(I have a confession)
Due to a build-up of tree sap that had accumulated on my car, I decided to try and remove it.
(I can feel you bristling already)
I had previously tried using the jet-wash but that had barely touched it. So I inquired with my neighbour, whose bonnet and roof appeared to be sap-free.
"You don't want to use a Brillo pad. My niece did that and made a right mess", he said. "What I usually do is get some really hot soapy water and use the rough scouring side of one of those green kitchen sponges", he added.
So, encouraged by his advice, I prepared a bucket of really hot soapy water and the rough scouring side of green kitchen sponge and began scrubbing away at my car.
(Let's just say, it certainly removed the tree sap!)
Half an hour later, my car started to dry, and my handiwork became apparent. Very apparent. The roof and bonnet were no longer festooned in sap but instead covered in vast swathes of lighter coloured paint where I had rubbed and scrubbed the sap (and a layer of paint) away.
(I know, I know, I'm stupid. But my neighbour said it worked for him!)
So I raced down to Halfords and bought a bottle of Auto-Glym "Paint Restorer" and "Super Resin Polish". These products seemed to be highly rated in most of the reviews I read. I went back home and applied the restorer and then finished off with the polish, as instructed.
Now this has certainly improved things, and it has brought the shine back but it the damage is still obvious.
What I'd like to know is, can I improve on this? If I apply further coats of polish, will the scratches eventually disappear or have I damaged it irreparably? Are there any other products I can apply or am I throwing good money after bad?
Due to a build-up of tree sap that had accumulated on my car, I decided to try and remove it.
(I can feel you bristling already)
I had previously tried using the jet-wash but that had barely touched it. So I inquired with my neighbour, whose bonnet and roof appeared to be sap-free.
"You don't want to use a Brillo pad. My niece did that and made a right mess", he said. "What I usually do is get some really hot soapy water and use the rough scouring side of one of those green kitchen sponges", he added.
So, encouraged by his advice, I prepared a bucket of really hot soapy water and the rough scouring side of green kitchen sponge and began scrubbing away at my car.
(Let's just say, it certainly removed the tree sap!)
Half an hour later, my car started to dry, and my handiwork became apparent. Very apparent. The roof and bonnet were no longer festooned in sap but instead covered in vast swathes of lighter coloured paint where I had rubbed and scrubbed the sap (and a layer of paint) away.
(I know, I know, I'm stupid. But my neighbour said it worked for him!)
So I raced down to Halfords and bought a bottle of Auto-Glym "Paint Restorer" and "Super Resin Polish". These products seemed to be highly rated in most of the reviews I read. I went back home and applied the restorer and then finished off with the polish, as instructed.
Now this has certainly improved things, and it has brought the shine back but it the damage is still obvious.
What I'd like to know is, can I improve on this? If I apply further coats of polish, will the scratches eventually disappear or have I damaged it irreparably? Are there any other products I can apply or am I throwing good money after bad?