Today I did some detailing...

MetzgerMeister

I did some scratch removal on a customer's 318d today while he was at the Kilkenny/Tipp match

Driver Side Before:



Driver Side After:



Passenger Side Before:



Passenger Side After:




The white bits you can still see are where it's gone down to the primer but I'm happy enough with the finish.

This was done using a SIM 180 rotary polisher, Menzerna FG400 polish and HexLogic orange pad followed by Chemical Guys V38 Finishing Polish and a HexLogic black finishing pad. This was followed up with Gtechniq panel wipe to remove all traces of polish and then a coat of Jetseal 109 and Collinite 845.

mad m

Working on a Sunday!

MetzgerMeister

mad m wrote: »

Working on a Sunday!

This customer came from KK so it suited him better.

stimpson

He's the result of 4 1/2 hours of DAing the bonnet of the Volvo. I didn't expect it to take as long as it did, but it looks amazing compared to how it was at the start.



My only real problem is the polish getting caked on to the pad. It's just the outside inch, but no matter how many times I cleaned it, it would build up again. Only happened with the 105 on the orange pad. Any tips?

Also how do people work on the narrow areas of the car, bits like the door frame or around the front grille or the nooks and crannies around the boot? Most videos show people working on a 2ft square of the bonnet which is pretty easy to work. How do you do the rest of the car? By hand?

markc1184

Would anyone be able to point me in the direction of some complete beginners guides to using the likes of a DAS6?

punisher5112

stimpson wrote: »

He's the result of 4 1/2 hours of DAing the bonnet of the Volvo. I didn't expect it to take as long as it did, but it looks amazing compared to how it was at the start.



My only real problem is the polish getting caked on to the pad. It's just the outside inch, but no matter how many times I cleaned it, it would build up again. Only happened with the 105 on the orange pad. Any tips?

Also how do people work on the narrow areas of the car, bits like the door frame or around the front grille or the nooks and crannies around the boot? Most videos show people working on a 2ft square of the bonnet which is pretty easy to work. How do you do the rest of the car? By hand?

By hand would be the safest option and these small areas wouldn't show up as much as the bigger areas.

stimpson

markc1184 wrote: »

Would anyone be able to point me in the direction of some complete beginners guides to using the likes of a DAS6?

Junkman is your friend:

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2e_x_m8k8qCaSIxaKxZDRjGHmR-CbWJR

The 5 part guide to machine polishing is the best place to start.

randy hickey

Most of the awkward smaller surface areas can still be done with the DA, just using 3" or 4" spot pads with a smaller backing plate.

Slattsy

Sand all over the car and i'd planned to give it a quick detail after washing it yesterday

randy hickey

Slattsy wrote: »

Sand all over the car and i'd planned to give it a quick detail after washing it yesterday

Yeah, this Saharan crap is starting to p*ss me off.

I'd imagine it's playing havoc the the longevity of everyone's LSP's, as driving at speed through air containing fine Saharan sand particles must be akin to very mild sandblasting.

Slattsy

You'd think they'd put up barriers in the air or something. Baxtards.

Spike Witwicky

Gave my car its first iron cleanse today. Was fascinating watching the purple crap come off but sweet Jesus that stuff stinks. I was using Auto Finnesse's Iron Cleanse and it smelled like rotten eggs.
Is the cherry Iron X any better?

Curran

All of the iron decontamination products stink, some less so that others.
Orchard Autocare's Iron Cleanse has been released with a menthol smell; its still stinks but a massive improvement.

Black_Knight

Curran wrote: »

All of the iron decontamination products stink, some less so that others.
Orchard Autocare's Iron Cleanse has been released with a menthol smell; its still stinks but a massive improvement.

I like the stinky smell. Makes me feel like im doing manly work, and not just soaping up my car to make it pretty.

Spike Witwicky

Curran wrote: »

All of the iron decontamination products stink, some less so that others.
Orchard Autocare's Iron Cleanse has been released with a menthol smell; its still stinks but a massive improvement.

Might try that for the next time thanks.
I still cant get the smell out of my nostrils

Mc Love

Fecking weird weather!

mik_da_man

Spike Witwicky wrote: »

Might try that for the next time thanks.
I still cant get the smell out of my nostrils

Yeah I got some shock when I did my usual sniff test on my latest batch of products!

Black_Knight

Mc Love wrote: »

Fecking weird weather!

Pretty much the definition of Irish weather out there today.

Mc Love

Black_Knight wrote: »

Pretty much the definition of Irish weather out there today.

Managed to get it all done though bar the interior. Need to get some of that leather protector.

Took my wheels off to give them first ever clean. So so much tar, but they are clean as a whistle now. Just cleaned them with bilt hamber auto wheel clean and shampoo. Didn't bother claying or anything like that. Applied two coats of collinite 845

Then washed the car and just about got the car waxed before the heavens opened. In fact they opened just as I was half way around the car wiping the wax off. Wanted to give it another coat of wax but I decided to let mother nature win.
Will post some pics later

randy hickey

Mc Love wrote: »

Then washed the car and just about got the car waxed before the heavens opened. In fact they opened just as I was half way around the car wiping the wax off. Wanted to give it another coat of wax but I decided to let mother nature win.

This is where one of those pop-up gazebos comes in handy.

Mc Love

randy hickey wrote: »

This is where one of those pop-up gazebos comes in handy.

yeah the sturdy one would have been ideal!



Some tyre glitz from OAC








And i just had to go up to the shop in the rain and now its dirty again! Feckin rain

Spike Witwicky

Checked weather forecast and figured i'd just de iron n wash. Its still in my nostrils hours later and i have a cold
Def gonna check the lemon one out





Havin some issues with paint and hoping not to need a respray. road rash on front bumper and stone chips in bonnet. Might check a breakers or would respray be cheaper?

Few swirls im gonna tackle when i get meself a DA polisher next month. By hand isnt doin the job.
Couple of deepish scratches on doors too

Whats best for cleaning a sooty exhaust?
Third brakelight is faded looking. What should i use?
All advice appreciated.

punisher5112

Spike Witwicky wrote: »

Checked weather forecast and figured i'd just de iron n wash. Its still in my nostrils hours later and i have a cold
Def gonna check the lemon one out





Havin some issues with paint and hoping not to need a respray. road rash on front bumper and stone chips in bonnet. Might check a breakers or would respray be cheaper?

Few swirls im gonna tackle when i get meself a DA polisher next month. By hand isnt doin the job.
Couple of deepish scratches on doors too

Whats best for cleaning a sooty exhaust?
Third brakelight is faded looking. What should i use?
All advice appreciated.

For exhaust wire wool or brillo pad I find works great if really bad.

Machine polish will make a huge difference just get the cutting compound and polish

randy hickey

For the exhaust, any of the metal polishes - Autosol, Megiuars Metal Polish, Peek etc. - take your pick.
You might have to get involved with some really fine wire wool too, depending on how bad it is.

As for the brake light, same polish you'd use on your headlights to remove oxidation will work here too.

Spike Witwicky

randy hickey wrote: »

As for the brake light, same polish you'd use on your headlights to remove oxidation will work here too.

Thanks for the tips guys. Whats good for headlight oxidation?

punisher5112

Spike Witwicky wrote: »

Thanks for the tips guys. Whats good for headlight oxidation?

You can use toothpaste if not very bad but if bad a headlight restoration kit is needed as you will be fine sanding the surface and then sealing at the end.

Much cheaper then headlight replacement but don't be surprised when it does happen again.

Spike Witwicky

punisher5112 wrote: »

You can use toothpaste if not very bad but if bad a headlight restoration kit is needed as you will be fine sanding the surface and then sealing at the end.

Much cheaper then headlight replacement but don't be surprised when it does happen again.

Might price a replacement unit so.

randy hickey

It'd want to be fairly bad for me to consider buying a replacement light - I'd always try treating it first - you'd be surprised at the turnaround that can be achieved with a bit of work.

Spike Witwicky

randy hickey wrote: »

It'd want to be fairly bad for me to consider buying a replacement light - I'd always try treating it first - you'd be surprised at the turnaround that can be achieved with a bit of work.

Yeah i'm just pricing one for when i make a balls of the one i have :pac:

Mc Love

Is it ok to use quick detailer after applying collinite 845 or will it strip it off

Curran

Quick detailer will be fine. It might effect the way the surface beads while it's on the paint but most have little durability so will disappear fairly quickly.

MetzgerMeister

A little tip when polishing headlights although I know it's not suitable for everyone but apply a coat of Gtechniq C1 after polishing. This will seal it up, protect it and ensure they don't go foggy again.

If not, you could get lacquer in a spray can but this won't always leave a smooth surface but you will have the protection there.

McLove - as Curran said, a QD is fine but because it's the top layer, you will get whatever beading that provides rather than the 845. It's never a bad thing to have more protection though

vectra

I try to avoid QD's as a rule as I find they destroy the beading.
I porefer a quick topup of collie 845 every few washes.
After all. It takes no time to do it.

Curran

vectra wrote: »

I try to avoid QD's as a rule as I find they destroy the beading

Im the same, with the exception that when the protection of the LSP applied starts to show signs of deteriorate. Then I'll use something that would be stronger than a QD, something that offers shine and protection; to get me by until I get around to claying and re-applying a LSP.

Curran

If you look back through this thread, you wont see any posts from me doing anything car related; because since the arrival of my son, almost a year ago, Ive only washed the car once; yes once! And even when I did that, it was a rushed job - it was as bad as it was today; washed the wheels, snowfoamed it, washed it with one bucket and rinsed. Was a stupid thing to do, but it had to be done!

So today, I had planned on spending a few hours on the car; prep it properly for some LSP as whatever was on it last, is long, LONG gone!
Plug in the hoover, pull out the lead, bring it out the door, realise the lead isnt long enough (moved house recently); just then *click*....the front door closes over...balls; locked out! :mad: Luckily I had the car key. Off into town to get the keys off the missus - hoover sitting a the front door! :P

That ruined any chance of getting the planned work done, so had to change the plan to give the car a wash and hoover to get the heavy dirt off it, and attack it again at a later date.

Wanted to see how effective a non-aggitate wash would be on the wheels; the wheels were destroyed


Rinsed with PW'er


Wheel Cleanse dwelling - 1 product : 2 water


Forgot to take a picture after the rinse, but the applied Chemical Guys D-Con; how it looked after doing all 4 wheels


After 5 minutes - was in direct sunlight, so decided I'd wash it off as most of the work was probably done


Rinsed - not bad for a touchless wash - was lots of tar, and in the corners of the spokes still needed attention, but for no agitation and the state they were in; I'll take it


Wheels really need to come of the car and be given the full treatment...painful job, so think I'll protect them properly when I do!

Curran

Before


Car power hosed down; washed with the two bucket method. A bit better....


Definitely no protection - miss the beads!


Didnt bother to dry it and this is the resulting water staining - should have really washed the car again, but wasnt bothered! :P


Decided that Id do half the bonnet and a panel on the side of the car with OAC Perfection, so see the results on untreated paintwork, as I had only applied it on paintwork with LSP that was on the way out. Wanted to see how it would perform over the next while, until the next wash; watch out for beading photos in Beadophiles!
Some of the white marks are actually bits of fluff from a new towel Id opened.







The car is destroyed in swirls; was starting to show some anyways, before I stupidly decided I'd rush a quick wash not following the methods I'd usually preach about! Car hasnt been polished in around 4 years; jezz I have it 4 years now!! It's in desperate need of a machine polish; might have to do it panel by panel over a few weeks, as I just dont have the time anymore!
Perfection on the right - definitely deeper, glossier, and hiding some defects!!
Will see how the beading is when it rains!

mfergus

I'm shocked. I honestly believed your car would be spotless!

vectra

Just a quick wash today
One bucket and a big brush
Wiped down with Baby oil

randy hickey

It's a classic case of The Cobbler's Children's Shoes!

One of my mates is a bloody good mechanic, and his own car and his wife's car often get left on the long finger for servicing.

randy hickey

Jesus Vectra, that E46 has a savage gloss on it!

Never mind the baby oil - you must've squeezed the juice out of a whole unicorn on that one!

Curran

mfergus wrote: »

I'm shocked. I honestly believed your car would be spotless!

Previously, it would have been!! Now the lil fella is almost a year old, Im hoping he'll be spending some time on days out with this Granddad's or uncles and aunts....give me some peace too do a bit on the car!!

Used to be kept like this, without fail!!

vectra wrote: »

Just a quick wash today
One bucket and a big brush
Wiped down with Baby oil

Someday; my car will compete; someday!!

Top work by yourself and Nick - great to see it!

Noccy_Mondy

Jaysus Vectra your son must be so lucky (or spoiled) :pac: Not a hope in hell my dad would even wash my car. He laughs at me for even giving it a quick wash. "Sure it'll be dirty again tomorrow" :rolleyes:

Edit - Any chance ye would send that car back Connacht direction

MetzgerMeister

Here Curran, a crowd out near you called detailing garage or something like that might be able to polish up that car for ya

Curran

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

Here Curran, a crowd out near you called detailing garage or something like that might be able to polish up that car for ya

Thanks for that Dave; because I was considering taking the car for a spin down to the sticks, ya know, bring the missus and lil fella on a night away....and dropping it to a place called "D n C Valet & Detailer", but was warned they are cowboys!! :P

ba_barabus

Curran wrote: »

Thanks for that Dave; because I was considering taking the car for a spin down to the sticks, ya know, bring the missus and lil fella on a night away....and dropping it to a place called "D n C Valet & Detailer", but was warned they are cowboys!! :P

Where have I seen DnC Valet and detailer recently (serious q)

Curran

Try the signature, 3 posts up!

ba_barabus

Curran wrote: »

Try the signature, 3 posts up!

I'm blind............and thick

So I have someone local at home and no time to be there. Great

Mc Love

Firstly I want this car but secondly - the foam!! I have yet to get the consistency CG gets with this but got close to it using it with a mix of hyperwash and mr.pink

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SS66yCEtwQ&list=TLN6ZdzDCungjoDxMz0zWtBxDbUFs8RhN6

Also, if you havent purchased a microfiber madness drying towel - do, it is the best drying towel I have ever used

mikeyod123

So I had my first go at detailing today and I think it went alright. I washed the car, de-tarred it, used an iron cleanser, used a clay bar, polished with autoglym super reisin polish and finished it off with collinite 845. I think everything went alright until the polishing and waxing as I just wasnt sure if I was putting on enough or was i putting on too little but there is a good shine off it anyways. Any advice or tips are greatly appreciated

HJL

You must have a good handbrake, that is a steep hill :P

Car looks good