Discussion
Yep - had the TVR done by Fernhurst as a condition of purchase (way back in March '01).
Paint was looking very sorry for itself, like the previous owner had thought a brillo pad would be a good way of removing dirt. After the "mop and polish", it was beautiful - literally new showroom condition. Deffo worth doing if your paint's a bit tired.
Paint was looking very sorry for itself, like the previous owner had thought a brillo pad would be a good way of removing dirt. After the "mop and polish", it was beautiful - literally new showroom condition. Deffo worth doing if your paint's a bit tired.
I had Fernies do this to the boot of my old Griff (after the tw*ts who tiled my kitchen floor set up their tile-cutter outside the garage while the door was open, covered the boot in ceramic dust and then wiped it off). As I recall it involves slightly heating the top layer of paint enough to let it move around slightly, and then repolishing. Good for minor scratches that can't simply be polished out, but won't sort out major gouges.
This should explain.
www.totalbmwmag.co.uk/HandsOn/TechNov02.PDF
Laborious process but well worth it, I did the Mini a while back.
Apologies for the cheap car in the pictures!
Matt.
www.totalbmwmag.co.uk/HandsOn/TechNov02.PDF
Laborious process but well worth it, I did the Mini a while back.
Apologies for the cheap car in the pictures!
Matt.
My brother used to do this on all the cars he did up, but just used t-cut. He used to get fantastic results on cars. I always assumed this is what garages did before putting used cars out on the forecourt.
It seemed mainly down to the fact that you have got a heavy duty polisher. (he'd bought one for about 150 quid at the time) that will take the layers of the lacquer or paint off. I could not imagine being able to get the same effect spending hours by hand, using t-cut or a cutting compound. It was significantly easier and better.
I tried it a few times, but I am not sure if I would do it on a car that is already in good condition, that you want to try and get back to perfect. I am certain the swirls you see in sunlight will not go, but where the lacquer is starting to look like it has had fine sandpaper on it, That may improve significantly.
I am going to try a small section of my boot this weekend, which is looking a bit shabby in places. I had been thinking about it for a while but this post has prompted me. I'll let you know. One tip for anyone doing it, it cleans the rubber trim and glass and number plates etc etc as well,if your doing the whole car (when using t-cut) but stay clear of edges, it can quickly take the paint off after a couple of seconds. keep moving all the time and use plenty of water, don't let the cleaning 'mop' head dry out. These polishers often have two speeds as well, low is better, high will leave fine swirl type scratches.
It seemed mainly down to the fact that you have got a heavy duty polisher. (he'd bought one for about 150 quid at the time) that will take the layers of the lacquer or paint off. I could not imagine being able to get the same effect spending hours by hand, using t-cut or a cutting compound. It was significantly easier and better.
I tried it a few times, but I am not sure if I would do it on a car that is already in good condition, that you want to try and get back to perfect. I am certain the swirls you see in sunlight will not go, but where the lacquer is starting to look like it has had fine sandpaper on it, That may improve significantly.
I am going to try a small section of my boot this weekend, which is looking a bit shabby in places. I had been thinking about it for a while but this post has prompted me. I'll let you know. One tip for anyone doing it, it cleans the rubber trim and glass and number plates etc etc as well,if your doing the whole car (when using t-cut) but stay clear of edges, it can quickly take the paint off after a couple of seconds. keep moving all the time and use plenty of water, don't let the cleaning 'mop' head dry out. These polishers often have two speeds as well, low is better, high will leave fine swirl type scratches.
Great stuff, thanks chaps.
A friend has reccomended someone nearby that can do the job and I'll probably head up there next week to show him the car. He doesn't expect the charge to be much more than £60 or so which I'll willing pay when the other option looks to be days or polishing and waxing!
A friend has reccomended someone nearby that can do the job and I'll probably head up there next week to show him the car. He doesn't expect the charge to be much more than £60 or so which I'll willing pay when the other option looks to be days or polishing and waxing!
The G3 that they use in that article can also be used by hand with startling results. If combined with a machine polish (used by hand, stupid eh?) the finish is astound, it can actually move paint into small scratches all but covering them up...
Careful though, its easy to go too far...
Matt.
Careful though, its easy to go too far...
Matt.
My mother managed to burn through the paint doing this. Go steady and avoid any sharp edges (do them by hand.) It doesn't do a lot on lacquers (eg. metallic paint) because the outer surface isn't coloured but it works well on flat colours. Had a Golf (instafade red) done a few years ago, it worked out cheaper to get a bodyshop to do it than to hire the buffer, buy the compound etc. £200 IIRC.
jaydee said: My mother managed to burn through the paint doing this. Go steady and avoid any sharp edges (do them by hand.) It doesn't do a lot on lacquers (eg. metallic paint) because the outer surface isn't coloured but it works well on flat colours. Had a Golf (instafade red) done a few years ago, it worked out cheaper to get a bodyshop to do it than to hire the buffer, buy the compound etc. £200 IIRC.
yep scene a couple of cars burnt in my time if you are thinking of a "machine mop"leave it to the professionals (no not bodie an doyle)a experienced Valeter who will be insured.
I got a local body shop to do an old civic of ours before I sold it, it wasn't very expensive at all and makes the car look fantastic.
One thing to note if you are buying a red car... a mopped old red car looks absolutely superb even if prior to mopping the red paint was fading to pink. Be aware though that the fading returns very very quickly indeed.
Mark
One thing to note if you are buying a red car... a mopped old red car looks absolutely superb even if prior to mopping the red paint was fading to pink. Be aware though that the fading returns very very quickly indeed.
Mark
Not so sure, it's a pretty easy skill to learn, then again so is plumbing, so guess it depends on how much spare cash you've got
jondokic said: Yes, let the professionals handle it. Not a DIY job, but some people have more enthusiasm than common sense do they not ?
Tru about the common snese though, but IMHO if you've got no common sense, you shouldn't have a nice car
Agree with incorrigble, its quite easy and nothing to be afraid of. Just start with plenty of water, dip the mop head into a bucket every ten seconds and then give the head a 1 second spin to get rid of the excess water and go for it. Start with t-cut, rather than a stronger cutting compound to get the hang of it. (maybe do your windscreen first !)It'll clean any deposits of grease etc off.
one warning it is a seriously messy job, make sure nothing in close vicinity for splashes. You'll also be wet-through.
one warning it is a seriously messy job, make sure nothing in close vicinity for splashes. You'll also be wet-through.
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