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1999 Morgan Plus 8 4.6
I have just given my Morgan a good spring clean, so here are the results. I have owned the car for six years now and just realised that I had never polished or waxed it, although I had always carefully washed it. So I surfed the web to see what products were being used now. Quite an eye opener with so many new products, many from America.
It got the full treatment - first it was washed with Autoglym Bodywork Shampoo Conditioner. Then the whole car was 'clayed' using Meguiar's Smooth Surface clay Kit, very impressive stuff . Next came a 3 step process using Meguiar's Deep Crystal system - Paint Cleaner - Polish - Carnauba Wax. Also I used in-between the polish and wax Autoglym Super Resin Polish as it contains a slight amount of abrasive quality to reduce the slight paint surface abrasions. The chrome wire wheels are normally very labour intensive but now there is a spray-on wheel cleaner that is safe to use on chrome and stainless steel - Autoglym Custom Wheel Cleaner , works really well. Not forgetting the leather interior, this was treated with Meguiar's Gold Class Rich Leather Aloe Cleaner step 1 and Conditioner step 2. One thing I've not done yet are the tyres ! any suggestions ?
All the best for the coming season and thanks for a great forum - Keith

Keith,

you have done a greta job, although I find it hard to believe you have not been tempted to polish her in six years. Mine is almots identical excpet a 4.0L that has been breathed on from time to time. I notice the welsh flag - although I live in bucks now originally from Bridgend. Where are you from?
best Tim

God, I'm a dimwit- I never noticed that.
Tim, are you Tim as in green +8 with aero screens and wonderfully loud exhaust during last year's Parade de Pilotes?

regards,
G

Thanks G, I'll give the 'Endurance' a try.
The engine bay is clean but not really detailed. What lets it down are the cast iron manifolds. I would like to change these for stainless steel when funds allow. Maybe polish the alloy covers - would you have any tips for this ?

very nice

It must have been really well waxed when I bought it, water beading well and I always used wax additive in the water and leathered it off carefully. The in thing now is to dry off with micro-fiber towels ! So I never felt the need to give it this sort of treatment before. I did enjoy doing it though.
Originally I came from London in 1975 and now live in Llandrygarn, Anglesey

I had the same problem with the cast iron manifold so I 'bit the bullet' and binned it for an S/S item. There are a lot of options in terms of s/s for the +8 The only one I've seen really close up is the one that Mike Duncan sells. (If I'm guessing right, I think Tim ( V8rumble) might have one of those?)

In terms of the rockers/ cam covers, The engine in my 4/4 is a Zetec E which ( unlike the black plastic job on the later engines) has alloy covers but the casting was pretty poor.

I got mine polished and they've come up really well. John W at Heart of England took them off to some miracle worker in a small shed in Cradley Heath for me.
If you look on this thread:
http://www.talkmorgan.com/ubbthreads.php/galleries/41668/Re_Polished_expansion_tank_bot#Post41668

it gives an idea- that's the original cover after polishing

Regards,
G

It is in the text - Autoglym Custom Wheel Cleaner, Halfords should have it.
It dissolves off all the brake dust and tarnish, work it in with a brush and rinse off with water, dry off then a coat of the Autoglym Super Resin Polish. This should then be sealed with something - I'll have to look in to that ! suggestions appreciated

Another good way to cut down on that horrible corrosive dust which gets all ove the wires is to fit EBC 'greenstuff' pads ( Doesn't do the braking any harm either!)
Cheers,
G

Very nice car, I suspect is sounds as good as it looks.

I must try some of clay you mention

Tim, are you Tim as in green +8 with aero screens and wonderfully loud exhaust during last year's Parade de Pilotes?

G,

yes it is me. I was in the Parade de Pilotes last year and hardly ever use anything other than aero screens.

Funnily enough I was driving the other day and I noticed a motorbike behind who could have easily passed me, but did not. When I had to stop at some trafiic lights he pulled along side me and told me he had wanted to stay behind becuase of the engine sound. Still showing off at 53, I am afraid. best wishes Tim