Polishing advice

[martins]

Went to polish the car tonight and noticed that the horizontal surfaces seem be covered in what feels like overspray. Feels like very fine wet and dry. You cannot see anything but it feels horrible. Polished a bit with some old T Cut and that seems to have done the trick but I am sure there is something better available on the market now.

Any advice from the professional polishers out there

Martin

[C7Steve]

Have you tried using a clay bar Martin?

See here;http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog ... paint.html

Steve.

[Stevoraith]

Yeah sounds like you need to clay it to get rid of all the contaminants that have stuck to then paint.
You could use a clay bar but they're a bit 'old skool' now, what you want is a clay mitt or towel like this;
http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/carpro-po ... -towel.php

Then you need to polish it to bring back some shine- loads of products available, even Autoglym super Resin polish is a good product these days, and available from halfords.

Then to top it off and protect it I can't recommend CarPro HydrO2 enough.
http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/carpro-hy ... -100ml.php

Unbelievably easy to use- dilute it 1:3 then spray it on a panel at a time after you've washed the car and blast off with the pressure washer. Leaves an amazing shine and repels water brilliantly for almost no effort.
Will last 6months easily on a garaged car.
If you want more longevity then I also use CarPro Cquartz but it's a lot more hassle to use.

[Mikie711]

Martin

The towels are worth a look as they do indeed appear to be easier to use than clay bars. Polished Bliss have them here but take the time to read there advice on them especially the medium towel. Lotus use quite a soft paint so care will be needed if you don't intend machine polishing the car afterwards.

If you check out their advice pages here they will tell you everything you need to know and more. These guys are regular competition winners at this sort of stuff so know there onions when it comes to detailing, and they are local. Although you can no longer pop along to their shop as it's mail order only.

In fact, thinking about it give me a phone as I have some clay here and we can see if it'll sort your problem.

[Sanjøy]

This reminds me I need a new clay bar for Christmas.

[ClarkyBoy]

POLISH?

what is this stuff you speak of!?

[martins]

Polish is the stuff that helps beer slide off the car leaving little trace or residue

I have been to Halfrauds and bought a G3 clay mitt, some detailing spray and some real old fashioned wax. Would have ordered from Polished Bliss as I like their style and they are local etc but I need to get this done tonight/tomorrow as thereafter mental with work/Christmas etc.....Will let you all know how it goes as never done any 'clay' work before. Only ever got as far as the 'polish' that Clarck seems to be so alergic to. Maybe it brings him out in a rash.....

Thanks for all the info etc.

Martin

[Sanjøy]

Claying a car makes a MASSIVE difference.

[ClarkyBoy]

Polish is the stuff that helps beer slide off the car leaving little trace or residue

I have been to Halfrauds and bought a G3 clay mitt, some detailing spray and some real old fashioned wax. Would have ordered from Polished Bliss as I like their style and they are local etc but I need to get this done tonight/tomorrow as thereafter mental with work/Christmas etc.....Will let you all know how it goes as never done any 'clay' work before. Only ever got as far as the 'polish' that Clarck seems to be so alergic to. Maybe it brings him out in a rash.....

Thanks for all the info etc.

Martin

Hehe,

You cant beat good old fashined hard wax... on the couple of times a year that i do actually polish and clean a car, i do it properly, i figure if you do it right a couple of times a year a good wash sorts out the rest.

Last time i used G3 compound and clay to get rid of the road crap after spraying it all with avery surface cleaner (quite a harsh chemical, but good to get rid of all the crap if you are going to polish it right after) then t-cut colour polish, then dodo juice hard candy wax, then a final coat with detailing spray. the results were blinking impressive. then went onto dodo juice rim wax, then their tyre wax too it took me a whole day and night, but well worth it,

Came back from the ring and all the car needed was a good wash. the rim wax totally saved the wheels from brake dust damage too IMO.

So i do polish.... just not very often. but when i do, i get properly involved!

PS... it does bring me out in a rash

[mwmackenzie]

Polish is the stuff that helps beer slide off the car leaving little trace or residue

I have been to Halfrauds and bought a G3 clay mitt, some detailing spray and some real old fashioned wax. Would have ordered from Polished Bliss as I like their style and they are local etc but I need to get this done tonight/tomorrow as thereafter mental with work/Christmas etc.....Will let you all know how it goes as never done any 'clay' work before. Only ever got as far as the 'polish' that Clarck seems to be so alergic to. Maybe it brings him out in a rash.....

Thanks for all the info etc.

Martin

Don't forget to keep her well lubed... That is all!

[tut]

Polishing session required at Tut Towers. Bring your cars and kit along.

Nice big, warm, garage.

tut

[mxvx]

Not keen on washing it, I think it suits the filthy look...

[C7Steve]

Polishing session required at Tut Towers. Bring your cars and kit along.

Nice big, warm, garage.

tut

Sessions available from January 2015 until June 2016.

Only joking.

Steve.

[martins]

Ooooohhhhh. Spent the better part of last night claying and then polishing the car. Kept things well lubed during the claying process and what with the cold weather the wax remained relatively hard although stayed wet and slippy for hours due to the low ambient temp. Got the back end well sorted last night but should get the front finished off tonight. Then it is on to the undercarriage.

As stated earlier. Have nevered clayed a car before and found the experience very fulfilling and enjoyable. Noticed a number of small scratches in the paintwork that may require some scratch restorer treatment and even considering taking off the rear undertry and respraying. Also what is the best for cleaning off some deeply imbedded brake residue off black alloys? I get the feeling I am going to the dark side and becoming a polisher.....the satisfaction must be awesome once you stand back and view the finished result...

M

[C7Steve]

Martin,

Try this product;http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog ... -cat4.html

Some reading;http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog ... tyres.html


Steve.

Ps. Pictures please.