New Saab advice and direction
Discussion
Right then.
I have a black 93 Aero Cabrio that was new in last November. I have a number of questions so bear with me if this rambles a bit. I have been washng and waxing in my own sweet way but I'm so unhappy with the results that I now want to do it correctly.
At the moment I wash with AG bodywork conditioner shampoo after wetting down the car. I use a single silicone sponge and bucket and I rinse the car as I go. I dry using a chamois.
I can hear you all raising your hands in horror!
every three weeks I then polish it using AG Ultra Deep Shine applied with a mf cloth and removed with another, then a buff up with a mf detailing cloth.
When I run a finger over the surface I do feel imperfections, described on another thread as 'stubble' and I presume that this is imperfections bedded into the paint. having set the scene, onto the questions.
1. I am going to get a wool wash mitt and 2 buckets. Am I ok using the AG shampoo?
2. I am going to get a drying cloth and bin the chamois. Will I get a streak free finish when I am drying it, i.e is the residual dirt and streaks that I currently get a result of poor washing?
3. Should I use a clay to clean the paintwork, if so, which one?
4. The Ultra Deep Shine did quite well at removing swirls and hologramming but should I use something else and how best should I apply, and remove it? Should there be just the one product?
5. Being a cabrio I have a lot of panels that move and have slender rubber seals. How can I clean polish/wax residue from those?
6. The hood is pretty well clean at the moment, and I just wash it and rinse it, allowing it to dry. Should I be doing anything to it now to stop it getting soiled?
Sorry if these are dimwit questions. I have been reading the posts here but it can make your head explode if you are trying to work out a regime. As it's a new car, and tends to really show up being dirty or badly polished I wanted to make sure before I let my itchy fingers start ordering things with fancy names!
I have a black 93 Aero Cabrio that was new in last November. I have a number of questions so bear with me if this rambles a bit. I have been washng and waxing in my own sweet way but I'm so unhappy with the results that I now want to do it correctly.
At the moment I wash with AG bodywork conditioner shampoo after wetting down the car. I use a single silicone sponge and bucket and I rinse the car as I go. I dry using a chamois.
I can hear you all raising your hands in horror!
every three weeks I then polish it using AG Ultra Deep Shine applied with a mf cloth and removed with another, then a buff up with a mf detailing cloth.
When I run a finger over the surface I do feel imperfections, described on another thread as 'stubble' and I presume that this is imperfections bedded into the paint. having set the scene, onto the questions.
1. I am going to get a wool wash mitt and 2 buckets. Am I ok using the AG shampoo?
2. I am going to get a drying cloth and bin the chamois. Will I get a streak free finish when I am drying it, i.e is the residual dirt and streaks that I currently get a result of poor washing?
3. Should I use a clay to clean the paintwork, if so, which one?
4. The Ultra Deep Shine did quite well at removing swirls and hologramming but should I use something else and how best should I apply, and remove it? Should there be just the one product?
5. Being a cabrio I have a lot of panels that move and have slender rubber seals. How can I clean polish/wax residue from those?
6. The hood is pretty well clean at the moment, and I just wash it and rinse it, allowing it to dry. Should I be doing anything to it now to stop it getting soiled?
Sorry if these are dimwit questions. I have been reading the posts here but it can make your head explode if you are trying to work out a regime. As it's a new car, and tends to really show up being dirty or badly polished I wanted to make sure before I let my itchy fingers start ordering things with fancy names!
silverthorn2151 said:
When I run a finger over the surface I do feel imperfections, described on another thread as 'stubble' and I presume that this is imperfections bedded into the paint. having set the scene, onto the questions.
This is embedded paint contamination, you can clay this... more below 
silverthorn2151 said:
1. I am going to get a wool wash mitt and 2 buckets. Am I ok using the AG shampoo?
Hmmm, probably. You want a shampoo that's pH neutral and doesn't leave a residue. Not sure about the AG stuff as I only know a lot about ours 
silverthorn2151 said:
2. I am going to get a drying cloth and bin the chamois. Will I get a streak free finish when I am drying it, i.e is the residual dirt and streaks that I currently get a result of poor washing?
A soft microfibre drying cloth is a good step up, but more in terms of preventing damage to the paint than streaking. Streaking comes from hard water (how hard is your water?) and residues in shampoos and other products. Drying technique also makes a difference, ie dry quickly and thoroughly, panel by panel, rather than giving the surface a wipe and leaving it semi-wet to dry naturally. If the water has already started drying into water spots you could use a 'drying aid' to add some lubrication during this process.silverthorn2151 said:
3. Should I use a clay to clean the paintwork, if so, which one?
Sounds like it needs it. The paint will be smooth after. There are many clays around, just make sure you use a fine grade one to start with, a clay bar lube of some nature, and use the clay correctly.silverthorn2151 said:
4. The Ultra Deep Shine did quite well at removing swirls and hologramming but should I use something else and how best should I apply, and remove it? Should there be just the one product?
The UDS will most likely have done quite well at *hiding* swirls and hologramming. The AG products are great at 'filling'. Super Resin Polish is also a good 'filler'. Depends whether you want to remove swirls permanently (complicated, often need to machine polish) or just keep hiding them.silverthorn2151 said:
5. Being a cabrio I have a lot of panels that move and have slender rubber seals. How can I clean polish/wax residue from those?
Erm, don't get it on them People mask with blue 3M tape to prevent it. Or use a product that won't 'dust'. Or use a rubber cleaner/rejuvenator after.silverthorn2151 said:
6. The hood is pretty well clean at the moment, and I just wash it and rinse it, allowing it to dry. Should I be doing anything to it now to stop it getting soiled?
There are fabric hood conditioners and protectants available. AG do one, from memory.Regarding the hood look at a variety of products made by Renovo, epsecially designed for cabrio owners.
Keeping you rubber window surrounds clean is simple, use all purpose cleaner mixed with water and brush with a clean detailing brush, and rinse off. Then dress with something like Einszett Rubber and Vinyl dressing. It will keep the matt look and lasts for ages.
Keeping you rubber window surrounds clean is simple, use all purpose cleaner mixed with water and brush with a clean detailing brush, and rinse off. Then dress with something like Einszett Rubber and Vinyl dressing. It will keep the matt look and lasts for ages.
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