The "Today I did something to my car" thread

gollywog

Took advantage of the sunshine and gave the car the most basic of washes possible! At the moment i just don't have the good stuff to use on her!
Will be investing in some washing stuff soon, what would you recommend to get?
I dont have time to spend hours on it, maybe an hour or two a week? Cheers!

http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b476/podgemasterson/Audi%20A4%20S%20LINE/IMAG0208.jpg

vectra

gollywog wrote: »

Took advantage of the sunshine and gave the car the most basic of washes possible! At the moment i just don't have the good stuff to use on her!
Will be investing in some washing stuff soon, what would you recommend to get?
I dont have time to spend hours on it, maybe an hour or two a week? Cheers!

http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b476/podgemasterson/Audi%20A4%20S%20LINE/IMAG0208.jpg[/IMG]

Nice looking car.

Personally if you are a bit on the lazy side and don't want to spend ages cleaning/waxing on a regular basis I would go with what I use on my car. ( white) apparently white/silver benefit from similar approaches.

steps

1) Wash & dry.

2) De-Tar.

3) Chemical Guys P40 cleaner polish

4) Wolf's Bodywrap

5) sit back for months and enjoy just washing it.

That was my system for the winter.

For now I am going to strip it back and re-do it with totally different products

gollywog

vectra wrote: »

Nice looking car.

Personally if you are a bit on the lazy side and don't want to spend ages cleaning/waxing on a regular basis I would go with what I use on my car. ( white) apparently white/silver benefit from similar approaches.

steps

1) Wash & dry.

2) De-Tar.

3) Chemical Guys P40 cleaner polish

4) Wolf's Bodywrap

5) sit back for months and enjoy just washing it.

That was my system for the winter.

For now I am going to strip it back and re-do it with totally different products

Cheers vectra
Yes thats the sort of info i wanted thanks!
Gonna look to see where i can get some of these products now.
I'll try get as much from cleancar.ie seeing as there an irish company half an hour down the road from me, but failing that anywhere will do
thanks again

vectra

gollywog wrote: »

Cheers vectra
Yes thats the sort of info i wanted thanks!
Gonna look to see where i can get some of these products now.
I'll try get as much from cleancar.ie seeing as there an irish company half an hour down the road from me, but failing that anywhere will do
thanks again

Yes,
I actually forgot Cleancar was your neighbour.

That is where I got my P40 from.
Here is what i would suggest for you to start off with,
I also used this with fantastic results.

As above
1) wash/dry
2) de-tar
3) Some say Clay at this point which IS of benefit BUT
I skipped step 3 as my car was new and with the CG P40 it really is a cleaning polish so does a vety similar job in prepping your paint.
Next up I used CG Blitz. >>> Brilliant stuff and easy as pie to use.

Larry will look after you there with those.
You can top up with the Blitz after each ( weekly wash) for 2 or 3 weeks. Then it should last a long time for you. When it appears to dull a little just a wash and quick coat ( approx 15 mins ) of Blitz will shine it up again.

Sham Courtney

Bought these yesterday. Will get them refurbish soon and maybe paint them black or some other colour or diamond cut finish (possible with these?).

http://i849.photobucket.com/albums/ab60/davidktk/IMAG0190-3.jpg
http://i849.photobucket.com/albums/ab60/davidktk/IMAG0196-1.jpg

JerCotter7

Put in my heated seats today but since the switch is running to a relay and can't sense any draw from the heating pads it switches itself off. I must put a resistor between them soon to get them working. Ignore the mess.


And 2 more images of the interior.



The wires hanging out to the right of the heated seat switch are connected to a mediabridge 1500. I will make a proper connector for them soon. Like this one.

L-M

Lads, the pictures are way too big, please resize them in future.

JerCotter7

Limerick man wrote: »

Lads, the pictures are way too big, please resize them in future.

Think that might be to do with your resolution. They fit on my screen perfectly?

gollywog

Limerick man wrote: »

Lads, the pictures are way too big, please resize them in future.

Sorry.
How do you do that LM?

L-M

JerCotter7 wrote: »

Think that might be to do with your resolution. They fit on my screen perfectly?

gollywog wrote: »

Sorry.
How do you do that LM?

Possibly.



Will people "thank" this post if it fits fine, or give out if it doesn't

dar83

It's slightly wide maybe, but seems to be ok in general. (I'm on my work laptop so the res is lower than on my own Laptop, which I imagine would show that image as fine).

Just to possibly add to the oversized pics, spent some time yesterday with my lady, got her looking quite nice and shiny...

Jemmy

dar83 wrote: »

Just to possibly add to the oversized pics, spent some time yesterday with my lady, got her looking quite nice and shiny...

Half decent effort I suppose :P

Fiona

Picture is a bit wide for me as well but nothing that I would get upset over, it's grand on my phone as well.

Sham Courtney

Limerick man wrote: »

Lads, the pictures are way too big, please resize them in future.

I can see them grand. No problem at work, at home or on my mobile. :cool:

Mr Simpson

Pictures a bit wide LM, nothing major though. I can see the other photos fine, dunno if they've been resized already.

ongarite

mmcn90 wrote: »

Pictures a bit wide LM, nothing major though. I can see the other photos fine, dunno if they've been resized already.

If you upload your pics to imgur, you can use their built-in resize function to make them fit here better.

MetzgerMeister

I find the best size for images here is 640x480. Any online uploader gives you the function to resize images.

antodeco

So after 18 months, I have my "project" mini running and driving!

Replaced the bypass hose, fixed the radiator, realigned the Carb and cleaned all the electric points. Just need to fix a leak in the fuel line and all should be good!

Owen

To be fair, I'm running a 30" 2550x1600 desktop here, and I've my browser reasonably large on screen, and the test image above still has me scrolling horizontally - I can only imagine how crap it'd be on my tablet.

800x600 should be the max for photos.

L-M

Ok, half and half lads.

We'll try stick to having them around the 800*600 mark, anyone who posts over this, i'll edit them to links.

Repeat offenders will be shown the shoe :pac:

Gary ITR

Limerick man wrote: »

Repeat offenders will be shown the shoe :pac:

Better not be my fcuking shoe :mad:

Drummerboy08

Jemmy wrote: »

Half decent effort I suppose :P

Says the one who washes her car every 6 months!

166man

antodeco wrote: »

So after 18 months, I have my "project" mini running and driving!

Replaced the bypass hose, fixed the radiator, realigned the Carb and cleaned all the electric points. Just need to fix a leak in the fuel line and all should be good, oh and tax the shaggin thing!

FYP :pac:






Seriously nice motor though..:)

antodeco

166man wrote: »

antodeco wrote: »

So after 18 months, I have my "project" mini running and driving!

Replaced the bypass hose, fixed the radiator, realigned the Carb and cleaned all the electric points. Just need to fix a leak in the fuel line and all should be good, oh and tax the shaggin thing!

FYP :pac:





[SIZE="1"]
Seriously nice motor though..:)[/SIZE]

No point taxing it if it's been off the road the past 18 months

vectra

Limerick man wrote: »

Ok, half and half lads.

We'll try stick to having them around the 800*600 mark, anyone who posts over this, i'll edit them to links.

Repeat offenders will be shown the shoe :pac:

I always thought it was 800 max size?

L-M

vectra wrote: »

I always thought it was 800 max size?

That's over in the photo thread AFAik.

But 800 is perfect for everyone. if people want to put up 800's and then a link to the other one, fair enough!

MetzgerMeister

I went at the bonnet again this evening with the D/A to see if I could get out more scratches. It was all in vain to a certain extent and I'm now thinking that the bonnet was resprayed before and they are "keying" marks under the paint.

Good thing I was getting it resprayed anyway!

166man

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

I went at the bonnet again this evening with the D/A to see if I could get out more scratches. It was all in vain to a certain extent and I'm now thinking that the bonnet was resprayed before and they are "keying" marks under the paint.

Good thing I was getting it resprayed anyway!

Just out of interest, what would a respray set you back MM?

MetzgerMeister

Well me being me, I want a proper job done so I'm guessing in the region of €400-500. I'm not sure though, haven't even priced it yet.

L-M

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

Well me being me, I want a proper job done so I'm guessing in the region of €400-500. I'm not sure though, haven't even priced it yet.

For a black bonnet?

Me arse! You'd spray the whole front for that, lol.

Drummerboy08

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

Well me being me, I want a proper job done so I'm guessing in the region of €400-500. I'm not sure though, haven't even priced it yet.

Dont think it would be that much, but I'd say a decent job would cost in the region of 300/350 tops.

Drummerboy08

Limerick man wrote: »

For a black bonnet?

Me arse! You'd spray the whole front for that, lol.

Yeah, but you're thinking in Limerick Man money!

MetzgerMeister

Like I said, I haven't priced it but I kept 500 in my head as a guide. Anything less would have been a bonus

Alanstrainor

Just spent ages detaring my wheels, still not done, kind of just gave up. Going to give the whole thing a proper wash tomorrow provided this nice weather holds up.

MetzgerMeister

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Just spent ages detaring my wheels, still not done, kind of just gave up. Going to give the whole thing a proper wash tomorrow provided this nice weather holds up.

What are you using?

TestTransmission

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

Well me being me, I want a proper job done so I'm guessing in the region of €400-500. I'm not sure though, haven't even priced it yet.

Just go get yourself some CF wrap off eBay and be done with it.Ardennes would easily oblige

MetzgerMeister

TestTransmission wrote: »

Just go get yourself some CF wrap off eBay and be done with it.Ardennes would easily oblige

Hah you must think I'm not me at all :pac:

Alanstrainor

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

What are you using?

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_844079_langId_-1_categoryId_212371

Not impressed with it at all. Waste of time. What do you recommend?

L-M

Alanstrainor wrote: »

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_844079_langId_-1_categoryId_212371

Not impressed with it at all. Waste of time. What do you recommend?

Use petrol in a spray can.

TestTransmission

Alanstrainor wrote: »

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_844079_langId_-1_categoryId_212371

Not impressed with it at all. Waste of time. What do you recommend?

Paraffin works well.

MetzgerMeister

Alanstrainor wrote: »

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_844079_langId_-1_categoryId_212371

Not impressed with it at all. Waste of time. What do you recommend?

Ah lad, you may aswell have bought a tub of Avonmore fresh cream!!

What I use on wheels when they're off the car is Holts Tar remover. It sprays on as a gel and gets to work straight away. Be warned though, it's fairly messy and you will need to clean your wheels well afterwards.

It makes tar removal 10 times easier than anything else I've tried on alloys but I've changed to Orchard Tar Cleanse for the body.

MuppetCheck

Alanstrainor wrote: »

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_844079_langId_-1_categoryId_212371

Not impressed with it at all. Waste of time. What do you recommend?

Use Tardis. Cleancar.ie are doing it in a small spray bottle for €6. Literally melts off in front of your eyes.

vectra

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Just spent ages detaring my wheels, still not done, kind of just gave up. Going to give the whole thing a proper wash tomorrow provided this nice weather holds up.

Slowest job of the lot.

Often spent 4~5 hours doing my wheels

Alanstrainor

vectra wrote: »

Slowest job of the lot.

Often spent 4~5 hours doing my wheels

All the wheels were pretty bad, ah sure I wasn't doing anything else so gave it a go. Front wheels are a pain though, covered in the stuff, the rears came up well enough. Have to give it a go tomorrow again!

Cheers for all the suggestions, gonna have to go and spend more hard earned cash:D

sean1141

painted my calipers.
before

during

after


how to guide
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056647260

eringobragh

Just the sides left to do as the difficult part the the rest should be easy...engine cover and sides have some heavy clearcoar scratchings. Probably have to revisit
parts here and there but delighted with the difference..my mate asked did I get the bumper sprayed!

Panels clayed and DA'ed with Menzerna PF2500 PO203S

General

BEFORE:





AFTER:

---

More!

BEFORE:



AFTER:

---

Centre panel:

BEFORE:



AFTER:

---

BEFORE:



AFTER:

---

END RESULTS:







Needs a good wash believe it or not!








Enjoy

166man

Disappointed with the lack of a beading photo Erin... I'd say the beading is fair unreal laaaaaaaaaaadddddd...:pac:














Amazing work though!

MetzgerMeister

Make sure you get tar remover and meguiars metal polish at those exhaust tips!

I'm having a bit of trouble getting scratches off mine at the moment. I started round 2 this evening and Im thinking menzerna is due into the mix.

eringobragh

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

Make sure you get tar remover and meguiars metal polish at those exhaust tips!

I'm having a bit of trouble getting scratches off mine at the moment. I started round 2 this evening and Im thinking menzerna is due into the mix.

Do you moonlight as a meguiars salesman :pac:

I shined up the exhaust before with coke and tinfoil...it was a fair improvement...it shall be done as finishing touches :cool:

E39MSport

Finally got the bonnet done á la Stewie's Bora post on DW. I took the kidneys off almost as soon as I got it.

Some shnaps: -

- build up the paint (bit sloppy)



- 3M finesse it stick with 9 micron sanding paper


- post sanding. Started to get worried here


- measles. Looks terrible. Very worried.




- DA with Sonus 1. Phew.






- on with the Svisswax


- new Roundel and back on with the decco's




- cleaned the carpets too. APC heaven. Had already cleaned and nourished the leather.








As per the 'keep her or the 8' chat, this machine is going on the market. In good shape both body and mechanics.

Bonnet came up very well I think.

edit: - Just to mention, I used Sonus 1 through 4 then the wax.

edit2: - I'd question the quality of the paint from paints4u.com Didn't seem to match perfectly but it might be down to the clearcoat delete.