I've never been big on car cleaning (my dad recently asked me if I could reach the middle of the roof on my [rather tall] tin-top to clean it). I replied I'd only had it a year so didn't know

Anyway, I think it might be time to do a little cleaning of the kit. The gel coat is pretty good so it doesn't need polishing.

So what does anyone use? I just want to keep it looking fresh.

Wash down with fairy liquid then a coat of turtle wax? I don't want it to look bling bling shiny like in the Macguires adverts (sp!) but not too sheddy either.... I prefer putting my money into the fuel tank on my car rather than shelling out for bottles of unobtanium-rich unicorn blood....

Wasn't sure if wax is the best option.... Thanks for any options

Im completely the opposite. When i was at college a few yrs back, i washed my car 4 time in one week

fairy liquid contains salts as such you dont want to be washing your car with it..

i bought a car wash stuff from costco lasts for years.. just a soapy.. wax wash

i am not after perfection... i prefer to be driving the car !

if you wash it, its best to use cheapo car shampoo than fairy !!

as for polish/ wax use something like turtlewax or something that has alot of fillers in it
it will cover up the cobwebbing/micromarring caused by using the usual grit magnet (sponge)
ill try a dig out some info on the more economical products in a mo.

ive had a think
autoglym super resin polish is pretty good
(sorry im getting carried away)
ill go sit in the corner for a bit


[Edited on 15/6/09 by eccsmk]

Get some autoglym shampoo... its really good at removing all grease and bonded on contaminates....


Then use some Autoglym super-resin polish to give the panels a really good shine... as above, it contains fillers that will "fill" any imperfections that can not be polished out..

You DO NEED to seal those fillers inplace... so a wax layer ontop would be a good idea..

I use a maguires wax from halfords... yes its not very cheap... BUT... I only need to do my tintop every 3-6 months or so, the rest of the time a gentle hose and sponge down with the shampoo works well....

The TVR gets a similar treatment... but I do tend to claybar the paint to remove all grit before polishin

wash with a cheapo shampoo rather than fairy - it can be cheaper anyway sometimes, then:

Autoglym - super resin polish (includes fillers etc)

then

Autoglym - extra gloss protection
or
Meguiars NXT 2.0

to seal the finish

[Edited on 15/6/09 by iscmatt]

Cheers, will give it a go.

What's going on with the weather? Stayed in all day rather than going for a blat because the report says serious wet weather and it's glorious sunshine outside!

you need to find out why its hairy first

only saying that coz i think you got your answer already

quote:

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Originally posted by tegwin
Get some autoglym shampoo... its really good at removing all grease and bonded on contaminates....


Then use some Autoglym super-resin polish to give the panels a really good shine... as above, it contains fillers that will "fill" any imperfections that can not be polished out..

You DO NEED to seal those fillers inplace... so a wax layer ontop would be a good idea..

I use a maguires wax from halfords... yes its not very cheap... BUT... I only need to do my tintop every 3-6 months or so, the rest of the time a gentle hose and sponge down with the shampoo works well....

The TVR gets a similar treatment... but I do tend to claybar the paint to remove all grit before polishin

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I use one of those wash mittens with what look like fluffy fingers on it... Cleans the car MUCH better than a sponge for a start..

click 1

used to wash my Escort with fairy and living on the coast within a year it developed measles in the form of rust, never used it since that was 18 years ago

good thread anwerd all of my Q

bilt-hamber auto balm

as the clicky says, proper 2bm using decent (not expensive) materials helps.

the auto balm will fill in alot of the fine swirls etc, is long lasting and cheap.