using a car wash

Lorian

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

I'll talk one brand (you can get from halford) just to be brief, but there are similar things in each brands range.

For red in this condition:

1. Clean the paintwork by hand with car wash (not detergent or washing up liquid). keep your cloths clean of grit.
2. Dry it (preferably with a microfibre towl - ASDA has a cheap deal on them
3. Polish it with Autoglym SRP (super resin polish). This will take elbow grease. Read and follow the instructions exactly, and don't do it in direct sunshine
4. When all the polish is off, run a dry microfibre over it to remove any excess
5. Give it a coat of Autoglym Extra Gloss protection, again follow the instructions, you dont want to leave it on too long before buffing.

Tota cost abour £25 for the autoglym's and the cloths. If you are on a really tight budget then tutlewax original will get you 70% of the same result, but its hard work and difficult to get off bumpers etc, for about £7 maybe.

Unless the paint is really knackered you should then have a red car again!
I just did a really badly oxidised (non metallic) blue and is looks great now.

AdrianHi

Lorian wrote: »

I'll talk one brand (you can get from halford) just to be brief, but there are similar things in each brands range.

For red in this condition:

1. Clean the paintwork by hand with car wash (not detergent or washing up liquid). keep your cloths clean of grit.
2. Dry it (preferably with a microfibre towl - ASDA has a cheap deal on them
3. Polish it with Autoglym SRP (super resin polish). This will take elbow grease. Read and follow the instructions exactly, and don't do it in direct sunshine
4. When all the polish is off, run a dry microfibre over it to remove any excess
5. Give it a coat of Autoglym Extra Gloss protection, again follow the instructions, you dont want to leave it on too long before buffing.

Tota cost abour £25 for the autoglym's and the cloths. If you are on a really tight budget then tutlewax original will get you 70% of the same result, but its hard work and difficult to get off bumpers etc, for about £7 maybe.

Unless the paint is really knackered you should then have a red car again!
I just did a really badly oxidised (non metallic) blue and is looks great now.

Ordinarily you should avoid washing up liquid and similar as it strips wax and sealants. However as you are about to apply new sealants (steps 3 and 5) stripping off old wax/sealants and any other contaminants on the paintwork is a good thing. Pro-detailers will use a paint cleansing product, but washing up liquid is a reasonable substitute.