Make it shiny....

[nonosh]

I would like to make my Moggy shiny...
I have got the Trafalgar Blue, and is re-spray is the only the solution? Or could you suggest any car wash/ wax etc., which doesn't damage the paint work? The colour itself now looks bit misty-ish...

nonosh

[dennis]

try a colour restore , i use turtle wax on mine and elbow grease and it comes up just fine.
do it in the shade.

[Gareth]

You could try using T-Cut, which takes off a minute layer of paint. You'll need to give it a good hard rub (matron), but not too much - being especially careful around the panel edges.

If the colour is still dull, you could try adding a coloured polish, such as Turtle Wax, or the Halfrauds equivalent, which is very good.

Then follow up with a good quality wax.

All in all, it could be a whole day's polishing, but would be cheaper than a respray.

[nonosh]

Ohh!! Thank you!
That T Cut .. I have only seen the coloured one, but presumably, I could find the multi colour one? Or which one is the best for the Trafalgar blue....???


nonosh

[Kevin]

Proper `T Cut` is a mild cutting compound that is beige in colour only, I assume from your posting that they also make coloured polishes as well of which there are a few different makes on the market if you want to try one use the one for Dark Blues, and a word of caution make sure you wear some of the disposable gloves when using coloured polishes or it will colour your hands as well and takes a while to wear off

[Chris Morley]

Halfords do coloured versions of T-cut (light and dark blue I believe?). Alternatively, you could obtain cutting compound from a paint retailer which is usually much cheaper than T-Cut. However you may have to use polish afterwards. Whichever you use, be careful as both easily remove the soft cellulose paint on Minors (modern cars painted with two pack paint are much harder wearing).

[Gareth]

The Halfords one is supposed to be better than the TCut Colour Fast. Classics magazine did a test on it a while ago, and my neighbour swears by it.

The Colour Fast only takes off a very very very minute layer of paint - just enough for the pigment to sink in. That said, T-Cut only takes a thousandth of a millimetre off, or something.

I bought, from Wilkinsons a while ago, turtlewax's own Safe-Cut, which is just the same stuff as T-Cut, only perhaps slightly diluted. I've not burnt through the paintwork yet, so it should be OK. I don't, however, use one of those electric polishing mops - all done by hand, just to be safe.

[Kevin]

I don't, however, use one of those electric polishing mops

Well Gareth I purchased one thinking it might make it a bit easier (being a bit layed back or is it lazy ) but how could I be so silly, how many FLAT panels are there on your Moggie I do not think they are designed for cars with curves so dont waste your time getting one unless it was very small mine is about 9" - 10" diameter

[nonosh]

I'm sure it will be a whole day job polishing by hand... I'll probably ask for some help to my hubby... I remember we did T-Cut on his MG Maestro once, and it was hard work!

How often do you do it on your moggy...?? Can I still do some of the rust done myself after doing the Polishing? or better do the rust first?

nonosh

[Kevin]

How often do you do it on your moggy...??

nonosh it will depend on the quaility of the polish some are better than others and also local conditions will have an affect, just ask Amanda on the Cornish coast who lives in salt laden air, which is fantastic for bodywork modifications and is excellent at romoving chassis parts.
One other thing do not use a chrome polish on the chrome, ordinary car polish works better and does not damage the chrome.
Generally once or twice a year is OK unless you have a show car like our branch chairman then during the show season its almost weekly

[57traveller]

It's VERY hard work and not cheap but well worth the time and effort but I use Omega Glaze and Blitzwax, both available from Frost Auto Restoration of Rochdale. I think its frost.co.uk
The wax protection and shine do last for ages though.
However it might be best waiting until after any rust removal/treatment or bodywork before expending too much energy on a shine.

[Peetee]

I remember we did T-Cut on his MG Maestro once, and it was hard work!

We are selling one of our cars at the mo. I did a T-cut on it because I felt no one would pay a good price on it the way it was. My arms were like jelly by the time I had finished - it's a Passat estate
And I still have to go back and get the T-Cut off all the black plastic bits

[Gareth]

Don't forget to put a good quality polish on the car afterwards - otherwise the paintwork will go dull very quickly.

Also, read the instructions!! Often it says to use a damp cloth to put the polish on with - if you don't it takes forever to buff off, and often won't buff properly.

[Dizzi141]

I just throw Mer at my car and then leave it, it is then a swine to polish off. Proboably because I didn't use a damp cloth d'Oh!

[johncannon]

Try using Braso - much the same effect as t-cut but about half the effort.

[Cam]

Or Halfords cutting compound, be careful though the 'quicker' more abrasive products take the paint layers off rather quickly.