Hi all,

 

Has anyone used t-cut over the whole car?

I was under the impression that it was just for swirl marks or light scratchs, but im told it can be used all over like a polish to bring it back to shine?

 

Has anyone done this?

 

Thanks

I used it on an old Volvo and it worked a treat...

Yes it's great, brings back the original colour :)

No, T-Cut is a mild cutting compound and quite hard work to use. I don't envy you in the slightest doing your car.

 

You do need to polish the car afterwoods to seal the paint.

well - my car is'nt that bad, just a bit dull and in need of a polish in places and i thought if i t-cut it it would do the job..was just worried it may be a bit harsh to use all over the car - dont want it to look worse than it did when i started!

 

thankks for your replies chaps.

Yes it's great, brings back the original colour :)

 

so you think its ok to use all over mate?

Do it bud, I always used to t-cut my cars once a year to bring back the colour and shine, wicked stuff.

If it's not badly faided, then I wouldn't bother with T-Cut. Get some Meguiars on there. Much easier to use and you'll get far better results.

 

Then again, I'd not use T-Cut at all anyway. There are far better products on the market than T-Cut. It's not bad, I just wouldn't bother with it.

This might help you, pepare for some long reading:

 

Many, many people confuse wax with polish and the 2 perform completely different functions - a POLISH is in short an abrasive, which will either 1) remove old, “dead” paint, revealing fresh paint beneath or 2) fill in scratches and swirl marks/holograms using a combination of oils and chemicals to fill the scratch and also to round off the edges, muting the defect’s appearance.

 

WAX is a generic term, and can refer to both carnauba and synthetic waxes. These products are usually non-abrasive and do not clean your paint, they simply protect it against the elements.

 

To confuse you further still, there are also “glazes” and “cleaner waxes” – more on this in a sec….

 

POLISHING

 

As most people opt for hand polishing (and let’s face it, nowt beats a good hand job..), I’ll concentrate on how to achieve the best results using easy to obtain products and simple to learn methods. I’ve provided an appendix later on listing the right products for the job)

 

There are 2 absolute rules to remember here so pay attention 007.

 

1. ALWAYS start with the least aggressive product – remember, you can always remove more paint, but

once it’s gone, it’s gone and you can’t replace it without repainting.

 

2. 99% technique, 1% product – if you simply slap an expensive product onto the car without any real

knowledge, you’ll achieve very little improvement. Prepare the paint properly and concentrate on your

technique – this will give you the right results!

 

”it’s not what you’ve got, it’s the way that you use it” (been my excuse for years now)

 

Firstly, you need to know how to evaluate your paint and determine what the problem is, otherwise you’ll spend a lot of blood & sweat for nothing – not to mention your other half’s tears when you’re spending a lot of time in the garage engaging in rapid hand movements!

 

You also need the right tools for the job – I’d suggest a few microfibre towels & applicators and some foam applicators.

 

Here’s how to determine what the problem is and the best route to rectify it.

 

Oxidisation – this is caused usually by exposure to sunlight and extreme conditions. Most modern paint finishes have UV blockers built in to minimize the effects of exposure to the elements, but older paints tend not to.

 

Features – colour fading, spots appearing, milkiness to paintwork

 

Remedy – the dead paint on the surface needs to be removed and the fresh paint beneath. Use a mild polish initially such as Poorboys Professional Polish or Meguiars Deep Crystal Stage 1.

 

(You can use either a foam or microfibre applicator for applying the polish. I find that the microfibre ones work better as they’re slightly more aggressive and give the product a bit more bite).

 

ALWAYS follow the product instructions – you’ll usually need to use a bit of elbow grease to work the polish into the paint and remove the defect. Remove with the microfibre towel and then protect with wax or sealant.

 

Swirl Marks – look at your car in either direct sunlight (you know, that bright, hot thing which occasionally appears in the sky over here…) or use a halogen worklight – you’ll see lots of tiny circular scratches. These are caused by either 1) car washes (think nylon bristles rotating around and around on your paint), 2) incorrect use of a buffer (think apprentice with a big heavy rotary mop) or 3) poor washing techniques (think you, grubby yellow sponge etc etc…..)

 

If swirls are mechanically present (i.e. buffer or carwash) then it’s unlikely you can remove them by hand and I’d usually suggest you find a friendly and professional valeter who will machine polish your car – TIP; always use someone recommended by a friend as there are a few bad valeters out there!

 

Features – tiny scratches usually only visible in bright sunlight or artificial lighting. Appearance is similar to cobwebs or long swirly scratches/scuffs.

 

Remedy – the swirl either needs to be removed (usually buffer only) or filled in. to achieve this, you need to use a product that will fill the swirl and also round off the edges to stop light reflecting and enhancing the defect. Again, use a mild polish specifically for swirl marks, such as Meguiars Scratch.

 

Scratches – can come from a variety of sources really! Poor parking (by you or the idiot who thought a Discovery would fit in that space next to you…), psychotic ex and a key and so on – the list is endless.

 

Features – errr, how long have you got?! Can be anything from a small scuff to a deep scratch.

 

Remedy – firstly, rub the scratch with your fingernail. If you can feel it, then even machine polishing may not remove and you need to look at wetsanding or repainting. If not, then you may be able to do something to improve matters. Start by cleaning as much of the area as you can – use paint cleaning clay, tar remover even meths to clean up the scratch as in many cases whatever had contact with the paint will leave residue on the paint, making the damage appear a lot worse.

 

Use any of the products previously listed to remove as much of the scratch as you can.

 

WAXING

 

Now that you hopefully have paintwork mintier than a Polo (come on, this is a long guide!), you need to protect it. Polishing will improve your paint and remove/hide defects but it won’t protect so you need either a wax or sealant – or both if you’re a bit strange and obsessive like me.

 

Firstly wax – when I say “wax”, I’m talking about paste waxes in tins/tubs and made from carnauba. This is a natural wax (grows on trees, dunnit?!) and is refined from its natural state (solid and dense) to a workable paste form, using in most cases a variety of chemicals and solvents to soften it.

 

The general thinking is that the higher carnauba content, the greater protection the wax will offer – there’s a Zymol/Swissol school of thought which I don’t (and won’t) subscribe to, which tells you all about how their waxes contain “natural” ingredients – Jeez, I want to wax my car with the stuff, not serve it as part of a 5 course dinner!!!! I’d suggest you Google your way to either company to read more – just please, please don’t get taken in!

 

Examples of good carnauba waxes include P21S, Pinnacle Signature & Souveran (the most expensive I’ve bought at around £40 a tub but well worth it), Poorboys Nattys & Collinite (the latter being the exception to the durability rule – this stuff lasts for bloody ever!)

 

Apply using a foam applicator pad and remove with a microfibre towel. A good tip is to have a spray bottle filled with distilled water handy. If your wax goes streaky, simply spritz and wipe. If you want to get a bit silly, chill the distilled water in the fridge – gives an even deeper shine!

 

In my experience, MOST carnauba waxes simply add a bit of bling to your paint and some protection – most last maybe 8 weeks and then they’re finished, which is where synthetic sealants come in…..

 

Basically, these are manufactured waxes – no natural ingredients and usually created by a bunch of clever blokes in white coats in a secret underground laboratory guarded by Page 3 Girls wearing Nurses’ uni……..hang on, getting a bit carried away (that’s what sniffing wax does to you)

 

They are manufactured to provide much longer lasting protection for your paintwork and can be both acrylic or polymer based. There’s a lot of fancy science involved here (and maybe a few Page 3 Girls….s*it, off I go again, sorry) which I don’t claim to understand but virtually all of these products will last 6 months plus. Some of them also use chemical cleaners to remove/reduce defects and also protect and I class these as cleaner waxes (clever, innit?!)

 

Examples of pure sealants are Poorboys EX-P, Menzerna FMJ, Wolfgang, Zaino Bros

 

Examples of cleaner waxes are Autoglym Super Resin & Klasse All In One/Carlack 68. you can then add a pure sealant on top – Autoglym Extra Gloss or Klasse Sealant Glaze – in layers to build up ever more protection

 

In terms of application, simply use a foam applicator and wipe the sealant on, again following instructions. The main rule here is keep it thin – thick coats are a bugger to remove and have never been proven to add any durability, if anything you’re just wasting money and effort!

 

Some sealants work a panel at a time, others half or whole car. Some work in sunshine but generally most are better applied out of direct sunlight. Wipe with a microfibre towel and you’re done.

 

You CAN use both to give you both durability and looks – simply apply your synthetic sealant first, buff off and then apply a wax over the top. Klasse All in One with a couple of layers of Sealant Glaze and a couple of coats of P21S works really nicely and will stay looking good too.

 

If you car’s a second car and usually garaged, then you don’t need to worry so much about sealing as you can concentrate on looks alone and that’s where glazes come into their own…

 

A glaze is, to me, a VERY mild polish and usually very rich in oils which give gloss & depth to your paint. It will not remove defects but will hide anything minor. If used after polishing, it will add a huge amount of glossiness and reflection to the paint. Waxing simply enhances this.

 

Paint Cleaners also fall into the same category – again, mild chemical cleaners that can be used as a final step during polishing, prior to sealing/waxing. I don’t use these that often as they tend to be used more by the concours brigade.

 

Glazing is painfully easy – my easy favourite is Clearkote Vanilla Moose Wax hand Glaze (can be applied by hand or machine) that can be applied via a microfibre pad and buffed with a microfibre towel in minutes.

 

So there you go, a brief guide to perfect paintwork!

 

I’d emphasise that perfecting my technique has taken some years and lots of reading and experimenting. This is NOT something you’ll learn overnight and it should really come with a Health Warning as it can get unhealthily obsessive (as anyone who’s seen my 205 will probably agree….)

 

Here’s an appendix of what’s what to help you.

 

POLISHES

 

Poorboys Professional Polish & Super Swirl Remover range*

Meguiars Deep Crystal Stage 1 & Professional range*

Menzerna Intensive/Final & PO85RD

Optimum polish/compound

 

WAXES

 

P21S

Poorboys Nattys/Nattys Blue

Pinnacle Signature/Souveran

Collinite (various)

 

CLEANER WAXES

 

Autoglym Super Resin

Klasse All in One

Carlack 68

Poorboys Polish with Carnauba

Meguiars Gold Class/NXT** & pro range

 

GLAZES & PAINT CLEANERS

 

Clearkote Vanilla Moose Wax Hand Glaze

P21S Gloss Enhancing Paint Cleaner

Meguiars Deep Crystal Stage 2

 

* Most “professional” ranges are better suited to machine application including the SSR line-up

** NXT & Gold Class both have very mild cleaners present

so you think its ok to use all over mate?

 

 

I use it regularly...even on my car...LOL

WOW - thanks Amazon! prob still just use the t-cut, but some nice tips in there!

Thanks for the posts chaps, really appreciated.

I use it regularly...even on my car...LOL

 

:rofl:

I agree with FunkySi personally. T-cut takes a layer off the top (ie oxidation or whatever but also paint). I'd avoid it unless its specifically needed.

dear o dear - so many views....so if im not going to use t-cut - what can i get off the shelf that works like t-cut ie. shines and removes light scratches but thats not as harsh?

It depends what you mean by "T-Cut" too?

 

It used to be a particular product that removed (cut) the top layer of the paint.

 

Now it is just a brand name used on a whole range of 'polishing' products.

WOW - thanks Amazon! prob still just use the t-cut, but some nice tips in there!

Thanks for the posts chaps, really appreciated.

 

That's propper detailing technique and will take you about 7 - 10 hours to do properly if you have all the gear.

If your paint is looking faded then just polishing it won't do much apart from make it look faded but shiney LOL

T-Cut is designed to take off a micro fine layer of oxidised paint and bring it back to the original colour.

 

I don't think anyone is recommending using it every day but I used T-Cut Metallic on my silver Z when I first bought it and it changed it from a dull bronzey colour to absolutely gleaming silver and on my rather grey faded boat it brought it up glossy and black as night :)

 

Maybe there are better products about but it's cheap and does what it says on the tin... bottle :tongue:

If your paint is looking faded then just polishing it won't do much apart from make it look faded but shiney LOL

T-Cut is designed to take off a micro fine layer of oxidised paint and bring it back to the original colour.

 

I don't think anyone is recommending using it every day but I used T-Cut Metallic on my silver Z when I first bought it and it changed it from a dull bronzey colour to absolutely gleaming silver and on my rather grey faded boat it brought it up glossy and black as night :)

 

Maybe there are better products about but it's cheap and does what it says on the tin... bottle :tongue:

 

 

Yeah - i think i will give it a go - the stuff i have is the -T-CUT The original Paint Restorer - thats what it says on the bottle anyway.

Yeah - i think i will give it a go - the stuff i have is the -T-CUT The original Paint Restorer - thats what it says on the bottle anyway.

 

Presume you've got a standard colour Z then - eg. red, black (the COMMON colours) :rofl:

 

If it's a metallic then you need the metallic version which is a bit milder as it's only treating the clear lacquer top coat.

Presume you've got a standard colour Z then - eg. red, black (the COMMON colours) :rofl:

 

If it's a metallic then you need the metallic version which is a bit milder as it's only treating the clear lacquer top coat.

 

 

Yeah i thought it was the metallic actually but its the standard black.

I did a whole car with T-Cut a few years ago (my old Metro lol).

 

It made a massive, massive improvement.

 

Before the paint was faded and had lots of marks.

 

After it was much brighter - back to the original colour and most of the marks had disappeared or were less noticable.

 

I'd do it again if I had a car that looked a bit faded.

Amazons excellent guide is surely worthy of a 'sticky' post maybe in an 'how to' section.

Thanks for taking time out to share your obvious expertise in this area, I myself will act upon your advice and I thank you for that!

 

 

GaiJin

t cut is a pig to polish off its the worst part of using it, I eventually gave up polishing off the t cut and used a cheap wax to remove the t cut and a good wax after on top of it.

Amazons excellent guide is surely worthy of a 'sticky' post maybe in an 'how to' section.

Thanks for taking time out to share your obvious expertise in this area, I myself will act upon your advice and I thank you for that!

 

 

GaiJin

 

be noce to credit where it was lifted though ;) http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=Many%2C+many+people+confuse+wax+with+polish+and+the+2+perform+completely+different+functions+-+a+POLISH+is+in+short+an+abrasive%2C+which+will+either+1%29+remove+old%2C+%E2%80%9Cdead%E2%80%9D+paint%2C+revealing+fresh+paint+beneath+or+2%29+fill+in+scratches+and+swirl+marks%2Fholograms+using+a+combination+of+oils+and+chemicals+to+fill+the+scratch+and+also+to+round+off+the+edges%2C+muting+the+defect%E2%80%99s+appearance.&btnG=Google+Search&meta=

I agree with FunkySi personally. T-cut takes a layer off the top (ie oxidation or whatever but also paint). I'd avoid it unless its specifically needed.

 

Ditto - I would only use on dull, faded or oxidised paint to bring back the shine.

 

It's very hard work as well!

 

Personally if you have just a few swirls or scratches use T-cut on those areas. Use a colour coded polish (eg Turtle Wax Colour Magic) over the whole car. This masks slight imperfections rather than removes them but it also protects the paint as well.

 

If you're feeling particularly energetic use a top coat sealer afterwards to seal in the shine.

 

Even doing the whole car twice with those will be less effort than T-cut.

 

Richard :cool:

Again - excellent replies guys - actually ive just checked my vin plate and it is colour 732! so back to halfords to change my colour pens - and swap the 'normal' t-cut for metallic t-cut!