SAAB 900 (1979-1994) Special Editions

orca · Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 11:29 am Post subject: Cluster's Last Stand!

This is a copy and paste from the original at Clean Your Car forums - dated 12/04/2009:

Why didn't I do this years ago? I've read about you machine polisher guys buzzing over the lamp clusters and thought, "one day ... when I buy a polisher, I'll do that".

Being a "by hand" kind of guy my use of polishes has largely been restricted to Autoglym SRP and the occasional use of a more abrasive polish for dealing with isolated scratches and blemishes. I must confess, I'd always been a little scared of hand polishing a car with compounds and thinking about it, it's probably down to my earlier experiences with T-Cut and Autoglym Paint Renovator, the latter a product which I still use on occasion, but with great care.

Well, our pal John1970 sent me a couple of little bottles of the Autosmart Evo and Evo Fine polishes which I have been using to great effect recently in a newfound love of hand polishing. Blimey! These modern polishes are easy to use and do exactly what you think they'd do with great efficiency leaving surfaces that do not need much finessing. Cheers John! You've given me a whole new aspect to this hobby and a big old grin on my face Very Happy

I used the Autosmart Evo polish on my white car the other week when that section of roofing hit my white car and really cleaned up the finish on our black car yesterday with Autosmart Evo Fine.

'nuff rambling ... today, I thought I'd tackle the light clusters. Yes, why didn't I do this years ago?

So amazed, I popped in to get my camera and take an after shot:

http://www.pjgh.co.uk/gallery_albums/swd2009/DSCF0742.jpg

... now, onto the other side with before and after pictures:

http://www.pjgh.co.uk/gallery_albums/swd2009/DSCF0745.jpg
Above: Before

http://www.pjgh.co.uk/gallery_albums/swd2009/DSCF0746.jpg
Above: Top half of that middle cluster done

http://www.pjgh.co.uk/gallery_albums/swd2009/DSCF0747.jpg
Above: Bottom half of that middle cluster done

... and a couple of glamour shots, just for fun Cool

http://www.pjgh.co.uk/gallery_albums/swd2009/DSCF0751.jpg

http://www.pjgh.co.uk/gallery_albums/swd2009/DSCF0757.jpg

I also tackled the sunroof spoiler/sunblind:

http://www.pjgh.co.uk/gallery_albums/swd2009/DSCF0758.jpg

If you look carefully, you can see the double shadow of the street lamp as it reflects up from the paint beneath Cool

Yes, I haz skillz Twisted Evil

To say I am really pleased would be an understatement. I am chuffed to bits! As I said, my hesitancy has been entirely down to a lack of confidence in the efficiency of hand polishing. Now I know better, I can happily encourage all to have a go at this job - it's very pleasing indeed.