sorry stupid cleaning questions ...
Discussion
plan to give her a first clean this saturday.
usually use autogylm polish and car cleaner etc but as it's crystal topaz is there anything i need to know or be aware off?
the car is generally very clean and i intend to make sure that it stays that way. what is best to preserve and clean the interior leather?
and lastly i generally use traffic film remover to clean the alloys on my elise but the tvr manual says not to use this?
sorry for the anal questions just dont want harm the car visually.
cheers
rick
usually use autogylm polish and car cleaner etc but as it's crystal topaz is there anything i need to know or be aware off?
the car is generally very clean and i intend to make sure that it stays that way. what is best to preserve and clean the interior leather?
and lastly i generally use traffic film remover to clean the alloys on my elise but the tvr manual says not to use this?
sorry for the anal questions just dont want harm the car visually.
cheers
rick
For "polish" read "abrasive", albeit very mild. I would really recommend a good quality shampoo (that does not strip wax off), then a surface cleaner, than carnauba wax. Autoglym stuff won't do any harm as the lacquer is very tough, but if you want a good quality shine that lasts, go for a wax.
I use the P21S stuff from the Polishing Company. First I wash the car, then clay it ( I use Meguiars clay), then P21S cleaner, then P21S carnauba wax.
My is Crystal Topaz and I must be doing something right as I have a shelf full of trophies for concours. Given the above treatment, you should have paint as smooth as glass, deep reflections and no scratches caused when you clean it.
As for wheels, I still use the usual wheel cleaners (e.g. autoglym, wonderwheels etc) - but I only do this when the wheels are off the car and I can rinse them thoroughly. I then wax the wheels inside and out which makes them easy to clean in the future by just giving them a wipe over.
hope this helps.
I use the P21S stuff from the Polishing Company. First I wash the car, then clay it ( I use Meguiars clay), then P21S cleaner, then P21S carnauba wax.
My is Crystal Topaz and I must be doing something right as I have a shelf full of trophies for concours. Given the above treatment, you should have paint as smooth as glass, deep reflections and no scratches caused when you clean it.
As for wheels, I still use the usual wheel cleaners (e.g. autoglym, wonderwheels etc) - but I only do this when the wheels are off the car and I can rinse them thoroughly. I then wax the wheels inside and out which makes them easy to clean in the future by just giving them a wipe over.
hope this helps.
Hi Brent
Didnt recognise the new log-in. Checked the profile and wow that car still looks gorgeous.
I am a huge fan of Autoglym though I know many on here deride it. The gloss finish after polishing really makes it shine. The duster test is a good one. After all the hard work just lay a clean duster on the bonnet and watch it slide off.
Also as I run a wax refining company it does help having access to tonnes of Carnauba, Beeswax, Candelilla and Japan wax, which I can play around with in the lab.
Before my huge fire in 2003 "Pies, and Big Ears" on here, came to visit with a view to us developing a new polish for TVR owners. Hmmm must resurect sp that project.
Tony (the butler)
Didnt recognise the new log-in. Checked the profile and wow that car still looks gorgeous.
I am a huge fan of Autoglym though I know many on here deride it. The gloss finish after polishing really makes it shine. The duster test is a good one. After all the hard work just lay a clean duster on the bonnet and watch it slide off.
Also as I run a wax refining company it does help having access to tonnes of Carnauba, Beeswax, Candelilla and Japan wax, which I can play around with in the lab.
Before my huge fire in 2003 "Pies, and Big Ears" on here, came to visit with a view to us developing a new polish for TVR owners. Hmmm must resurect sp that project.
Tony (the butler)
Hi Clive, get yourself a clay bar to add to that impressive collection of Zymol. Really good for shifting bugs, tree sap and other 'stuff' that lands on cars (especially when driven quickly!). They are very useful and effective for taking off grime and leaving paint showroom fresh again. I wish I had 'discovered' them some years ago when I had my old Chim. Mind you, I think all cleaning products have come on alot over the last 3-4 years - much more choice available for the discerning car carer.
Thanks Nick.
Never got the opportunity to say how much we liked the colour of your car when we were following you. Not seen another like that, ever. Quite dramatic in the changing light.
As per NCE's link, a clay bar is exactly that - a bar (simialr size to bar of soap) of very high quality and very clean white clay. The cars is washed thoroughly, then working on a small area at a time, the paint work is misted with a wetting solution (it feels slighty soapY0 that lubricates the paint surface. The clay bar is then gently glided over the paint and any impurities, bugs, sap, etc, are absorbed into the clay. Its like using sandpaper - but not in any way abrasive. It leaves the paint as clean as humanly possible. Rub the back of your hand over paint, then clay it, then feel the difference. Literally, as smooth as glass (assuming a decent quality paint job to start with).
Never got the opportunity to say how much we liked the colour of your car when we were following you. Not seen another like that, ever. Quite dramatic in the changing light.
As per NCE's link, a clay bar is exactly that - a bar (simialr size to bar of soap) of very high quality and very clean white clay. The cars is washed thoroughly, then working on a small area at a time, the paint work is misted with a wetting solution (it feels slighty soapY0 that lubricates the paint surface. The clay bar is then gently glided over the paint and any impurities, bugs, sap, etc, are absorbed into the clay. Its like using sandpaper - but not in any way abrasive. It leaves the paint as clean as humanly possible. Rub the back of your hand over paint, then clay it, then feel the difference. Literally, as smooth as glass (assuming a decent quality paint job to start with).
TUS 373 said:
Hi Clive, get yourself a clay bar to add to that impressive collection of Zymol. Really good for shifting bugs, tree sap and other 'stuff' that lands on cars (especially when driven quickly!). They are very useful and effective for taking off grime and leaving paint showroom fresh again. I wish I had 'discovered' them some years ago when I had my old Chim. Mind you, I think all cleaning products have come on alot over the last 3-4 years - much more choice available for the discerning car carer.
Hi Brian,
Thanks for this. Have you any particuar make in mind and where would you source it from? I'm in urgent need due to the flies that have commited kamikaze on the front splitter!
Hi Clive,
I picked up my last batch of Meguiars clay when I was at an event at Silverstone. The Polish Company people showed me their version, Clay Magic, when the Tuscaneers went to the Griff Growl, its about £24 for their version. Zymol have their own 'Lehm' clay too. The Meguiars is around £12 for the spray and clay.
I don't think there will be any difference in quality between these brands - the clay HAS to be of high quality, anything less will not do. The Meguiars was simply the easiest to get hold of. Might even get it a good Halfrauds these days.
www.thepolishingcompany.com/foryourcar.html
I picked up my last batch of Meguiars clay when I was at an event at Silverstone. The Polish Company people showed me their version, Clay Magic, when the Tuscaneers went to the Griff Growl, its about £24 for their version. Zymol have their own 'Lehm' clay too. The Meguiars is around £12 for the spray and clay.
I don't think there will be any difference in quality between these brands - the clay HAS to be of high quality, anything less will not do. The Meguiars was simply the easiest to get hold of. Might even get it a good Halfrauds these days.
www.thepolishingcompany.com/foryourcar.html
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