Paint feels like sandpaper

[Paulprior]

Hi
I have stored my TVR Chinaera in an open fronted garage all winter uncovered while i have been doing mechanical repairs, i washed it twice yesterday with Autoglym car shampoo but the surface still feels like sandpaper, it is possible that there is some tree sap involved that is holding the dust to achieve this feel as we have some large trees nearby, any suggestions on how to get it shiny and smooth again?
Thanks
Paul

[steveo3002]

farecla clay mitt from halfords ...about £13

use it with plenty of soapy water and rub it over the surface

[RPastry]

a gentle polish?

I've used http://www.zymol.com/cleanerwax.aspx which restores a glossy shine. For a more long-lasting treatment you're into the rabbit hole of the car detailing world. I bought a kit from bilt-hamber for that, but there's a million products and opinions out there.

[Prohibiting]

In simple terms:

(Shampoo/wash first prior to these steps)

1) Tar remover spray
2) Iron fall out remover spray
3) Clay mitt
4) Final shampoo
5) Wax

[smudgerebt]

Halfords.

Get autoglym clay kit (contains clay and srp).

Or pay someone to do it for you.

(Unless your local to a member who dosnt mind helping out)

[rog007]

Prohibiting said:

3) Clay mitt

Tried a good make of one of those; awful it was. I'm much happier with a clay bar

[SMB]

Is it dirt or has the paint blistered? Was it kept with a car cover on it at any time? Fibreglass cars will often blister if left damp, only solution then is a respray.

[Paulprior]

Thanks for all the recomendations.

I used Auto glym shampoo, twice to get rid of any loose stuff then went and bought some Autoglym intensive tar remover, this did nothing, i also bought a Farecla G3 clay mitt, this did a great job and smoothed it all out very easily, i then shampoed it again and followed up with Autoglym Super resin polish and Extra gloss protection, looking very nice now.

I have never adventured past a wash and wax previously, is there a beginners idiot guide anywhere so i could try to learn a bit more?

Paul

[I-A]

Get yourself on Detailing World mate - lots of advice on there, but beware of the detailing tax...

[Prohibiting]

rog007 said:

Tried a good make of one of those; awful it was. I'm much happier with a clay bar

Strange. I used to be a happy user of Bilt Hamber Clay but after the invention of clay mitts a few years ago, I haven't looked back. When I bought and used my first clay mitt, I then went over a couple of panels with a clay bar to see how effective the mitt had been. The bar picked up nothing as the mitt had already removed the impurities. I usually clay my car every year and follow up with a light machine polish so any very minor swirls that may be created by claying isn't revelant.

I couldn't tell any difference in between a clay mitt or a clay bar regardless. However the mitt is much quicker and easier to use. No brainer IMO.