Detailing, polishing and headlights: Do I have OCD?
Discussion
I think I'm going a bit far, I like all my cars to look perfect, and weather it was an old scrapper or even a van I've always kept any motor I've had immaculate.
But it's since the porsche purchase its gone to a whole new level of anorak geekery, there are men standing on train platforms with a book of numbers that are not as sad as me, there are people who talk incessantly about cricket, golf, football but for me looking after the car is like crack; very moreish.
Last week before I realised what I'd done I clicked "place order" on amazon for an encyclopaedia from America (still not arrived) about methods of detailing your car..... What a sad case! If it was some dull and pretentious philosophy book at least I'd have something to talk about at dinner that made me look like I was reasonably bright rather than trying to merit spending £40 on a tin of polish for the exhaust pipes.
Just for reference it was well worth the cash, they look AMAZING, and I'm sure they sound better!
Anyways before this bible of geekdom arrives I need some advice, firstly my headlights..... Of you walk past the car you would never ever notice, but when I polish it I notice, it's tiny issue but I now see it everytime I look at the car. Around the edges of the glass thee are minute yellowey cracks that appear to be on the inside. Do I need to replace the whole unit or can I just get the glass? Or (ideally) is there some fix that someone knows about that I haven't found on the Internet.
Also.... Has anyone used a found a product that takes out the totally unnoticeable (except from very specific angles in certain lights from very close up) scratches that you find on the clear coat of the paint? I'm using the Auto Glym resin polish which gives a lovely long lasting finish, but...... I if I can get it perfect I'm hopping it will cure me of my addiction!
Please someone tell me I'm not alone on the above?
Thanks
But it's since the porsche purchase its gone to a whole new level of anorak geekery, there are men standing on train platforms with a book of numbers that are not as sad as me, there are people who talk incessantly about cricket, golf, football but for me looking after the car is like crack; very moreish.
Last week before I realised what I'd done I clicked "place order" on amazon for an encyclopaedia from America (still not arrived) about methods of detailing your car..... What a sad case! If it was some dull and pretentious philosophy book at least I'd have something to talk about at dinner that made me look like I was reasonably bright rather than trying to merit spending £40 on a tin of polish for the exhaust pipes.
Just for reference it was well worth the cash, they look AMAZING, and I'm sure they sound better!
Anyways before this bible of geekdom arrives I need some advice, firstly my headlights..... Of you walk past the car you would never ever notice, but when I polish it I notice, it's tiny issue but I now see it everytime I look at the car. Around the edges of the glass thee are minute yellowey cracks that appear to be on the inside. Do I need to replace the whole unit or can I just get the glass? Or (ideally) is there some fix that someone knows about that I haven't found on the Internet.
Also.... Has anyone used a found a product that takes out the totally unnoticeable (except from very specific angles in certain lights from very close up) scratches that you find on the clear coat of the paint? I'm using the Auto Glym resin polish which gives a lovely long lasting finish, but...... I if I can get it perfect I'm hopping it will cure me of my addiction!
Please someone tell me I'm not alone on the above?
Thanks
Your not alone mate have you been on here - http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/index.php - 
We need to see pictures of your car as proof its that shiny.
We need to see pictures of your car as proof its that shiny.
While we're talking detailing stuff, has anyone ever found a 'gloss' tyre dressing that once applied, doesn't end up
Down the side of your car after you've driven down the road ?
The closest I've come is Auto Glym bumper care, it dries pretty quickly and leaves 'minimal' residue after a spirited drive. However it only leaves Matt look rather than a glossy shinny one.
We're can I hang my anorak while I'm here ?
G.
Down the side of your car after you've driven down the road ?
The closest I've come is Auto Glym bumper care, it dries pretty quickly and leaves 'minimal' residue after a spirited drive. However it only leaves Matt look rather than a glossy shinny one.
We're can I hang my anorak while I'm here ?
G.
Glen I'm glad you raised that as I have the same problem! Years ago the old boy who lived next door to my parents gave me some stuff in an unmarked container which I think was some home brew mixed with ink, it was superb particularly for the rubber around the windows etc, but I ran out and he's In a home. The back black spray is terrible as is the heavy car plan stuff, plus you end up waring it. Now at the stage of debating about replacing the black, now grey, plastic bit below the windscreen where the whipers sit!
G
G
try Autoglym tyre dressing
not sprayed straight on, but use a bit of old sponge;
looks like skimmed milk, but dries to a nice sheen.
doesn't last long though, but is dead easy to apply.
I've tried loads, but all suffer form some weakness, whether it be durability, fling, shine, smell (!)
to get the swirls out of your clearcoat, you need to machine polish, then protect (wax sealant)
good luck - it is obsessive !
(I did rotary polish my misuss' Scoob headlights last week ...)
not sprayed straight on, but use a bit of old sponge;
looks like skimmed milk, but dries to a nice sheen.
doesn't last long though, but is dead easy to apply.
I've tried loads, but all suffer form some weakness, whether it be durability, fling, shine, smell (!)
to get the swirls out of your clearcoat, you need to machine polish, then protect (wax sealant)
good luck - it is obsessive !
(I did rotary polish my misuss' Scoob headlights last week ...)
red997 said:
try Autoglym tyre dressing
not sprayed straight on, but use a bit of old sponge;
looks like skimmed milk, but dries to a nice sheen.
doesn't last long though, but is dead easy to apply.
I've tried loads, but all suffer form some weakness, whether it be durability, fling, shine, smell (!)
(I did rotary polish my misuss' Scoob headlights last week ...)
The 1st product I ever tried and probably the worst in my experience. not sprayed straight on, but use a bit of old sponge;
looks like skimmed milk, but dries to a nice sheen.
doesn't last long though, but is dead easy to apply.
I've tried loads, but all suffer form some weakness, whether it be durability, fling, shine, smell (!)
(I did rotary polish my misuss' Scoob headlights last week ...)
Problem with it (and many others) is that it stays wet for so long, even when you rub it over with a cloth (which then dulls the shine) any product left between the tread pattern or the sidewall numbers eventually slings up the side of the car.
G.
If you are finding tyre dressing going up the side of the car when driving you are using way too much product and /or not wiping it off properly.
Personally I find a clean, dark matt look on the tyres to be the best, too much gloss and it looks like you have gone through a Kosovan car wash.
Joel
Personally I find a clean, dark matt look on the tyres to be the best, too much gloss and it looks like you have gone through a Kosovan car wash.
Joel
Forget all of the above tyre gloss recommendations, Zaino Z-16 is the best.
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/zaino/zaino-z-16-per...
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/zaino/zaino-z-16-per...
Glenn McMenamin said:
red997 said:
try Autoglym tyre dressing ot sprayed straight on, but use a bit of old sponge; looks like skimmed milk, but dries to a nice sheen. doesn't last long though, but is dead easy to apply. I've tried loads, but all suffer form some weakness, whether it be durability, fling, shine, smell (!)
The 1st product I ever tried and probably the worst in my experience. Problem with it (and many others) is that it stays wet for so long, even when you rub it over with a cloth (which then dulls the shine) any product left between the tread pattern or the sidewall numbers eventually slings up the side of the car. Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff