Discussion
I am about to take possession of a Saab 900 Talladega coupe. It's a goodun with a laughably low mileage of 85k but it is going to need some work on the outside and the inside as well.
The black paint is (heavily) oxidised and duller than a gordon brown motivational video, there are marks from packaging tape here and there, the window seals have mold on them (as does the interior) the cream leather seats are dryer than a glass in the Sahara and though dry and water tight inside it smells unused, is very dirty and it is going to need a bloody good hover and the carpets will need a wash.
Now, I have little time to do a proper job but between the impending rain showers and tight schedule this week I want to get it looking better.
I have a very tight budget and I have lots of stuff already at home like AGlym polish and sealer, leather conditioner, wonder wheels alloy wheel cleaner glass.
Bearing in mind the only place I can get to is Halfords, what would you recommend to deal with the oxidised paint and at least give it a semi decent polish... all for ideally less than £30.
Did I say the paint was oxisised? it's really really dull.
I am not very hopeful on this, but what would be your suggestions?
Its a £500 donkey, but I can't take it to clients as it is and I need to do something to at least make the old gal shine..
The black paint is (heavily) oxidised and duller than a gordon brown motivational video, there are marks from packaging tape here and there, the window seals have mold on them (as does the interior) the cream leather seats are dryer than a glass in the Sahara and though dry and water tight inside it smells unused, is very dirty and it is going to need a bloody good hover and the carpets will need a wash.
Now, I have little time to do a proper job but between the impending rain showers and tight schedule this week I want to get it looking better.
I have a very tight budget and I have lots of stuff already at home like AGlym polish and sealer, leather conditioner, wonder wheels alloy wheel cleaner glass.
Bearing in mind the only place I can get to is Halfords, what would you recommend to deal with the oxidised paint and at least give it a semi decent polish... all for ideally less than £30.
Did I say the paint was oxisised? it's really really dull.
I am not very hopeful on this, but what would be your suggestions?
Its a £500 donkey, but I can't take it to clients as it is and I need to do something to at least make the old gal shine..
Double your budget, get a cheap rotary polisher like a Kestrel or Silverline for 40 GBP (try ebay). Then get a polishing and finishing pad for a fiver each. And spend the other 10 GBP on some sample sizes of Menzerna 3.02 Intensive Polish and Menzerna PO85RD Final Finish. Someone like matt at i4detailing.co.uk may sell them, or something similar.
With a bit of research you'll be able to do a pro job. Maybe keep an eye on the detailing world classifieds for someone selling second hand kit if the budget is a bit high.
But with oxidised paint there's only one sensible way to fix it, and that is properly, with fundamentally sound techniques and equipment. It can be cheap and basic, but there is a minimum spend. Otherwise you're to55ing around with T-cut and spending days doing it by hand, and the finish using a single stage 'rubbing compound' isn't going to be very good compared to what is achieved by rotary.
With a bit of research you'll be able to do a pro job. Maybe keep an eye on the detailing world classifieds for someone selling second hand kit if the budget is a bit high.
But with oxidised paint there's only one sensible way to fix it, and that is properly, with fundamentally sound techniques and equipment. It can be cheap and basic, but there is a minimum spend. Otherwise you're to55ing around with T-cut and spending days doing it by hand, and the finish using a single stage 'rubbing compound' isn't going to be very good compared to what is achieved by rotary.
Thanks for the replies. I forgot to mention I have already got a £40 halfords basic orbital that I used on the M5 to great effect and some sheepskin pads.
I ask again on the detailing forum and hopefully later this week post up some pictures of the car to show you what's going on
Cheers
I ask again on the detailing forum and hopefully later this week post up some pictures of the car to show you what's going on
Cheers
drivin_me_nuts said:
I am about to take possession of a Saab 900 Talladega coupe. It's a goodun with a laughably low mileage of 85k but it is going to need some work on the outside and the inside as well.
The black paint is (heavily) oxidised and duller than a gordon brown motivational video, there are marks from packaging tape here and there, the window seals have mold on them (as does the interior) the cream leather seats are dryer than a glass in the Sahara and though dry and water tight inside it smells unused, is very dirty and it is going to need a bloody good hover and the carpets will need a wash.
Now, I have little time to do a proper job but between the impending rain showers and tight schedule this week I want to get it looking better.
I have a very tight budget and I have lots of stuff already at home like AGlym polish and sealer, leather conditioner, wonder wheels alloy wheel cleaner glass.
Bearing in mind the only place I can get to is Halfords, what would you recommend to deal with the oxidised paint and at least give it a semi decent polish... all for ideally less than £30.
Did I say the paint was oxisised? it's really really dull.
I am not very hopeful on this, but what would be your suggestions?
Its a £500 donkey, but I can't take it to clients as it is and I need to do something to at least make the old gal shine..
Mail order (because you can't buy it in the shops) a bottle of Zymol HD cleanse * an applicator pad. Use that twice & then stick any old wax on it you have handy to seal it. It will get rid of oxidation pretty effectively.The black paint is (heavily) oxidised and duller than a gordon brown motivational video, there are marks from packaging tape here and there, the window seals have mold on them (as does the interior) the cream leather seats are dryer than a glass in the Sahara and though dry and water tight inside it smells unused, is very dirty and it is going to need a bloody good hover and the carpets will need a wash.
Now, I have little time to do a proper job but between the impending rain showers and tight schedule this week I want to get it looking better.
I have a very tight budget and I have lots of stuff already at home like AGlym polish and sealer, leather conditioner, wonder wheels alloy wheel cleaner glass.
Bearing in mind the only place I can get to is Halfords, what would you recommend to deal with the oxidised paint and at least give it a semi decent polish... all for ideally less than £30.
Did I say the paint was oxisised? it's really really dull.
I am not very hopeful on this, but what would be your suggestions?
Its a £500 donkey, but I can't take it to clients as it is and I need to do something to at least make the old gal shine..
Edited by Iain328 on Monday 1st February 00:17
Cheaper option than Zymöl, is Bilt Hamber Auto-balm. Add in the Auto-clay, and between the two, you'll have a nice looking car for minimal outlay.
Other than that, a good polishing with an abrasive polish (more than what AG SRP or T-Cut by hand will provide), and then sealed with Auto-balm, a Dodo Juice wax, or a Duragloss sealant, and you're sorted properly.
Other than that, a good polishing with an abrasive polish (more than what AG SRP or T-Cut by hand will provide), and then sealed with Auto-balm, a Dodo Juice wax, or a Duragloss sealant, and you're sorted properly.
steve 43 said:
hi pal try the maquiars detailing kit its about £24 from halfords.the clay bar should sort out the paint cond and then polish/wax it its in your budget and simple enough to use .good look steve.
A clay bar wont remove oxidisation. You need a rotary polisher. OP, fancy posting up some pics of the car?
gj88 said:
steve 43 said:
hi pal try the maquiars detailing kit its about £24 from halfords.the clay bar should sort out the paint cond and then polish/wax it its in your budget and simple enough to use .good look steve.
A clay bar wont remove oxidisation. You need a rotary polisher. OP, fancy posting up some pics of the car?
Edit to add:
Finally got the car yeaterday.
Washed it three times today and it was filthy, absolutely disgustingly filthy. I thought before I bought anything I would have a little play with some autoglym polish and much to my surprise the oxidised paint is coming up a treat. The polish seems more than capable of taking off all the gunk. What was more surprising was just how many cloths I am going to go through. They are filthy, absolutely filthy, I will do the rest of the car tomorrow assuming it is still dry and then post up some pickies. Cost so far... £3 for the mr muscle and a couple of scrubbing brushes. It worked, rather well actually.
The boot was sprayed with that Mr Muscle foamy carpet cleaner and that seems to have come up a treat as well. There is a slightly unpleasant smell I think they had a small dog at one time and I'm not sure how to get rid of the old dog smell - oh and the seatbelts smell musty. Not bad for a few hundred quid and it will scrub up a treat.
Edited by drivin_me_nuts on Thursday 11th February 18:16
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