Author Topic: Polishing/waxing a car?  (Read 5117 times)

  • Offline zpyder

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Polishing/waxing a car?
on: August 15, 2013, 19:18:34 PM
So, for the first time in, well, ever, I think I need to see to my car a bit. It looks like I've got 10 or so handprints on the car caused by sunscreen. Hopefully it's not eaten into the paintwork too much, but I'm assuming I'm going to need some t-cut or something to deal with it.

Question is, what do you guys recommend, as I hold to the "don't bother washing it" mantra. The few times I have washed a car, it's been fairy, warm water and a sponge.

If there's something I can put on after (I assume wax) to "scotchguard" the paintwork, I guess it might be worth considering (I declined the scotchguard offer when I bought the car :()

Re: Polishing/waxing a car?
Reply #1 on: August 15, 2013, 20:51:03 PM

Re: Polishing/waxing a car?
Reply #2 on: August 16, 2013, 08:11:28 AM
dont use autoglym, its rubbish.

start with something like this, to get the crap off the paintwork.
http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/meguiars-deep-crystal-step-1-paint-cleaner.php

if you want to get really seriously clean, you'll need to clay the surface. this lifts the tar and dirt out of the paint that nothing else will touch.
http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/elite-medium-grade-polyclay-bar-200g.php?cPath=79
use a fairy and water mix to lube the clay, use the clay to get the ingrained muck out of the paint.

after that you'll need a good wax. you can't go wrong with a dod juice panel pot, if you wax twice a year, you'll see three years out of it.
http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/dodo-juice-assorted-panel-pots-30ml.php

if you're as anal as me, you should be sealing it afterwards too.
http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/chemical-guys-hybrid-v7-high-gloss-spray-sealant-16oz.php


note: this isnt detailing, this is just cleaning with good (read not halfords cheapest) products.
but unless you wnat to be covered in white silicon dust, don't use autoglym super resin polish. its sh*te.




Re: Polishing/waxing a car?
Reply #3 on: August 16, 2013, 09:04:44 AM
That paint cleaner is just rubbing compound.

  • Offline zpyder

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Re: Polishing/waxing a car?
Reply #4 on: August 16, 2013, 09:35:58 AM
Might be daft, but how can a non - abrasive product remove scratches?

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Re: Polishing/waxing a car?
Reply #5 on: August 16, 2013, 12:53:16 PM
suspect its just less abrasive. its done a half decent job for me before today.

Re: Polishing/waxing a car?
Reply #6 on: August 16, 2013, 16:17:51 PM
Might be daft, but how can a non - abrasive product remove scratches?

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fills the scratches instead?

  • Offline zpyder

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Re: Polishing/waxing a car?
Reply #7 on: August 21, 2013, 20:33:19 PM
Ended up using Autoglym super resin polish. Washed the car with a bit of fairy first, let it dry, and then applied and buffed the SRP. Did the job nicely. Just have to wait and see whether the marks will come back in time or whether it worked.

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  • Offline Clock'd 0Ne

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Re: Polishing/waxing a car?
Reply #8 on: August 21, 2013, 21:09:39 PM
You shouldn't use washing up liquid, you'll furrow the brows of detailers everywhere! It's got salts and harsh agents in that aren't good, you should use proper car shampoo
Last Edit: August 21, 2013, 21:19:15 PM by Clock'd 0Ne #187;

  • Offline zpyder

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Re: Polishing/waxing a car?
Reply #9 on: August 21, 2013, 21:12:05 PM
Given it's the first time the car has been washed in 18 months, I'd have thought any damage from a bit of fairy would be far less than the damage of it not being washed? And the salt content etc can't be anywhere near as much exposure as a car gets the first day it drives on gritted roads surely :D

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  • Offline Clock'd 0Ne

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Re: Polishing/waxing a car?
Reply #10 on: August 21, 2013, 21:19:01 PM
Yeah of course, I was just saying, like ;D I wouldn't do it if I was washing regularly though, it strips the wax/polish etc off.

  • Offline Quixoticish

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Re: Polishing/waxing a car?
Reply #11 on: August 29, 2013, 18:24:18 PM


?

  • Offline zpyder

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Re: Polishing/waxing a car?
Reply #12 on: August 29, 2013, 18:34:58 PM
Pretty sure that wouldn't get the marks out that were in the paintwork. Will post a picture sometime later ;)

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