getting sparkling paint yes does take alot of effort and isnt really obtainable on the cheap
if its in good condition however
Buckets - B&Q £1 each get 2 or 3, 1 for clean, 1 rinse and one for the wheels
Shampoo - what ever you fancy, lets be dear and say £5 a bottle
wash mitt - £7 halfords
wheel brush - old non stick scouring sponge, make sure its an old used one, also a pasty brush. £1 for a pack of 3 in most supermarkets and the brush is a £1
wheel cleaner - think its asda or morrisions do it for £1, not exactly the greatest. but if your wheels are looked after then shouldnt need much
clay - bilt hamber, £11 for a huge block
polish - autogym srp £12 a bottle
wax - colinite 476 or finish kare 1000p both around £15 and 2 of the most durable LSPs around, 1000p can also be used on the wheels and brakes.
extras
All purpose cleaner - daisy APC from tescos, £1 or so
spray bottles - £0.80 from homebase
microfibre cloths - £11 from costco for 36 - not suitible for drying the car but great for interiors and windows and applying removing the polish if your gentle with them
£69 for all that
clay will last you near forever i use around 25g a car and its a 200g block so even 4 times a year then thats 2 years.
srp youd probably get a year outa bottle applying it once a month if your sensible (srp is full of fillers and has very little cut even on a machine so by hand its going to be next to nowt so no real need to worry about going through paint )
the 2 waxs ive put up, less is alot better with them 2 very thin coats and your looking up to 6 months or protection - remember polishing will remove the wax.
i got a panel pot of 1000p and it lasted me a year. my full size tin i can get a 4 inch applicator pad in the top, this will probably out last the car
cloths can be washed using fairy liquid to remove the grease, oil and waxes
