Complete Amateur Polishing/Waxing Advice.

[BigMan]

With Trax almost upon us, i think i better make an effort and Clean/Polish the car, however, i dont know where to start!!

Whats the best stuff to use to clean a Sapphire Black SRi by hand, i dont have a Porter Cable, so it will be all Elbow Grease?

I have read that Meguiars stuff is good, but hard by hand. Is this true??

Any help/info gratefully recieved, as i dont want to look out of place at Trax!

[Bainie]

The meguires 1,2,3 system is easy to aply by hand and makes a great job of sapphire black. Also after you have washed it treat it to a claying befora the 1,2,3 .. also Megs and available from halfrauds ...

[BigMan]

The meguires 1,2,3 system is easy to aply by hand and makes a great job of sapphire black. Also after you have washed it treat it to a claying befora the 1,2,3 .. also Megs and available from halfrauds ...

Cheers mate, whats the best things to put it on with, Applicator Pads, MicroFibre cloth or something else??

[AJA]

If you have both matey, use the applicator pads to apply the stages and microfibres cloths to take off.

As Bainie said, go and get the Meguairs Clay kit for Halfrauds and do it after the wash.

Process -

Wash
Clay
Wash
Stages 1, 2 and 3
Not forgetting alloys, tyre dressing and glass.

[BigMan]

If you have both matey, use the applicator pads to apply the stages and microfibres cloths to take off.

As Bainie said, go and get the Meguairs Clay kit for Halfrauds and do it after the wash.

Process -

Wash
Clay
Wash
Stages 1, 2 and 3
Not forgetting alloys, tyre dressing and glass.

Cheers Pal,

Thats what i needed, an idiots guide to car polishing.

One last question, does the car need to be wet when its clayed, or can it be done dry??

[simac]

I'm reading this with interest as my car is getting desprate for a good clean.

I have read alot about claying, but how do you actually apply it ?

[AJA]

Cheers Pal,

Thats what i needed, an idiots guide to car polishing.

One last question, does the car need to be wet when its clayed, or can it be done dry??

Don't ever apply the clay bar to a panel when the panel is dry dude. The Clay kit comes with a detailing spray that is your lubricant for the clay bar.

Spray about a 12" square on the panel and then rub the clay bar in straight lines lightly until it glides over the paint with ease. Make sure to constantly keep the paintwork lubricated with the spray. The spray you get in the kit should be all gone after you've finished a Vectra C.

One other thing, when the clay bar is dirty fold it inwards so the dirt stays inside the bar. If you drop the bar on the floor you shouldn't really use it again as it could have stones and dirt in it off the floor. Also keep the clay bar at hand temperature and don't let it go cold. If need be stop and place it in between your hands and get it warm again.

Hope this helps.
Alex

[BigMan]

Don't ever apply the clay bar to a panel when the panel is dry dude. The Clay kit comes with a detailing spray that is your lubricant for the clay bar.

Spray about a 12" square on the panel and then rub the clay bar in straight lines lightly until it glides over the paint with ease. Make sure to constantly keep the paintwork lubricated with the spray. The spray you get in the kit should be all gone after you've finished a Vectra C.

One other thing, when the clay bar is dirty fold it inwards so the dirt stays inside the bar. If you drop the bar on the floor you shouldn't really use it again as it could have stones and dirt in it off the floor. Also keep the clay bar at hand temperature and don't let it go cold. If need be stop and place it in between your hands and get it warm again.

Hope this helps.
Alex

Thanks for that Alex, much appreciated.

I now have my idiots guide to Car Polishing,

I will post pictures in the Near future of "An idiots attempt at Car Polishing"!!