Getting my Wedge nice and shiny

[Jon280]

I have finally got round to trying to make my wedge look a little more presentable by attempting to sort out the paintwork and get it looking nice and shiny. While the paint is not in bad condition, there are quite a lot of parts (mainly bonnet and boot areas rather than the sides) where there are some patches where the paint seems to have faded and taken on a white tinge, almost look like water has sat or run over it at some time in the past.

At the front


Sides of the boot, boot lid has the same across it


I decided to have a go with what I had laying around to see if it would sort it, attempted part of the boot lid first. I gave it a good wash, then used some Autoglym Super Resin Polish. Where the paint looks fine, it has come up really nice looks good, but after quite a bit of polishing by hand, the faded areas have hardly improved.

This makes me think that need either a different polish and/or some form of machine polisher. A bit of googling seems to show everyone has a different favourite set of stuff to use, and when looking at the prices of some of the polishers I was horrified! As I would like to do this myself rather than just pay someone to do it for me, I am looking to get some form of electric polisher. Is there a huge difference between a cheap random orbital type one from ( http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10-RANDOM-ORBITAL-CAR-PO...) and the ridiculously expensive ones? And are there any polished that are better for the type of paint process that TVR used? I am not fussed about the time it takes, so if I can achieve a good result with something cheaper and a bit more time, then that would appeal.

[Danny Hoffman]

I'd try T Cut or an abrasive rubbing compound by hand first before going mad with a power tool, it's very easy to go right through the paint.

[wild rover]

I would agree that way you don't buff off all the paint while you are getting used to a machine.

[mrzigazaga]

Hi Jon..The milky stain's are where the clear coat get's damaged by water..I had a couple on mine but after leaving it in the sunshine on a hot day they disappeared..G3 scratch remover is a good product but is better done with a buffer and in small sections at a time..i:e..A door..Then the rear panel and so on..Make sure the car is clean and dry and not parked in the sun when you do it...You can get it at Howlfrauds..Ziga

[Act Daft]

I think you’d be disappointed with that machine
Have a look at detailingworld.co.uk and cleanyourcar.co.uk
I use a 5 speed rotary polisher with different pads and compounds depending on what I’m trying to do.
Compounds, Poorboys,SSR or 3M followed by a wax or Glaze & sealant.

Give yourself plenty of time and do a panel at a time

[ralph350i]

Hi
These are very good value for money and once you get used to it, your be getting a pro finish, http://www.amazon.co.uk/SILVERLINE-SILVERSTORM%C2%...

also try these polishes they are very good and easy to use

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Farecla-G4-Paste-Compoun...

good luck

[GV]

Best compound/polish is System 1 - you can only get it from the US. Best stuff I have ever used...need more now though.

[Jon280]

Cool, well due to the current lack of any sort of meaningful sunshine, I shall have a go with some t-cut or the Farecla G3/G4 stuff by hand and see how that does.

[carob]

Werkstat Prime Strong.

Really good stuff.

Rob

[gmw9666]

http://www.theultimatefinish.co.uk/autoglym/paint-...

Quite simply......click this, watch then press buy..........I did and it's a fantastic kit, 100% idiot proof (I'm using an old silverlink polisher i had knocking about, cost about £30 on ebay)