Today I did some detailing...

JAMES VTI S

If it is chrome id try #414**/422**/429** Cleaning /Polishing wheels with #421 polishing compound.



Start very lightly and work up.

vectra

Not today but over a couple of days this week

Did a wheels off cleanup while changing the badges,

Used

Surfex HD for wheel arches

Collinite 845 on the calpiers



Before







After

vectra

Wheels/Tyres

Products used

Surfex HD to clean tyres

Orchard autocare Wheel Cleanse on alloys

Tardis

Chemical Guys Wheel seal topped with 2 coats of Collinite 845 on the wheels

Wolfs Chemicals Blacout on the tyres


Wheel before








After

vectra

Paintwork

Products used

Washed with a solution of Mr.Pink and surfex HD

Clayed with Megs claybar and Demon shine as a lube

Washed again with solution of Surfex HD and dried

Two coats of Britemax Extreme Elements applied 2 hours apart.

Windows cleaned with Orchard Autocare window cleaner.

Before











After

Mc Love

Great work Vectra!

wersal gummage

Any tips on how to identify which pads are which for use with a machine polisher?

I bought the kit second hand last summer, came with a few pads, mostly unused. There's no markings or labelling that I can see.

Used it last summer aand once since, have used the mezerna Polish and variety of pads but not really getting the worst of the swirls out.

Want to have another go soon but not sure which pads are the most abrasive ones...

MetzgerMeister

Here is the ultimate guide to the Chemical Guys Hex Logic pads...

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=284956


You must also remember to be patient. Everyone thinks that they can just get the machine, pads etc. and have the job done in no time. It's not like that at all hence why using a D/A is safe for beginners.

wersal gummage

Thanks.

No, I don't expect miracles.

When I do a big job on the car it is in the order of 10 hours or more (just exterior).

I have the DA polisher and, as I say , swirls just not coming out.

None of the pads looks like those ones you linked to.

wersal gummage

Pads are like this one. This one was originally orange in colour..

wersal gummage

The car does turn out pretty well, but some very small swirl marks do remain.

Have tried the most intensive of the 3 mezerna polishes that came with the DA machine, no joy.

JAMES VTI S

That is some quality detailing MetzgerMeister

MetzgerMeister

JAMES VTI S wrote: »

That is some quality detailing MetzgerMeister

Wha?????

JAMES VTI S

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

Wha?????

I ment to say vectra oops

Curran

wersal gummage wrote: »

Pads are like this one. This one was originally orange in colour..

That looks like the Lake Country Pads



Obviously with the colour it is now in the picture, its hard to say if you've got a Jeweling Pad or a Light Cutting Pad.

On another note, I dont know if the prep work you did is bad, and that is dirt transfer to the pad or colour transfer from the paint. Did you try to wash them out?

Mc Love

Dust!

Was just looking at the car and could see the dust on the car, pure annoying!

Do you just wipe it off or use some detailing spray to get rid or wash car again or do nothing?

Curran

If it were me; and its just very light dust sitting on the car....snowfoam with a very mild mixture, rinse and pat dry with a microfiber towel.

MetzgerMeister

If it were me, I'd just leave it be. It's going to happen no matter how much you wash it so just leave it build up and wash it next week some time. I used do what you're thinking of though, washing the car just because it was dusty but it's a fool's game. Unless you cover the car or keep it indoors 24/7 it's pointless.

I've just learned to wash the car on a Saturday and not give a fook what dirt gets on it because I'm going to be washing it again the following Saturday anyway.

Mc Love

Yeah will have to leave it as I won't get around to washing it. :-(

stimpson

The cleaner the car, the easier it is to spot the tiniest bit of dirt.

Gosub

I was out cleaning the car today and I was wondering if I'm the only eejit who has a touch-up bottle of silver paint to make the balance weights the same colour as the alloys.

Am I alone on my own planet?

vectra

I would wash it.
People around here know how I keep my car and they have this Fcuking habit of rubbing their hands across the bonnet saying" Jaysus shes dirty, You are slipping up"

Drive me nuts.

Curran

^^^ A dig in the head usually puts a stop to those idiots!

MetzgerMeister

vectra wrote: »

I would wash it.
People around here know how I keep my car and they have this Fcuking habit of rubbing their hands across the bonnet saying" Jaysus shes dirty, You are slipping up"

Drive me nuts.

This drives me insane too! And if you say anything to them they look at you as though you have 2.5 million knobs superglued to your forehead!

toastedpickles

Cleaned half of dublin off the car today :pac:





No more than two seconds after taking this and this happens



Typical! :pac:

Jaysus, this thread is fairly ticking along. People taking advantage of the good weather?

Still waiting to get my hands on a yellow hex-pad and getting stuck into the car before I beat it to death. At the moment it's absolutely littered in muck and dirt of every type. I sometimes wonder if I'm a food for not having front mudguards on there (don't think they'll fit with the side bars, but the lower sides never take too long to get dirty).

Ded_Zebra

I've been flat out at the new wheels today. The paint work is in sh1te on it ( covered in rust spots and heavy scratches) but I'm using it to see what is possible with the DA. I'm learning a lot

Newtown90

Ded_Zebra wrote: »

I've been flat out at the new wheels today. The paint work is in sh1te on it ( covered in rust spots and heavy scratches) but I'm using it to see what is possible with the DA. I'm learning a lot

Will the DA work on them?

I've a set bought but yet to pick up that are scratched and scuffed! I've been you tubing sanding and spraying to restore them... Never thought the DA might help!

Ded_Zebra

Glenviewjf wrote: »

Will the DA work on them?

I've a set bought but yet to pick up that are scratched and scuffed! I've been you tubing sanding and spraying to restore them... Never thought the DA might help!

Whoops. Very misleading post by me there! By new wheels I meant the new car :O

Newtown90

Ded_Zebra wrote: »

Whoops. Very misleading post by me there! By new wheels I meant the new car :O

That cleared that up! Best of luck with it

Colash

Got a decent enough finish today on the passat with some Auto Glym super resin polish but I'm still not happy as up close some imperfections are still visible . Any suggestions ???

Curran

Colash wrote: »

Got a decent enough finish today on the passat with some Auto Glym super resin polish but I'm still not happy as up close some imperfections are still visible . Any suggestions ???

First suggestion is that you should seal it with Autoglym Extra Gloss Protection or else it will wash out.

Imperfections will always be there...the only way to remove them is machine polishing. The AG SRP is hiding defects but more will return as it wears away.

Colash

Curran wrote: »

First suggestion is that you should seal it with Autoglym Extra Gloss Protection or else it will wash out.

Imperfections will always be there...the only way to remove them is machine polishing. The AG SRP is hiding defects but more will return as it wears away.

The AG SRP washes out very easily . I must pick up some extra gloss protection

Noccy_Mondy

Haven't been on this thread in a few days, McLove, the chrome on the Mondy is only plastic dipped. Reading on the Ford forums, they suggest WD40 of all things, to spruce up the chrome!

JAMES VTI S

WD40 how would that remove the etching, id say it would only make it shiny for a very short while.

MetzgerMeister

JAMES VTI S wrote: »

WD40 how would that remove the etching, id say it would only make it shiny for a very short while.

When these type of trims are dry, they show the oxidation at its worst. I'd say the WD40 keeps it lubricated for a while and this removes the oxidation look but after a while it will just come back. Quite like putting SRP on a car covered in swirls, it's a temporary fix to a permanent problem whereas polishing with a dremel is in my experience, the actual fix.

JAMES VTI S

@ MClove: https://www.aldi.ie/en/specialbuys/thursday-20th-march/products-detail-page/ps/p/combi-tool-accessories-set/?pk_campaign=ie_product_newsletter&pk_kwd=2014-03-17_15-58

IK09

Just finished my efforts now. Lost the light. Went nearly the whole 9 yards on my car. After day 1 the missus calls me to tell me she has put 3 scratches in her new focus. Nightmare. Had to put my car on the sideline while I tried to correct the scratches on hers. Queue a first attempt at wet sanding. Il post pics tomorrow. Turned out well. Happy enough with it. even though as i applied the touch up paint it started to rain, had to sit out in the pissing rain with an umbrella to protect the freshly applied paint.

mfergus

Colash wrote: »

Got a decent enough finish today on the passat with some Auto Glym super resin polish but I'm still not happy as up close some imperfections are still visible . Any suggestions ???

That's a fine shine you got there.

No suggestions. From that angle it looks impressive

Gave the tyres a good hiding today with Chemical Guy's APC (Apple something-or-other i think it's called) and a rough upholstery brush. Scrubbed them. The amount of dirt and muck that came off was a real eye-opener. Applied some glitz afterwards and (finally!) seem to be getting shiny tyres. At long last.


I also 2BM'ed the car after a decent snow foaming. I went a bit overboard with the snow foam and put foam in the lance to near the halfway mark on the bottle. Aiming for the 'shaving foam' thickness that has evaded me for so long. I got close to it but not quite as much as I would have liked. I now no longer believe any video that's getting 'shaving foam' thickness without using a near-full lance bottle just full of snow foam solution (which i actually want to try out sometime, but I'm worried I might block up the lance by not diluting the foam at all?)

TheBigGreen

Didn't get the mixture right! Too much uisce:)

thecomedian

Not done by me but by Wheel Wizards. I just sealed them with some GTechniq C5.

Before



And After.

IK09

By the time I had finished up on my car, i was really just worried about getting my fiancees car sorted so her is the single pic i took of my car and the process of cleaning.

Sprayed with TFR.
Powerhosed.
Snowfoamed. (Demonfoam...useless)
Washed with mitt.
Powerhosed.
Dried.
De Tarred. AG Tar Remover
Powerhosed.
Drip Dried.
Clayed. Turtle Wax Clay
Snowfoamed.
Powerhosed.
Dried.
Masked.
Polished. AG SRP
2 Coats of AG EGP

The Alloys were done with Wonder wheels and tyres dressed with Meguires Endurance. Getting a new front bumper next month so didnt bother touching it up...which was my original plan.

MetzgerMeister

They look superb!! Can't wait to get my own done now

IK09

3 Scratches in 1 weekend. She will never live this down.

Il try do this before after for each one. From front to back. And a little bonus pic of me protecting the paint from the rain with an umbrella.

IK09

Im happy with how they turned out. Il have to go at the front one again next week. Could be a lot better but didnt have the time.

MetzgerMeister

Sorry, I was talking to thecomedian about his alloy refurb

wersal gummage

Curran wrote: »

That looks like the Lake Country Pads



Obviously with the colour it is now in the picture, its hard to say if you've got a Jeweling Pad or a Light Cutting Pad.

On another note, I dont know if the prep work you did is bad, and that is dirt transfer to the pad or colour transfer from the paint. Did you try to wash them out?

That's very helpful, thanks.

I suspect it was a light cutting pad that I had.

The prep work I did was good. Good wash (not the foam stuff you guys use, but good wash), de tar etc, clay the car.

The reason the pad is blue, I'm embarrassed to say, is that I tried to use the polishing machine down low to wax the car. That blue is one of the dodo hard waxes. Obviously a cutting pad wouldn't be ideal for applying a way! You live and learn. I soaked the pads and washed them in the washing machine but the blue never came out.

Thanks again.

randy hickey

IK09 wrote: »

3 Scratches in 1 weekend. She will never live this down.

Il try do this before after for each one. From front to back. And a little bonus pic of me protecting the paint from the rain with an umbrella.

Good work there IK09!

What brand was the touch up kit that you used?

IK09

randy hickey wrote: »

Good work there IK09!

What brand was the touch up kit that you used?

I kinda went through the full motions with the back and middle scratches. First I just used some t-cut for Black paint, just to see if it would make a difference. It did. It removed a lot of the white around the scratches. After that I washed the areas and used rubbing alcohol to clean the area.

Then I used the Halfords paint touch up kit.

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_201037_langId_-1_categoryId_212418

I used a tooth pick to apply it. After I had applied it it started to rain, so out with the umbrella. Once it stopped, i got the heat gun out to try and force it to dry. That worked really well, just used it at a distance and in maybe 30 second blasts.

Once the paint had dried, i wet sanded paint with 2500 grit halfords brand sandpaper. I then re-appied a small amount of t-cut, to try get the wetsanding marks out. I used polish after that (AG SRP).

thecomedian

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

They look superb!! Can't wait to get my own done now

Thanks Dave.
I dropped them in on the Tuesday and got them back Friday afternoon. I was advised just to wash them with soapy water.
I really happy with the colour also.