Which polish?

[thom]

What is the best polish you use on your car(s) ?

[beano1197]

It's either a love-it or hate-it, I know. But I can't seem to bring myself to use anything but MER and elbow grease. Comes up every time!!

A bit of path cleaner is as good as anything for brake dust on the alloys.

Vinegar and newspaper trick for the glassware, followed up by Rain-X.

[alfa dave]

I use Italian on my car not Polish, but if it needs a clean I like the Autoglym range of products. Though I'm told Zymol is good too...

[thom]

Thanks, I'll try to find these during my next pilgrimage

[Roy C]

I have used MER for many years (mainly because I got gallons of the stuff cheap), but it does leave the annoying white dust.
Autoglym is better. RainX works well if you have poor wipers.

Polish (spirit/pure vodka) will clean the paint off your car!

>> Edited by Roy C on Thursday 28th February 13:08

[ErnestM]

Mother's Products here in the US:
www.mothers.com

1. Pre wax cleaner (once or twice a year) followed by
2. Mother's glaze (gets rid of the swirls) every wash, followed by
3. Pure Carnuba wax as a top coat (protects) every wash

(Whole process = 8 hours, by hand)

Also Meguiars (US) makes a "Scratch-X" product that safely removes small surface scratches and a nice wheel cleaner that is safe for all wheels.

and

They have a new product to restore black trim bits called "Trim Detailer". Works wonders on the Esprit's lip spoiler that always seems to get scraped

Results are fantastic

ErnestM

[steve harrison]

I'm a MER fan myself

Tip of the week: Save old cotton underpants and use them as polishing rags (but for f***'s sake wash them first). They've usually been washed zillions of times so they never shed bits of thread etc. (unlike the rolls of stuff you buy from Halfords) and have just the right surface texture to get a good shine on without damaging the paint.

Steve

[M@H]

Yup I'll vouch for that. I save my old socks (washed!) especially for the job.

[nubbin]

Check out the Zymol thread on General TVR stuff. I've sent for some Zaino Bros. stuff, mainly because it sounds very good, but it's also relatively cheap compared to the various Carnauba wax polishes. I'll let you know what it's like.

[thom]

quote:
Check out the Zymol thread on General TVR stuff.

Yes, but my car doesn't have a fiber glass body; I guess that matters, doesn't it?

[hertsbiker]

quote:
(Whole process = 8 hours, by hand)

You must be very dedicated Ernest! however I'd always prefer to do a quick wash & wax, then go for a drive..

I just have this thing about spending more time on the road, and less time in the garage cleaning. Surely I am not the only one???

rgds.

[.mark]

Wash: Turtle Wax Extreme Cash Shampoo
Polish: Turtle Wax Extreme Paste
Windscreen: RainX
Side windows in and out: Mer
Car interior: Wife

[dann]

I always use Autoglym

they provide a full range of products, and they all seem to do an excellent job

Bit expensive though so use sparingly

Dann

[smeagol]

Autoglym, excellent products. Super resin polish for bodywork, engine cleaner on wheels. But bodywork polish should be used with polish on cloth so its just "dampish" to feel.

[mattjbatch]

WASH: Mother Nature's natural shower.
POLISH: Too much like hard work.
WINDSCREEN: Copious amounts of screenwash.
SIDE WINDOWS: Wind 'em down if I can't see owt.
REAR WINDOW: Screenwash from the nozzle at the back. (Only works intermitantly though)
WHEELS: Some BarSteward nicked me hub caps so I'm just left with steelies
INTERIOR: Crap and rubbish everywhere looks much nicer than the standard Fiesta cockpit.

[GregE240]

quote:
Yes, but my car doesn't have a fiber glass body; I guess that matters, doesn't it?

No Thom it doesn't. Zymol is suitable for all types of bodywork and all types of finish.

>> Edited by GregE240 on Thursday 28th February 16:36

[ErnestM]

quote:
You must be very dedicated Ernest!

Two reasons:
1. Wife says "We are going to visit the in laws this weekend". I say "Sorry, babe, have to do the car..."

2. The environment can get really harsh in Florida (contrary to popular belief). We have "love bugs" that have an acidic content and will score the paint without a proper wax. We have birds year round (they fly south - we are south). Also, when it rains, it is torrential and clears the air of all contaiminents (and deposits them onto your vehicle).

For a torrential rain, you can see the effects at the car show I recently entered:
http://online.ayrnet.com/Lotus/FEC02.htm

Believe me, I would rather be driving too However, I feel a sense of duty regarding the Esprit. Since they are such a rare sight, I want to show people a clean one

Cheers

ErnestM

[GregE240]

Ernest, where are you in FL ?

Its just that the GLW and I will be out in your fine state in exactly 16 days time (happy happy joy joy)

We've got a house in Naples for 3 weeks, flying into MIA and a Sebring convertible waiting for us. Bliss !

[.mark]

Ernest, that is some show!
D'ya think my Chimaera would look too out of place?
You were lucky to be surrounded by such exotica!

[ErnestM]

quote:
Ernest, where are you in FL ?

I am in northeast Orlando. I little far from Naples. However, if you run out of trouble to get into let me know. A friend of mine lives near Naples and he can suggestion some "places" to visit...

ErnestM