Washing and Waxing my FTO

[sinlessgunner]

Hi lads (and ladies!) I was doing a search of the site but cant really find what I want. Basically today I'm going to wash and polish/wax my car. Now I need to know what is the best way to go about it and what products can I use? I've never done this before, I've had my car washed in garages before alright but really want to get it to a good shine. Also I have this hand held buffer thing at home, I'm not sure if it's for cars or not but would I damage the car by using it? It's a small lightweight thing my dad uses it for buffing the tiles on the hall floor.

Basically what I'm looking for is a guide to get me going!!

Thanks for all the help guys!

[colm_mcm]

usually, I'd start with tar and glue remover to remove spots of tar, then wash the wheels, then shampoo the body, dry with a chamois, then dress the tyres and plastic trim then polish.

Some people have a more intensive routine, mine is pretty essy in comparison!

I also try out random Auto Glym products we have in the garage like instant show shine and different polishes, problem is the car gets manky in about a day...

[Dragonheart]

Set aside a full day for this! I ofund out the hard way last week how long it takes. First of all like Colm says remove the tar spots. Autoglym Super Resin Polish I find is best for the waxing, use 2 coats. Then apply 1 coats of Autoglym Extra Gloss Protection for an added sheen. Check out Bernards pics of when he did his car, looks amazing when done on a black machine.

[Dragonheart]

Oh ya, another thing, its better to do it the hard laborious way with a cloth instead of a buffer, they tend to streak sometimes.

[CJ]

its better to do it the hard laborious way with a cloth instead of a buffer, they tend to streak sometimes.

If you're talking about a standard polisher, I agree. What you want is a random orbital polisher such as the Porter Cable 7424 - they are renowed as one of the best polishers on the market, I've been singing its praises on the forums for a few years.

I would agree that it will take a good 7 or 8 hours to do a proper job on the paintwork, see this link for my detailing process.

Theres plenty of detailing guides on the web, heres some examples:

http://paintcare-n-detailing.com/video/

http://www.autopia-carcare.com/how-to.html

CJ

[miss-enzo]

my fiance valets car so i can tell ya all ya need to know....


FIRST OFF DONT GO TO A CAR WASH AGAIN! they will ruin ur paintwork!


second use 1/2 the recommended amount of soap in a bucket of water (if they said i cap per 4gallons use 1/2 a cap.)

ok so how lee does the cars in work is:
1. spray on alloy cleaner (if ur using it)
2. wet car
3. soap car
4. on a light car u can use a brush on a dark car only use a sponge and use sweeping motions or ul end up with swirls!
5. rinse
6. detar

repeat steps 2-6

shammy car down and leave to dry (do the interior now!)

then its wax on wax off time!

then polish!

dont limit urself timewise i.e. dont say ill spend my lunch hour washin the car..... cause u wont do a good job in that time!

[Bernard]

Check out Bernards pics of when he did his car, looks amazing when done on a black machine.

Thanks Martin, any excuse to show off...
http://www.fto-ireland.com/forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=5687

I bought the autoglym valet pack, which I've found great.
For a really through job you should set aside a whole day though...

[sinlessgunner]

yeah I seen Bernards it's pretty cool alright I'd love to have a shine like that on mine. I put the job off for today because it started raining so wasn't gonna waste a day for that ha! Thats for the advice guys it's great. Oh I'm gona be posting the pics of my LED job in the forums later tonight. I'd like to know your opinions!

[stevec]

the Porter Cable 7424 - they are renowed as one of the best polishers on the market

Been trying to source one of these for ages (including 2 unsucessful trips to the states) - are they the only ones available??.

[mark]

I think CJ is a bit of a master at this by now
Don't forget the engine bay lads and ladies, that's another few hours to do it right, nothing worse than seeing a lovely shinny FTO and then a manky engine bay. That's like finding out that Angelina Jolie has a mickey

[Bernard]

That's like finding out that Angelina Jolie has a mickey

Just remembered the crying game. (Shudders)