Wax a metallic car?

jk0

Evening guys.


I just bought my first ever car with metallic paint. Is it okay to use ordinary T- cut & Turtle Wax on it?

angrycrow

They do a metallic t cut for metallic cars. It's a little more gentle on the clear coat. You should only be using t cut if you are trying to improve a poor paint finish.

Best approach is to wash it and then add a layer of good quality car wax. If you repeat every couple of weeks you will build up a good layer of protection over the paint.

Ant555

Are you looking to sort out some specific issues or just maintain decent paintwork?

couriervanman

ordinary T- cut......:eek: NO

jk0

Ant555 wrote: »

Are you looking to sort out some specific issues or just maintain decent paintwork?

Thanks guys.



There are some surface scratches on the body coloured bumper, which I think would normally come out with T-cut. Also, I think the paintwork has been a bit neglected as it was a Scottish Government car.

DUTR

jk0 wrote: »

Thanks guys.



There are some surface scratches on the body coloured bumper, which I think would normally come out with T-cut. Also, I think the paintwork has been a bit neglected as it was a Scottish Government car.

Post a pic of the bodywork, it's rare any modern car would need T-cut agressive polish.

mcpitman

angrycrow wrote: »

You should only be using t cut if you are trying to improve a poor paint finish.

Shouldn't this read "You should only use T-Cut if you hate your car"

Get some decent polish and sealer and the metallic paint will be fine. Use T-cut on anything and it will look awful after a few uses.

mcpitman

jk0 wrote: »

Thanks guys.



There are some surface scratches on the body coloured bumper, which I think would normally come out with T-cut. Also, I think the paintwork has been a bit neglected as it was a Scottish Government car.

Gently use 1500/2000 grit wet and dry on the light scratches, then decent polish and seal.

AdrianC

What you're seeing on a metallic car is rarely the actual coloured metallic paint - it's usually a clear lacquer over the paint.

T-cut isn't a polish, it's a cutting compound. The difference is that it's far more aggressive in removing the highspots in the finish which prevent light reflecting "cleanly". Think of a very glossy surface and being smooth, and a matt surface as being rough - because, on a very close-up level, that's exactly what they are. Cutting compound is like relatively coarse sandpaper, polish like very fine. Then you use the wax to provide a protective smooth glaze over the lot.

jk0

Thanks guys. Interesting to read your thoughts. Fraid I'm too much of a wimp to use wet & dry paper on my car.


However, I remembered an Autoglym Christmas present I got a few years back with detailing spray & a small bit of clay. I washed the car thoroughly this morning, and this afternoon got to work with the clay. I can't believe the dirt it took off. After that, gave it a thorough coat of Turtle wax, and it now looks amazing.


I'm whacked though!

mcpitman

jk0 wrote: »

Thanks guys. Interesting to read your thoughts. Fraid I'm too much of a wimp to use wet & dry paper on my car.


However, I remembered an Autoglym Christmas present I got a few years back with detailing spray & a small bit of clay. I washed the car thoroughly this morning, and this afternoon got to work with the clay. I can't believe the dirt it took off. After that, gave it a thorough coat of Turtle wax, and it now looks amazing.


I'm whacked though!

Must admit i had to take a deep breath and put my "big boy pants" on the first time I used W&D on a car.

Clay bars are awesome. Twice a year I clay, address imperfections, polish and seal, but that's just my OCD :rotfl:

:beer: