A good non-abrasive polish

[bing]

Hi folks,

Can someone recommend a good non-abrasive polish for my Elise that I could buy on the high-street (e.g. halfrauds etc), the car is a dark metallic colour and I would like to have that 'glossy, wet, shiny look.

I'd be using it after washing/drying and before applying the wax.

PS I use Maguire's shampoo and nxt gen wax so if anyone knows a product in that line it would be great.


thanks

[morebeanz]

Autoglym Super Resin Polish - it has nice fillers to cover any scratches and swirls, and seems to provide a good base for wax.

If your prepared to go internet shopping, I use P21S paint cleanser...

[trickywoo]

You want a clay bar. Halfrauds do a meguiars one for around £12 IIRC.

[TonyHetherington]

Meguiars' 3-step system is quite good. As you have the NXT wax though you could just get the first 2 stages and use the NXT as the 3rd.

I've found with my Elise that polishes put in more scratches than they remove (at a fine level)...as the lacquer is so flippin' hard!!

The problem with this sort of question is that so many people have had so many different products work for them; on different cars, different colours etc. etc. You will get a whole host of replies here saying everything from Autoglym to Zymol - they will all work well.

A huge part of scratches on your car is not just removing them, but also not putting them in there in first place. Take a look at the small guides I did in the Elise forum and it will explain all.

So, to conclude; if you're happy with Meguiar's results, get the 3 step system and see what you think. The only REAL way to get rid of scratches is (I'm sorry to say) have it professionally done.

[TonyHetherington]

trickywoo said:

You want a clay bar. Halfrauds do a meguiars one for around £12 IIRC.

oooooo yeah, and most definitely do that

[bing]

thanks folks.....

I don't really have any scratches, just want that wet shiney look.

[TonyHetherington]

In which case, don't get a polish. Any polish has a cutting compound in it - even Autoglym - so if the car isn't particularly heavily scratched then stick with your waxes/sealents.

[Anatol]

Indeed. 'Non-abrasive polish' is a contradiction. Polishing is an abrasive process.

Restrict yourself to products labelled 'wax' or 'glaze' (and remember that a 'wax polish' is a polish, and therefore abrasive).

Or abandon the wax route altogether, and try a polymer-bonding product, the new technology products are waterless and achieve remarkable results.

Tol

[morebeanz]

If you genuinely have no scratches then I suggest that you use a glaze. A lot of polishes contain glazing oils and do that part of the job, but essentially a glaze is supposed to "feed" the paintwork in the same way that you would feed leather or a cricket bat. This brings out a slick oily finish that you can put the wax on to buff to a high shine...

[bing]

Even more confused now....

What about this? Any one used it:-

Maguires - Deep Crystal Polish

www.meguiars.co.uk/cgi-bin/specwd.pl?pc=A2116&tp=0

It states that:-

"This product is not a wax and doesn’t cut – it is a pure polish that conditions and nourishes the paint and is the secret to creating an awesome, deep, wet-look shine."


I was gonna try this over the weekend:-

1) Maguires Nxt Gen shampoo
2) Maguires Deep Crystal
3) Maguires Nxt Gen Wax

Any views???

[morebeanz]

bing

The DCP is a glaze, so you have it in the right order for your process. I would insert claying after the wash and before the glaze - it will really improve the glossy feel to the paint. Use the Meguiars clay and Quick Detailer available from Halfords - it's decent enough.

Looks like you've got a sensible programme mapped out.

Just remember that the easiest way to put scratches and swirls on a car is during the wash!

[bing]

bing said:

1) Maguires Nxt Gen shampoo
2) Maguires Deep Crystal
3) Maguires Nxt Gen Wax

I tried the above this w/e and I must say it looks the biz!!!!!

[morebeanz]

bing said:

bing said:

1) Maguires Nxt Gen shampoo
2) Maguires Deep Crystal
3) Maguires Nxt Gen Wax

I tried the above this w/e and I must say it looks the biz!!!!!

Aaah, the first steps to addiction, as TonyH will atest to! Next you'll be checking out www.detailingworld.co.uk and then your spare time (and cash) will disappear very quickly...

[bing]

I've already got my eye on some swissol wax for when the NXT GEN stuff runs out!!!!

PS I seem to have got some wax on the canvas roof edge is there an easy way to remove it???

thanks