how do i get that mirror finish?

CaRtZ · 12-10-2006, 12:20 AM

well i was sick of washing my car all the time and it coming up with water spots in dust. last 3 washed a have chamiosed it and the spots become streaks. being a dark colour (polenysian green) its hard to get perfect. how do i do it? is there a tutorial somewhere? dont wanna cut n polish as i travel down a dirt road to see granny once every 3-5 weeks...
any help would be greatly and emensly appreciated!!!!!

Christiaan · 12-10-2006, 12:27 AM

What do you mean mirror finish?

DOC · 12-10-2006, 12:37 AM

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=63718

try this link for starters, spots becoming streaks ? have you clayed it or used a paint cleaner as it seems the wash is not cutting the bacon.

CaRtZ · 12-10-2006, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shuresm58

What do you mean mirror finish?

the car looking great after washing it. i always seem to get spots of dust. or when i try to chamois it, streaks of dust. im looking for an answer to stop this and have it looking perfect. i wash one side then rinse it off. then move around to the front or back, wash it then hose it off. then when i get back to the start i chamois it. wringing it out every 10-20 seconds.

will try the link. thanks.

if anyone has any techinques they have developed i would be interested to hear em!

Tornado · 12-10-2006, 02:43 PM

Park the car on concrete or grass to wash it, far away from any dirt or dusty places. It sounds like dust is sticking to the car before you wipe it dry.
Hosing the area under and around the car before you start washing it also helps stop the dust/dirt sticking to the car.

Bill_R · 12-10-2006, 03:23 PM

Have you polished or waxed it?
A good wax or polish might help prevent the problems you are having. You'll get various recommendations on what to use.

You can also get some washes that contain small amounts of wax that tend to bead up the water and make it easier to get off while offering some degree of protection. They are no substitute for a good polish but act as a reasonable top-up.

What wash are you currently using? It just might not be a resaonable one.

When you use a chamois lay it down flat and grab it by two corners and drag it. It works the best on flat surfaces. I've been using a chamois for many years but have only been using this technique for the last few weeks after reading it on the side of the chamoi container (amorall chamois). Get's it off very easily.

LTDHO · 12-10-2006, 04:27 PM

3 steps.

cut
polish
wax.

Mirror finish

BJ · 12-10-2006, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LTDHO

3 steps.

cut
polish
wax.

Mirror finish

Yep couldn't have said it better myself Wayne.

CaRtZ · 12-10-2006, 06:54 PM

currently using 'egale one wet car wash' and 'synthetic chamois' ($3 from bi-lo)

trying to avoid cut and polish etc as i travel down a dirt road roughly once a month and i feel it would be a waste of time.
am i wrong?

Sick EB · 12-10-2006, 07:24 PM

1 answer get it resprayed. joking- i use meguires car wash and both the EB and BA come out no problem. i would also say it is where you wash it- i wash mine on concrete. also i have been taught a trick before using a chamois to dry it. go for a quick spin up the street and most of the water flys off so there is less chance of it leaving streaks because you can dry it faster due to most of the water blowing off.

Bill_R · 12-10-2006, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaRtZ

currently using 'egale one wet car wash' and 'synthetic chamois' ($3 from bi-lo)

trying to avoid cut and polish etc as i travel down a dirt road roughly once a month and i feel it would be a waste of time.
am i wrong?

Whether you cut it will depend on the current condition of the paint.
I'd try a polish first and see what results you get.
A polish won't be a waste at all. It'll protect it and make it easier to clean.

Try a better chamois too.

Skooter · 12-10-2006, 07:59 PM

You need to use a paint cleaner to get every single piece of dirt off, then protect the finish with a good quality polish then a good wax and it should come up nice.

as for cutting i thought you are not supposed to cut clear coats, thats what it says on 'kitten' cut and polish but it is quite a course one so maybe with finer ones you can.

CaRtZ · 12-10-2006, 08:16 PM

yeah wash it on grass/dirt (fuken drought!) so i will try on concrete with a better chamois and polish it.

any tips on polishing? never tried it!

Ozfords · 12-10-2006, 09:11 PM

Follow the instructions on the polishing tin.

[Tonko] · 12-10-2006, 09:22 PM

wax on wax off, young grasshopper, didnt you watch the karate kid?

GTPete · 12-10-2006, 09:24 PM

Wash the car with morning fresh dishwashing liquid, chamaios it dry and clay bar each panel. Then wash the car again with gold class detergent. Wax it with Next Generation wax. Once completed apply a speed detailer product like meguires speed detailer, wipe it off with a meguires microwipe polishing cloth. If you do this you will have that mirror finish you have been looking for.

BJ · 12-10-2006, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTPete

Wash the car with morning fresh dishwashing liquid, chamaios it dry and clay bar each panel. Then wash the car again with gold class detergent. Wax it with Next Generation wax. Once completed apply a speed detailer product like meguires speed detailer, wipe it off with a meguires, micro-wipe polishing cloth. If you do this you will have that mirror finish you have been looking for.

Do you understand how much damage you are doing to your paint by using a dishwashing liquid, not only are you sucking the pigment out of the paint it will have a bad reaction to the base colour in a few years. Bj

GTPete · 12-10-2006, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BJ

Do you understand how much damage you are doing to your paint by using a dishwashing liquid, not only are you sucking the pigment out of the paint it will have a bad reaction to the base colour in a few years. Bj

For a once or a year procedure it will be fine. If you doubt me check out zaino bros website.
Im offering first hand experience on cars that I have owned for many years without the issues your refering to.

CaRtZ · 12-10-2006, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonkoXR8

wax on wax off, young grasshopper, didnt you watch the karate kid?

left hand anti clockwise, right hand clockwise? lol

will try it saturday...

Tornado · 13-10-2006, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BJ

Do you understand how much damage you are doing to your paint by using a dishwashing liquid, not only are you sucking the pigment out of the paint it will have a bad reaction to the base colour in a few years. Bj

My wife did that with her car before we were married and the paint faded and the roof rusted

Stevo · 13-10-2006, 09:10 AM

maybe once a year is ok for dishwashing liquid, but do not regulary use it.
not only is id odd, but most dishwashing liquids contain salt.

Christiaan · 13-10-2006, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevo

maybe once a year is ok for dishwashing liquid, but do not regulary use it.
not only is id odd, but most dishwashing liquids contain salt.

Thanks for that scientist Steve!

Cut and polish will do it mate. Pay someone to do it professionally once a year. You won't regret it.

Jason[98.EL] · 14-10-2006, 10:21 AM

i wish we could wash our cars here in geelong

it just cost me $12 to wash it at one of those car wash things

jason

CaRtZ · 16-10-2006, 02:35 PM

used Blue Coral wax and polish, came up great. thanks for advice guys