The full routine to get the cars body gleaming?

[SXS]

I've tried many products over the years, and I still aint clued up in what is the best initial routine and the follow up maintenance routines to keep the cars body gleaming with a deep rich wet-look...

I looked at these pictures below, and the results were achieved by hand (no use of a buffer or the likes)... so chaps, whats all your personal opinions on this...

Before:



and after:



totally amazing!!!

[starmist]

What colour is it? Looks like Chrome!

[jigs]

Don't know what colour it is or how it's been polished but it sure makes everyone look like a shortarse!

[Corin Denton]

It might be shiny but what are those horrible plastic cut-outs with what looks like a keyhole next to it? Really spoils the finish?

[Big_M]

OK it's stunning - what is the product?

[Pies]

First thing is i hate comparing photo's like that at they are taken from different angles,the before one will show most swirls as the light reflects across the scratches

Asb for the product it could be one of many to be certain ask on the autopia forum.

I have a guess that a porter cable buffer was used as well but similar results could be achieved with DACP (dual action cleaner polisher) and some effort

[Big_M]

Pies - do you wanna come over and clean my Nova for me?

[Pies]

Big_M said:

Pies - do you wanna come over and clean my Nova for me?

err how do i put this











nah

[dai capp]

I did a couple of threads a few weeks back on the Cerbera forum...

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=92628&f=6&h=0&hw=even+sadder

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=92219&f=6&h=0&hw=know+it%27%27s+sad

Did this by:

1. Washing with Zymol car shampoo
2. Leathering off and getting rid of any smears with a microfibre cloth
3. Wax with Colourwax
4. Wax with Autoglym Super Resin Polish
5. Finish with Zymol Carbon Wax

The first four bits took around 4 hours the last bit done on a different day took about an hour...

I used to have a Grigio Titanio Tuscan that came up absolutely amazingly using that proceedure...

Pies is the car shining god though and he's done loads of reviews of products which is a good place to start!

Cheers

DC

[Corin Denton]

dai capp said:

I did a couple of threads a few weeks back on the Cerbera forum... 3. Wax with Colourwax

What is colourwax?

[dai capp]

Corin Denton said:

dai capp said: I did a couple of threads a few weeks back on the Cerbera forum... 3. Wax with Colourwax What is colourwax?

It's a wax (I think made by the Turtlewax people) that basically enriches the colour and tones down stone chips (it's not a magic stone chip remedy). You buy depending on your car colour. It's pretty cheap stuff, hence I use better polish as well...

I get mine from Halfords - they usually have some and I've used it on Mica paints, straight metallics and pearl paints. Seems to work just fine!

Cheers

DC

[SXS]

This is the best routine that specialists and purists use: (if I'm missing something some of you have come across let me know please!!!)

1) Strong shampoo and wash (must not contain wax!)
2) Light shampoo and wash (must be light and balanced PH)
3) Synthetic chamois to dry (leather chamois not recommended)
4) Claybar and scratch detailer (light use of claybar and heavy use of scratch detailer in troubled areas)
5) Super polish coat 1 (heavy use)
6) Super polish coat 2 (lightly)
6) Polish enhancer protector polish
7) Strong wax
8) gloss finish wax protector
9) UV high polymer wax (rain drop run version)

Dont worry, thats all you have to do, once a year!!!!

Then, every car wash use steps 2 and 3, use lightly warm water, not too hot... and repeat step 9 (usually a spray on solution)

Every 3 months, repeat steps 2 and 3 and 7 and 8 and 9.

This way is the real way, heavy elbow grease once a year and some light work every 3 months...

Thats supposed to be the proper way from what I have read so far.... and you dont have to spend hundreds on expensive polishes, they all work, just some work with less work, but in reality the extra work and normal AutoGlym and Turtle Wax products will give you what you want. (although Meguiars products are recommended for reliable longer lasting solution) Of course there are many products out there, its all down to what you believe is better for you.

I will try this as soon as I get my baby back, and maybe do a picture step by step that will show the end results... cant wait, need the exercise

[Pies]

What wax are you going to use on stages 7 and 8.As depending what they are made of the wax used in stage 9 wont adhere to the paint surface

[morgala]

[quote=SXS ]6) Polish enhancer protector polish
quote]

bloody hell, where do you stop?! next you'll be telling me that I need a polish for the "Polish enhancer protector polish"

[Pies]

No swirl mark remover

[S1X OK]

Blimey.
Sackcloth and ashes and self loathing come pretty close on the heels of these displays of contrition at the shrine of automobile worship.
Call me a troll if you like, but there seems to be a bizarre shift in priorities here. How many hours of driving time are consumed in following these multi-point car cleaning methods? Lets face it, if the weather's good enough to clean the car, it's good enough to be driving. I know what I'd rather be doing.
My method: Wash with decent shampoo, rinse, leather, polish, clean wheels with a mucky rag, go for a drive.

[S3 Kieran]

Er, wash, polish, half-hour tops! (maybe extra effort for Mid-Essex meet).

Drive it every day now, so getting used to seeing it dirty!

[blueyes]

The blueyes 3 step cleaning prog:

1. Phone mobile valet.
2. Open can of beer and watch the valet.
3. Write cheque.

(Repeat step 2 if it's being waxed.)

[DustyC]

morgala said:

[quote=SXS ]6) Polish enhancer protector polish

bloody hell, where do you stop?! next you'll be telling me that I need a polish for the "Polish enhancer protector polish"[/quote]

thats just what I was thinking.
All that polish and wax must add wieght to the car

[SXS]

Perfectionist, until a damn stone comes along and chips the hell out of the paintwork...