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Morgan in 1991 and 1995

Inspired by Jacks above concours d' elegance, groaning sideboard and other posts on TM, I have decided to take cleaning my mog a bit more seriously.

I was completely ignorant of the fact that car cleaning is a serious business, at least for some, prior to TM, and must confess that I had never heard of the following:

Forgive me Jack, for I have sinned!

Detailing
Maguires
Applicator pad
Difference between wax and polish
Clay bar - (yer having a laugh)

My usual car shampoo? - From Tesco, Car plan, or the Turtle one, who cares? About as much thought as HP or Heinz on the beans front.

Detailing consisted of a quick rub with a synthetic chamouix.

In my defence, I was aware that using Fairy Liquid was not a good idea without knowing why.

Anyway, I am now tooled up, awaiting a spring clean window after spending slightly less then the NHS budget on various exotic chemicals and microfibre cloths, tyre paint and leather wipes and metal polish.

Once cleaned, dare I use it though?

Start with the interior, with a leather conditioner. Nice and easy and no dirty hands. Vac well under the seats. Take them out if you're up to it!

The screen is also a simple thing to get right. More care needed on the plastic sidescreens.

Shiny bits are straightforward, but beware of abrasives.

Remember that polishing is an art and a science, and takes skill to do properly. Microfibre cloths will take off much more polish haze than ordinary dusters.

I find it really relaxing...........

I hugely admire the effort that goes into Concours preparation and the end results. Jack's car looks stunning.
If I had the space (and some spare money), I would happily start on my car, but limited to a single garage I just enjoy keeping my 4/4 clean and well polished.

Bud

__________
2003 - 4/4

I like the words Lord forgive me for the sins I have done and for the ones I am about to do. It fits me well . Phoned another one on my classic car list and this chap is in hospital kidney stones and one of his spray painters is about to retire , along with my trimmer who slipped and damaged his ribs .

2013 I wonder. Still I will purchase a lottery ticket I cant get less than no numbers.

Dave you are spot on it removes the stress of the day and my worrys what ever they are just float away when I pick up a duster

I just show everyone photos of JTL's and pretend it's mine. Saves all the hard work.

Ah so now I know why so many women are are tooting their horns and flashing their lights shouting Hi Johnny . I am sick of those silky black knickers with naughty notes tied to the wheel thanks for the good time cant wait to see you again big boy . ( Im a short arse ) .

The chap who I paid a visit to sent a well written quote for the work but cut a respray down i.e. cowl £ . Bonnett £ . Body £. . it all came to £4698-00 + other work at a price . The other chap no written quote just I will start high £10.200. and come low if its an easy job ( my arse he will ) he never got back to me with a written quote and I never got back to him ( wonder why ) . The last quote with a push arrived £7136.60. They are all just about 1 hours drive away so I can keep my eye on the mog at every stage . I think it will be the last one having been twice to the place and never told them I was on my way . This garage is working on a mog .

The year was 1991.
I wanted cellulose paint.
They all laughed and said it needed two pack.
I found an MG specialist who would do cellulose.
He came and looked at the shell. It was fully panelled and almost bare metal, and a bare rolling shell.
He quoted £800 (in black), and said it was one of the best restorations he'd seen.
A month later he brought it back. I'd been to see it once in prep and it was down to bare metal.The finish was fantastic.

However, he had not been in touch during the job, and presented a bill for £1400, with a mumbled explanation that it had taken a lot more levelling than he expected.
So what do you do? The paintwork was superb, and was what I wanted for concours. It never reacted, bubbled or lifted over the next seventeen years. But the way he did business left an unpleasant taste. Several other MG owners in the local club who wanted resprays took their business elsewhere.......

Thats the kind of thing that is running through my head its a day and age that I trust very few on their word ( too many tried it on for me to have the trust I used to have ) , they have to gain my respect the hard way now.

I still get annoyed when I think back and that was 1991........
I have a giant grudge bank account balance.