Help - Atom advice

[tuscan_thunder]

I always do wheels first; that way any splatter of brake dust gets removed in the wash.

Next a rinse is about 10-12 minutes at least. Hand wash: 15-20 minutes: any faster and you'll be missing bits or working too fast so you induce wash marring. Then rinse for maybe 6 or 7 minutes and drying (where most damage to paint comes in) about 15-20 minutes.

That's probably 60-70 minutes, maybe a wee bit more for filling buckets etc.


Andy: the nano-products Ali has recommended are excellent BUT they need to be applied indoors and in a warm environment to cure properly. Frankly, I find them a bit of a pain to apply but they are ultra durable and repel dirt really well.

For quick, easy protection that's also durable, I can't see past Auto Finesse's Tough Coat. http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog ... -coat.html It's a spray sealant; it leaves a more slick surface than a wax so dirt won't bond to it so tightly. The 250ml bottle will give you about 15-20 applications on a 'normal' car so on the Atom it'll last until the end of time.....

I saw very nearly 6 months from one coat of it on my jeep last winter so it's durable. There's application instructions on the Polished Bliss site but I prefer to spray one squirt of it onto a microfibre, apply it really thinly onto the dry panel, leave it 2-3minutes and buff it off. It's good on wheels, carbon etc too. (Don't use it on glass or polycarb though). You can apply multiple layers of it to help build up more protection and I'd say to apply 2 or 3 coats to the wheels from the outset. It'll need topped up more frequently on the wheels as the heat from the brakes will start to kill it a bit faster.

(To clean the wheels, stand upwind of it, but use this: http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog ... n-gel.html Rinse wheels, let them drip dry for a few minutes, spray on some of this, work it in with a brush, leave it ten minutes (time to go and fill buckets for washing etc) then rinse. Smells a bit, works very well.

To remove rubber marks, spray on some Oblitarate http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog ... arate.html; it'll dissolve rubber deposits and tar easily. Just make sure you rinse it thoroughly.

Ali; for the yellow stains, if regular washing isn't working, some Oblitarate may help or you can go to a chemical cleaner next http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog ... rylic.html. Next step is a light polish. If you're nearby, come round past the house (the 2-11 should get down the road!) and I'll sort it for you.


The PB car care guides are useful: http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog ... dvice.html

(This reads a wee bit like an advert in places but I've no affiliation with Polished Bliss anymore, and no affiliation with Auto Finesse: I just like AF products and think they're very well priced!)

[pete]

This almost inspires me to clean my car!

(I have so much brake dust on the wheels that I have toyed with the idea of using a chisel. I say toyed with the idea, I mean tried a fairly large screwdriver to try and scrape it off but was unsuccessful.)

[tuscan_thunder]

The Wolf's Decon gel will be your friend!

[Andy G]

I couldnt get the link for the Oblitarate stuff to work?

Also, any thoughts on petrol jet washers? We need one for the supercars, as the venues dont always have power!

Really appreciate all the advice

[tuscan_thunder]

It didn't work as I added a semi colon on the end of it..... http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog ... arate.html

Petrol jet washers: fine. They generally have a similar pressure output to electric ones so just the usual rules about not getting too close to paint, especially round wheel arches where the paint can be thinner and more likely to chip/flake. If it has a burner for hot water, keep it to 40c ish; much more and you'll strip wax and sealant from the paint.

My only other advice: buy a Honda!

[tut]

"My only other advice: buy a Honda!"

Excellent advice........

tut

[Andy G]

thanks for the help on this - have ordered all the mentioned products so will let you know how i go

[tuscan_thunder]

No bother. Anything you're not sure about, just let me know.

[Sanjøy]

Plastidip?