using a car wash

Lorian

juliescot wrote: »

Why no sponge, out of interest?

Holds the dirt/grit.

juliescot

Lorian wrote: »

Holds the dirt/grit.

So it does when you think about it.

My car is so old and the paint so dimmed by the sun, that I fear it is too far gone to save it.

jansus

thanks for all replies put mine through the car wash it's a 59 plate, never noticed with my old car how harsh it was

AdrianHi

jansus wrote: »

thanks for all replies put mine through the car wash it's a 59 plate, never noticed with my old car how harsh it was

Newer cars have a harder tougher clear coat laquer which perversly is more susceptable to picking up light swirl marks than older cars.

AdrianHi

juliescot wrote: »

So it does when you think about it.

My car is so old and the paint so dimmed by the sun, that I fear it is too far gone to save it.

If you don't want to DIY £250 spent with a decent detailer with orbital polishing machines and the right cutting compounds can do what is described as 95% correction on even the most swirled paintwork so long as there is enough paint thickness left. A good detailer can measure thickness before they start to be sure.
A 1 year old car here where the owner learned first hand why the two bucket method, wash mits (not sponges) and no automatic car washes or chamois leathers are important.
Front door (left of picture) has been treated, rear door still shows swirls.


Well known handy web site on this subject www.detailersworld.com

juliescot

AdrianHi wrote: »

If you don't want to DIY £250 spent with a decent detailer with orbital polishing machines and the right cutting compounds can do what is described as 95% correction on even the most swirled paintwork so long as there is enough paint thickness left. A good detailer can measure thickness before they start to be sure.
A 1 year old car here where the owner learned first hand why the two bucket method, wash mits (not sponges) and no automatic car washes or chamois leathers are important.
Front door (left of picture) has been treated, rear door still shows swirls.


Well known handy web site on this subject www.detailersworld.com

Interesting demo. I don't have swirls, just a horribly discoloured car.

Should be nice bright red, but is a very washed out pinky red colour. As it is about 14 years old it doens't owe me any favours. Sailed through its MOT recently so still going strong - no matter what colour

LandyAndy

juliescot wrote: »

Interesting demo. I don't have swirls, just a horribly discoloured car.

Should be nice bright red, but is a very washed out pinky red colour. As it is about 14 years old it doens't owe me any favours. Sailed through its MOT recently so still going strong - no matter what colour

Red is absolutely the worst colour for fading.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

AdrianHi wrote: »

If you don't want to DIY £250 spent with a decent detailer with orbital polishing machines and the right cutting compounds can do what is described as 95% correction on even the most swirled paintwork so long as there is enough paint thickness left. A good detailer can measure thickness before they start to be sure.
A 1 year old car here where the owner learned first hand why the two bucket method, wash mits (not sponges) and no automatic car washes or chamois leathers are important.
Front door (left of picture) has been treated, rear door still shows swirls.


Well known handy web site on this subject www.detailersworld.com

Now show us the image where the photographer moves left so the sun highlights the front door, instead of the back door. This photograph is pretty useless really.

AdrianHi

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers! wrote: »

Now show us the image where the photographer moves left so the sun highlights the front door, instead of the back door. This photograph is pretty useless really.

The shadow demonstrates that the sun is pretty much behind the photographer and highlights both doors almost equally.
Not just wash damage this one but corrected just the same.



Regardless of whether these pictures convince anyone else or not I know the difference was very significant, it's my car.

Ebe_Scrooge

juliescot wrote: »

Should be nice bright red, but is a very washed out pinky red colour. As it is about 14 years old it doens't owe me any favours. Sailed through its MOT recently so still going strong - no matter what colour

I had an old car like that. Gave it a good going over with T-cut followed by some wax polish, what a world of difference ! If the paint has actually worn pretty much right away then this isn't going to help, but if it's just the surface that has dulled then this can work wonders. Not suitable for metallic paint though.

Be prepared for some hard work - I spend a good day doing mine. But in terms of cost it was only a few quid - less than a tenner. I was well chuffed with the result.

Not recommended for an expensive new car that's got paint damage, but for an old motor that needs a facelift it's a day well spent.