Mal Posted July 22, 2003 Report Share Posted July 22, 2003 Dee-lighted with my gorgeous new Cab! Picked her up Monday last week in time to whisk my missus up to Gleneagles for our anniversary...major brownie points! 9 week delivery - most impressed. Up until now I've always had company cars, but have now opted out (tax etc). Problem is, I'm well used to abusing somewhat/not cleaning my motors, and I naturally want to take real care of this one as it's mine (!), and want it to retain value come resale in a few years' time. It's presently crusted in dead flies, alloys are covered in dust, paintwork, chromework, exhausts dirty etc ....a far cry from when I picked it up gleaming a week and 1,200 miles ago! (and what about cleaning the hood & rubber seals??). I'd like to maintain it in 'as collected' state as far as poss. I really want to start as I mean to go on and get the best products for the full job washing/polishing & would appreciate any advice/recommendations as to what other owners use/think best. Car is amulet red if that makes any difference. Sorry if this has been covered in previous posts, but much appreciated!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveCab Posted July 22, 2003 Report Share Posted July 22, 2003 hi, welcome aboard. a lot of us on here swear by Meguiars products, and the other half seem to go for Zymol and Autoglym, take a look in the cleaning section for others posts, me - im a Meguiars fan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keegs Posted July 23, 2003 Report Share Posted July 23, 2003 congrats and welcome aboard, I always used Autoglym but found the polish beacame a nightmare with the left over powder, so used Mur which is ok but now swapped to meguiars and swear by it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted July 23, 2003 Report Share Posted July 23, 2003 Yeah, as Steve says, take a look in the cleaning forum, more cleaning help and info there than you can shake a sponge at! Personally I keep mine waxed with Autoglym products and it seems to do the trick. You're not supposed to use anything on the hood except for proper hood cleaner occasionally. Keep the wheels clean with some wheel cleaner (although make sure it's nothing too strong as it can take the finish off. Ended up with some matt BBS alloys on a Golf GTI years ago courtesy of some over strong wheel cleaner. Use Halford own brand now, seems ok). But as suggested, pop over to the cleaning forum and ask away, there are experts in all matters cleaning there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mal Posted July 23, 2003 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2003 Ta lots for your help and pointers...and D'OH! guess who didn't realise there was a separate cleaning forum... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted July 23, 2003 Report Share Posted July 23, 2003 Mal, What colour and spec did you get? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mal Posted July 24, 2003 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2003 1.8T Sport Amulet Red Heated Seats Black Nappa Parking Sensors CD changer in dash Test drove both the 1.8 & 2.4 as they were similar cash. 1.8 felt a bit faster/sportier, 2.4 felt burblier/cruisier with a lovely engine note(are those real words???) Went for 1.8 as similar oomph to 2.4 but cheaper to insure & better mpg (I got over 38mpg on my first run to Jockland & back if the DIS is to be believed). I haven't 'overloaded' it as I fear not getting it all back on resale. Didn't order the windstop...which I'm not regretting yet, but wonder if I will when I fancy hood down thrills on crisp December mornings...will probably consider buying an aftermarket one from classic additions..(anyone know if they're any good and if they fit???) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyB Posted July 24, 2003 Report Share Posted July 24, 2003 The 1.8 is the only variation I haven't yet tried. I started with a 3.0 Multitronic at Poole Audi - v.nice. Then test drove a 2.5Tdi at Salisbury. Very impressed with that. I just had a reservation about the clattery idling, but when driving it was very, very impressive. The missus got out, stood in front of it and said, "Oh, is it a diesel?" Bet the salesman thought he was onto a winner there! Especially as my little boy had fallen asleep in the back on the test drive!! Anyway, someone beat me to that, so next up was the one I bought - a 2.4 Manual. Lovely jubbly. I'm currently riding around without my windstop as it generates a nice cooling breeze, but it will get put on again as and when the inevitable cold snap arrives!! Regrets? The only regret is that my Cab hasn't got the rear parking sensors. Can these be retro-fitted does anyone know? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apreading Posted July 24, 2003 Report Share Posted July 24, 2003 Fairly sure they can. I know VW retro fit them on their cars. Need to get them colour matched for the bumpers though so might have to order them in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hants_Cruiser_UK Posted July 24, 2003 Report Share Posted July 24, 2003 I was thinking about getting parking sensors, but after my hassles, who the hell do I trust to do it ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Braytak Posted July 25, 2003 Report Share Posted July 25, 2003 Hi Guys. Up to now I have just used Turtle Wax Gloss Guard which is contains no abrasives or Silicones is easy to apply and buff. It isn't a Wax Polish but it does protect and maintain beading for weeks and weeks.It is also great for keeping Alloys water resistant and easier to keep clean and it does not affect the plastic parts in fact it's great for the arches and other plastic parts. I really like it. I purchased a new product today Turtle Wax Metalllic polish which is specially formulated for Pearl and laquered metallic finishes. The only problem is that on reading the instructions thoroughly I noticed it contained some silicone along with waxes and polymers. I remember someone advising to avoid silcone based or containing silicone waxes as they dull shine over time. Anyone have any views. Do we need to wax or are gloss guard and similar products sufficient since the surface is a laqueur. Cheers. Gez..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hants_Cruiser_UK Posted July 25, 2003 Report Share Posted July 25, 2003 I use Autoglym Super Resin Polish to give it a fantastic deep shine, then like you I use the Turtle Wax Gloss Guard to give extra protection I find that to be nice and simple and gives a great finish without much effort. Mine is Amulet Red, therefore not a metallic, but the Audi bodyshop said that it's a "base coat" colour with a clear lacquer over the top, just like a metallic. I find that any little scratches I get are easily taken care of using the Autoglym - good job as it seems to mark very easily. Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Braytak Posted July 25, 2003 Report Share Posted July 25, 2003 Yes, it's re assuring to know what other enthusiasts are using. Cheers. Gez. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Braytak Posted July 25, 2003 Report Share Posted July 25, 2003 Hi Mal. Is it clean yet. By the way, I notice your in South Wales. I'm 18 miles north of Cardiff up the A470. Are you in my woodland retreat. Cheers. Gez...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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