Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Auto Addict on 09 September 2007, 21:20:03

Title: Cleaning tip
Post by: Auto Addict on 09 September 2007, 21:20:03
I gave Mrs AA's car it's pre-winter valet today.

1) Wash it - leave it wet.

2) Bucket of fairly hot water, a Meguires polishing sponge and a tin of Brasso.

3) Soak the sponge in the water, put some Brasso onto it, and gently go over all the car, regularly rinsing out the sponge and applying more Brasso.

4) Wash the car again, and dry off.

5) Polish with Autoglym.

6) Polish again with Autoglym finish.

Car has got a glass type finish to it.

Easier than T-cut (and cheaper).

Jobs a goodun :y

Title: Re: Cleaning tip
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 09 September 2007, 21:23:37
Well done AA.......

Trouble is....id cheat and use a power tool.....and with the brasso......id be thro to the metal in next to no time  ;D ;D

Tho as my omega is silver.......it might not notice  ::) ;D
Title: Re: Cleaning tip
Post by: Auto Addict on 09 September 2007, 21:25:57
Brasso's fine, as long as you don't apply it neat, and think your trying to restore a tarnished brass candlestick ;)
Title: Re: Cleaning tip
Post by: Golfbuddy on 09 September 2007, 21:40:40
Does the Brasso get those swirl marks out then?
Title: Re: Cleaning tip
Post by: miggy on 09 September 2007, 22:02:54
Quote
Brasso's fine, as long as you don't apply it neat, and think your trying to restore a tarnished brass candlestick ;)

Well done, but be careful  :-X :-X
Title: Re: Cleaning tip
Post by: amigov6 on 09 September 2007, 22:09:52
No offence but i'd never do that to mine. Brasso is an abrasive. With metallic paint regular wash and wax keeps things sweet, do it every week or two and there's no need to compound. A flat colour may need compounding at some point but best to keep on top of it in the first place.
       Sorry but i'm a bit of a tart with car cleaning, mine's always as clean as it was at the Lakes not just seasonal or for special occasions. Do'nt want to make any enemies but had to say something. :-/
Title: Re: Cleaning tip
Post by: TheBoy on 09 September 2007, 22:10:45
No, sorry AA, I don't understand...  ...if I bring my car up will you demostrate for me :P

;D
Title: Re: Cleaning tip
Post by: Auto Addict on 09 September 2007, 22:28:23
Quote
No offence but i'd never do that to mine. Brasso is an abrasive. With metallic paint regular wash and wax keeps things sweet, do it every week or two and there's no need to compound. A flat colour may need compounding at some point but best to keep on top of it in the first place.
       Sorry but i'm a bit of a tart with car cleaning, mine's always as clean as it was at the Lakes not just seasonal or for special occasions. Do'nt want to make any enemies but had to say something. :-/

Even with regular cleaning, the paint discolours.

Brasso has similar characteristics to T-cut, but the way I use it, (about once every two to three years), all it does is to remove any surface dirt without harming the paint (or laquer).

Both our cars are washed and dried (by myself) on a weekly basis, but you can still get a build up of hidden grime.


Title: Re: Cleaning tip
Post by: Auto Addict on 09 September 2007, 22:29:48
Quote
Does the Brasso get those swirl marks out then?

I wouldn't use it for removing swirl marks.

Neither car has any swirl marks.
Title: Re: Cleaning tip
Post by: Auto Addict on 09 September 2007, 22:30:42
Quote
No, sorry AA, I don't understand...  ...if I bring my car up will you demostrate for me :P

;D

I don't think you could afford me...... ;)
Title: Re: Cleaning tip
Post by: miggy on 09 September 2007, 22:30:59
There is a chemical in Brasso very simular to a chemical in Acetone, this chemical WILL take the lacquer (Clear Coat) off your metallic paint eventually, you may think its doing no harm but the chemical softens the lacquer.

I use these chemicals in our lab at work when we carryout analysis on Rolling and Lubracating oils.

I would not recommend using the Brasso.

 :y

Title: Re: Cleaning tip
Post by: Auto Addict on 09 September 2007, 22:36:27
Quote
There is a chemical in Brasso very simular to a chemical in Acetone, this chemical WILL take the lacquer (Clear Coat) off your metallic paint eventually, you may think its doing no harm but the chemical softens the lacquer.

I use these chemicals in our lab at work when we carryout analysis on Rolling and Lubracating oils.

I would not recommend using the Brasso.

 :y

 

I don't apply it neat, it's heavily diluted, and I do not scrub the paintwork with it.

As said, it's immediately washed off with a good car shampoo.

Always used it, never had a problem with the lacquer.

Point taken though.
Title: Re: Cleaning tip
Post by: Chopsdad on 09 September 2007, 22:40:14
Quote
No offence but i'd never do that to mine. Brasso is an abrasive. With metallic paint regular wash and wax keeps things sweet, do it every week or two and there's no need to compound. A flat colour may need compounding at some point but best to keep on top of it in the first place.
       Sorry but i'm a bit of a tart with car cleaning, mine's always as clean as it was at the Lakes not just seasonal or for special occasions. Do'nt want to make any enemies but had to say something. :-/

You really should try and get all those flies off every now and again though Guy :P

AA - Be careful with your bumper respray - the new blown style of paint they use is softer than 2 pac and polishes off if given a bit too much elbow grease.  Hopefully this won't affect yours though.
Title: Re: Cleaning tip
Post by: amigov6 on 09 September 2007, 22:48:30
Quote
Quote
No offence but i'd never do that to mine. Brasso is an abrasive. With metallic paint regular wash and wax keeps things sweet, do it every week or two and there's no need to compound. A flat colour may need compounding at some point but best to keep on top of it in the first place.
       Sorry but i'm a bit of a tart with car cleaning, mine's always as clean as it was at the Lakes not just seasonal or for special occasions. Do'nt want to make any enemies but had to say something. :-/

Even with regular cleaning, the paint discolours.

Brasso has similar characteristics to T-cut, but the way I use it, (about once every two to three years), all it does is to remove any surface dirt without harming the paint (or laquer).

Both our cars are washed and dried (by myself) on a weekly basis, but you can still get a build up of hidden grime.


:)I'm lucky to have mates in the valeting trade so have an endless supply of commercial products so i do'nt mean to judge. Agood machine polish removes the road build up you mentioned, then a hand buff removes swirls.  if not have you tried TFR ( Traffic film remover)?
     I agree totally with shammying the car off, NEVER leave them wet. :y
Title: Re: Cleaning tip
Post by: amigov6 on 09 September 2007, 22:54:43
Quote
Quote
No offence but i'd never do that to mine. Brasso is an abrasive. With metallic paint regular wash and wax keeps things sweet, do it every week or two and there's no need to compound. A flat colour may need compounding at some point but best to keep on top of it in the first place.
       Sorry but i'm a bit of a tart with car cleaning, mine's always as clean as it was at the Lakes not just seasonal or for special occasions. Do'nt want to make any enemies but had to say something. :-/

You really should try and get all those flies off every now and again though Guy :P

AA - Be careful with your bumper respray - the new blown style of paint they use is softer than 2 pac and polishes off if given a bit too much elbow grease.  Hopefully this won't affect yours though.
:oI know. Why did i get so many flies, little frickers, got none now, reckon i picked 'em up upsetting bmw's on the A66!!!!!!!!!!!!!! [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif]