i was in Halfords yesterday and bought a tin of Muc-off Miracle Shine..don't know why as i have a full bottle of Auto Glym in my garage . anyway i thought as it's the time of year when i give my bikes a thorough clean i would give it a try. i had to get the magnifying glass out to read the instructions on the back on how to apply (ridiculously small print)..just as well i did as unlike Autoglym you just leave it on for 30-45 seconds before polishing it off. It comes in a metal container so you cant just squeeze the polish out, you have to give it a good shake then pour it out, according to the tin it contains a fusion of 3 separate waxes and a number of highly advanced ingredients and some other fancy ingredient that repels water and atmospheric pollutants i always thought Autoglym gave the best shine, but i think this is even better..plus you don't have to worry about it leaving white marks on the seat or anywhere else.
I have used some of the other Muc-Off products, very good, you get what you pay for. With the risk of repeating myself, get yourself a Halfords trade card if you haven't got one. (And NO! I don't work for Halfords or have any shares in them)
Apply on line on the Halfords website and then take a business card or letterhead into your nearest branch to verify it. Certainly worth having plus regular updates on special deals.
Good on yer! Discount varies but a few examples I have bought are: 1/2" breaker bar £24 reduced to £18 Castrol 1 4T Racing oil £40 to £32. (Cheapest I could find on eBay was £35.99) 3/8" & 1/2" torque wrenches about 20% off You don't get any further discount off their promotional offers. Definitely my first port of call now if I am looking for tools or oil etc. All my tools are the professional range with lifetime guarantee.
I got a Halfords trade card with my Mech Eng degree certificate!!! Some things are ridicoulously cheap, bulbs and wipers were a total steal compare to their retail price. Tools are often cheaper when on sale, which they often are, but I always use my card and usuaally get between 10~30 % off.
Back to the OP I've used Miracle Shine for a few years, I've tried others but ime it gives the best results - and is easy to buff to a deep shine which lasts. And lasts.
Back to the OP (again). As someone who likes cleaning their car to OCD level as I find in therapeutic after sitting in front of a screen five days a week I've done a lot of research on this in detailing forums. Prepping the paintwork first is key - quality shampoo, polish to remove light swirls, clay bar to remove fallout and other contaminants, cleaning wipe, carnuba wax x 2 or 3 layers. Water almost leaps off my car now and the paint feels smooth as glass. The deep gleam belies it's true age of six years old. Also helped me get a cracking PX deal on the GSX I and handing over to my Triumph dealer in part payment for my T100 in a couple of weeks. I'm sure the Mucoff is a good product but do your prep first for even better effect.
A shared bucket of grimy water with no grit guard, no rinse bucket (or wheels bucket) a sponge *shudder* and a greasy shammy? Not a chance. I may be odd but I do find it relaxing plus I get to know if any of the bodywork is damaged for any reason and needs fixing.
A clay bar to remove contaminants??? Sir Trev, you tread a very different car path to me, but you have piqued my interest... what's a clay bar??? Please tell me you are rubbing you car down with something akin to Morph!
It is quite literally a bar of refined clay, not as sticky as the modelling variety though. Using water or quick detailing spray as a lubricant you lightly rub it over the paintwork after washing and polishing. It removes an amazing amount of embedded rubbish - just fold the clay over a few tines every now and then to use a clean bit as you go. Rinse then use a quality carnauba wax for a glass-like finish.
