Cleaning tips

[Manchestergas]

Hi folks, what do you lot use on the doors/weather gear to keep it clean and in good nik? I have 6 years of cleaning to do and after cleaning one door with some stuff and letting it dry it looks like I have not touched it :-(.
Can any one recommend a good back to black type product?

What's best to clean the ss guards on the rear arches also.

Thanks
Mike

Ps, sorry if this has been covered but can't find a search thread function on here.

[Mclavert]

Armorall brings it up a treat. Needs fairly frequent reapplication mind you, but it's quick and effective!

Michael.

[anonymous-user]

Another of the myriad of uses for WD40. Even works on the transparencies but takes a bit of polishing.

[V7SLR]

Use Autoglym "vinyl and rubber care".

[CaterBram]

Another thumbs up to AutoGlym vinyl & rubber care

Works on the doors & Boot covers.

If they have been left for a while then a couple of decent applications brings them up a treat.

[Dr Slotter]

As above with Autoglym Vinyl and Rubber Care for me. Their SuperResin polish works well on the clear plastic windows too.

[fredd1e]

beware WD40 on painted surfaces as it can cause some to go a touch milky /faded /stained

[Zagster]

Used to use Super Resin Polish until I realised how abrasive it is Now use Zymol. Use Fast Glass for windows, side screens etc and Vinyl & Rubber for other bits. Armoural great stuff but agree doesn't last very long. WD-40 is just oil mixed with spirits of some sort so there are better products for the job...

Edited by Zagster on Tuesday 28th May 10:56

[BraddersCat7]

Another one for Autoglym Vinyl and Rubber from me too. Gives a nice finish and lifts the grim out too.

[anonymous-user]

Zagster said:

WD-40 is just oil mixed with spirits of some sort so there are better products for the job...

You say that as though it's gonna do some damage, and the "better products" don't contain oils or spirits....

[Toaster]

Zagster said:

Used to use Super Resin Polish until I realised how abrasive it is Now use Zymol. Use Fast Glass for windows, side screens etc and Vinyl & Rubber for other bits. Armoural great stuff but agree doesn't last very long. WD-40 is just oil mixed with spirits of some sort so there are better products for the job...

Edited by Zagster on Tuesday 28th May 10:56

You need either this http://www.autoglym.com/products/products/extra-gl...
Or this http://www.autoglym.com/products/products/high-def...

All polishes are abrasive the Amoral range is the same in that it is a mixture of washing polishing and waxing your car

[Zagster]

Not all polishes are designed to be "abrasive" as per the links you give, also Maguires do a range of non abrasive polishes, Zymol, even the cheaper Turtle Wax brand do them - has non-abrasive on the bottle so easy to locate. I use Zymol now, meant to be good stuff and the colour of the car doesn't come off on your cloth!

Detailing world is always worth a look in for some serious polish, these guys spend £1000's on a block of Carbuna I'm a polisher but REALLY?

Edited by Zagster on Tuesday 28th May 16:00

[Toaster]

Zagster said:

Not all polishes are designed to be "abrasive" as per the links you give,
Detailing world is always worth a look in for some serious polish, these guys spend £1000's on a block of Carbuna I'm a polisher but REALLY

Edited by Zagster on Tuesday 28th May 15:35

OK so can I ask if a polish is designed to remove some surfacatants I assume it can only do this by either abrassion or disolving certain contaminants. is this correct and if so which does what

[Zagster]

Zymol for instance is "non-abrasive" but has a VERY mild level of citrus to remove dirt. Others have higher levels of citrus. The higher content of carbuna wax the better, beeswax is OK but comes off quicker, and "Aloe Vera" to nourish the paint work!? Give me a break just makes it smells nice and keeps your hands supple darling

Worst stuff is the stuff you get on shopping channels or what most of the drive through cleaners use e.g. basically petroleum/oil based products that strip everything back to the paint leaving no protection at all apart from a thin oily residue which gives no protection but a nice shine for a while... Bloody quick way to make your car look clean and shiny though

Edited by Zagster on Tuesday 28th May 16:07

[BraddersCat7]

Of course there is the other school of thought, that if you drive fast enough the dirt will just blow off.

"Honest officer I was just cleaning the car"

[Zagster]

He He, know what you mean Bradders, just been out in a 140 Supersport for a test drive, Callum from Cateham South had to drive as it was pouring but thats fine I just wanted to feel the oomph after the 125 - it went, great fun...

[BraddersCat7]

Not letting you drive?! Meanies.

What did you think of the difference between the two?

[Zagster]

I couldn't put the hammer down on the 125 roadsport properly as it was through town and on a twisty country lane - pointless test drive route for a Caterham. Callum took me on a dual carriageway and b roads and hammered it 4-5 times from about 20 mph which is what I asked for - great stuff, real punch in the back acceleration but still going to get a 180 for the extra torque and oomph. He says it goes from 30 -90 much faster but you just have to be a bit more careful with the 180!

[mickrick]

Carnauba, it´s Carnauba

[StEVEN7]

Toaster said:

Zagster said:

Used to use Super Resin Polish until I realised how abrasive it is Now use Zymol. Use Fast Glass for windows, side screens etc and Vinyl & Rubber for other bits. Armoural great stuff but agree doesn't last very long. WD-40 is just oil mixed with spirits of some sort so there are better products for the job...

Edited by Zagster on Tuesday 28th May 10:56

You need either this http://www.autoglym.com/products/products/extra-gl...
Or this http://www.autoglym.com/products/products/high-def...

All polishes are abrasive the Amoral range is the same in that it is a mixture of washing polishing and waxing your car

be careful with your facts chaps i've been detailing for 5 years and in my experience Super Resin Polish is not abrasive unlike some paint polish compounds. It is a cleaning polish and contains specialised emulsifiers and conditioners to gently clean and condition paintwork. It's ideal for all types of new or moderately deteriorated paintwork including metallics, waterbased and lacquered finishes, and will not damage paintwork with repeated use. it does have fillers to fill any swirls in paintwork.it's a very good product at an amateur level you can even apply it with a Dual action polisher with great results then apply a sealant or wax on top.