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Jimski



Member Since: 21 Jan 2013
Location: Staffordshire
Posts: 649

United Kingdom 2013 Freelander 2 TD4 GS Auto Santorini Black
The OCD Cleaning/Detailing Thread

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.....

Post #189043 24th Jun 2013 10:39 pm
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ccsnet



Member Since: 05 Jan 2013
Location: Lancs
Posts: 881

United Kingdom 2007 Freelander 2 TD4 HSE Manual Tambora Flame

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

Post #189049 25th Jun 2013 6:40 am
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ccsnet



Member Since: 05 Jan 2013
Location: Lancs
Posts: 881

United Kingdom 2007 Freelander 2 TD4 HSE Manual Tambora Flame

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

Post #189050 25th Jun 2013 6:42 am
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npinks



Member Since: 28 Jun 2007
Location: Ls25
Posts: 20090

United Kingdom 

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

Post #189051 25th Jun 2013 6:49 am
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npinks



Member Since: 28 Jun 2007
Location: Ls25
Posts: 20090

United Kingdom 

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

Post #189052 25th Jun 2013 6:53 am
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Jimski



Member Since: 21 Jan 2013
Location: Staffordshire
Posts: 649

United Kingdom 2013 Freelander 2 TD4 GS Auto Santorini Black

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.....

Post #189077 25th Jun 2013 8:40 am
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npinks



Member Since: 28 Jun 2007
Location: Ls25
Posts: 20090

United Kingdom 

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

Post #189080 25th Jun 2013 9:19 am
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ccsnet



Member Since: 05 Jan 2013
Location: Lancs
Posts: 881

United Kingdom 2007 Freelander 2 TD4 HSE Manual Tambora Flame

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

Post #189082 25th Jun 2013 9:25 am
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npinks



Member Since: 28 Jun 2007
Location: Ls25
Posts: 20090

United Kingdom 

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

Post #189083 25th Jun 2013 9:32 am
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chrisr1806



Member Since: 20 Oct 2012
Location: None
Posts: 2220

England 2011 Freelander 2 SD4 HSE Auto Santorini Black

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! Embarassed

Post #189086 25th Jun 2013 10:18 am
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ccsnet



Member Since: 05 Jan 2013
Location: Lancs
Posts: 881

United Kingdom 2007 Freelander 2 TD4 HSE Manual Tambora Flame

npinks wrote:
Gtec? you mean showroom shine?
Embarassed 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

Post #189089 25th Jun 2013 11:20 am
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npinks



Member Since: 28 Jun 2007
Location: Ls25
Posts: 20090

United Kingdom 

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

Post #189098 25th Jun 2013 12:41 pm
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Yanwoo



Member Since: 29 Jan 2013
Location: Surrey
Posts: 280

2011 Freelander 2 SD4 XS Auto Galway Green

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 Smile 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 Very Happy FL2 2011 SD4 XS in Galway Green

Post #189141 25th Jun 2013 5:24 pm
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Jimski



Member Since: 21 Jan 2013
Location: Staffordshire
Posts: 649

United Kingdom 2013 Freelander 2 TD4 GS Auto Santorini Black

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


All hints of baked on brake dust and tar gone, look like new. About 15-20 mins per wheel but will be another 6 months or so before this level of cleaning again!!

Click image to enlarge


I had a play with some 303 aerospace on a Mini ONE engine bay too......fantastic results for a wipe on/off job!!

:thumbsup:

Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated Mr. Green  2013 FL2 - Black Edition Auto
2013 FL2 - Black Edition Manual GONE!
Founder of the 'Microscopic LR Spoiler Badge Club'
Destroyer of chrome rears.....

Post #189177 25th Jun 2013 7:04 pm
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npinks



Member Since: 28 Jun 2007
Location: Ls25
Posts: 20090

United Kingdom 

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

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

Post #189187 25th Jun 2013 7:52 pm
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