Today I did some detailing...

Mc Love · 18-10-2014 7:12am

Think I'll give up snow foaming, the damned thing stopped working again and not getting any decent foam - just milky stuff. And yes I did let clean water run through the system each time after using it.

Was fun while it lasted

vectra · 18-10-2014 9:46am

Mc Love wrote: »

Think I'll give up snow foaming, the damned thing stopped working again and not getting any decent foam - just milky stuff. And yes I did let clean water run through the system each time after using it. Was fun while it lasted

I found running clear water run through it useless.
I now blast pure APC through it for a minute or so, then finish with clear water.
Working fine this time much longer than ever before.

Did you try flushing some kettle descaler through it?

Curran · 18-10-2014 2:30pm

There's also the law of diminishing returns...too much snowfoam solution doesnt result in thicker, but rather a shorter time before getting a clogged gauze.

Mc Love · 18-10-2014 3:13pm

Is there a new detailing website where I can purchase this APC from??

Curran · 18-10-2014 3:21pm

Whats wrong with the old reliables?

vectra · 18-10-2014 4:11pm

Mc Love wrote: »

Is there a new detailing website where I can purchase this APC from??

Yes
Aldi
Lidl
Super valu
Tesco

etc etc.:pac:

Curran · 18-10-2014 5:17pm

Exactly...for jobs like that...as much as you can get for as little as ye can pay!

MetzgerMeister · 20-10-2014 12:25am

I had a Peugeot 106 Rallye in at the weekend for paint enhancement. Savage little car that handles like a go kart!

First off, Bilt Hamber Auto Wheel:

10B7BB926A5648F7B237D0AA65EA8858-0000372590-0003682971-00800L-20A2BB39B22847F0AE9A2CFF608230C6.jpg

10B7BB926A5648F7B237D0AA65EA8858-0000372590-0003682971-00800L-20A2BB39B22847F0AE9A2CFF608230C6.jpg

Followed by a wash, detar and clay:

67617965855D4D5184673090B8823215-0000372590-0003682960-00800L-81F788B29DB7458E86B82F43D4A63B5F.jpg

This was an enhancement rather than a correction but there was quite a bit of swirling damage:

097034AEF50D4651A1F6722B4EF8A16B-0000372590-0003682967-00800L-F9FAD413D8B5426B97F3430AE062D786.jpg

097034AEF50D4651A1F6722B4EF8A16B-0000372590-0003682967-00800L-F9FAD413D8B5426B97F3430AE062D786.jpg

Mainly this kind of thing is what I had to sort on the front driver's wing and front bumper:

3DA68B3454B24104BF966FC9E6A0DAA6-0000372590-0003682972-00500L-1686CDE50C064688A903834B98BAD066.jpg

3DA68B3454B24104BF966FC9E6A0DAA6-0000372590-0003682972-00500L-1686CDE50C064688A903834B98BAD066.jpg

50/50

F845A95DA902464AA70D4F817727C963-0000372590-0003682946-00800L-EB47FEFF3E4F415896BFB5AB3DAA7DE2.jpg

Fully done:

68E1B1BA137C4ED0843BAA6A0C1271D2-0000372590-0003682974-00800L-BA7E348254954432961F6587E9CC4FE0.jpg

The whole car got an enhancement followed by a wash and 2 IPA wipedowns to remove any trace of polish and give the LSP the best bonding surface possible

All finished and with a coat of Collinite 845:

018D78AA0513456BA191A5631DA07FE5-0000372590-0003682943-00800L-65A11C0D00224904B5FAF4952047D96E.jpg

018D78AA0513456BA191A5631DA07FE5-0000372590-0003682943-00800L-65A11C0D00224904B5FAF4952047D96E.jpg

601878CF5DCC44C8B41E699ED79B92B7-0000372590-0003682970-00800L-17623DA3913443479AC033F07C0EED1B.jpg

Bearing in mind that this wasn't a correction, it's impossible to do an enhancement without some level of correction. The paint on this car wasn't too badly damaged so it really is as shiny as it looks!

georgefalls · 20-10-2014 9:01am

Mc Love wrote: »

Think I'll give up snow foaming, the damned thing stopped working again and not getting any decent foam - just milky stuff. And yes I did let clean water run through the system each time after using it. Was fun while it lasted

vectra wrote: »

I found running clear water run through it useless.
I now blast pure APC through it for a minute or so, then finish with clear water.
Working fine this time much longer than ever before.

Did you try flushing some kettle descaler through it?

I find my spray bottle gets clogged sometimes. I blow air through the bottom of the suction hose, with an air compressor (cheapo aldi/lidl one)
That does the trick every time

mik_da_man · 20-10-2014 9:54am

So the little pug above is mine, must say that I was really impressed by the work done and delighted with how it turned out, espically the faded panels.

Had a bitta rain last night so here are a few obligatory beading shots.

MuppetCheck · 20-10-2014 10:58am

Great work Dave!

Mc Love · 20-10-2014 11:10am

does the paint enhancement get rid of swirls - there's a few on the car but not noticeable to joe soap

MetzgerMeister · 20-10-2014 11:35am

Mc Love wrote: »

does the paint enhancement get rid of swirls - there's a few on the car but not noticeable to joe soap

It does to a certain extent whereby it's impossible to do an enhancement without a certain level of correction. An enhancement basically enhances the gloss level but there will be swirls and scratches visible under most light whereas a correction is more time spent at removing all these scratches.

If the swirling is light then an enhancement would go a long way to removing them.

It also depends on how long a detailer is willing to spend on an enhancement. I spent a total of 5 hours over Friday/Saturday on just polishing alone since it's a small car.

JAMES VTI S · 22-10-2014 11:56pm

This car was caked with layer upon layer of road grime, dirt and tar.
The wheels took at least twenty minutes to clean as they were covered in brake dust and grime.

Thanks to the best chemicals from Crowley chemicals,(autosmart) , good valeting techniques and a bit of know-how we gave this Merc a new look to be proud of.

Noccy_Mondy · 24-10-2014 5:07pm

Lads is this package good value for money or a good collection to have? Half thinking if getting it.
http://www.halfords.ie/motoring/cleaning-products/cleaning-kits/autoglym-perfect-bodywork-wheels-and-interior-gift-collection

MetzgerMeister · 24-10-2014 5:13pm

Noccy_Mondy wrote: »

Lads is this package good value for money or a good collection to have? Half thinking if getting it.
http://www.halfords.ie/motoring/cleaning-products/cleaning-kits/autoglym-perfect-bodywork-wheels-and-interior-gift-collection

I'm not really a fan of AG stuff but you're getting a huge amount of stuff along with what looks like a decent enough hold-all for €62!

mik_da_man · 25-10-2014 12:35am

I got a present of that set (or very similar) years ago.
Great set IMO and very handy bag, well worth it.
Might even pick one up myself as mine is getting empty!

Noccy_Mondy · 25-10-2014 11:21pm

Spent all day cleaning these toys. 206 was already clean-ish, so just needed a rub.

26-10-2014 12:32am

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

I had a Peugeot 106 Rallye in at the weekend

Just out of curiousity.. what did you do about that sticker/decal on the car (the three stripes)?

Presumably machine polishing over a sticker/decal wouldn't be good as it'd wear the sticker down and fade it a bit? Or is it okay to do so?

Bpmull · 26-10-2014 9:09am

Noccy_Mondy wrote: »

Lads is this package good value for money or a good collection to have? Half thinking if getting it.
http://www.halfords.ie/motoring/cleaning-products/cleaning-kits/autoglym-perfect-bodywork-wheels-and-interior-gift-collection

I might pick up one too. Looks like a good set and the carry case would be handy.

MetzgerMeister · 26-10-2014 9:12am

Deleted User wrote: »

Just out of curiousity.. what did you do about that sticker/decal on the car (the three stripes)?

Presumably machine polishing over a sticker/decal wouldn't be good as it'd wear the sticker down and fade it a bit? Or is it okay to do so?

I didn't let the machine near it, just polished around it. It could have done a few things like catch on edge and crack it, tear it off or fade it so I didn't take the chance.

What I did do though was apply a bit of polish by hand with an applicator pad.

mik_da_man · 26-10-2014 3:38pm

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

I didn't let the machine near it, just polished around it. It could have done a few things like catch on edge and crack it, tear it off or fade it so I didn't take the chance.

What I did do though was apply a bit of polish by hand with an applicator pad.

Was wondering what you did in the end!

27-10-2014 2:13am

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

I didn't let the machine near it, just polished around it. It could have done a few things like catch on edge and crack it, tear it off or fade it so I didn't take the chance.

What I did do though was apply a bit of polish by hand with an applicator pad.

Seems clever alright.

It's something I've thought about in the past, though, I must admit. (If you were detailing company's vehicles with decals and stuff all over them, would you have a pain in the hole, or would you just get stuck in, etc.)

Although obviously in real life, it wouldn't really come up (what company gets their vehicles detailed :P )

Curran · 27-10-2014 9:09am

It comes up more often than you'd think.
Many cars have pin strip decals, Alpina's and some Rally Edition cars being examples, and care is needed. Cant just get stuck in and polish over them.

TomMc · 27-10-2014 7:24pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfEelkmpqc8&feature=youtu.be

MetzgerMeister · 27-10-2014 7:42pm

TomMc wrote: »

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfEelkmpqc8&feature=youtu.be

Brushes...swirl marks....true horror!! :eek:

JAMES VTI S · 31-10-2014 1:57pm

I detailed this car over two days first cleaning the exterior getting it ready for polishing which we done with a fine polish this revealed a fantastic level of gloss and shine. The paint was sealed with polish angel escalate lotion and master sealant which really made the metallic paint pop!. Next a a friend removed the headlight units for restoration, and to finish I gave the interior a light valet.

JAMES VTI S · 31-10-2014 2:02pm

A friend in shannon gave me a call to detail his two cars for the winter.

TFR foam
Soft Wool Hand wash
Wheels deep cleaned
Detar
Clay
Wax

I used collinite 476s

01-11-2014 4:30am

Some excellent work there, James.

Can i ask ye guys, is there anything you can do, from a detailing standpoint, to make alloys look a bit better or undo slight damage?

The wheels on my car were never pristine, there were obvious kerbing signs, but when I recently got two new tyres on the front, the lads did a wonderful job of putting some lovely new scratches into the wheels. I didn't bother to complain as the wheels were already scratched anyway, and it was just a new place setting up, but it does annoy me a little, if I'm honest.

So was just wondering is there anything I, myself, can do, with my joe soap detailing gear? I'd like to get the wheels looking better, but not enough to the extent that I'd actually pay anyone to restore them or such (I'm as guilty of damaging the alloys as any of the previous owners, unfortunately).

I presume machine polishing the face of the wheels would be just asking for trouble, as it'd only irritate the scratches, rather than cover them up?

JAMES VTI S · 01-11-2014 9:00am

Thanks a lot KKV.
A couple of hundred quid would get them powered coated, if there is deep scratches it might be the best idea (if they're not diamond cut)

Today I did some detailing...

Comments