We went on cleaning our Jaguar, this time devoting more attention to the interior. We first decided to have a go at the seats, which were covered with a coat of fine gray dust. We also did some detail cleaning of the beautiful dashboard and fittings… and we also had a cautious look at the engine. Just look further at the photos…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

We first wiped off the fine dust off the leather with a damp cloth, removing the encrusted dust particles in the seams and pleats with a… firm pork haired art painting brush. Nourishing the leather is the most important part for the time being, as the leather has hardened over the years. Only the drivers’ seat shows some wear where the colour of the leather has worn off, the other front seat and also the beautifully shaped back seat are in reasonably good condition. So taking care of them is certainly worthwhile.

So we cleaned and nourished the leather, being fully aware that the seats need another nourishing treatment within a few weeks. The leather reconditioner we used made the leather actually shine quite nicely, and, as the photos show, we were very pleased with our work so far. We detailed also the dashboard switches and fittings with a softer art brush, getting the dust out of all the seams and little crevices.

The row of switches on the center of the dashboard got the same attention, and again we learned that the criticism of the press in the sixties « about the endless row of switches which looked confusingly the same » is hardly warranted. Below each switch one finds its function neatly written in good English. So one has only to be able to read, and understand the language of the Commonwealth. But, honestly, which Jaguar owner does not?

Shining engine.

Some 30 years ago, the engine had been fully reconditioned by Forward Engineering, the firm which also specialised in tuning XK racing engines for the Lister Jaguars and D Type Jaguars in historic racing. Opening the bonnet, we found the engine still very clean and shining, looking very much as being ready to go. But we think that after this long winter sleep, we are well advised to be quite cautious here…

Next week, Alex De Ridder himself will collect the car and bring it to his premises, Garage Dolf De Ridder in Beveren/Haasrode. Before that, we will also clean the chromium of the Jag… this time with a product from the Meguiar’s range, NXT Generation All Metal Polish, which we bought at the premises of Meguiar’s Belgium, which we visited today. A report about this visit at Meguiar’s, their product range  and the very interesting interview we had with exclusive importer for Belgium Sven Verhaeren will follow soon ! 

The The chromium parts needed attention, and so we went to work...

By the way, we also bought some other products, like the engine dressing we talked about for the BMW, and the convertible and cabriolet cleaner and also the convertible and cabriolet waterproofer, which we will use on our faithful Suzuki Samurai and a black New Beetle Cabrio, both cars which are in my holiday house in France. It will be a pleasant reunion with these cars, and indeed, they deserve some very caring attention…

The The final result of our cleaning and chromium polishing work with the Meguiar’s NXT Generation All Metal Polish is nothing short of astonishing...

Read more soon in this column !

Hans Knol ten Bensel