Conference terri::cars_uk

It's called 'Mer' and is sold by a dodgy looking dude at Blackbushe market
on Sundays.

...Art

    
    I've got a 1979 Mini Clubman which unfortunately has to stand outside
    in all weathers. The paintwork suffers a great deal as a result of
    UVA/B and bird s*%t. However last November I purchased some "MER"
    polish. I must admit I was "sold" on how wonderful this stuff was BUT
    I must admit having treated my Mini to the preparation the car has
    never looked so good. It now shines and seems to be much easier to
    wash. I haven't tried it as yet on the H reg 405 Pug as the finish is
    already good. I suspect the stuff contains an element of "T CUT" so
    beware.
    
    Cheers...Norm 

    It's not supposed to remove paint but it does!!! It's like all these
    wonder teflon based polishes. I think for my money I would plumb for
    Auto Glym. I think the cost per gallon is much greater for auto glym
    , but I personally think the finish is better. Case of the old swings
    and roundabouts.
    
    
    Garry

    I find Simoniz II to be excellent as is Auto Glym car glass polish.
    
    Gary. 

    I use Autoglym on the Frogeye, and it's superb.
    
    Laurie.

    
    "MER" is sold at all markets I've ever been to as well as by mail order
     from well known motoring magazines. It's not cheap by any means but it
     is very good and does seal the paint from the weather etc so tar
     stains are easily removed. As for removing the paint I certainly don't
     get any colour of paint on the polish cloth as you would expect if it
     did contain any t-cut.
    
     Regards Martin

I have been using a fantastic car polish for the past 18 months called
Silicone Glaze. Its not available in normal retail outlets but if you 
mail me I will point you to the "DECcie" who can obtain it (ie "a man
who can").

It is not a conventional polish but a custom blend of cleaning and
polishing agents. It's special formulation of four silicone polymers and
wax provides a water repellent protective layer and raises a deep
long-lasting shine. It acts to gently lift out soil, albatross s**t,
grime and old polish. (90% of above text lifted from the bottle...) 

I recommend this product for those who want a smart looking car but don't 
want to spend every other weekend cleaning and polishing etc.

Ian

At last year's Stonar park classic car show (I was hoping to see
a Standard Ensign, but I didn't - but that's another story) I finally
succumbed and bought some.  For years, at every kit car show I went
to there'd be someone flogging this stuff.  I must say that it gives
you a very nice and long lasting shine.

Dave

    You mean you guys actually CLEAN your cars !!!???
    
    I always thought company cars were built to be cleaned by rain !  ;-)
    
    The only car of mine I cleaned regularly� was my Porsche.
    
    Tony (the wimp) Orchard
    
    
    �Regularly = more than twice a year (but then, black cars look best
    clean, red ones need dirt to prove they're company cars :-)

    I don't think any of this stuff can save the roof on my VW.
    
    It has a constant 'bloom'. Have used 'T-Cut' and Auto Glym products,
    but to no avail. Can anything work apart from a re-spray?
    Thanks,
    
    Tim$x

Excuse the ignorance, but what's "bloom"?

I've had a problem with the last 2 cars developing strange specks of corosion
on the roof and bonnet.... really made a mess of the paintwork, is this what
bloom is?

If not, does anyone know what could be causing this? it looks something like
a growth or fungus on the paintwork, but it won't was off. At first I suspected
Ford (everything else about that car was flakey) but now the same thing has
appeared on the Golf within 3 months of buying it!!!!

Does anyone have ideas?

Terry

>>Does anyone have ideas?
    
    Acid rain ?
    
    Lime ?
    
    You don't regularily pass, live or work near a concrete plant ? (and
    before anyone makes the obvious comment, I mean plant as in depot and
    not as in Dan Quale !)
    
    
    Shaun.

	Bird droppings can cause havock if left a few days, and so will sap
	from trees.

	Heather

    especially Plane trees, as common found lining the roads in many
    suburbs.

Well I could suspect the plants, only most of the damage was done back in 
march, when most self respecting plants didn't have much to offer...

No concrete plants that I know of, but the car does spend most of each
working day parked close to the sewage treatment works of rose kiln lane. 
Not REALLY close, but on the same premises. I have to admit that's my 
chief suspect. 

Not much I can do really, but I'd like to be able to stop it getting any
worse. On the fiesta, after 2 years you could see primer on the roof!!

Terry

    
    .10, Does your car have metallic paint ? I have heard tales of the
    metallic particles in the paint tarnishing, giving a scruffy, but still
    shiny, finish to the car. No amount of T-cutting will clear it as the
    paint is spoilt right down to the base.

    No, the paintwork is a wine red colour, but has tarnished so badly that
    T-Cut can't bring a good shine to it, and there is a white 'haze' in
    the paintwork.
    
    Regards,
    
    Tim

    Tim
    
    I think the only course of action here is a respray :-(
    
    The white haze is almost certainly primer. The T-Cut has removed the
    paint. Nowt like a bit of elbow grease.
    
    Dave 

    Hi Dave,
    
    Seems like someone in the past had some strong elbows....if the owner
    was a farmer, that'd explain it!
    
    Tim