Advice on how to polish my turds required, please

[burraston2006]

IIRC didn't Practical Classics do a test yonks ago and say Halfrauds show room shine polish was pretty good? Personally I usually can't be arsed to clean the bag of nails as it only gets dirty again. When I do I usually used what ever I can find in the old mans garage to borrow. Mer seems to do a reasonable job.

[Conrad D. Conelrad]

I understand the detailing mentality. While cleaning bodywork does nothing for me, I get a lot of satisfaction from cleaning and painting mechanical components when they're off the car. I also like having the interior of my car as clean as possible, and also the engine bay (that's a practical thing, filth coated engine bays are horrible to work in). I enjoy reading through detailing world occasionally. If I had a really expensive car I wouldn't want it covered with swirls. 

 

As is, my paintwork correction routine is probably to be avoided. But in case anyone wants to try it:

• Wet sand an entire panel with excessively aggressive grade of sandpaper
• T-cut about 1/16th of the panel, preferably in the centre

That's it. 

[Junkman]

That VXR gentleman is the reason why my predecessor coined the phrase 'Shiny paint, shit tyres'. 

 

If the panels have paint on them, they're not rusty and the car's solid underneath, what's the problem? The same goes [in my opinion] for people who get hung up on paint, and think that you haven't 'done a car up' if it hasn't been resprayed. 

People's perception of 'being a true enthusiast' and 'having pride' come into it too. Your cleanliness symbolises your dedication, or something. Nonsense.

 

I get this off neighbours, too - 'You're into cars, why aren't you cleaning yours at the weekend? My son cleans his car every weekend and it's spotless'. Yes, and he runs his Clio 182 on Linglong tyres.  Horses for courses. My car corners, his looks pretty. Priorities, yo!

 

My cars certainly don't get washed every weekend  but they're not neglected. In terms of what I'd spend my money on first, mechanicals and longevity are way, way higher up my list. Water filters, lambswool mitts, snow foam - it just seems like pointless gilding - although I accept there is a cathartic element to it. I prefer a spotless interior to a gleaming exterior, because I spend all my time in the car, rather than looking at it. I'm all for decent polish if it preserves the paint and ignores charities. 

 

I agree with Rusty_Rocket about what's been said about the detailing sites, though - they're useful for product references. 90% of people would be content with a basic kit from one of the better-known manufacturers. I know I would be. 

 

Everyone is different. Except Vauxhall owners. They need to behave. 

 

I do see your point, as well as I understand all the other people who voiced their opinion in regards of preferring not to bother with thoroughly cleaning their cars.

You know my cars and you certainly can't accuse me of having a pristinity fetish.

 

However, I urge all of you to once in your life buy a car that spent two decades in London. If you have the slightest sense of revulsion, you will do what I am going to do - decontaminate the car to the bone!

This is not a vilification of the good people living in London, it's just all the dirt, dust, and muck, that automatically grinds itself into every little nook and cranny when you live in a big city. City cars, even when they look clean, are sticky. This is something a city dweller simply has to live with, and over time grows immune to, but I just can't have it.

Plus, I believe that the paint on the Smith & Wesson can be saved, so why not give it a try?

 

I'm not going to open a thread on how to clean an interior, because I know how to do it. I opened this thread because I wanted to avoid making fundamental mistakes when polishing the paint, because I have never done it once since I was born almost half a century ago, so much for me being a high-gloss nazi.

 

*Edit:

 

What I gather from the OMGOCDDW forum, this can be addictive. What's wrong with picking up new addictions during the second half of one's life? I'm so accustomed to the ones of the first half, that I would welcome changes.

Also, I can see the fun in going bananas with a scruffy Tranny together with a bunch of friends, provided a healthy supply of intoxicating liquids is available. Combine old with new addictions so to speak.

[SambaS]

Just bought some Farecla G3 for the Polonez.

 

It's had it's first wash since Crich in October.

 

I'll probably do a panel a day or something

[Junkman]

I'll probably do a panel a day or something

 

If you do them at random, the car will look quite spiffy for a fortnight or so.

[scruff]

 

mr sheen.jpg

  

 

      +

 

duster.jpeg

 

 

I kid you not 

 

 

That's what I use on the steam engine. Well not Mr Sheen though that's a bit OTT.

 

34p FTW!

[SambaS]

G3.... brilliant!

 

Got a rust blemish under the C pillar trim to address as I get a nice rust stain down the rear quarter, and the 2 marks the M&S lorry made in London, one obvious, the other along the most proud edge of the swage line

 

 

 

Just got the other side to do tomorrow, then some Auto Glym polish, then some form of wax. Then the black bits. Then the wheels want sand blasting and I will paint them. And I'll probably buy some beige to touch up the rust until it goes to HQ, assuming it ever does.