How to polish you car...

Post by **Heuer** » Wed May 29, 2013 1:56 pm

Russell Briggs of Reflectology (http://reflectology.co.uk/) sent me this guide to car washing which some might find useful:

REFLECTOLOGY: IDEAL WASH SYSTEM FOR HOME MAINTENANCE
1. Label your buckets 1(wash) and 2(rinse) with a permanent marker. This is important.
2. Fill bucket 1 with hot/warm water along with the shampoo with the correct dosage as instructed on the bottle and then place clean grit guard at bottom of the bucket.
3. Fill Bucket 2 with cold/luke warm water. If vehicle is very dirty, put a small amount of shampoo in and place grit guard at bottom of the bucket.
4. Inspect lambswool wash mitt making sure it?s clean and place in Bucket 1.
5. Hose/Pressure wash vehicle down thoroughly. Degrease if necessary.
6. Place lambswool wash mitt onto roof and wipe in straight sweeping back and forth movements. Please resist the urge to use circular movements as this can cause swirling.
7. Rinse wash mitt in bucket 2 by using only the top section of water, the majority of dirt should now be below the grit guard, inspect wash mitt.
8. Now ?re-shampoo? wash mitt by dunking back into Bucket 1.
9. Repeat process 6, 7 and 8.
It is important to regularly do step 7 while washing the vehicle.

Here is the formation for washing the vehicle:
Roof, Glass, Bonnet, boot, doors, leaving bottom 6 inches including sills, wings and rear quarters also leaving bottom 6 inches, remaining front end including bumper, remaining rear end including bumper and the remaining 6 inches around the vehicle using a separate lambswool wash mitt which is solely used for this purpose. Do NOT use the lambswool wash mitts on wheels.

10. Now rinse vehicle off with hose/pressure wash thoroughly.
11. Now mist the entire vehicle by spraying a quick drying aid. You will notice the water running off the vehicle. (This process is optional)
12. Now using the drying towel, dry vehicle gently without pressing down. Let the cloth do all the work. Again dry in the exact same order as the wash formation working in straight lines. Take your time and don?t rush. Do not apply great amounts of pressure.
13. Any leftover streaks can be buffed off using one of the buffing microfibres.
14. This step is optional, Mist with your favourite QD and buff to a final finishing shine, R-2WO TropiQD is a personal favourite of mine.

Wheels and Tyres:

When washing wheels and tyres, it is important to not cross contaminate. It is often best to wash the wheels first. You must use a separate microfibre wash mitt for this process and not the mitt which was used on the paint work, a long reach wheel brush is very handy as well, mine is a lambswool brush and is extremely gentle. It is also important to scrub your tyres.
Do NOT go from wheels and back onto the bodywork and do NOT use the same drying towel on the wheels as you do on the bodywork.

Post by **Heuer** » Fri May 31, 2013 3:36 pm

Just got some photos Russell took whilst he was working on the E-Type:

The paint thickness gauge in operation:

Swirls and scratches I never knew were there - notice the fuzzy reflection of the Halogen light:

Afterwards; you can see why he calls his company Reflectology:

The Elan was much worse with paint damage:

Lots of scratches and swirls from the previous owner:

But she came upo nicely:

Dave K · Post by **Dave K** » Fri May 31, 2013 6:57 pm

David,

Really interesting, I finished my car the other night. Did the final cut with the Meguiars 205 and then polished it by hand using Meguiars NXT and a microfibre cloth.
I'm no professional but I'm really pleased with the result, the depth of shine is outstanding.
Need to get the brakes bled now and get the car out on the road.

Dave

Post by **Heuer** » Fri May 31, 2013 8:38 pm

I see E-Type UK employ a 'detailer' for all their cars including the very original 27,000 mile 3.8FHC : http://etypeuk.com/carsales/news/view/e ... iling.html

The process does work even on newly painted cars and very impressive it is.

Post by **Heuer** » Sat Jun 01, 2013 9:54 am

Dave

This is the finishing product Russell used:

http://www.polishangel.co.uk/

Dave K · Post by **Dave K** » Mon Jun 03, 2013 4:35 pm

David,

Did they also clean and treat your hood?

I notice Autoglym is selling a canvas/mohair hood treatment for ?20 in Halfords.

Dave

Post by **Heuer** » Mon Jun 03, 2013 5:04 pm

Yes, he used a product that was applied with a brush and I have to say the result looks a lot better than the Autoglym treatment I used in the past.

Dave K · Post by **Dave K** » Mon Jun 03, 2013 5:49 pm

Any idea on what is was?

Dave

Post by **Heuer** » Mon Jun 03, 2013 6:15 pm

Not a clue, but I will ask him. I think it was Fabsil.

reflectology · Post by **reflectology** » Tue Jun 04, 2013 6:38 pm

It was indeed Fabsil, by far the best I have come across for the relatively little outlay.

reflectology · Post by **reflectology** » Tue Jun 04, 2013 6:50 pm

Dave K · Post by **Dave K** » Tue Jun 04, 2013 9:49 pm

Ah, thats where I went wrong, didn't cover the engine first. I have white dust all over it now.

Dave

ralphr1780 · Post by **ralphr1780** » Wed Aug 05, 2015 8:58 am

Found an interesting polishing wax:
http://www.gomiata.com/zyrogl.html
...container is refilled for life at no charge...

Maybe we could buy one to share!

Gfhug · Post by **Gfhug** » Wed Aug 05, 2015 9:50 am

Ralph, how about you try it first and let us know?

Geoff

Simon P · Post by **Simon P** » Wed Aug 05, 2015 10:13 am

"Royale Glaze contains 70% Brazilian No.1 White Carnauba by volume"

I tried Googling "Brazilian Wax"

......wasn't what I was expecting at all

ralphr1780 · Post by **ralphr1780** » Wed Aug 05, 2015 10:29 am

Gfhug wrote:Ralph, how about you try it first and let us know?

Geoff

After thorough thinking, I would be too afraid applying it to my car and waking up next day to find it transformed into a Bugatti Royale squeezed in the tight garage!
Even Lo*eal wouldn't dare to put such price on any of its magic skin rejuvenating creams.

Gfhug · Post by **Gfhug** » Wed Aug 05, 2015 11:25 am

Simon P wrote: I tried Googling "Brazilian Wax"

......wasn't what I was expecting at all

Come on Simon, you're not claiming to be that innocent are you?

Geoff

FRE444K · Post by **FRE444K** » Wed Aug 05, 2015 6:57 pm

David, you chose well.

What Russell doesn't know about detailing and paintwork isn't worth knowing.

I follow his method of cleaning a car with exception of drying.

I havea bottle of Envy Car Care FA. You apply this after rinsing, using a foam lance, trigger spray or or pump sprayer and leave to dwell for 5 to 10mins. Then with an open ended hose, sheet the water off. This method leaves very little water to be dabbed off with a towel or micro fibre cloth and so reduces the chances of scratching. It also adds lustre to the shine.

PeterCrespin · Post by **PeterCrespin** » Wed Aug 05, 2015 7:36 pm

FRE444K wrote:Then with an open ended hose...This method leaves very little water to be dabbed off with a towel...

Just as well. You'll need all your towels to dry the interior :-) :-)

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