace 303 for various bits of black inside and out, recommended by someone on here and now I've figured out how to apply it is awesome.

This will be my new favourite thread  FL2 2011 SD4 XS in Galway Green

Here's today's wheel cleaning. Using muc-off wheel cleaner, foaming tyre cleaner, wolfs chemicals de-ironiser and autosmart tardis! They were then sealed with Auto Glym aerosol wheel sealant.

The purpleyness is the wolfs spray working against brake deposits and other hard to shift marks;

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated

303 is great if you spray on and leave in and engine bay, come back a hour or so later to mop puddles

Wolf clean and seal wheel cleaner is great, too Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis