Finally got around to detailing my '85 Jaguar XJS. I purchased the car just before winter (11/08), and then in the spring it went in for a custom exhaust system, so the first nice day I had it back I went to work! Initially I expected this to be a two day job, but I decided for the sake of time and my sanity to finish it in one day (nine hours). Started with a dish detergent wash, then very minimal claying of the paint as I expected to take the machine to the whole car anyway. Once I dried it and got it in the garage, I used a Flex DA polisher with a yellow Lake Country foam pad and Menzerna Super Intensive Polish on the hood, roof, and rear deck (horizontal panels). The paint really wasn't as bad as I expected, and since it's pretty much a "driver" car, I decided not to polish every single inch of it. I finished with a coat of Tropi-Care xP sealant, 303 protectant on the rubber bumpers and air dam, Tropi-Care carnauba over the metal trim pieces, Speedy Metal Polish on my new exhaust tips, Zaino All-In-One on the wheels, and Adam's VRT Dressing on the tires. I've also been cleaning and dressing the interior sporadically over the last week, planning on re-dying the leather in the near future. Questions, comments, criticism always welcome!

 

lookin great so far psu98.....some more pics closeup would be good too to realy show off the paintwork and maybe the interior?
Nice one

 

Well done you did a good job

 

Looking good.

Suggestion, now that you have lovingly cleaned and waxed your car use a liquid specifically formulated for washing cars, rather than dish detergent, as it won't strip off the wax's protective coating of the paint.

 

Hi Max,

I only use dish detergent to wash once per year, as that is what I'd intended to do -- strip off all the old product before applying the Tropi-Care sealant. For maintenance washes I prefer to use either Meguiar's Deep Crystal or Gold Class Car Washes.

 

I use dish detergrent to before I clay, cheaper than wax and adhesive stripper! Looks very good, do you know if that is the original paint!? If it is than that is really saying something about the care it has seen. Also good to see the wheel well arches are not chromed over which is usually to cover up rust. Great job on the deal and beautiful car

 

No, that is not the original paint. The previous owner supplied me with pictures taken of the cosmetic restoration from the body shop. The car had been owned by the same family since new until I purchased it.

 

i love it..

 

nice..youre taking good care of the car..But I suggest you try Plasticolor, it is recommended for daily driver cars..