Sprucing up the paintwork on the cheap?

Hannah_10

I have a ten year old Citroen in "Wicked Red", which is a dark lipstick-like shade. When I bought it not long ago it looked shiny and gorgeous. I've managed to add a few scratches to it though, nothing huge, just tucking into the hedge tight on narrow roads, or the dog scrambling in and out the boot and so on.

I've never had a car worth bothering with before, they have usually been ugly cars with one mismatched door, or faded paint like a pre-licked Smartie, or some other such disfigurement. This one was different though, it arived shiny and so far all mechanical indications are that it has a few years motoring to give yet before it too goes to the scrap. So this time I would like to look after it, keep it pretty, hoover it a lot and get an air freshener!

Can anyone tell me what I need to do to the paintwork to keep it looking nice? Also how do I do that for the least possible spend? Beyond washing it with a chamois and car shampoo I have no clue.

squinty

Take a look at the forum on detailingworld - there are a number of guides on correct technique for washing, drying and scratch removal.

CharlieBilly

autoglym (still on offer at Halfords) is good polish. I use it and the car shampoo

It would give car a nice shine but and scratches are hard to hide, I tried a famous scratch remover polish and it didnt work, it was Meguiar's ScratchX 2.0 which was a pile of pants

Strider590

And don't ever wash it with washing up liquid!!!

bigdic

Depends on how much time you want to spend?

As strider said NEVER use washing up liquid.

Scratches can be difficult to fix and if they don't bother you too much then I'd eave them alone.

For a nice finish on a budget I'd do the following:

1. Wash car with a decent car shampoo using a wash mitt (you can get them everywhere now and far better than a sponge)
2. Clay the car to give it a SUPER smooth finish http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfEfLGL59GI , I use this stuff http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/products/products/230448/bilthamber_autoclay_soft.html it is brilliant and will last you for years.
3. Apply some of this http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/sealants/carlack-68-nano-systematic-care-various-sizes-/prod_356.html , it will polish, clean and then protect your paint all at once and it is amazing. Use very little and rub it in, leave for 40 minutes then wipe off and await compliments on your lovley shiny red car.

All the products I've listed will last you a long time and make a real difference. As Squinty said forums are good for guides but be carefull before you know it you might end up spending a fortune

Inactive

Use Aldi's own Car Shampoo, it is around £4 for 5 litres, they have it in every now and then, it is all I ever use and my car gleams, I never polish it.

My MOT Tester said " you must spend half of your life polishing your car ", I am sure that he didn't believe me when i said that I never polish it.;)

No need to waste time, effort and money on expensive waxes etc.:)

Clark80

If you do buy a car polish always use a clean cloth made for polish (so you don't add scratches as you go along!) and follow the lines of the car - There must be a youtube video tutorial somewhere...