Detailing Thread

E39MSport · 29-11-2011 10:08am #1

I'm thinking we need a dedicated detailing thread whether it be this or another.

Products, projects, pics etc etc

(edit) For the unenlightened: - http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/index.php enjoy

I have a fair it of kit already incl DAS6 DA and Sonus 6" and spot pads and polish. Loads of random products. My best Wax is Zymol Carbon but I'm running low. Looking to source Swissvax Mirage, probably from UK.

So, this week Santa is coming early for me

Put an order in to cyc last night for the following (with some help from Stewie's thread on dw): -

Order Inventory:
Product: Snow Foam Lance - Various fittings
Product: Valet Pro - PH Neutral Snow Foam
Product: Meguiars Hyper wash
Product: Meguiars Lambswool Wash Mitt
Product: Sonus Der Wunder Drying Towel, Pkg/2
Product: Chemical Guys - Vertua Bond 408
Product: Gtechniq - C1 Crystal Lacquer (25ml)
Product: Meguiars Last Touch
Product: 600ml Plastic Bottle with Sprayer
Product: Meguiars - Body Solvent
Product: Sonus Acrylic Glanz
Product: ClearKote Wax Applicator Pad
Product: 3M 3434 Masking Tape
Product: Sonus SFX-2 Enhance Polish
Product: Sonus SFX-3 Final Finish Polish
Product: Sonus Der Wunder Buffing Towel, Pkg/2
Product: Ultimate German Applicator
Product: Meguiars Detailing Swabs
Product: Meguiars All Purpose Cleaner

This is all for the E39 and the Bora and ultimately the 8er.

I missed out on a few things for trim etc but need to do some more research first.

Pics and progress to follow as and when

TestTransmission · 29-11-2011 10:10am

Where did you order it from?

EDIT:See it now

E39MSport · 29-11-2011 10:14am

TestTransmission wrote: »

Where did you order it from?

cleanyourcar.co.uk My preferred supplier having dealt with a few.

I didn't know which snow lance fitting to use for my Honda power washer. They suggested I take a pic and within 20 mins they had an email response for me with the correct fitting and it's size for me to confirm.
Free shipping. Good stock levels.

(edit) Too late

vetstu · 29-11-2011 10:19am

The C1 looks good, from the posts from DW. I have the gtechniq G1 on my windscreen and it works brilliantly. Have a bottle of C1 too, just waiting till the spring till I am fit enough to give the car a run of the DA and apply it.
I'm just a bit nervous about f'ing up the application of it.

E39MSport · 29-11-2011 10:19am

I've practiced with the DA on a few motors at this stage. My LS400

, mates 335i (

) and others.

It's not at all difficult and pretty risk free. Laborious though. Advise obtaining paint thickness readings beforehand. I got a cheap piece of kit from eBay and it does a grand job. Came from Poland I think.

E39MSport · 29-11-2011 10:21am

vetstu wrote: »

The C1 looks good, from the posts from DW. I have the gtechniq G1 on my windscreen and it works brilliantly. Have a bottle of C1 too, just waiting till the spring till I am fit enough to give the car a run of the DA and apply it.
I'm just a bit nervous about f'ing up the application of it.

Seriously pricey and with you on the planking it bit. Defintely waiting for perfect conditions.

Jemmy · 29-11-2011 10:30am

E39MSport wrote: »

cleanyourcar.co.uk My preferred supplier having dealt with a few

Going for a nosy, haven't used that site before & car could do with a good going over

Miss the barn for reversing in & getting stuck in for a few hours! :P Bloody rain

si_guru · 29-11-2011 10:57am

Just bought a Sealy buffer... forget the model - AND - it is too wet to go look in the garage. Something like 900PS??

Also I (hand) polished an uncle's old van recently with 2000 grit then 3M hand glaze.. wow, it looks like new, really he has the world's shiniest 1999 Berlingo.

Have a wet and dry vac for the house.. just got a wet long hose so I can the interior of the car. FYI the standard Fiat 500 interior is bugger for getting marks on the seats.. even rain drop leave stains. So next dry day I will tackle that.

Looking for advice on window cleaning.. was usung Karcher spray, but want to learn how to "deep clean" it rather than smear the dirt around.

dar83 · 29-11-2011 11:02am

Damn you, I've now already got £80 worth of stuff in my basket...

:P

aristotle25 · 29-11-2011 11:48am

E39MSport wrote: »

Looking to source Swissvax Mirage, probably from UK.

The prices are fairly uniform across all the websites. Got mine from amazon.co.uk.

A standard foam applicator will be fine to apply it. No need to buy the swissvax applicator.

E39MSport · 29-11-2011 1:42pm

Someone on here mentioned a CG or gtechniq product (I think) a while back for restoring trim and adding a polymer surface to it.

Can't recall what it was though ??

The plastic type stuff on the E39 is showing its age big time and lets the car down when the paintwork and wheels have been worked on.

Think I just found it - Gtechniq - C4 Permanent Trim Restorer.

I've heard good things about the CG New Look Trim Gel as well though.

So much choice .....

E39MSport · 29-11-2011 1:47pm

.. while I'm at it...

Last few cars I've had I either remove the seatbelts and clean with something like woolite OR fully extract and do likewise in a bucket beside the car.

What makes them like new after a wash (retract faster and feel/smell great) is Poorboys Natural Look Dressing.

Cheaper but very effective alternative is Silicon Spray (Halfords do a branded one).

If you can't be arsed washing the belt then just spray it with Silicon - makes a huge difference to tired seatelts.

Let the spray absorb into the belt and dry out before putting near your clothes.

dar83 · 29-11-2011 2:07pm

Ok, question for you E39, did you pay by PayPal?

They wont ship to an "unverified" PayPal address and their support system requires you to be a member before you can submit a Ticket. Kind of goes against the whole reason I'm trying to use PayPal, so I dont have to register on another site. :-/

E39MSport · 29-11-2011 2:29pm

Howdy.
I tried paypal also and got the same result so used my cc. Haven't looked into getting my address verified by paypal.

dar83 · 29-11-2011 3:00pm

E39MSport wrote: »

Howdy.
I tried paypal also and got the same result so used my cc. Haven't looked into getting my address verified by paypal.

It's pretty difficult for us, they only really Address verify for US addresses and UK ones. Our lack of proper postcodes is our worst enemy there I think.

vectra · 29-11-2011 3:00pm

Hey lads
Bargain DA here for someone
http://www.octane.ie/parts/part.php?id=2207

TomMc · 29-11-2011 3:06pm

E39 the Chemical Guys dressing would only give short term results and would have to be re-applied several times a year. The Gtechniq one is a longer term solution. There are other products like Black Wow or Carpro Perl that fit in somewhere between the two.

Hal1 · 29-11-2011 3:36pm

vectra wrote: »

Hey lads
Bargain DA here for someone
http://www.octane.ie/parts/part.php?id=2207

It was sold in 5 mins, I was too late

. Sure was a bargin.

si_guru · 29-11-2011 3:52pm

I find Tesco brand foam cleaner and bumper "back to black" (for the engine plastics and rubbers) nice value at €2.50 a can... sometimes it is €1.25!

The foam cleaner works a treat on the cooker hob too!

dar83 · 29-11-2011 3:52pm

Just an FYI for anyone else. The PayPal issue with Address Verification is no longer an issue once you've Registered with the website.

So just register and you can then use PayPal no problem.

Compton · 29-11-2011 4:14pm

vectra wrote: »

Hey lads
Bargain DA here for someone
http://www.octane.ie/parts/part.php?id=2207

I bought that

got it like 2 mins after he posted it up!

E39MSport · 29-11-2011 5:07pm

Nice one !! Well wear (not the paintwork

)

Mr Benevolent · 29-11-2011 5:59pm

Any (easily available and cheap(ish)) good leather cleaner/conditioners? Just got some clay from cleancar.ie, looks to be good quality. I'm also trying to sort out a load of swirl marks on the Alfa, any recommendations?

E39MSport · 29-11-2011 6:23pm

For swirls, I'd be using my DA and either Sonus 1 or 2, but si guru above says he went at it with some fine grit and 3M polish by hand.

I think I read on cyc yesterday about the German applicator helping with manual application of typically machine applied polishes. In fact, here it is
"The pad is firm enough to allow polishes to be worked agressively enough to actually break the polish down reducing the risk of dullness and hazing. We have found it possible to use polishes that traditionally had to be applied by machine by hand using this pad!"

Megs Paint cleaner is also good - slightly abrasive but not sure if it would tackle cobwebbing/swirls.

For leather I use the AG stuff and I think it's good. It's creamy white substance though. I've read other positive reviews of it on here and elsewhere. Halfords have it. Smells nice too

vectra · 29-11-2011 6:27pm

Confab wrote: »

Any (easily available and cheap(ish)) good leather cleaner/conditioners? Just got some clay from cleancar.ie, looks to be good quality. I'm also trying to sort out a load of swirl marks on the Alfa, any recommendations?

I use Chemical Guys Liquid Leather cleaner/conditioner.
http://www.cleancar.ie/Chemical_Guys_-_Liquid_Leather_Conditioner___Cleaner.html
I clean them first with a light solution of APC and warm water. Wipe them down and dry them.then spray this stuff on them and wipe.
Lock up the car. Nice smell next morning.
Keeps the leather looking good as well.

This seems to be good at getting rid of Masking swirl marks
http://www.cleancar.ie/auto-finesse-tripple-all-in-one-250ml.html

Have a look here >> http://vagdrivers.net/forums/index.php?s=&showtopic=72184&view=findpost&p=700275

si_guru · 29-11-2011 10:42pm

Fine grit is grand if you are brave - or like me, the car couldn't be made any worse! Also I practised on an old van we have in the field to store concrete bags... There are some great tutorials on YouTube!

E39MSport · 30-11-2011 10:11am

What are cleancar.ie like for delivery?

vectra · 30-11-2011 10:28am

E39MSport wrote: »

What are cleancar.ie like for delivery?

I can assure you that you will find it hard to beat them.. 99% of the time I would say next day delivery. Once I had to wait two days as they were waiting on one item I ordered, to be fair to them they still insisted on next day for me and post the one item seperate. I told therm no need, send it all together.. OH, and you will get a free lollipop in your order

E39MSport · 30-11-2011 11:06am

Lollipop ? sold

vectra · 30-11-2011 11:10am

E39MSport wrote: »

Lollipop ? sold

They are Nice one's as well :P

30-11-2011 2:23pm

Anyone got any reccomendations for a half decent wet & dry vac thats not mega bucks? For the odd use I'd get out of it I dont want to be spending loads. I know hiring is a cheap option but I'd prefare my own one.

I got a kestrel da last year and only used it once on my civic. It came with a pack of sonus polish & pad's but after doing my civic with it I still had some swirls. I'll have to check the numbers on the polish I may just have used something with not enough cut but that paint is that thin on the car I thought I would have gotten away with it.

vectra · 30-11-2011 3:24pm

5500 wrote: »

Anyone got any reccomendations for a half decent wet & dry vac thats not mega bucks? For the odd use I'd get out of it I dont want to be spending loads. I know hiring is a cheap option but I'd prefare my own one.

Lidl have a handy one for €59.99

si_guru · 30-11-2011 3:50pm

vectra wrote: »

Lidl have a handy one for €59.99

That's the one I have.. works very well.

E39MSport · 30-11-2011 3:51pm

5500 wrote: »

Anyone got any reccomendations for a half decent wet & dry vac thats not mega bucks? For the odd use I'd get out of it I dont want to be spending loads. I know hiring is a cheap option but I'd prefare my own one.

I got a kestrel da last year and only used it once on my civic. It came with a pack of sonus polish & pad's but after doing my civic with it I still had some swirls. I'll have to check the numbers on the polish I may just have used something with not enough cut but that paint is that thin on the car I thought I would have gotten away with it.

Sonus FX1 would shift most heavy swirls and even make scratches more or less invisible.

Stewie on DW did this before using his Rotary: - "Also any other deep defects Ie. the bush scratches were also much lessened if not totally removed using Megs unigrit 2500 and/or 3000 grit paper." He adds, "(which had been soaking in a bucket of water for a couple of days to soften)"

challengemaster · 30-11-2011 4:59pm

This might sound like a stupid idea so shoot me down if it is but...

Would anyone that knows what they're doing be interested in running some kind of workshop (introduction to detailing style) for those people (including myself) who have minimal knowledge on products, machine polishers, etc and don't really fancy "learning" by destroying their cars paintwork with a trial and error method? Or even organize one by cleancar.ie or something?

With stuff like wet sanding, I'm sure it's fairly easy to make a balls of things quite easily if you don't know what you're at.

mountain · 30-11-2011 5:01pm

E39MSport wrote: »

What are cleancar.ie like for delivery?

I purchased from them recently after phoning and getting great advice,
next day delivery, ( they put some sweets in the box as well!!!)

MetzgerMeister · 30-11-2011 5:24pm

challengemaster wrote: »

This might sound like a stupid idea so shoot me down if it is but...

Would anyone that knows what they're doing be interested in running some kind of workshop (introduction to detailing style) for those people (including myself) who have minimal knowledge on products, machine polishers, etc and don't really fancy "learning" by destroying their cars paintwork with a trial and error method? Or even organize one by cleancar.ie or something?

With stuff like wet sanding, I'm sure it's fairly easy to make a balls of things quite easily if you don't know what you're at.

Is there any owner of one of these companies on boards? I know Andy from detailer.ie used do this.

vectra · 30-11-2011 5:31pm

challengemaster wrote: »

With stuff like wet sanding, I'm sure it's fairly easy to make a balls of things quite easily if you don't know what you're at.

I want to chance some wet sanding on the '01 Toledo next week weather permitting.. I asked a Panel beater/spray painter Lazi git about wet sanding and all I could get out of him was "Too old..Too Old"
What was too old?? The paint??
The car value too low to justify it?
or himself not able to do it LOL

E39MSport · 30-11-2011 5:52pm

challengemaster wrote: »

This might sound like a stupid idea so shoot me down if it is but...

Would anyone that knows what they're doing be interested in running some kind of workshop (introduction to detailing style) for those people (including myself) who have minimal knowledge on products, machine polishers, etc and don't really fancy "learning" by destroying their cars paintwork with a trial and error method? Or even organize one by cleancar.ie or something?

With stuff like wet sanding, I'm sure it's fairly easy to make a balls of things quite easily if you don't know what you're at.

If this doesn't come to fruitition, a good way to skill up is to get some cheap bonnets/panels from a scrapper/breaker and practice that way.

challengemaster · 30-11-2011 5:57pm

Well what I was thinking was, it'd also be good for anyone considering buying a machine polisher to get an idea if it's worth their while spending the money or not, and knowing how to use it is also a bonus...

E39MSport · 30-11-2011 5:59pm

Can you rent them anywhere? hmmm, I smell an opportunity

challengemaster · 30-11-2011 6:25pm

Take a look at the detailing forum on bmw-driver, there's Spirit detailing, cleancar and bill&ben Ltd guys all fairly active...

E39MSport · 01-12-2011 5:57pm

stuff arrived

I'm moist ...

vetstu · 01-12-2011 6:38pm

Tiny wee C1 bottle and it probably the dearest bit there

01-12-2011 7:02pm

vectra wrote: »

Lidl have a handy one for €59.99

Can that be used for shampooing seats and carpet? Are they numatic?

vectra · 01-12-2011 7:11pm

5500 wrote: »

Can that be used for shampooing seats and carpet? Are they numatic?

Well. It sucks out the water after you wash them by hand.

MetzgerMeister · 01-12-2011 7:33pm

Great idea for a thread BUT:

Would it not be a better idea to have a detailing/valeting subforum?

rebel.ranter · 01-12-2011 7:57pm

I have recently stocked up on a decent amount of quality & main stream products, all the items below are on my shelf ready for use:

DAS6 dual action polisher

Waxes/Polish:
- Meguairs #80
- Meguairs #83
- Dodo Juice Lime Prime
- Zymol cleaner wax
- Dodo Juice Purple Haze
- Dodo Juice Hard Candy

Speed waxes/Top up:
- Car Pro Reload (not tried it yet)
- Dodo Juice Red Mist
- AG Wash & Wax
(For when I'm in a rush)

Car shampoo:
Dodo Juice Born to be mild
Zymol (like this stuff)
SoapX (not tried yet but will open it soon)

Wheel care:
- Poor Boys Wheel Sealant
- AG Alloy Wheel Sealant (for when in a rush)
- Meguairs Endurance tyre gel
- IronX (amazing stuff)
- AG Clean Wheels (for the bi-annual wheel removal & intensive clean)

Plastic window/headlight care:
- Hingsight 1&2
- BMW Cabrio window polish
- Meguairs PlastX
(All have their pluses)

Leather Care:
- Zymol Leather cleaner
- Doctor Leather
- Gliptone Liquid Leather (regular & waterproof for the vert)
Dr Leather is the best I think

Tar Remover:
- TarX
- AG Intensive Tar Remover

Glass:
- Special scratch remover kit
- AG glass polish
- AG glass cleaner
(I think that I could do better than what I have at the minute for glass)

Autosol for shining up the exhaust pipe/tips

I've a load of other AG products too, Interior Shampoo, Vinyl & Rubber Cleaner, Tyre Dressing (for black trim), Extra Gloss Protection, Paint Renovator, Instant Show Shine, Cabrio Hood Cleaner, Hood Protector, Leather Cleaner, Clay bar & Rapid Detailer
I'm sure I've forgotten a few items...

projectgtr · 01-12-2011 9:40pm

E39MSport wrote: »

What are cleancar.ie like for delivery?

Cleancar.ie are great i order all my stuff from them, they are always there to give advice on products and application, plus when looking for new products they dont seem to do the whole salesman thing and go straight for the most expensive product, their cherry wheel cleaner is by far my favourite product its the only thing i will use to clean my Volks, as for shipping its always been quick.

challengemaster wrote: »

This might sound like a stupid idea so shoot me down if it is but...

Would anyone that knows what they're doing be interested in running some kind of workshop (introduction to detailing style) for those people (including myself) who have minimal knowledge on products, machine polishers, etc and don't really fancy "learning" by destroying their cars paintwork with a trial and error method? Or even organize one by cleancar.ie or something?

With stuff like wet sanding, I'm sure it's fairly easy to make a balls of things quite easily if you don't know what you're at.

Give Larry (cleancar.ie) a shout Callum last year they ran a free products day with Spirit Detailing you got to see all the products in action and they even gave you a bonnet to "de-swirl" after a bit of an introduction, they said they would be doing another one soon but id say it would be in the new year tbh, if i hear any news ill send you a pm

vectra · 01-12-2011 10:10pm

projectgtr wrote: »

Cleancar.ie are great i order all my stuff from them, they are always there to give advice on products and application, plus when looking for new products they dont seem to do the whole salesman thing and go straight for the most expensive product, their cherry wheel cleaner is by far my favourite product its the only thing i will use to clean my Volks, as for shipping its always been quick.

Give Larry (cleancar.ie) a shout Callum last year they ran a free products day with Spirit Detailing you got to see all the products in action and they even gave you a bonnet to "de-swirl" after a bit of an introduction, they said they would be doing another one soon but id say it would be in the new year tbh, if i hear any news ill send you a pm

PM Here as well here please

E39MSport · 02-12-2011 9:56am

einheisserschre wrote: »

Great idea for a thread BUT:

Would it not be a better idea to have a detailing/valeting subforum?

Bang on !! What do we need to do ? (I know its in the faqs somewhere - will check later)

Off topic -
I'd also like to see a 'Driving' sub forum, sick of all the driving related rants in here (although I am possibly responsible for one or two

)

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