Hi

[Scorpius]

Thanks guys for the warm welcome!

@Carn and MeTsU: Nice to see some VWC guys here. My SO, friends and colleagues think I'm a nut with all the products I buy and the time spent and method used to wash my own car. That said, these are people that would 'treat' their cars to a car wash maybe once a month and wouldn't think twice about letting the Sandton City car park professionals give their car a good scrub down. If only they knew what serious detailing was about they'd see what a tame novice I am. I'm hoping to learn more here but also to resist getting serious and obsessive. I'm well aware its a steep slope that could cost me a small fortune.. and maybe my SO lol

@freerider and springbok: Thanks for the advice on engine bay cleaning. I have a few more questions before I feel comfortable and ready to tackle it myself. I'll post in the correct section. Btw yes it would be easier for me. Have a pretty new car. 2008 Audi S3 with a pretty engine cover shielding the vital bits

Also thanks for the advice on the Chemical Guys Top Coat. I really must try that then. Never heard of them before until browsing this forum (which I accidentally stumbled upon while searching for correct method to clay my car and then polish and wax by hand btw).

@Woodie6250: Good suggestion though I've always put it down to all whites not being equal. Recently attended the Ford ST Club dyno day and a white Ford Focus ST was behind me in the queue. Very friendly oke. Was complaining though about my car making him dislike his colour for the first time. It was night and day. His Ford looked 'egg-white' in his words.

Thanks all. I'll go post in the relevant sections. Looking forward to spending some time here learning and eventually getting good enough to keep my car in tip top condition. Only thing left to complete is to figure a way to make all the stonechips magically disappear and install a forcefield to stop them forever!