Today I did some detailing...

Graham 1324

Detailed 2 Mercedes this week both cars have been washed, detarred, compounded,washed again,waxed,and interiors cleaned thoroughly
18 hours work to get both done
Happy with the results as neither car has ever been detailed since new

Theboinkmaster

Shane732 wrote: »

I've recently got a 430 M-Sport so have been spending time looking after it.

I've now given it a good detailing with

Bilberry Wheel Cleaner
Swissvax HP netural 2BM wash
Autoglym Super Resin
Dodo Juice Purple Haze
Dodo Juice Super Natural Hybrid Sealant
Gtechniq glass sealant
Poorboys Wheel sealant
Wolfs Chemicals Black Out
Auto Finesse - Mercury Metal Polish

It's looking great!

No point just telling us, let's see some pictures!

Shane732

Theboinkmaster wrote: »

No point just telling us, let's see some pictures!

Here you go... I don't profess to be particularly good with a camera!


screen shot windows

vectra

Fekk the detailing..
Nice car :P

JAMES VTI S

I gave this mini a right good cleaning yesterday after the kids trashed it, I love these job so I do.

Foamed
washed
detared
polished
tyres dressed
leather cleaned
Carpets and mats hoovered and cleaned
Plastics and glass steamed, cleaned and dressed

MetzgerMeister

Thats a lovely 4er Shane! d or i?

jacksie66

This post has been deleted.

Heathen

I was thinking, who the hell is giving their can a clean on a manky day like today??? then i saw 'Location: Christchurch".... ahhhhhh now it makes sense, somewhere with good weather

Looks good!!

H

Shane732

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

Thats a lovely 4er Shane! d or i?

430D - I've moved to the dark side.

MetzgerMeister

Shane732 wrote: »

430D - I've moved to the dark side.

Being realistic, going forward you won't be able to get a powerful petrol car unless it's an M/RS/AMG whether you need a diesel or not.

Fact of like in Ireland's motoring future.

Shane732

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

Being realistic, going forward you won't be able to get a powerful petrol car unless it's an M/RS/AMG whether you need a diesel or not.

Fact of like in Ireland's motoring future.

0-60 it's quicker than the 335i was, albeit by something like 0.2 of a second. The additional power of the 335i kicked in higher up but in reality I very rarely used it. .

The power is this one is different. In the normal range of use 0 - say 80 it feels totally effortless.

I'd have loved a M4 but I'm have buying an apartment so my priorities have changed slightly! Getting sensible in my old age!

166man

Shane732 wrote: »

0-60 it's quicker than the 335i was, albeit by something like 0.2 of a second. The additional power of the 335i kicked in higher up but in reality I very rarely used it. .

The power is this one is different. In the normal range of use 0 - say 80 it feels totally effortless.

I'd have loved a M4 but I'm have buying an apartment so my priorities have changed slightly! Getting sensible in my old age!

430d MSport is a quality motor. Have experienced that engine in nearly all BMW models and it's absolutely a cracker.

ratracer

So after reading a lot of info on here, and getting some great advice from Curran, I decided it was time to give the OH's Focus some TLC.

As you can see the car was pretty manky. It has not been polished/waxed in a couple of years.....


So, the wheels were first up for treatment and got cleaned with Korrosol, detarred and waxed. Tires got washed in APC solution and then dressed.

I was very impressed with the Korrosol, way better than any similar product I had tried before (which in fairness is limited enough). I like the bubble gum smell too!!

Next up was the Snow foam treatment, followed by APC wash, detar, BH wash, dry.


Then it was on to claying the car, this was a first for me. I used BH clay on Curran's recommendation. It worked well, and was happy with the result achieved, but I have questions about it below.

Following another wash with the BH Shampoo, I polished the car with Chemical brothers P40 and waxed over this with Chemical Guys Pete's 35.
I'm very happy with the finish of the car. The paint had been very dull and it never really looked clean even after being washed, so it's a massive improvement:


I have just a few questions that more experienced folk might help me with...
Regarding the clay, I cut the clay bar into quarters. When i was using it I expected the clay to mould like plasticine, but it actually crumbled quite easily as shown:

Is this normal? I used a drop of shampoo in a water spray bottle as a lube. I used 3/4 of the bar on the car today, I just want to be sure I was doing it right.

Also, I only managed to get one coat of each of the polish and the wax on the car today. How long would I expect that to last, or would it be ok to wash the car in a few days, dry it off and apply another coat of wax?

Thanks

vectra

place the clay in a dish of warm water prior to using. Keep swapping the lumps around, this will make them pliable and easier to shape.

Great job by the way.

mik_da_man

Got a bit of good weather this weekend so washed the cars.

They weren't too bad, but needed a bit of a wash:



All snow foamed up



And rinsed.





Tried out a G3 clay mitt, works quite well



GF came home so gave her car a wash too, few stubborn bits on the wheel that Bilt Hamber took care of

ratracer

vectra wrote: »

place the clay in a dish of warm water prior to using. Keep swapping the lumps around, this will make them pliable and easier to shape.

Great job by the way.

Thanks. It's quiet a time consuming effort, but definitly worth it in the end. I've also realised the benefit of using proper products this time. I have a feeling I could become a silent share holder in detailingshed in the future:eek:

mik_da_man

When cars were washed and the RS4 clayed it rained, so had to put off the intended Wax step for the day.

Polished the exhaust of the RS4, wasn't too bad, but came up nicely.



After:



Did the GF's car too:



After:




Evenyually got a coat of Collinite 845 onto it and teh finished article:



Then it rained, so got some nice beading:

MetzgerMeister

Shane732 wrote: »

0-60 it's quicker than the 335i was, albeit by something like 0.2 of a second. The additional power of the 335i kicked in higher up but in reality I very rarely used it. .

The power is this one is different. In the normal range of use 0 - say 80 it feels totally effortless.

I'd have loved a M4 but I'm have buying an apartment so my priorities have changed slightly! Getting sensible in my old age!

You should see what a JB4'd 335i feels like when it comes to power

Curran

ratracer wrote: »

Is this normal?

No, not normal, but you'd expect to see similar on a very cold day. But wouldnt have thought that it was THAT bad of late!
But as Vectra said, some hot water might help!

MetzgerMeister

Also use HOT water in your lubrication bottle aswell as the water you're using to soften/shape the clay.

Shane732

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

You should see what a JB4'd 335i feels like when it comes to power

I've driven a couple and no doubt they are insanely quick!

I've never really been into modding though other than putting a few BMW performance parts on the 335.

MetzgerMeister

Shane732 wrote: »

I've driven a couple and no doubt they are insanely quick!

I've never really been into modding though other than putting a few BMW performance parts on the 335.

I only mod the ECU if it's possible. I don't buy into changing exhausts, bumpers etc. although I did have to replace the turbos as you might know :pac:

Darraghmh91.

Done a bit of cleaning on the starlet
Firstly started with the rocket cover by cleaning it up and spraying the rocker cover, cam cover and intercooler brackets





Then I gave the lights a polish .. Still not great but will do till I get new ones off Toyota

mossym

delivery from detailing shed earlier in the week. gave the BMW a decent wash today, had been a while. washed using TBM, gave the wheels a decent soak of bilt hamber auto wheel, hadn't done the wheels properly before, this was their first time really, so there was a lot to come off. took a couple of soaks.

once done, washed car again, dried, and gave it a coat of CarPro Reload. first time using it, recommended by curren, and i could see why. leaves a lovely finish. was still some of the layer of 845 i put on last time, could tell from the beading i got after washing, but this will hopefully get me through for a while until i get a chance to get a full day at it. last thing sealed the wheels with AG sealer.

forgot to take pics, but it's looking well now, hell of an improvement over the layer of dirt that was on it

thaanks curren for the sound advice. very imrpessed with the carpro stuff. browsing the other stuff in the range at the moment:)

Curran

The CarPro range is excellent - some very handy products for those with limited time. Reload is a simple spray on, buff off, product, that is very durable and has fillers in it to help hide defects. And Hydro2 (or Hydro2 Lite, the Ready to Use version) is a simple spray onto the car, rinse off, job done!! Leaves a great shine and protection. Dead handy!

Get a few pictures tomorrow if you can mossy!

Foxhole Norman

The E39 got the usual wash treatment and I tried my hand at polishing for the first time, just on the bootlid to see where I'm going. Will be getting a D/A off a buddy to go at the body harder later in the Summer.









All just done with AutoGlym stuff for now on G3 Waffle Applicator pads.

Noccy_Mondy

What's that little blue thingymajig next door?

mhackett102

Noccy_Mondy wrote: »

What's that little blue thingymajig next door?

I think it is an Austin A30. A neighbor of mine has a black car very similar to that blue one and I would've sworn that he said it was an Austin A30

Foxhole Norman

Noccy_Mondy wrote: »

What's that little blue thingymajig next door?

Tis an Austin A30, cool little yoke, he bought it there about a week and a half ago as a non runner and now has it up and running well. He also owns a 3.0 Capri, 2.0 E28 5 Series and a 2.7 Rangey. Some man for the cars.

Noccy_Mondy

Ah I'd love a capri, you know, keeping with Ford tradition! Some of them are making savage money atm though!

mossym

Curran wrote: »

The CarPro range is excellent - some very handy products for those with limited time. Reload is a simple spray on, buff off, product, that is very durable and has fillers in it to help hide defects. And Hydro2 (or Hydro2 Lite, the Ready to Use version) is a simple spray onto the car, rinse off, job done!! Leaves a great shine and protection. Dead handy!

Get a few pictures tomorrow if you can mossy!

apologies, heading for dublin early doors so these are 6am pictures, light not great .

JAMES VTI S

Darraghmh91. wrote: »

epic motor.

JAMES VTI S

Buddy of mine dropped of his new A3 S line for a paint protection detail, stone chips repair and alloygator supply and fitment.

First off looking around the car it was pretty dirty and definitely needed some help.





For some reason i really hate dirty tyres, Pet peeve #1



I had to get them clean no matter, the stuff that was stuck to the tyres, greasy/oily tyre dressing (uugghh) cover in dirt, grime, cow poop and brake dust ... oily/greasy dressings are just a nightmare to remove, great for the forecourt as they last longer but not so good for the rubber and my patients.

TFR and Autosmart Smart wheels to the rescue.




Satisfaction.

Next the wheels got the first of a two stage decontamination process. I used Autosmart Fallout remover and this left the rims squeaky clean





Next i remove any tar deposits.



Wheel and tyres done I focused my powers on the paint, first snow foaming to remove any loose dirt. Autosmart Duet doing its thing.



Foam and loose dirt pressure rinsed off it was two bucket time (2Bm OR NOT 2Bm: THAT IS THE QUESTION!) Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine with a brand new lambs wool wash mitt.



DRIPPING WET RINGS mmmmmm :eek:



Followed by Autosmart Fallout remover on the body paint, sprayed on, dewell 3/5 minutes and agitated with the wool mitt.

JAMES VTI S

Next the tar was removed from the body paint and followed up by my now not so sexy looking Liquid Elements smooth clay towel. She is still serving well after countless uses



Rinsed again then towel dried I pulled the car inside so the Polish Angels could shine there beams of light upon us :rolleyes:

First i applied Escalate lotion to clean the paint 1000%, me DAS6 has gone through three sets of brushes and a set of bearings but she is begging for more :cool:



FINALLY!!! :eek: the marriage of German paint free of any impurities meets a freshly poured, handmade, German sealant made by Angels

If tears of love, joy, and bliss…..have not washed your cheeks….. You are yet to taste life…..



Finally I repaired two stone chips on the drivers door, god don't know how they got there.



Glass cleaned, tyres dressed i fitted some silver Alloygators to cover some existing damage on the rear offside rim and to protect the rest from any further possible damage.

That lot worked up quite a sweet.

JAMES VTI S

Boy OH Boy this car pops!
Daytona grey on these diamond cut rims reaches legend status :eek:



















Thanks for looking.

166man

Fantastic work man, I really hope you keep it up. You really have a fantastic ethos about your work.

JAMES VTI S

Detailing vehicles like this A3 beats working any day I tells ya.
Thanks a million 166man and thanks everyone for liking my posts.

ianobrien

I finally got off my rear and tackled my car over the weekend. I've no starting photos but it was fair mank. The treatments were:

• Snowfoam with 50Cal Ambush Superfoam
• Wash (2BM) with Autoglym Shampoo and dried with a Dry me Crazy (boy they're good)
• Detar with AG tar remover
• Wash and dry again
• Bilt Hamber fallout remover applied
• Wash and dry again
• Clay next with AG clay and lubricant
• Wash and dry again
• Polish with AG SRP
• Seal with AG Extra Gloss Protection

The wheels were done with Bilt Hamber autowheels, detarred, washed again and AG SRP applied. Tyres had three coats of Orchard Tyre care

The after photos are









Edit - The firsh photo was taken when the sun had just dipped behind a cloud at dusk, hence the colour hue. The other photos were taken under a grey sky. Hence the car doesn't really "pop"

Edit #2 - I noticed that the Bilt Hamber was autocorrected to Bilt Chamber!

Curran

Looking good Ian!

jacksie66

This post has been deleted.

Newtown90

JAMES VTI S wrote: »

Detailing vehicles like this A3 beats working any day I tells ya.
Thanks a million 166man and thanks everyone for liking my posts.

A3 looks unreal!

Just bought a clay towel to see what its like!

Have a family wedding in August and have a few cars to do so can't wait to try some of the liquid elements order I received a few weeks back aswell

vectra

Glenviewjf wrote: »

A3 looks unreal!

Just bought a clay towel to see what its like!

Have a family wedding in August and have a few cars to do so can't wait to try some of the liquid elements order I received a few weeks back aswell

Which L.E. products did you buy?

Newtown90

vectra wrote: »

Which L.E. products did you buy?

I got some of their snow foam, fallout remover, wheel furbys and the sample range of the protection (paint freeze, carnauba creme and gloss boost).

Also got some collinite off Curran which I can't wait to use

Have a week off before the wedding so my DA will be flat out!

Need to stop buying now though have so much I could open a shop.

vectra

Make sure you use the Collinite on bare paint.

charcosull

6 hours Friday evening. I need to work on the photo skills.

Wash, Detar, Wash, Clay, Wash, AG SRP, Seal, Carnuba wax.
Pics are pre-wax

First time doing this so was delighted with the results. Car was covered in spots of tar before and the paint felt gritty.



[IMG][/img]

ianobrien

Curran wrote: »

Looking good Ian!

I must have a chat with you about polishes. The AG SRP is almost finished and I want one to work on silver & black VAG paints. A matching wax might be needed also.

vectra

Clay and 2 coatf of Collinite 845 ^^^

JAMES VTI S

jacksie66 wrote: »

You wanna come over to New Zealand and give my legacy a clean :rolleyes:

Do i turn left or right at the airport doors ?

Glenviewjf wrote: »

A3 looks unreal!

Just bought a clay towel to see what its like!

Have a family wedding in August and have a few cars to do so can't wait to try some of the liquid elements order I received a few weeks back aswell

Clay towels are the way forward, for me anyway.

ya ya ya you can't see the contamination coming off but the feel from the these is way better than clay alone. Hot soapy water and let it sit to get nice, pliable and soft ready to hug the paint clean.

Noccy_Mondy

Polished her up last week. Covered in dust again, but looked good for 5 minutes. Them 5 minutes were totally worth it though.

http://i.imgur.com/7nzPiTa.jpg

vectra

JAMES VTI S wrote: »

Clay towels are the way forward, for me anyway.

ya ya ya you can't see the contamination coming off but the feel from the these is way better than clay alone. Hot soapy water and let it sit to get nice, pliable and soft ready to hug the paint clean.

What towel are you using?
Might get one in for the Passat when it arrives.