406 V6 Coupe

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Zelandeth
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Re: 406 V6 Coupe

Unread post by Zelandeth »

Okay, you seem to be the cleaning guru...so here's my question.

Dried on tree sap...what on earth would you suggest to move it? Stuff is like concrete and nothing seems to touch it other than really aggressive polishing...which I would rather not do if I can avoid it on a car that is both very dark blue (nearly black) and doesn't have the advantage of clearcoat over the base colour. It would be right in the middle of the bonett too wouldn't it...
Current fleet:
07 Volvo V70 SE D5, 88 Renault 25 Monaco, 85 Sinclair C5, 84 Trabant 601S, 75 Rover 3500, 73 AC Model 70.
bxzx16v
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Re: 406 V6 Coupe

Unread post by bxzx16v »

Give the car a good wash, then follow this with a claybar (Bilt Hamber regular is good) use plenty of lube (a weak mixture of car shampoo) in a spray bottle. Rub the bar over the paint keeping it sprayed with the lube as you work, you will feel the bar picking up any contamination as you go. Keep folding the bar as you work around the car, and really soak the area with lube otherwise you risk marring the paint. When you have finished give the car a thorough rinse off and you will be able to see and feel the difference. Halfords have a 3 for 2 on cleaning products at the minute and the Meguiars claykit is pretty good, they also have Farecla clay mitts on offer too but it's something I've not tried yet but are supposed to be quite good. Have fun and post some pics up when your done.

Mark
2009 Landrover Freelander 2 TD4se (killed an Audi) , sadly now gone .
2012 Landrover Freelander 2 SD4 AUTO Love it . Now gone .
2014 Ford Bmax 1.0 Ecoboost Zetec . Fantastic little machine .Gone now.
2014 Ford Focus 2.0 Tdci Zetec S with the French heart.
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Stickyfinger
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Re: 406 V6 Coupe

Unread post by Stickyfinger »

This.....Mark is totally correct, a clay bar is the device of choice rather than any "polish" and as he says, get a load of lube on it and that tree sap/tarmac will come off really well.

A tip, visually divide your panel and clay bar that area in long straight lines not little circles, work a panel at a time, wash and then apply a good base polish then a finishing wax.

split the bar into three, keep the rest in a plastic bag in your pocket (keeps it warm) and ALWAYS throw a piece away if you drop it.
Alasdair
Activa, the Moose Dodger
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Zelandeth
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Re: 406 V6 Coupe

Unread post by Zelandeth »

Interesting, thanks for the tips. Have yet to experiment with clay bars, so a good time to try!
Current fleet:
07 Volvo V70 SE D5, 88 Renault 25 Monaco, 85 Sinclair C5, 84 Trabant 601S, 75 Rover 3500, 73 AC Model 70.
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ragger
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Re: 406 V6 Coupe

Unread post by ragger »

i'm very much an amateur when it comes to detailing but I have used a clay bar and the difference in feel of the paint work after appl;ication is quite remarkable. I have been using Meguiars bar and when the the lotion ran out I have used an alternative, cheaper detailing spray which works just as well.
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Rob

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Zelandeth
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Re: 406 V6 Coupe

Unread post by Zelandeth »

Thanks for that. Will see how time goes this week, though the 107 playing up has thrown a bit of a spanner in the works for my plans this week!

Any recommendations for a protective wax? Given that both the Saab and Skoda have paint without a clearcoat layer (even if the paint on the Saab is about an inch thick) they don't always hold a shine that well, especially the Skoda.

Usually Autoglym products I've used for years now as they've generally proven consistent which I like.
Current fleet:
07 Volvo V70 SE D5, 88 Renault 25 Monaco, 85 Sinclair C5, 84 Trabant 601S, 75 Rover 3500, 73 AC Model 70.
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Stickyfinger
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Re: 406 V6 Coupe

Unread post by Stickyfinger »

If no gloss coat, then a traditional wax I would think, a carnauba car wax would be best at giving you a thickness. I would apply three coats about a week apart then use a more modern acyclic one on to.

A good guide to "the product types"
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wax/r222- ... d_357.html
Alasdair
Activa, the Moose Dodger
bxzx16v
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Re: 406 V6 Coupe

Unread post by bxzx16v »

Good recommendation Sticky, I've been on the Clean your car forum a few years now and have picked up some good hints and tips etc. And when I go to the Cyc unit for some products it's like being a kid in a sweet shop.

Mark
2009 Landrover Freelander 2 TD4se (killed an Audi) , sadly now gone .
2012 Landrover Freelander 2 SD4 AUTO Love it . Now gone .
2014 Ford Bmax 1.0 Ecoboost Zetec . Fantastic little machine .Gone now.
2014 Ford Focus 2.0 Tdci Zetec S with the French heart.
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DHallworth
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Re: 406 V6 Coupe

Unread post by DHallworth »

I bought a clay wash mit as a few people on the Range Rover forum were raving about it. It feels horrible using it as it feels like it's scratching the paint but the finish afterwards was very nice. The paint was much smoother :)

I used it a couple of times and then ended up having the cars detailed so haven't used it since.

David.
'98 Xantia Activa V6 :-D
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bxzx16v
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Re: 406 V6 Coupe

Unread post by bxzx16v »

I've yet to try a claymitt but have heard good things about them.

Mark
2009 Landrover Freelander 2 TD4se (killed an Audi) , sadly now gone .
2012 Landrover Freelander 2 SD4 AUTO Love it . Now gone .
2014 Ford Bmax 1.0 Ecoboost Zetec . Fantastic little machine .Gone now.
2014 Ford Focus 2.0 Tdci Zetec S with the French heart.
Hell Razor5543
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Re: 406 V6 Coupe

Unread post by Hell Razor5543 »

Well, I have been to Halfrauds and got 2 Turtle Wax claybar kits (£16.99 each) and a Farecla clay mitt (£12.99), and got the mitt for free, as they are doing the 3 for 2 offer mentioned earlier in this thread by bxzx16v.
James
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ex Xantia 2.0HDi LX
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bxzx16v
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Re: 406 V6 Coupe

Unread post by bxzx16v »

Let us know how you get on with the Farecla mitt James, it's a good price from Halfords. Don't forget to make some more claylube up using a weak shampoo solution a constantly spray as you go.

Mark
2009 Landrover Freelander 2 TD4se (killed an Audi) , sadly now gone .
2012 Landrover Freelander 2 SD4 AUTO Love it . Now gone .
2014 Ford Bmax 1.0 Ecoboost Zetec . Fantastic little machine .Gone now.
2014 Ford Focus 2.0 Tdci Zetec S with the French heart.
Hell Razor5543
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Re: 406 V6 Coupe

Unread post by Hell Razor5543 »

The kits came with a 100g bar, and 500ml lubricant.
James
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ex Xantia 2.0HDi SX
ex Xantia 2.0HDi LX
ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
ex C5 2.2HDi VTX+

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Zelandeth
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Re: 406 V6 Coupe

Unread post by Zelandeth »

Picked up one of the mitts last week and gave it a shot today (as The Ambassador as my Saab is known is due her MOT tomorrow and we all know that presentation can make a difference!) and admit to being quite surprised. You can really feel it shifting stuff from the paint, first couple of passes feeling distinctly "scratchy" before turnong silkly smooth.

Sadly wasn't able to move much of the sap because the chunks are just too big. It's back to fingernails followed by the mitt to remove the remains - wax afterwords though went on beautifully, has probably a deeper shine than ever since I got the car.
Plus side really is that even though it lacks a gloss coat, the Saab's paint is of a really good quality.

Interested to see how the Skoda comes up with it too, especially being a really eye searingly bright colour.
Current fleet:
07 Volvo V70 SE D5, 88 Renault 25 Monaco, 85 Sinclair C5, 84 Trabant 601S, 75 Rover 3500, 73 AC Model 70.
bxzx16v
Posts: 1696
Joined: 29 May 2011, 22:11
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Re: 406 V6 Coupe

Unread post by bxzx16v »

Good to hear you've got some good results ,I'll probably try one of the clay mitts myself to see how it compares to normal clay.

Mark
2009 Landrover Freelander 2 TD4se (killed an Audi) , sadly now gone .
2012 Landrover Freelander 2 SD4 AUTO Love it . Now gone .
2014 Ford Bmax 1.0 Ecoboost Zetec . Fantastic little machine .Gone now.
2014 Ford Focus 2.0 Tdci Zetec S with the French heart.