Guys,

I need to prepare a British racing green 9yr old jag s-type for my wedding next month, and my experience ends at cleaning, and a bit of waxing!

I have at my disposal Meguiars car soap, Meguiars quik clay bar kit (bought recently and still in the box!), Autogylm polish and tutle wax!

The jag, although looked after well, hasn't been detailed, and to be honest, i dont think it has ever been really polished :S

Do i need to invest in a Kestrel DAS6 DA Polisher (for example) and some snow foam...?

Cheers
Tom

PS: As of next week it will be in my posession and i'll be driving it daily, so can get some pictures up!

 

Depends how bad the paintwork is mate...but I'd at least was it and clay it.. Polish and then wax... Then see how it looks..

Get some pics up lets take a look and I can better advise

 

Thanks for your reply Matt, I'll take some pictures when i get the keys next week.

I dont think its too bad in my book, but a detailer may well think otherwise!!!

I know it has some light scratches (from un-cut hedges on narrow lanes mainly) i need to work on, but we'll see what you make of the pictures next week...

Cheers
Tom

 

No probs mate.

 

Its bound to have its marks/swirls etc etc being 9 yrs old and not having much love .
If your up for polishing via machine instead of hand then do a little research before diving in .

Op are you in Essex ? seem to recall ur username saying essex . If you are and need some help let me know , i have access to a good unit/products etc or i can travel to you i dont mind.

I would also suggest using a glaze it will hide minor imperfections(not permanant), easy to use and remove and will simply look stunning . Think of it as polish but with no abbrassives . Glazing gives great results and can be applied via machine or hand. Applying by machine would be a good way to get to used to handling the machine and you dont have the extra work load polishing creates practially and mentally . A very simple application .
I actually enjoy glazing by hand sometimes, the time difference isnt alot against machine glazing ime.

hth

Mike

 

Hi Mike,

Essex, no sleepy Somerset chap, but i really appreciate the gesture!

I'm going to go reading now about glazing now, as that does sound useful.

I've read a thread on here about machine polishers, and the DA was recommended as being good for the money, but i wont buy anything at this stage - lets get some pictures first and see what we're dealing with, as if i can avoid buying one then all the better.

Cheers
Tom

 

Detailers will use lighting to 'find' defects etc but that is needed when paint correction is on the cards. My guess is at best it,ll need jewling if not more but dont let this put you off. Glazing is great and serves many purposes . It should be more than enough on the day and lets face it its the bride at centre of attention haha...... Somerset is a bit far but i do travel to North Devon and cornwall and hopefully going in the near future.
If i can pass through i,ll pm you mate.
It all depends how far you want to go but i,m positive you can get her gleaming and fit for the wedding day without going totally mad.
Glazing then adding your final product will create a slick vibrant finish , also the quick detailer products will help you out on the day

 

I'll be propping a bar up in the morning, not polishing the car! lol

Joking aside, I appreciate all the advise Mike - thank you

Cheers
Tom

 

lol of course haha ....Qd is seconds only of your time to get it tip top etc only a simple job on an already clean car hence the name

 

Apologies for the complete lack of recent input, for anyone who has organised a wedding, or worse still, organised one in a marquee on your own land, you'll know just how much there is to do, and i got to spend a massive 2hrs on the jag and take a couple of average picture on my s3.

The paint work was worse than i thought, and the amount of scratches from the narrow lanes and uncut hedges was shocking. Like home work from school days, i wish i started the car weeks before!

After a good wash and a t-cut the bonnet looked much better, but by the time i'd washed and waxed it again in the right light it still looked pap!

It really needs some proper correction, with a machine polisher as the swirl marks from years of mechanical car washes has left its toll!

Thank you to all everyone who commented - if it didn't help me this time, it will next, and i'll get some pictures just for the crack too.

PS sod having a manual v6 s-type - thirsty slow and drove like the qe2!

PPS Wedding went perfectly!

Tom