My first Polish on the Rover

[carlpenn]

Well, seeing as the day was pleasant, albiet a little windy, I decided it was time to try out the Christmas Presents !!

So, out came the Auto Glym "Car Care Kit"............

Gave the Beast a wash and wipe down with the Shammy cloth and then out came the Glass Polish, applied a coat of the polish, both in side and out of the Windows and then moved on to the Super Resin Polish, Carefully applied this to the Bumpers and Windscreen pillars before pulling out the big guns.............

Oh yes !!! How life is so much easier now !! My Mother In Law bought me an Electric Polishing / Buffer for Christmas and this made the job so easy !!

Needless to say after applying the Polish in about 10 minutes, I went off and had a cup of coffee and a sandwich whilst waiting for all the applied polishes to dry properly.

Then, on with the Buffer and away we go..............

The car looks fantastic !! Went to pick my wife up from the Train Station yesterday evening and the Glass was so clear, it looked as though the Windows where actually down !! The Car shone like a new one and the first thing my wife said when she got in the Car??

"Wow you have worked really hard on this today, it looks amazing" ......


If only she knew.............. ;) ;)

Waiting till spring for Claying and doing the wheels properly - As the Wheels are coming off and being cleaned inside and out......

If I get chance, a Photo will be posted............:D

If anyone would like to see the Car Care Kit:

http://www.autoglym.co.uk/enGB/content1.asp

and one question I would ask.........

Is this particular cleaner suited to teh Leather in a 75? It is Silicone free.

http://www.autoglym.co.uk/enGB/product-proddetail.asp?v06VQ=LH&Range=1

[deano78]

personally i'd order some gliptone. its good stuff and brings back the lovely leather smell. the AG stuff looks like it doesnt clean, just makes the leather shiny.

[MrBitsy]

Good job on the polish, but if you have done no more than that, the paintwork is not protected at all - you have done the shining bit only! Rain and chemicals can now attack the finish.

To protect the paint, you will need a protective layer(s). You can either use a wax or sealant for this. Without this protective layer(s), rain and salt will just sit on your paintwork in sheets. I prefer a sealant layer for extra shine, then a Carnauba wax over that to make the paintwork richer looking.

See http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/guides_protect.htmlfor an excellent guide on how to protect that lovely polished finish you have achieved.

[ragitty]

Carl and Mr Bitsy knows how to clean a car, we saw his lovely example at the yorks meet.

Carl what type of polisher do you have maybe something for me to invest in.

[Raistlin]

Got to agree with deano as far as gliptone is concerned Carl.

In my (albeit limited) experience, theres nothing like it for recovering and maintaining the leather. Incredible experience when you open the car door and the aroma hits you as well.

I'm not decrying AG products, I use them myself, just in this particular instance, I'd never use anything other than gliptone.

[carlpenn]

Carl and Mr Bitsy knows how to clean a car, we saw his lovely example at the yorks meet.

Carl what type of polisher do you have maybe something for me to invest in.

This is the one I have: HERE (http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Search?storeId=10001&catalogId=1500001001&langId=-1&searchTerms=Challenge+Car+Polisher)

A bargain in my opinion..........I spent longer waiting for the Polish to dry off than I actually spent putting the polish on and more importantly you save a lot of Polish as it spreads the polish on evenly rather than you putting it on a cloth and only getting 8 - 10 Inches square.

Got to agree with deano as far as gliptone is concerned Carl.

In my (albeit limited) experience, theres nothing like it for recovering and maintaining the leather. Incredible experience when you open the car door and the aroma hits you as well.

I'm not decrying AG products, I use them myself, just in this particular instance, I'd never use anything other than gliptone.

I will have a look for Gliptone next week when I am shopping :)

MrBitsy - Oddly enough, The car care kit doesnt have any Wax in there ?? But will invest in some :)

[Tatts]

Auto Glym products are good - but they are made for the 'mass-markets'.

There are better, more specialised products out there. I'm currently using Sonus polish & Natty's Poor Boys wax. Slightly more difficult to work with, but the results (IMO) are better.

I use Auto Glym Leather stuff for the seats & Auto Glym glass cleaner for the errr, glass.

[ragitty]

Thanks for the information Carl, I will give Argos a call on my day off thursday then if they have in stock will get my butt down there.;)

[carlpenn]

Thanks for the information Carl, I will give Argos a call on my day off thursday then if they have in stock will get my butt down there.;)


The only bad thing I can say is that the polisher only comes with 1 x Application Bonnet and 1 x Buffing Bonnet, so if you want to Polish and then Wax, you would need another Application Bonnet and possibly another Buffing Bonnet.

Will find out whether they can be bought from Manufacturer, as I think Challenge is an Argos Exclusive product. :)

But I do recommend this item highly..........Its so easy to use and does a fantastic job.

[Tatts]

Thanks for the information Carl, I will give Argos a call on my day off thursday then if they have in stock will get my butt down there.;)

Lee - I have one you can have. Comes with some polishing & buffing bonnets. It's a mains powered one - Halfrauds own brand.

It's redundant now I have the Meguires machine.

[MrBitsy]

MrBitsy - Oddly enough, The car care kit doesnt have any Wax in there ?? But will invest in some :)

Autoglym do have some very good products, but their range is weak as far as protecting the shine is concerned.

As you do not have an LSP (last stage product), I would recommend the following kit to you ...

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/complete-detailing-kits/collinite-476s-carlack-kit/prod_408.html

The Carlack is a sealant. It is applied after polishing to 'lock' in the shine and protect it. It will also add gloss to the finish. After the Carlack, you can apply the Collinite wax. This wax is well know for being durable and the shine/protection will last for months.

If you use these two products, you will not have a lot of drying to do after rinsing the car. As long as you use a running hose or watering can (no spray or rose), the water will sheet off the car, just leaving you to dab off the remaining spots of water.

You mentioned claying the car - probably one of the most important steps in creating a mirror smooth surface to your paint. Once you have clayed, polishing, sealing and waxing become a lot easier to do, due to much less friction on your paint.

[trebor]

Carl,

You will be able to show it off next week at the Midlands meet so keep polishing !

I bought a UDM ( Ultimate Detailing Machine ) before Xmas imported from good old USA and although more expensive it is a great machine and has the ability to remove swirl marks with a cutting polish which i am still working on - mine is black so a nightmare for showing every blemish.

After polish i use Porboys Nattys Blue Wax, which i apply by hand and very pleased with the result.


http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee210/apbicm1/BlackRover011.jpg

[deano78]

the kit bitsy is showing (hello mr. bitsy by the way, i'm panama over on DW) is excellent value for money. the carlack/collinite combo will last for months.

[trebor]

Panama ? Isn't that where cannoeists go to avoid being recognised and then have their picture put in the paper ?

[nairda]

May I ask how you got on with the Megs machine Tatts? (Welcome back by the way!)

I've been reading about the Porter Cable vs Ultimate Detailing Machine vs the Megs one and until the UDM is available with UK voltage, the Megs one is the only one that's plug 'n' play out of the box.

[trebor]

The UDM does have to be used with a transformer but the lead is very long and the transformer does not have to be moved around as a result. Not much different to having an ordinary extension lead on once set up. I would have preferred UK voltage but UDM's with that capability have been delayed yet again.

[nairda]

I shall hang fire until they are available, the reviews have been positive so it's just a question of availability.

[carlpenn]

Which Gliptone product do you use?

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/interior/gliptone-liquid-leather-cleaner/prod_211.html

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/interior/gliptone-liquid-leather-conditioner/prod_210.html

Couldnt find it at my Halfrauds today............:(

[nairda]

Which Gliptone product do you use?

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/interior/gliptone-liquid-leather-cleaner/prod_211.html

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/interior/gliptone-liquid-leather-conditioner/prod_210.html

Couldnt find it at my Halfrauds today............:(

I use both, clean first then condition. Then breathe in that glorious leather smell... Bought from the Bay of Flea;

http://search.ebay.co.uk/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=gliptone

[Raistlin]

Which Gliptone product do you use?

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/interior/gliptone-liquid-leather-cleaner/prod_211.html

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/interior/gliptone-liquid-leather-conditioner/prod_210.html

Couldnt find it at my Halfrauds today............:(

Carl - you're welcome to pop over and use mine to try it out before you buy if you want.

[carlpenn]

Carl - you're welcome to pop over and use mine to try it out before you buy if you want.


Thank you :)

I have to get my car spick and span before May as it is being used as a Wedding Car for my Wifes friends :D ........... Hopefully will have the Wing sorted long before then and a couple of stone chips on the Bonnet to get done.

Is it just the Steering wheel, seats, Gear Lever cover and Gear Knob cover that are leather or is there more leather on the car?

[Raistlin]

Is it just the Steering wheel, seats, Gear Lever cover and Gear Knob cover that are leather or is there more leather on the car?

That's all I ever do with Gliptone Carl. In fact I don't use any on the steering wheel.

[carlpenn]

That's all I ever do with Gliptone Carl. In fact I don't use any on the steering wheel.


ok :)

So the rest is just using a vinyl cleaner and the steering wheel rim a damp cloth or something?

Never had Leather trim before so want to make sure its well looked after :)

[Raistlin]

ok :)

So the rest is just using a vinyl cleaner and the steering wheel rim a damp cloth or something?

Never had Leather trim before so want to make sure its well looked after :)

Didn't intend to put you off cleaning the steering wheel Carl. It's just that I personally don't like putting anything on it which might make it slippery. Gliptone probably won't make it slippery, it's just one of my idiosyncrasies.

[ragitty]

Lee - I have one you can have. Comes with some polishing & buffing bonnets. It's a mains powered one - Halfrauds own brand.

It's redundant now I have the Meguires machine.

Thanks Paul, I will accept your offer and pay you of course, I will sort it with you at the next meet thank you :grouphug:

[Tatts]

Thanks Paul, I will accept your offer and pay you of course, I will sort it with you at the next meet thank you :grouphug:

Lee, I said you can have it. That means foc - in my book anyway! It's just sat in the garage collecting dust. This (http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_18 9810_langId_-1_CarSelectorCatalogId__CarSelectorGroupId__varien t__categoryId_31443_crumb_33958-33974_parentcategoryrn_31443) is the one, 'cept in a different colour.

May I ask how you got on with the Megs machine Tatts? (Welcome back by the way!)

I've been reading about the Porter Cable vs Ultimate Detailing Machine vs the Megs one and until the UDM is available with UK voltage, the Megs one is the only one that's plug 'n' play out of the box.


Sorry, missed your question! In reply - I don't know! Not had chance to use it yet. It's been raining on all my days off since xmas. Not impressed!

Like you say though, the Megs is plug & play. No messing with transformers etc. From what I've gathered so far is the Megs machine is best for the novice/amature, as the action is random, as opposed to a straight circular action. Less chance of burning through the paintwork!

[nairda]

Sorry, missed your question! In reply - I don't know! Not had chance to use it yet. It's been raining on all my days off since xmas. Not impressed!

Like you say though, the Megs is plug & play. No messing with transformers etc. From what I've gathered so far is the Megs machine is best for the novice/amature, as the action is random, as opposed to a straight circular action. Less chance of burning through the paintwork!

I'll be interested to hear how you get on then. Having not used a machine before, the more info I can get before shelling out the better!

[Tatts]

I'll be interested to hear how you get on then. Having not used a machine before, the more info I can get before shelling out the better!


When I get chance, I'll do a write up & photos, as I've also just bought a snow-foam attachment for the Karcher & 5 litres of snow foam. Had a quick play with it last Friday, the foam was like shaving foam covering the car, great fun!

[Simon W]

This is the one I have: HERE (http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Search?storeId=10001&catalogId=1500001001&langId=-1&searchTerms=Challenge+Car+Polisher)



£7.49 seems very cheap - is that the correct price?

Does it gobble up the polishing pads?

[GERFIX]

This is the one I have: HERE (http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Search?storeId=10001&catalogId=1500001001&langId=-1&searchTerms=Challenge+Car+Polisher)

A bargain in my opinion..........I spent longer waiting for the Polish to dry off than I actually spent putting the polish on and more importantly you save a lot of Polish as it spreads the polish on evenly rather than you putting it on a cloth and only getting 8 - 10 Inches square.



I will have a look for Gliptone next week when I am shopping :)

MrBitsy - Oddly enough, The car care kit doesnt have any Wax in there ?? But will invest in some :)
Carl, I have a similar buffer to yours and it does indeed make the job much easier and almost pleasurable. I have only used the buffer to apply polish and a cloth to polish up though and unfortunately haven't had a chance to use it on the ZT yet.:o Sometime soon though....;)

[carlpenn]

£7.49 seems very cheap - is that the correct price?

Does it gobble up the polishing pads?


These are no longer being stocked by Argos.

So if you can get one, then grab one - They are basically selling what stock they have !!! My Stepdad bought one aty the weekend and he used it on Saturday to polish his Peugot...........He said he is well impressed :)

I used it to wax the 75 Yesterday and WOW it looks awesome !!!

[Simon W]

Ok Carl - I'll have to keep an eye out for one.

By the way, if you haven't got a body/paint shop organised, there's a very good one in Coventry. They repaired my car, including a bent A pillar, both doors, both wings, bumper & respray etc. Before & after pics at post 16 here if you want to see their work. http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=15613&page=2

[carlpenn]

Ok Carl - I'll have to keep an eye out for one.

By the way, if you haven't got a body/paint shop organised, there's a very good one in Coventry. They repaired my car, including a bent A pillar, both doors, both wings, bumper & respray etc. Before & after pics at post 16 here if you want to see their work. http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=15613&page=2


OUCH !! What happened there?

Brilliant job done though :)

[Simon W]

Some lunatic reversed off his drive (at speed) just as I was going past. Basically it ruined both wings and both doors and pushed the A pillar in.

The job is a lot better than it looks in this pic.