Today I did some detailing...

CNTRLR

if you are looking for some video's on youtube, look for junkman, he has done a fairly good series about detailing cars, but it can be a bit longwinded and the videos do tend to go on and on and over the same topic a few times, but for a complete beginner it is a very easy video series to start off with..

CNTRLR

Noccy_Mondy wrote: »

Can one of you cleaning nerds suggest a proper decent tyre polish that makes the tyres as black as coal? I'm sick of having the car jet black and the tyres just meh. I clean them with APC first and then use that Simoniz stuff and the Aldi back to black stuff, lets just not talk about that one... So any suggestions, and linkys too, pwease

first off don't use anything that is designed for trim on tyres, it simply will not grip and will spray all back along the car,
i use the meguiars endurance tyre gel, it works fine for me as i wash the car every week and just re-apply the stuff every week.
However as with any product the area needs to be clean first, so even though you use an apc on it it may not be clean, give it a scrub with a cloth and some apc, then rinse with some clean water, then for me i use 1 coat of megs using a tyre applicator, then about 10-15 mins later the excess is wiped off using a damp cloth, about half an hour after that i put on a second coat but with very little get on the applicator.

Chimaera

Deleted User wrote: »

Am I only able get Meguiar's #105 off CleanYourCar.co.uk?

I just realised I've used so much of it on other cars and re-doing my bonnet over and over that I probably don't have enough left to do my own feckin' car

(plan is to use that polish as it's so aggressive, and then use the AutoGlym stuff from then on). I don't think My Chemical Guys Pro Polish 3N will ever get used

Just get the Menzerna triplets and stop arsing around. They do the job well once you're patient.

Chimaera

Chimaera wrote: »

Just get the Menzerna triplets and stop arsing around. They do the job well once you're patient.

Get the what now?!

And to be fair, M105 has been doing a great job.

georgefalls

Noccy_Mondy wrote: »

Can one of you cleaning nerds suggest a proper decent tyre polish that makes the tyres as black as coal? I'm sick of having the car jet black and the tyres just meh. I clean them with APC first and then use that Simoniz stuff and the Aldi back to black stuff, lets just not talk about that one... So any suggestions, and linkys too, pwease

AutoGlym Instant Tyre Dressing. Spray onto wet or dry tyres, leave it to dry, job done. Lasts ages as well:)

vectra

Noccy_Mondy wrote: »

Can one of you cleaning nerds suggest a proper decent tyre polish that makes the tyres as black as coal? I'm sick of having the car jet black and the tyres just meh. I clean them with APC first and then use that Simoniz stuff and the Aldi back to black stuff, lets just not talk about that one... So any suggestions, and linkys too, pwease

1)
Give the tyres a good scrub with a solution of APC or I find better still a solution of Surfex HD,
Repeat if you have not done this before.
Allow them to dry
Apply a coat of Wolfs Blackout.
Great stuff,
Especially after next wash and the following washes for several weeks.

Chimaera

Deleted User wrote: »

Get the what now?!

And to be fair, M105 has been doing a great job.

This: http://www.cleancar.ie/menzerna250mlpolishpack.html

Three staged compounds to go from bad swirling to glossy. Works very well with the Hexlogic pads too - I don't honestly see how you can be running into problems with them when most people get great results using them.

vectra

vectra wrote: »

1)

That's a great 1-step programme :P

Chimaera wrote: »

This: http://www.cleancar.ie/menzerna250mlpolishpack.html

Three staged compounds to go from bad swirling to glossy. Works very well with the Hexlogic pads too - I don't honestly see how you can be running into problems with them when most people get great results using them.

Ah, i think my problems were a lot to do with inexperience and caking polish on the pad and car. Doing the Xsara, i held off on the amount of polish I was using, and it came out great. I realised I'd been putting FAR too much on the Rav.


That said, I do like the look of that polish (claims to be strong enough to work out 1200 grit paper?!)

Is there a more aggressive polish out there? or is 1200 as good as it gets?

stimpson

I'm planning on polishing and waxing the Verso this weekend so I took a few hours this afternoon to prep.

I snow foamed, rinsed, tarcleansed, rinsed, TBM with Megs Hyperwash, rinsed.

You know that feeling where you think your car is super clean but you decide to dig out the claybar anyway...



...apparently it wasn't very clean after all!

It is now though:



I'm toying with the idea of breaking out the SRP this evening.

Edit: +1 layer of SRP

vectra

Deleted User wrote: »

That's a great 1-step programme :P

I forgot to continue

2)
Stand back and admire your good work

Anyone want to make some decent money cleaning cars? Job advertised on FAS where you can clean cars all day.

Woops, sorry, did I say money? I meant you'd work for free, of course. But think of the experience you'd get using a "high pressure hose"!


Scumbags.


http://jobseeker.fas.ie/Default.aspx?q=B+fomdowzS8kaDnSlUDk1zaMUPiFEeNrNWjviinu490thmC2C0u+DA7a0qkDLMzUsb2EvHI3UO3QkT5sE2VgkSaV/mR/O+L28TlnwC8M1IwbkzCIXBHE6p4ZpfeoO1K0HJT5wJ6a1kIDDEyylscAfr72NShFqc/gGukhWhMVgYvHKE/WEuPDoZMAmkEI3IL7YmNrSdJVj72JzxLTg3VGBAVrU+5CzMZSRRywKz04B/OByk6p3yNUaB2feazp0ITimKsEwo8m2yTP9qNcmNFNWhPt4GCCKtsczXfe87HoZF8IH+JgbJjKzV52ihVwdATbctuwWvEVV0LpiEa/kZ7+zWPNuFT93kfX+aMVB3FfKQTxXhkm1kfMZ+UVdoMlFkduKg4s4vfReFo4RltOCRuV87QeaOPf+auAjTbHNNSOW0yWI1FV+SiTIApOOG4AWKZLE1kEKq4ju2sFqTA9/6egFctb/CtCSvUD

The intern will gain practical experience in car valeting and general operative duties.

Using high-pressure hoses to clean vehicles; cleaning windows, wheels, door handles and mirrors; vacuuming and shampooing upholstery and carpets; waxing and polishing surfaces; applying gels and other finishes to bumpers and trims; cleaning the frame and wheel arches.

This Internship will provide an individual with an opportunity to put into practice the skills they have learned during prior training or education in a workplace setting. This role will enhance these skills, while providing an understanding of the workplace environment and allow the Intern to benefit from a mentor or supervisors experience and advice.

The Host Organisation will provide practical tasks to enable the individual to apply the particular skills that they wish to learn or enhance and also the opportunity to obtain wider product or service knowledge and establish networks for future employment.

That's Doran Motors in Drogheda.

Drogheda Car Sales Ltd
North Road
Drogheda
Co Louth

Jesus, if that wasn't bad enough:

MAC Tyre Centre in Drogheda also want you to fit tyres for free, too (in between car washes, presumably).

I used these lads to get tyres for the Rav not too long ago, and now I will need to change them soon enough again, but unfortunately, I will never use them again having seen this bullsiht.

http://jobseeker.fas.ie/Default.aspx?q=B+fomdowzS8kaDnSlUDk1zaMUPiFEeNrNWjviinu490thmC2C0u+DPNhUCheTd9gOTukrUcuv24txKkBQo9WoP8YWBxXxvy9tfDIeH5MWOoFLfEea10cOFxw4YFolaygPRZAZwTNLOyagKVQh+FUZst41OnMG8O26pdNr1NpHBvv+lynUDLq2Xy3pigO6Om1+wyLOz7JpJnJ4uhqandw+goKT5pF8oyD71EN7q1Re3deC+skoUo+Kug01MjLF08bpzj1Dq0RXuYUFhn8Y/445DiYY7LDg1wJobgdey9GhDjvyQxd1hoAwbzmus6i9CG8CO99iZVDVzPxG+S+UIHCJl0OaNcoZl/gyMuVgiBVT5YOJBo+vXSqf5vy5Kb+ecbhvS8FPzA8I6/tyRbqOSPtZVcnUYI/D7hUxZuyx6I7kbqoJ8cODxNxKSh3U5Ge7HGr7E1jj1Zb2XXoDpEd1NNGZLHQMxi2n7/G

discombobulate

Jesus. Are people actually mad enough to do these type of internships. €50 for 40 hours dirty work. From a thread on motors lads fitting tyres generally only get paid minimum wage so it's not like you'll have prospects from it. I'd imagine those valet places pay the same and then there's the chance of tips at least for the car washes.

discombobulate

discombobulate wrote: »

Jesus. Are people actually mad enough to do these type of internships. €50 for 40 hours dirty work. From a thread on motors lads fitting tyres generally only get paid minimum wage so it's not like you'll have prospects from it. I'd imagine those valet places pay the same and then there's the chance of tips at least for the car washes.

Chance of tips from some car washes, but you wouldn't get a tip from Doran Motors.

From what I see, that'd be the kind of place doing full valets etc. and you'd book the car in in advance and pay at the counter. So the lads that are actually doing the cleaning wouldn't see the money at all.

For the like of MAC, you pay the lads directly, but there's one of them usually assigned to taking the money and giving change. Im sure if you did the internship, you'd never know if the person paying, gave a tip or not.

MetzgerMeister

Just for the information of the population here, this is how wet-sanding is done properly...

discombobulate

Quick one. I'm presuming yes but will Autoglym tar remover strip protection from a car?

stimpson

I haven't used AG tar remover, but if it smells like solvent then it's probably not LSP safe.

The best advice I got for tar remover is to use a cotton bud and apply directly to the tar spots. This way you'll minimise contact with your lsp.

Hal1

discombobulate wrote: »

Quick one. I'm presuming yes but will Autoglym tar remover strip protection from a car?

I used that AG tar remover to do exactly that. It worked out very well and only needed a small amount on a microfibre.

I applied it to one panel at a time as it would be difficult to remove if left on for longer. I didn't let it dwell for too long as it's fairly strong and was unsure what it might do to the clear coat. I left it on for 2 to 3 minutes tops.

The tar can be seen breaking down on the panels. If it's really tarred badly then you may have to apply it a second time.

I then gave the car a good rinse with power washer before starting the claying process.

That should take about 30 - 40 minutes, well that's what it took me to do it as I took my time to make sure it was done right. It also makes it easier to do the claying stage as there will be less containments on the surface.

stimpson

Moar SRP:



Excuse the fading light.

I also claybared my windscreen. Amazed at the amount of crap that came off it.

EGP tomorrow. And maybe Saturday.

stimpson

stimpson wrote: »

I also claybared my windscreen.

Never thought of that before :eek:

stimpson

Deleted User wrote: »

Never thought of that before :eek:

I got new wipers and they still smear a bit. I don't have OCD but it's one thing that annoys me. I figured a bit of a clay can't do any harm. I'll report back of it worked!

Hal1

I've done it and will do it again. The results speak for themselves. A bit of AG glass polish after as it highlights the rest of the effort spent washing the bodywork.

georgefalls

I clay all my windows... Doesn't everyone..?

MetzgerMeister

I've always clayed my windows!

georgefalls

I clay the headlights as well, come to think of it..!

stimpson

Hal1 wrote: »

I've done it and will do it again. The results speak for themselves. A bit of AG glass polish after as it highlights the rest of the effort spent washing the bodywork.

Streaking on the windows is non existent. The only problem is this line of glare that followed the sun around my windscreen this morning:



So I dropped into Halfords on the way to work and got some AG glass polish. And some AG fast glass. And Megs gold class QD for some reason. Oops.

Fast glass seemed to sort the worst of it and I'll get to work with the polish this evening.

georgefalls

BOGOF on RainX at Helfrauds at the mo..!

stimpson

georgefalls wrote: »

BOGOF on RainX at Helfrauds at the mo..!

And 3 for 2.

So 6 for 2

Chimaera

I'd always clay the windows when I'm doing the rest of the car. Likewise the lights. Last time around, I gave the headlamps a rub with the DA polisher too and some Farecla G3 to remove the scuffing from them.

On the windscreen, that hazing/glare is due to scratches on the glass from the wipers passing over and back carrying grit and grime with them. I picked up some cerium oxide compound a while back and I'm hoping to have a go at mine over the weekend with it to remove them. Cerium oxide is a special compound for polishing glass, since it's a lot harder than paint. You also need a felt pad to use it. That done, I've got some Gtechniq G1 to on there. I'll get some pics as I'm doing it.

vectra

stimpson wrote: »

And 3 for 2.

So 6 for 2

Confused now.
Should that be 6 for 3 or 6 for 4 ?

stimpson

vectra wrote: »

Confused now.
Should that be 6 for 3 or 6 for 4 ?

6 for 4 = 3 for 2

Buy 2 get 3, each of those 3 should get one free? I think...

Look, KKV is going to buy them all up in a 100 mile radius, so it doesn't really matter.

Deleted User

Deleted User wrote: »

Woops, sorry, did I say money? I meant you'd work for free, of course. But think of the experience you'd get using a "high pressure hose"!

I brought this to the attention of the local Current Affairs show on ye olde radio. They're getting in touch with the two companies to see if they'll discuss this with me on air.

I doubt they'd agree to go on radio and make a show of themselves in a situation wherein they just can't win, but I'm praying they will. I'd love for it to go ahead!

stimpson

stimpson wrote: »

6 for 4 = 3 for 2

Buy 2 get 3, each of those 3 should get one free? I think...

Look, KKV is going to buy them all up in a 100 mile radius, so it doesn't really matter.

I seen them on the shelves in my Halfords, but never really heard of them so didn't pass any remarks. In Drogheda and Cavan they were displayed away from the 3 for 2 stuff, so I'm not sure if they actually qualify for that promotion, too?

I think they might be considered maintenance rather than cleaning gear. Stand to be corrected though. Would like a good rain repellant product to be honest, would it be worth picking them up? (Im too broke to buy them all, don't worry! )

stimpson

Deleted User wrote: »

I seen them on the shelves in my Halfords, but never really heard of them so didn't pass any remarks. In Drogheda and Cavan they were displayed away from the 3 for 2 stuff, so I'm not sure if they actually qualify for that promotion, too?

I think they might be considered maintenance rather than cleaning gear. Stand to be corrected though. Would like a good rain repellant product to be honest, would it be worth picking them up? (Im too broke to buy them all, don't worry! )

I have a bottle that is donkeys years old that I still use. It's good - needs to be reapplied every 6-8 weeks. I don't use it on the windscreen though as it annoys me. Once I finish the bottle I'll be looking at Gtechnique C1 or something.

georgefalls

Deleted User wrote: »

I seen them on the shelves in my Halfords, but never really heard of them so didn't pass any remarks. In Drogheda and Cavan they were displayed away from the 3 for 2 stuff, so I'm not sure if they actually qualify for that promotion, too?

I think they might be considered maintenance rather than cleaning gear. Stand to be corrected though. Would like a good rain repellant product to be honest, would it be worth picking them up? (Im too broke to buy them all, don't worry! )

I got two spray bottles of RainX, paid for one.
Also got two large RedX, paid for one.
Its just the cleaning gear that's 3 for 2, get the cheapest one free.

Paddy@CIRL

I started using Gtechniq G5 and immediately threw out my RainX bottles. Easy on, same result but lasts way longer.

vectra

Paddy@CIRL wrote: »

I started using Gtechniq G5 and immediately threw out my RainX bottles. Easy on, same result but lasts way longer.

Any wiper shudder in town with G5 ?

pudzey101

Washed , clayed , Super Resin Polished and Extra Gloss Protected my integra today , no pics as i wanted to leave the EGP on for as long as possible and was dark before i knew it !!! will get pics in the morning , cant fault the autoglym products one bit

MetzgerMeister

I clayed the car yesterday and the clay had 3 tar spots when finished and that was all I got. I was kind of disappointed but happy all the same!

I then applied a delicious coat of Collinite 845 and it's like a coat of oil on the car it's so shiny!!

vectra

I think the whole detailing community will be converted to 845 before long LOL

BillJ

I can vouch for it too it's great stuff!

I did a full deep clean and finished with a later of 845, just one layer. Would I have been best off putting 2-3,layers on?

MetzgerMeister

Mine's better though because it's on top of EXO :P

vectra

BillJ wrote: »

I can vouch for it too it's great stuff!

I did a full deep clean and finished with a later of 845, just one layer. Would I have been best off putting 2-3,layers on?

I would always put on 2 coats in case patches would be missed on first coat.

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

Mine's better though because it's on top of EXO :P

I though Exo was this super duper stuff that looks after itself?
You are not trying to tell us that you need good old 845 to mind it LOL

MetzgerMeister

EXO is super duper stuff but I missed applying wax

vectra

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

EXO is super duper stuff but I missed applying wax

As you do :P

georgefalls

Its a love/hate thing. I hate polishing, and waxing all those spokes, but I love the finished result

SRP followed with a coating of AG HiDef

Must get the kerb scuffs sorted (not my doing, I hasten to add)

randy hickey

^ George, I hate to break it to you - but I think your garage might be on fire!

georgefalls

Just a bit of artistic processing, is all.....LOL

I'd been putting it off for ages and ages. The ultimate 'long finger' job, but I finally machine polished the Rav4. I don't really have any photos of it's before and afters, because I just wanted it done and I knew if i started messing with the camera, tripod, etc. i'd never finish, so apologies for lack of pictures.


A lot of the light swirls came out, but a lot of marks and scratches remain. It would seem my best offence on these is to just keep the car polished and waxed on a more-than-regular basis. Seems to be the only way, going forward, that I can keep my sanity and not nit pick too much.

My chemical guys microfiber pad got so much of a work out that it's been reduced to a hand applicator after I nearly burned a hole in it.






I used Meguiar's Ultimate Cut Compound to polish, and I literally ran out just at the end. I had enough in the bottle that I polished the bonnet twice just to use it up, but there was nothing left then (which suited me grand). I then used Pete's 53 as a wax to finish it off. Gave the bonnet two coats for the sake of it.

I know the photos are craptactular, but i didnt have the proper camera on me, so was using the phone and it was dark enough by this stage, so...







It looks pretty average in the photos, I know, but I have to say, although I wish i'd gotten more of the scratches out of the paintwork, when you actually stand looking at it, it's a very deep black, and you can't really see any defects until you're within around 2-3 feet (which I can certainly live with!) (although that said, I've not seen it outside in daylight just yet, so.. my opinion could be very different tomorrow).


Tomorrow I plan to do the trim, glass, wheels and tyres. Trim and glass are fairly self explanatory, but does anyone have any advice for the wheels/tyres?

I aim to take one wheel off at a time (spare wheel going last, as it's the cleanest), and spending time actually doing whatever I can to make it look as good as it can (on both sides). I was wondering if anyone could advise on a way of doing things to make life easier? My wheels are always relatively nice looking, but they never 'pop' like a lot of the wheels that appear on here.

My (assumed) plan was:

1) Iron cleansed and left to sit for 5 minutes. Agitated and washed off with a 2BM method and clean wash mitt (rather than pressure washing?).
2) Dry the wheel
3) Repeat the above with Tar Cleanse.
4) Repeat again with a wheel cleaner (probably not let it sit for so long. Thinking of OAC's Wheel Cleanse or Wonder Wheels Alloy Cleaner).
5) Polish by hand with applicator pad and microfiber cloth (Chemical Guys Pro Polish 3N?) - Repeat twice for the craic?
6) Wax by hand
7) Repeat four more times with the other wheels

(guessing the tyres are obviously APC and Scrubbing brush, rinsed with water regularly, dried off and doused in tyre shine repeatedly?).


Anyone care to comment on that? Am I fooling myself?



EDIT: I plan to do the wheel wells thoroughly too (when each wheel comes off). APC, microfibre, bumper and trim to blacken and that's them I assume?)

EDIT 2: I also plan to buy mudguards!! :mad:

discombobulate

Just as a quick one on the wheels I usually use the wheel cleaner first which gets rid of the majority of the dirt etc. and then use tar and iron. I find the power of the iron products gets exaggerated a lot when people spray it onto dirty wheels and theres loads of purple dripping off which is generally stuff that the standard wheel cleaner would remove anyway.

Did a bit of a job on my own at the weekend following the above (although I didn't take them off)