Inflicting swirls or love marks on paintwork can really take away from the appearance of your classic car. The biggest impact on paintwork is when the sun hits a panel you get an unsightly swirling affect. The build up of swirl marks affects how light bounces back from the panel so they appear much duller. And, swirl marks can also impact the overall value of your classic car.
It is not possible to wash a car without inflicting any swirl marks on some level. But what can be achieved through the use of the correct chemicals, correct use of dedicated tools and proper wash techniques is the chance of inflicting them.
Thats why I use the various wash stages outlined below, along with the various dedicated chemicals and tools which I have used for over 15 years now and most importantly my techniques and application.
The microfibre towels and wash mitts will only be allocated to your classic car. They will be used only for your clean and then correctly washed for their next use. I use an array of dedicated cloths for various tasks, some with long piles, some with short, some for glass and some for general use. Over the course of their life these cloths enter a tiered system and when I deem they are to be replaced they are sent for recycling and replaced in my kit.
Every classic car is different and some products will be tailored to suit your cars exact needs. But, the general processes are outlined below.
Exterior cleaning
- Initial rinse to remove loose dirt.
- Pre-wash applied to begin breaking down some of the embedded dirt.
- Snow foam application to carry away any loosened dirt and debris.
- A 3 bucket wash method is applied to minimise inflicting any swirls into the paintwork.
- Wheels are then cleaned through various wash mitts and brushes first.
- Paintwork is then cleaned using an array of tools and mitts through a top down process. Using 2 dedicated buckets to avoid contamination with the 3rd (separate) wheel bucket.
- Shampoo used is a dedicated car shampoo which is ph neutral and gloss enhancers free. To ensure it doesn't interfere with any existing sealants, waxes or ceramic coatings.
- A final rinse down to remove all suds.
- Towel dried as standard, or, a bolt on for touchless and heated blow dry can be utilised.
- Tyres are then dressed with a water based tyre dressing which can be left as applied to produce a glossy tyre shine, or, can be buffed back to bring out a matte/satin finish.
- Brightwork is polished where applicable.
- Exhausts are cleaned, polished and protected.
- Wheel Sealants are applied.
- Glass polish is applied to remove contaminants
- Glass sealant is applied to increase water repellency and increase visibility in the rain.
- Trim coatings are dressed where certain plastic trims are present
Depending on the exact service being undertaken on your car there may be additional stages.
- Iron fallout remover applied to chemically dissolve and help lift away any iron or fallout contamination from all surfaces.
- Tar and glue treatment to help chemically dissolve and soften any tar and glue spots before being wiped away technically.
- Clay bar treatment to pull out any remaining contaminants leaving the surface silky smooth and completing all mechanical contamination removal stages.
- IPA/Panel wipe is applied prior to waxing or ceramic coatings. This ensures the best possible bond between the coating and the paintwork for longevity.
- For Valet's an all in one polish and glaze will be applied providing protection for up to 3 months
- For Full Detail's either a sealant or wax will be applied providing protection for up to 9 months.
Engine bay cleaning
- Engine bay cleaner applied
- Agitated and brushed into the various crevices.
- Cleaner removed and engine bay dried.
- Engine bay dressing applied.
With classic cars the engine components and electrical components tend to be more fragile. Due to this I tend to detail this area without the pressure washer or hosepipe. I can achieve the same finish as I can on a modern day car through the use of chemicals and techniques.
Interior cleaning
- Interior fully hoovered
- Various brushed used to help agitate and remove any dust and dirt
- Floor matts cleaned using dedicated cleaners
- Seats cleaned using appropriate chemicals for fabric, alcantara, suede or leather
- Where leather cleaners are used a leather conditioner will also be applied to reduce the chance of the material drying out and as a preventative measure for leather cracking and providing UV protection
- Interior surfaces are cleaned with an all purpose cleaner.
- Interior surfaces are dressed where appropriate.
- Glass cleaners are applied.