Keeping the thing Shiny
Discussion
OK, so brief personal history. Never owned a Lotus or a non-metal car in my life. Previous to the 111R the fastest car I owned was a mod'd XR2(dont laugh). And the most cleaning a car ever got, was when I couldnt get in it, for the rubbish and the dirt.
So now the 111R is here, things need to change. What are the best products to keep this thing like new. I hear AutoGlym is good, but is there other stuff out there that is better. What about the wheels.
Need help and need it fast, cos this weekend is going to be the 1st time I clean it and it needs to be good.
So now the 111R is here, things need to change. What are the best products to keep this thing like new. I hear AutoGlym is good, but is there other stuff out there that is better. What about the wheels.
Need help and need it fast, cos this weekend is going to be the 1st time I clean it and it needs to be good.
One stop shop to Meguires my lad.
All their stuff is superb and fairly cheap.
As your car is new I would go for the Gold Class wax and get some of the wheel cleaner and the tyre gel.
Once a year do their 3 step programe. Paint cleaner, polish then wax.
They have their own web site and you can buy all their stuff on line.
I'm sure that some people will say buy Zymol but that is at least £50 for a small pot of the standard wax and is not worth it unless you have a concourse show car you never drive
All their stuff is superb and fairly cheap.
As your car is new I would go for the Gold Class wax and get some of the wheel cleaner and the tyre gel.
Once a year do their 3 step programe. Paint cleaner, polish then wax.
They have their own web site and you can buy all their stuff on line.
I'm sure that some people will say buy Zymol but that is at least £50 for a small pot of the standard wax and is not worth it unless you have a concourse show car you never drive
This is my everyday car, have owned it since mid November and have 2000miles on it and that includes 2 weeks whre I didnt use it at all. Thanks for the "my lad" comment, but unless you are in your 60's, it most definately does not apply to me.
Thanks for the info taken a look already on the Net and most places seem to promise next day delivery, so here goes.
Will post the results in a couple of weeks
Thanks for the info taken a look already on the Net and most places seem to promise next day delivery, so here goes.
Will post the results in a couple of weeks
Hi Guy's
I've been using Autoglym car wash up until now with mixed result's, I know this is sad but I thought I'd try halford's car wash! I brought some a couple of week's ago and my car look's a lot better. It sits on my parent's drive and not in a garage so I have to wash it every week. before someone asks I have a drive but no dropped kerb and the Idea of leaving her there all day with no one to keep a watchful eye scare's the hell out of me, I've got to find some wheel cleaner so I'll check that site out.
Boggy
>> Edited by boggy on Wednesday 9th February 10:33
I've been using Autoglym car wash up until now with mixed result's, I know this is sad but I thought I'd try halford's car wash! I brought some a couple of week's ago and my car look's a lot better. It sits on my parent's drive and not in a garage so I have to wash it every week. before someone asks I have a drive but no dropped kerb and the Idea of leaving her there all day with no one to keep a watchful eye scare's the hell out of me, I've got to find some wheel cleaner so I'll check that site out.
Boggy
>> Edited by boggy on Wednesday 9th February 10:33
I have similar experience to Boggy - I get mixed results with AutoGlym both on the Lotus and the MG. The finish is initially good, but goes dead-looking after a while - the shine just fades - particularly noticeable on the MG (racing green). On a couple of occasions, I somehow got white patches in the finish when I put the AutoGlym resin polish on, and had to buff them out with cutting paste. I think it must have been excess moisture or something.
I was going to try Meguiars, but after having spent £60 on an armload of AutoGlym when I picked up the car, I think I'll use that lot first. Is it the preferred option?
[k]
I was going to try Meguiars, but after having spent £60 on an armload of AutoGlym when I picked up the car, I think I'll use that lot first. Is it the preferred option?
[k]
When someone finds a decent wheel cleaner, PLEASE LET ME KNOW 
I bought some Mer wheel cleaner, but after reading the warnings on the back, I'm afraid to use it !!
Don't:
On warm/hot surfaces or in sunlight
Allow to dry
Use on painted wheels
Use on un-laquered highly polished alloy
Use on Anodized surfaces or satinless steel
Always read the cars owners manual
What do Elise wheels come under out of that lot
I bought some Mer wheel cleaner, but after reading the warnings on the back, I'm afraid to use it !!
Don't:
On warm/hot surfaces or in sunlight
Allow to dry
Use on painted wheels
Use on un-laquered highly polished alloy
Use on Anodized surfaces or satinless steel
Always read the cars owners manual
What do Elise wheels come under out of that lot
I've been converted over to Autoglym clean wheels, after using wonder wheels for ages on my company car I found the brush had caused scratches in the wheels (no doubt due to my rush to get them clean), just spray the autoglym on and rub with a sponge, even gets the inside of the rims clean, can't fault it.
use Autoglym super resin polish first them extra gloss protection, never had a problem and my baby shines every time.
use Autoglym super resin polish first them extra gloss protection, never had a problem and my baby shines every time.
The determining factor in my experience is the amount of time and elbow grease your willing to put into it. My bother raves about his electric polisher, but I've never tried one.
Does anybody have any thoughts on how to get the black plasticy bits (above the engine bay etc.) nice and black? Mine have slight white smears I guess due to polish build up, sunlight, hard water?
Doesn't keep me awake at night, but can't help thinking it would improve the look of the car.
Does anybody have any thoughts on how to get the black plasticy bits (above the engine bay etc.) nice and black? Mine have slight white smears I guess due to polish build up, sunlight, hard water?
Doesn't keep me awake at night, but can't help thinking it would improve the look of the car.
timh said:
use Autoglym super resin polish first them extra gloss protection, never had a problem and my baby shines every time.
I have to agree, the super resin polish followed by extra gloss gives a fantastic finish. The key is to let the wax dry on fully before buffing up. Use a good quality cotton polishing cloth. Halfords sell it in a 5 meter pack and you just cut off what you need each time.
I had only used super resin before, but now on my new motor follow it up with the extra gloss. As the label says on the extra gloss, 'for the perfectionist'. I'm very happy with it. Check out my profile picture as proof!
If you only use a shampoo, then you wont keep a good finish whether it's Halfords own, Turtle Wax or Autoglym car shampoo.
D4V KC
edited cause my sprellin's bad
>> Edited by D4V KC on Thursday 10th February 09:28
Until 2 weeks ago I used Turtlewax Wash and wax stuff.
I used to use Zymol on my 911 when I had her, but couldn't be bothered to spend 6 hours polishing when the temperature was "right" for the expensive wax.
I'd been reading on the Porsche section of PH about similar questions and someone said how good the cheapy Zymol products from Halfrauds was - Zymol cleaner shampoo cleaner wax.
Used it two weeks ago on the Exige, driven the car everyday since in all weathers on Derbyshire country roads, and nothing seems to stick to the car !!! It's still nice a shiny too.
I used to use Zymol on my 911 when I had her, but couldn't be bothered to spend 6 hours polishing when the temperature was "right" for the expensive wax.
I'd been reading on the Porsche section of PH about similar questions and someone said how good the cheapy Zymol products from Halfrauds was - Zymol cleaner shampoo cleaner wax.
Used it two weeks ago on the Exige, driven the car everyday since in all weathers on Derbyshire country roads, and nothing seems to stick to the car !!! It's still nice a shiny too.
BigMac said:
Does anybody have any thoughts on how to get the black plasticy bits (above the engine bay etc.) nice and black? Mine have slight white smears I guess due to polish build up, sunlight, hard water?
Yep Meguires do some gel for plasticsthat will get them back to their original colour (I really am not on commission from them I promise
) Derestrictor put up a post in General Gassing a few weeks ago about a filter that goes in between the tap and the hose and apparently stops water marks completely. I find one of the most time consuming parts drying the car off even with one of the Autoglym magic chamois. Think they were about £35 so I am considering one
I find one of the most time consuming parts drying the car off even with one of the Autoglym magic chamois. Think they were about £35 so I am considering one[/quote]
Try halfords - they sell a silicone 'blade'- very soft and won't scratch your paintwork - just run over the car after you have washed and rinsed it and the water droplets 'bead' off leaving you with very little chamois work to do.
The blade is made by Turtle Wax or halfords do their own which is probably cheaper.
I reckon it saves me a good 20 minutes.
well i will be the lone dissenting voice and say NOT to use meguiars. i don't like it at all.
i have used a few of the company's products and really was not impressed.
I use the cheap zymol you get in halfords and it's miles better. i friend who was a meguiars-lover converted to zymol for his M3 after i cleaned his car for him. he couldn't believe the difference.
i use auto glym bodywork shampoo, chamois the car then use the zymol. the cheap stuff doesn't need any messing about with temperature or anything.
if the car (so far mini and Tuscan - elise is too new) needs polished, it get AG Super Resin Polish, then gets washed then waxed.
glassfibre cars will shine up differently to metal ones too as the paint sits differently - it partly sinks into the body and light doesn't reflect the same (this came from a carbon fibre/glassfibre manufacturer).
the lotus' paint finish doesn't seem to be as deep as the TVR's so maybe more wax and less polish is the way forward
i have used a few of the company's products and really was not impressed.
I use the cheap zymol you get in halfords and it's miles better. i friend who was a meguiars-lover converted to zymol for his M3 after i cleaned his car for him. he couldn't believe the difference.
i use auto glym bodywork shampoo, chamois the car then use the zymol. the cheap stuff doesn't need any messing about with temperature or anything.
if the car (so far mini and Tuscan - elise is too new) needs polished, it get AG Super Resin Polish, then gets washed then waxed.
glassfibre cars will shine up differently to metal ones too as the paint sits differently - it partly sinks into the body and light doesn't reflect the same (this came from a carbon fibre/glassfibre manufacturer).
the lotus' paint finish doesn't seem to be as deep as the TVR's so maybe more wax and less polish is the way forward
Hi All,
Like to echo some points made above, and add a couple more.
Used to use Mer on previous cars, fine for everyday runabouts as a one stop shop. Now use autoglym, do find that finish does fade a little over a couple of days and do question the long term 'protective' properties of these products on a plastic car. Extra gloss is well worth the extra effort IMHO.
However, the ancillary products are excellent. The bumper care gel is astonishing and will remove water & polish marks. This is not a coloured polish like some but a gel which removes the contaminants. Hence, the plastic bits are restored to the original finish, and do not look shiny or false.
The wheel cleaner is also excellent, however you must bear in mind that brake dust is corrosive to the alloys and therefore the first step is to KEEP THEM CLEAN!
All wheel cleaners are caustic, in order to remove the brake dust, hence the extensive warnings on the bottle. Follow the instructions, do not leave on the wheel and rinse thoruoughly. If you keep the wheels clean by regular washing you will find you do not have to use the wheel cleaner very often. If the wheels become particularly ingrained, do not be afraid to let the solution do its work and leave for 1 minute before attacking with the toothbrush and rinse.
I know that many people recommend Maguires, but for me the key advantage of Autoglym is its available on the high st. and does the job. I suspect most bumper gels and wheel cleaners will perform similarly. The only question mark I have is over the 'protective' qualities of the polish.
I suspect the solution to this problem would be solved by an annual application of a high quality wax, followed up with autoglym for the rest of the year. Comments and experiences welcomed.
Regards, Neil
(warning - redundancy gives you far too much time to write excessively long answers on internet forums!)
Like to echo some points made above, and add a couple more.
Used to use Mer on previous cars, fine for everyday runabouts as a one stop shop. Now use autoglym, do find that finish does fade a little over a couple of days and do question the long term 'protective' properties of these products on a plastic car. Extra gloss is well worth the extra effort IMHO.
However, the ancillary products are excellent. The bumper care gel is astonishing and will remove water & polish marks. This is not a coloured polish like some but a gel which removes the contaminants. Hence, the plastic bits are restored to the original finish, and do not look shiny or false.
The wheel cleaner is also excellent, however you must bear in mind that brake dust is corrosive to the alloys and therefore the first step is to KEEP THEM CLEAN!
All wheel cleaners are caustic, in order to remove the brake dust, hence the extensive warnings on the bottle. Follow the instructions, do not leave on the wheel and rinse thoruoughly. If you keep the wheels clean by regular washing you will find you do not have to use the wheel cleaner very often. If the wheels become particularly ingrained, do not be afraid to let the solution do its work and leave for 1 minute before attacking with the toothbrush and rinse.
I know that many people recommend Maguires, but for me the key advantage of Autoglym is its available on the high st. and does the job. I suspect most bumper gels and wheel cleaners will perform similarly. The only question mark I have is over the 'protective' qualities of the polish.
I suspect the solution to this problem would be solved by an annual application of a high quality wax, followed up with autoglym for the rest of the year. Comments and experiences welcomed.
Regards, Neil
(warning - redundancy gives you far too much time to write excessively long answers on internet forums!)
Check previous posts, but having read them I bought meguiars and was fully impressed. AG wheel cleaner next for the wheels. Previous experience with the autoglym polishes was that the protection/shine etc only lasts about a month (metal car parked outside) even the protection polish.
The meguiars quick clay was fantastic and removes the tree sap and bobbles that build up on the car that normal waxing doesn't remove and takes seconds. Need to polish etc afterwards.
The meguiars quick clay was fantastic and removes the tree sap and bobbles that build up on the car that normal waxing doesn't remove and takes seconds. Need to polish etc afterwards.
ok. Polish is abrasive but gives shine whilst removing 'soft' deposits. ( a clay bar is used for more serious deposits )
wax is a more protective layer which also adds to shine and helps to bead water. a good wax will help to fill in swirl marks and fine scratches.
you need to use both BUT - be careful with polish as, being abrasive, over-use can cause damage. wax is seen as a 'safer' option. generally, I polish once every few months but wax after most washes, or once a week.
i can recommend having a visit to thepolishingcompany.co.uk (or is it com?) and having a read through the site.
>> Edited by tuscan_thunder on Friday 11th February 11:29
wax is a more protective layer which also adds to shine and helps to bead water. a good wax will help to fill in swirl marks and fine scratches.
you need to use both BUT - be careful with polish as, being abrasive, over-use can cause damage. wax is seen as a 'safer' option. generally, I polish once every few months but wax after most washes, or once a week.
i can recommend having a visit to thepolishingcompany.co.uk (or is it com?) and having a read through the site.
>> Edited by tuscan_thunder on Friday 11th February 11:29
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