Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing How to wash your car!

Just when I thought it couldn't get any better I have just ordered a "Dodo Juice Fantastic Fur Microfibre Buffing Cloth".
.............this is car cleaning porn at its ultimate!

Advice needed. There are what appear to be small pale circle marks on the bonnet which I think my have resulted from parking the car with rain still on the bonnet and the engine hot (that is a guess). I have tried Autoglym polish and Autoglym paint restorer but they will not go away.

p.s. Like many above I have taken to using Autoglym wax polish, provides a deep glossy finish, and does not cut into the paint.

p.p.s. I must get back into the two bucket method. Used the three beers method to get rid of the flies on front wing the other day. That method still works.

You may have to go more drastic Steve. It depends if it's bleached by the sun, or if it's a residue from hard water. Meguiars do an ultimate cutting compound and a milder finishing polish. Look at their product range, and decide which you fancy. Red is quite prone to this, and I've already had problems with my Golf when I don't leather it off after washing........

Before thinking of any cutting compounds, have you tried a clay bar?

Very easy to use and I'd have thought would sort this out.

I'm happy to talk you thru the process if you're unsure.

never thought of using a clay bar. I would be very interested in finding out more.

I am literally heading into hospital as I write for a back operation.

Perhaps some other kind soul could explain.... The proper lubrication is key.

If I'm up and around I can run through it tomorrow...

Steve, have a look at Meguiars . I've used their clay bar in the past and you need to use lubrication with it, such as Meguiars Quick Detailer. It will gently take off surface contaminants and any traces of wax as well, so you need to reseal the surface with wax afterwards.

This.

Just back from the butchers.

Buy yourself a clay bar and matching lubricating spray. Don't be a cheapskate and use washing up liquid. Buy the proper stuff.

Wash and dry your car in the normal way.

Pull off a 50p sized dollop of the the clay.

Spray maybe a one foot square area of paint work with the lubricant - I'd do this when the car is cool and not in direct heat such as we've had recently.... So, spray the area and then GENTLY rub backwards and forwards (not circular) over the lubricated area.

Once your panels have been clayed, as Jays says, they are then unprotected - naked, vulnerable! You will need to wax these areas to protect them.

You will not damage your paintwork.

Take a look at the clay surface that you've been rubbing with. It will be black with crap from the paintwork. Fold this in to your blob of clay, spray a new area and start again.

Once clayed, your paintwork will feel super smooth to the touch and all marks removed.

Far better to use this somewhat laborious technique than any cutting polish or compound.

Thanks chaps. I will get on the case straight away. - well at the weekend.

Meguiars or Autoglym Surface Detailing Clay Kit?

So could it be rain/hard water dried out by the hot bonnet, as it is not on the wings (yet).

I favour Megs, having changed over to it from years of Autoglym, mainly because I think that the waxes and polishes leave less residue.....but no doubt someone else prefers the opposite! Megs was recommended to me when I was on the Zed forum....a lot of the guys were heavily into detailing which was something completely new to me and all I wanted was some advice on removing some swirl marks. I thought Megs was the bee knees until I delved further and realised what exotically named and priced cleaning preparations are out there!

It could well be hard water residue...I've had similar in the past and am now extra careful in drying off the car after washing.