*** The Car Cleaning Thread ***
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Just found this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/TecTake-Professional-Polisher-Polishing-0-3000rpm/dp/B002WTZ7MS
One of the reviews says "I had to do a little research about the grading of the pads, as the instructions are all in German, though I can tell you that the orange are cutting/compounding, white are light/medium polishing, and the diamond cut style black pads are soft finishing pads. Just to clear the uncertainty! They are actually quite good."
One of the reviews says "I had to do a little research about the grading of the pads, as the instructions are all in German, though I can tell you that the orange are cutting/compounding, white are light/medium polishing, and the diamond cut style black pads are soft finishing pads. Just to clear the uncertainty! They are actually quite good."
That makes it easier then, try the black pad first and if it doesn't provide the level of correction / removal of oxidised paint then move up to white. If white doesn't either then move on to orange. Ideally you should go through different grades of polishes too but I don't think Halfords offer a big enough selection for you to get different ones.
Did a thorough clean of my wheel arch liners today and it was massively overdue. Here is how they were before...
I treated the liners to a full bottle of tar remover and agitated then for over an hour with a brush + MF cloths...
I also cleaned up all the bolts/screws by buffing them up on my bench grinder with wire brush wheel. Once everything was clean and dry I treated it all with Meguiar's Endurance Tyre Gel and the results are amazing compared to the beginning. Next job will be to sand all the paint back to get rid of the rust spots and respray under there but that's a job for another day me thinks
While the arch liners were out I scrubbed everything down with some Auto Finesse Verso APC and hosed it which got rid of all the dust and grime which was building up, sadly not many before pics of this.
Finished results:
There's a bolt there somewhere..
Mmmm
Mmmm
I treated the liners to a full bottle of tar remover and agitated then for over an hour with a brush + MF cloths...
I also cleaned up all the bolts/screws by buffing them up on my bench grinder with wire brush wheel. Once everything was clean and dry I treated it all with Meguiar's Endurance Tyre Gel and the results are amazing compared to the beginning. Next job will be to sand all the paint back to get rid of the rust spots and respray under there but that's a job for another day me thinks
While the arch liners were out I scrubbed everything down with some Auto Finesse Verso APC and hosed it which got rid of all the dust and grime which was building up, sadly not many before pics of this.
Finished results:
Soldato
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How do you guys keep the swirls/spider webs out of the paint?
I spent hours polishing my car with the rotary buffer a few months ago and got them all out and they're coming back again, is there an easier way of keeping on top of this?
I spent hours polishing my car with the rotary buffer a few months ago and got them all out and they're coming back again, is there an easier way of keeping on top of this?
I'm impressed with your attention to detail, but I don't think I could bear myself to put that much effort into wheel arch linings as they'd be filthy again after driving 500 yards down the road. To clean mine, I just stick the snow foam lance in there and get them covered
Good effort though!
What are peoples experiences with DIY alloy return kits? My alloys are looking a bit shabby round the edges of the rims, nothing too serious so was thinking about throwing caution to the wind and ordering a kit to have a go myself. It looks fairly straightforward, anyone here tried them?
You can do your best to minimise it through proper washing technique (pre-wash 2BM etc.) and washing reasonably regularly but the nature of the beast I am afraid. Anytime you touch you car, no matter how careful you are, there is a small change or causing some swirls. Some of the ceramic sealants claim to offer scratch resistance but I have no experience with them to comment on how well they work.
I'm impressed with your attention to detail, but I don't think I could bear myself to put that much effort into wheel arch linings as they'd be filthy again after driving 500 yards down the road. To clean mine, I just stick the snow foam lance in there and get them covered
Good effort though!
Yeah I did get a few odd looks off the other half when I was sat in the garden applying tyre dressing to the wheel arch liners
Hopefully now I've got them looking like new again I'll be able to just stick with blasting water/foam under there like you say and this will be a one time only job!
Spent all day yesterday giving the Jag a full clean and detail with two friends. Took around 8 hours and I was absolutely knackered by the end of it.
Washed it, clayed it, polished it with a DAS6 Pro using a Hexlogic orange pad and Megs 105, then finished it with a Hexlogic green pad, Megs 205 and a coat of Collinite 476S.
Managed to remove most of a nasty scuff on the wing, and removed around 80% of swirls so I was pretty happy. Going to use the MR2 to experiment with some different techniques and see what the results are like as the paint is bad enough that I'm not too bothered about damaging it.
A few shots of the Jag finished: phone doesn't really do it justice but the paint looks amazing now.
Washed it, clayed it, polished it with a DAS6 Pro using a Hexlogic orange pad and Megs 105, then finished it with a Hexlogic green pad, Megs 205 and a coat of Collinite 476S.
Managed to remove most of a nasty scuff on the wing, and removed around 80% of swirls so I was pretty happy. Going to use the MR2 to experiment with some different techniques and see what the results are like as the paint is bad enough that I'm not too bothered about damaging it.
A few shots of the Jag finished: phone doesn't really do it justice but the paint looks amazing now.
Good results Geekman. Although regardless of technique you'd have to be very ham fisted to cause any damage with the DAS6
You say that, but I am incredibly ham fisted. If it's possible to get it wrong, you can be guaranteed that I will.
The MR2 paint is very dull and extremely swirled - don't think it's ever been polished before. So I should see a massive improvement if I don't ruin it!
Sonax BSD is awesome for simple spray on, buff and wipe off. I have had it last easily 2+ months. You can also use it on the wheels, but the added heat from the brakes wears it down quickly. SONAX Xtreme Wheel Rim Sealant works well and lasts quite a while, but it depends on the conditions (rain, heat etc) and also seeing as the wheels get the most abuse externally, they are tough to keep clean.
Looking at machine polishers: Any personal recommendations on brands/models?
Looking on ebay, the prices seem to vary massively. Am I right in thinking a random orbital polisher with a decent power output is the way forward?
My 'detailing' routines are few and far between but typically consists of snow foam, shampoo, clay, polish, wax...so I'm prepared to spend some time on the odd occasion but need a polisher to help with the buffing and to take the paint work that extra step.
Budget: As cheap as possible for something relatively decent; it'll get used 3 times a year
Looking on ebay, the prices seem to vary massively. Am I right in thinking a random orbital polisher with a decent power output is the way forward?
My 'detailing' routines are few and far between but typically consists of snow foam, shampoo, clay, polish, wax...so I'm prepared to spend some time on the odd occasion but need a polisher to help with the buffing and to take the paint work that extra step.
Budget: As cheap as possible for something relatively decent; it'll get used 3 times a year
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Dual Action Polisher
Anyone have any thoughts on this ?
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/polishing-machines/das-21e-dual-action-polisher/prod_1391.html
Anyone have any thoughts on this ?
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/polishing-machines/das-21e-dual-action-polisher/prod_1391.html
Gtechniq C2v3 for body work, spray on wipe off and people claiming they have had it last 6 months. I don't know of a spray on wipe off for wheels though.
DAS6 is the go to dual action polisher, I was very happy with mine and only got rid of it when I bought a rotary.
Haven't used it but their other DA polishers are very good as they are claiming it is an improvement so should be good.
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