I have used SRP in the past, it helped things but not much. But I wonder if this could be my technique - I used it much like a wax, applying with a polishing pad with very light pressure, leaving it to dry then buffing with microfibre.
*** The Car Cleaning Thread ***
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I have used SRP in the past, it helped things but not much. But I wonder if this could be my technique - I used it much like a wax, applying with a polishing pad with very light pressure, leaving it to dry then buffing with microfibre.
That's correct, it gets better if you go over the car a couple of times.
I have a lot of black plastic on my car and lately I've been getting a bit fed up of bumper products that wash off after a few days. So I decided to try Gtechniq C4 which is supposed to be semi permanent and last for a year or so. A similar claim to collinite waxes I suppose.
Anyway it costs about £30 for a 15ml bottle so it better be good!!!
Before
After
I've only managed to do a small amount of trim, as you can see I was rained off.
So far so good though, it seems to give a nice dark shade of black but without a glossy finish.
My plan is to use a heatgun on the bigger areas of plastic like the bumpers and door inserts at the weekend, and this stuff on the tricky places like wing mirrors, roof gutters, rubber window seals etc.
How is it lasting?
^^^
Got up early this morning to give the car a good clean. Wanted to try out my newly aqquired Swirl X. Shots below show the door panel reflections and boot lid and a close up of the front wing:
Seems to have come out well and reduced a lit of swirling, although still some visible. Just taking a break for a bacon roll then will finish up with a coat of NXT 2.0 wax.
Seems to have come out well and reduced a lit of swirling, although still some visible. Just taking a break for a bacon roll then will finish up with a coat of NXT 2.0 wax.
All done. Took some pics on the way home...
Unfortunately, once I got home and parked in the compound under the lights, there were still swirl marks to be seen. But the Swirl X has done a great job of lessening them and giving the paint a deep, glossy look. Not bad for working by hand, I imagine a polishing machine will be needed for best results
Unfortunately, once I got home and parked in the compound under the lights, there were still swirl marks to be seen. But the Swirl X has done a great job of lessening them and giving the paint a deep, glossy look. Not bad for working by hand, I imagine a polishing machine will be needed for best results
Soldato
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Can anybody recomend a car cleaning kit or set that I can buy in store or order in time for my dad's birthday on saturday?
Budget is around £20.
Saw this in halfords:
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_157685_langId_-1_categoryId_165671
But looking on the website this may be better?
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...uctId_783063_langId_-1_categoryId_165671#dtab
He is a bucket and sponge type man so none of your profesional £50bar of wax type thing
One thing I would like, if it's useful, is an alloy wheel cleaner. I was going to pick up a microfibre cone on a stick thing today.
Budget is around £20.
Saw this in halfords:
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_157685_langId_-1_categoryId_165671
But looking on the website this may be better?
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...uctId_783063_langId_-1_categoryId_165671#dtab
He is a bucket and sponge type man so none of your profesional £50bar of wax type thing
One thing I would like, if it's useful, is an alloy wheel cleaner. I was going to pick up a microfibre cone on a stick thing today.
ok.. quick question!
i have autoglym bodywork shampoo/conditioner for washing. and im getting a lambswool mitt.
what do i need afterwards? a polish or wax? or both!? i just want a great finish, while not taking too much of my time up.. probably not possible is it?
thanks
i have autoglym bodywork shampoo/conditioner for washing. and im getting a lambswool mitt.
what do i need afterwards? a polish or wax? or both!? i just want a great finish, while not taking too much of my time up.. probably not possible is it?
thanks
Both,
Personally I would only wax after a full clay of the car.
Rinse
Snow Foam
Alloys
Rinse
Shampoo (2 bucket method)
Rinse
Clay
Shampoo
Rinse
Polish
Wax
That's how I'd do it anyway, and that would probably take up all your time. If you get a good wax it'll last a while and all that needs to be done on a regular basis is rinse, foam, shampoo and a polish.
Personally I would only wax after a full clay of the car.
Rinse
Snow Foam
Alloys
Rinse
Shampoo (2 bucket method)
Rinse
Clay
Shampoo
Rinse
Polish
Wax
That's how I'd do it anyway, and that would probably take up all your time. If you get a good wax it'll last a while and all that needs to be done on a regular basis is rinse, foam, shampoo and a polish.
two bucket..? as in warm water with soap in and another with clean water?
just ordered a lambswool mit... and some AG super resin polish with 8 cloths. im not gonna go mad cleaning it.. just want it looking respectable
edit: i was wondering... is there any way to prevent crap getting all over your car, i.e that brownish dirt/film, when driving in the rain? :/ really annoying! maybe i just need to wait for summer.
just ordered a lambswool mit... and some AG super resin polish with 8 cloths. im not gonna go mad cleaning it.. just want it looking respectable
edit: i was wondering... is there any way to prevent crap getting all over your car, i.e that brownish dirt/film, when driving in the rain? :/ really annoying! maybe i just need to wait for summer.
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two bucket..? as in warm water with soap in and another with clean water?
just ordered a lambswool mit... and some AG super resin polish with 8 cloths. im not gonna go mad cleaning it.. just want it looking respectable
Yep, dip in the soapy bucket > slop on car > rinse out in fresh water bucket > repeat > profit???
That's how it starts by the way. It won't be long until you're asking about rotary polishers and DA machines.
(as well as fuel costs haha)
Quick wash and wipe down with Astonish Spray N Shine...
Yes.. the front tyres are cheap chinese rubbish and yes... they will be replaced with *proper* tyres when they wear out
Next job to do is to re-paint the faded/chipped brake calipers
Yes.. the front tyres are cheap chinese rubbish and yes... they will be replaced with *proper* tyres when they wear out
Next job to do is to re-paint the faded/chipped brake calipers
Forget when they wear out, try right away. I drove with wanli on 'shoes' BMW and it was so dire I managed to spin out and depart from the road skidding backwards and sideways. I've never experienced anything with such little grip or control, they will RUIN any car they are fitted to, especially a sporty one.
To be fair SUNEW tyres were nearly as bad. Had them on my colt for about 12 hours before I binned them, they were so hopeless I couldn't even take roundabouts at normal speeds without chronic sliding.
Ditchfinders. Just say no.
To be fair SUNEW tyres were nearly as bad. Had them on my colt for about 12 hours before I binned them, they were so hopeless I couldn't even take roundabouts at normal speeds without chronic sliding.
Ditchfinders. Just say no.
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It is lasting well to be honest. It has been on for a couple of months now and looks as good as the day it was applied.
In the end I used almost all of the bottle, probably 1 or 2 ml left for little touch ups in the future but thats it, so at £30 to do the car once its quite expensive, but I think it will probably last 12 months at this rate, they claim up to 2 years but that might be a bit far fetched.
I did all of my plastics and rubber, door handles, locks, bumpers, door strips, roof gutters, window seals, grille, mud flaps, everything, and it all still a deep black but there is no cheap shine, just a nice fresh looking finish, it all beads nicely too.
I would recommend it to be honest, it makes the car look a whole lot fresher, and you guys with newer cars than me will probably have less plastic and might get better value from it.
Thanks for the update. My GTi has a lot of black plastic on it. With the paintwork being black as well, it looks great when matches in and really bad when it goes grey.
I'll look into it and will probably give it a shot. Cheers
I'll look into it and will probably give it a shot. Cheers
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