Restoring red paint

[macmillions]

Hi all,

I have a Tornado Red Golf mk2, which as many of you may remember, this colour has a tendancy to turn pink...
Well I spent three hours yesterday battling away with the car and managed to bring it back to red.

Feeling awfully smug I put the pictures up ont'internet and immediately some pro valeters have said the product I used is full of oils and glazers which will dry out, leaving me with a pink car again. I was told to use a cleanser, then poorboys black hole, or the like. Then a coat of hard wax.

Is this stuff suitable as a cleanser?

Meguiars Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165527

Also, I will order some poorboys, but would you recommend anything in the meantime whilst I await its arrival? Autoglym Ultra Deep Shine for example?

I'm popping to Halfords today, so something from there would be good, if possible.

Cheers for any advice guys and gals!

[Guest 2]

If you have enough time then get hold of a DA or rotary polisher.

Even a DA will bring better results than hand polishing.

I'm not a pro detailer by any means but that Megs cleaner should be fine. Deep shine should be fine aswell in the meantime.

You should try some of the waxes Stuart sells - New! Barrier Reef® Carnauba Paste Wax

I'm using Collinite 476s at the minute but might treat myself to the above or some Auto Finesse soon.

[Brodster]

CarPro Eraser is probably the best paint cleanser out there. I swear by it and its not that dear either. This gets rid of oils and contaminents on the paint before applying wax or sealants. Alot of people dont use this type of product as it removes the fillers that some polishes have in them so really defeats the object of trying to remove swirls and scratches. If your going to buy any type of detailing products stay away from Halfords.......have a look on Cleanyourcar.co.uk for some ideas because its a huge topic to cover and so many sections.

[Sam]

CarPro Eraser is probably the best paint cleanser out there. I swear by it and its not that dear either. This gets rid of oils and contaminents on the paint before applying wax or sealants. Alot of people dont use this type of product as it removes the fillers that some polishes have in them so really defeats the object of trying to remove swirls and scratches. If your going to buy any type of detailing products stay away from Halfords.......have a look on Cleanyourcar.co.uk for some ideas because its a huge topic to cover and so many sections.

Could you explain why he/we should stay away from Halfords?

They appear to sell a lot of gear that 'pro' detailers use. Is it the stigma of buying from Halfords or is there a more serious reason?

[Brodster]

Nothing serious mate....its just alot cheaper buying from detailing specific websites. Halfords only do a small amount of descent gear we use which is meguiars.....Auto Glym I wouldnt use as there is alot better for cheaper. I am an Angelwax dealer and approved user and some of their products have just been voted best product for 2013 - QED won best detailer, Fast Foam - best snow foam etc etc. and most of these products are less than £7 to buy. Their flagship wax - Guardian took years to develop and 200ml pot is only £49.95.

I am more than happy to guide people in the right direction........ as I hate people being ripped off and buying the wrong products for what they really need it for.

[Sam]

Taking the product Mac's suggested in the first post (and of course, assuming it to be up to the job) it'll cost him £10 from Halfords and he's got it in his hand for the weekend.

Buy it from CYC and while the product may be cheaper, you've got postage (and the wait) on top - you're £13 down.

I'm all for slating a company when they don't do what they're there to do, but when all you want is a bottle of something and they have it in stock ready for you to take, it makes no sense to buy online when it'll cost more?

As for that wax, £50?! What makes it any more special than something like that £15 Chemical Guys XXX Hardcore stuff that gets a few recommendations on here - the only reason I remember that one is because of the name

I should add I'm far from a detailer but thanks to a very good friend of mine knowing his stuff, I get subjected to his product reviews on a daily basis. He's as tight as tight can be and still turns out some impressive results on a budget.

[Brodster]

Mate if Halfords is the way forward then so be it........I wouldn't buy from there but thats because I have shelves full of detailing products that I sell in my online shop. As for a £15 wax.....you get what you pay for so the content of Carnuba in it will be minimal because thats what you pay for. I have other waxes at 60% carnuba that are double the Angelwax price. If it works for you then so be it...........no point in changing if happy withthe products you use.

[Sam]

As above, I'm not a detailer by any stretch, I'm just trying to understand why Halfords was such a no go.

I wouldn't use their servicing department or buy anything from their stick-on go faster range but for what (and where) they are, you can't fault them.

Granted I don't have shelves of products I can help myself to, but who does - other than you of course!

Thanks for explaining the wax stuff

[zollaf]

thing is, there is different levels of shiny. some people are happy with a nice clean shiny car that others would then spend a week and £1000 putting right. the paint on my old 80 isn't worth spending time or money on as its too far gone, so a quick jetwash and slap some £5.00 wax on and jobs a goodun. if i ever get round to spraying it, then some more expensive products will be used.