Detailing chat

high horse · 15-06-2021 4:20pm

challengemaster wrote: »

Could always wrap it in clingfilm if you need to leave it on for a while and you're worried about it drying out. People do it all the time with gel-based rust inhibitors and rust converters.

I would expect the clingfilm to be dissolved by the tar remover. I could be wrong as I've never used this product

yannakis · 17-06-2021 10:23am

How do you guys attack bugs at the front bumper? Especially after they go all dry after a week of holidays and driving around.

I did snowfoam, rinse, snowfoam, rinse, wash, rinse.. but they're still visible in the end. Have to hold myself back not to scrub it any harder. Any chemicals or combos that make these bug guts and brains go away?

MetzgerMeister · 17-06-2021 10:31am

yannakis wrote: »

How do you guys attack bugs at the front bumper? Especially after they go all dry after a week of holidays and driving around.

I did snowfoam, rinse, snowfoam, rinse, wash, rinse.. but they're still visible in the end. Have to hold myself back not to scrub it any harder. Any chemicals or combos that make these bug guts and brains go away?

Gtechniq Bug Remover
CarPro Bug-Out
ADBL Beetlejuice

All products sepcifically for this job.

Alternatively, soak a number of microfibre cloths with water and/or shampoo and leave them on the areas where the bugs are for about 20 minutes. This will soften them up and make them easy to just wipe off.

Snowfoam etc. doesn't have the staying power needed to effectively soften them up whereas the mf cloths hold the water for as long as needed.

cena · 17-06-2021 11:02am

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

Gtechniq Bug Remover
CarPro Bug-Out
ADBL Beetlejuice

All products sepcifically for this job.

Alternatively, soak a number of microfibre cloths with water and/or shampoo and leave them on the areas where the bugs are for about 20 minutes. This will soften them up and make them easy to just wipe off.

Snowfoam etc. doesn't have the staying power needed to effectively soften them up whereas the mf cloths hold the water for as long as needed.

Angelwax Revenge Bug & Insect I find the best

cena · 17-06-2021 11:04am

Has anyone used plumbers putty as a clay bar?

MetzgerMeister · 17-06-2021 11:18am

cena wrote: »

Angelwax Revenge Bug & Insect I find the best

I haven't used that but have used the ones I mentioned above.

cena wrote: »

Has anyone used plumbers putty as a clay bar?

Forensic detailing channel on youtube as reviewed it. It doesn't have the same abrasive qualities as regular clay that are needed to pull out the contamination and you need to work it more. Also it disintegrates much faster.

Not recommended in my opinion and is a false economy.

PsychoPete · 17-06-2021 1:18pm

I don't get people wanting to use plumbers putty as clay, clay isn't that expensive around €13 depending on brand. I only clay my car twice a year, if your worried about cost and usage maybe using a clay mitt or cloth might be better

MetzgerMeister · 17-06-2021 2:46pm

PsychoPete wrote: »

I don't get people wanting to use plumbers putty as clay, clay isn't that expensive around €13 depending on brand. I only clay my car twice a year, if your worried about cost and usage maybe using a clay mitt or cloth might be better

As I said, a false economy. If you clayed half a panel with normal clay and "clayed" the other half with plumber's putty you'd notice the difference immediately and have to go over the putty side with the real clay.

PsychoPete · 17-06-2021 9:51pm

The A6 was looking a bit sorry for itself for the last while so over the last week I've wet sanded a few marks and gave the whole a machine polish, applied some gyeon can coat,gyeon rim,gtechniq g4 and gtechniq c1. It's never looked as good, left it in the shed over night. I leave it outside Tuesday evening, got up Wednesday morning and the car plastered in bird sh!te, it's almost like they know!

17-06-2021 9:58pm

ba_barabus wrote: »

Heavy tar removal, petrol seems to be the only thing that shifts it or is there a better way?

Does petrol work well for tar removal?

I've some tar cleaner there, and although it's making an effort, it kinda just 'fizzles' the tar spots enough that they run down, and leave streaks, on the car. I end up having to try and pick them off with my finger nails.

Does petrol do a decent job of it? Or is much the same? I presume you just pour some petrol on a cloth, put it halfway into a bottle, ignite and throw?

(seriously though, i presume you just apply it with a cloth and rub it about a bit? then when the tar's gone, give it a rinse?

)

punisher5112 · 18-06-2021 1:16pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Does petrol work well for tar removal?

I've some tar cleaner there, and although it's making an effort, it kinda just 'fizzles' the tar spots enough that they run down, and leave streaks, on the car. I end up having to try and pick them off with my finger nails.

Does petrol do a decent job of it? Or is much the same? I presume you just pour some petrol on a cloth, put it halfway into a bottle, ignite and throw?

(seriously though, i presume you just apply it with a cloth and rub it about a bit? then when the tar's gone, give it a rinse? )

Tar X or the stuff mentioned above, spray jet wash off and repeat if necessary....
That's if you don't want etc marks or swirls....

Anything you need to rub isn't strong enough.

Dilbert75 · 19-06-2021 11:27am

First use of my DA polisher today. Used it to restore the headlights on a 98 MX5 with a red fine polishing pad and Menzerna Super Finish Plus 3800. Came up a treat, or so I thought. Went and washed the car after and after drying it find streaks and a bit of cloudiness.

Now I had sprayed ADBL Beetlejuice on the front and left it to dwell for maybe 20 mins before rinsing. Is that likely to have dried in and caused it or is there something else I did wrong?

Cass · 19-06-2021 11:53am

How bad was the clouding on the headlights?

If it was bad then the Menzerna will only have removed some of it, and if not too bad the Menzerna (however fine) may have added to the issue). If it (the fading on the headlight) is too bad then it'll need wet sanding. Also try get and use a dedicated headlight compound such as Meguiars Headlight X, and a good sealant (as the sanding/compounding/polishing process can remove the UV protection off the headlight).

When I done mine, I washed them after the sanding and they went from clear to a milky/cloudy finish. Used the Headlight X, in alternating/overlapping pattern like compounding a car, and then used Holts headlight sealant.

Went from this:

To this:

CianRyan · 19-06-2021 11:53am

Dilbert75 wrote: »

First use of my DA polisher today. Used it to restore the headlights on a 98 MX5 with a red fine polishing pad and Menzerna Super Finish Plus 3800. Came up a treat, or so I thought. Went and washed the car after and after drying it find streaks and a bit of cloudiness.

Now I had sprayed ADBL Beetlejuice on the front and left it to dwell for maybe 20 mins before rinsing. Is that likely to have dried in and caused it or is there something else I did wrong?

I recommend wet sanding with a semi fine grade, then a fine grade and then the polisher.

You'll feel the cloudiness smooth out of it under the sand paper

Dilbert75 · 19-06-2021 11:57am

This is the before and what I thought was after, but now sounds like it's not.

Dilbert75 · 19-06-2021 12:02pm

Other side before polishing

Cass · 19-06-2021 12:17pm

The other side before polishing picture shows there is bad clouding. It'll need sanding as the Menzerna is not able to remove that level of fading on its own.

You can get an AutoGlym, Holts, Meguiars, etc. headlight restoration kit for between 20 to 30 quid.

In it you get a cloth, varying grits of sandpaper, a polishing head, headlight restoration compound and in some a sealant. The sandpaper is fine. It starts from about 400 and goes up to 2000 depending on kit.

The key point with sanding is never go the same direction when changing grit of sandpaper. So if you go top to bottom with the 400, you go side to side with the 600, then top to bottom with the 800, and so and so forth with the 1200, 1500, and finally 2000. Make sure to use plenty of water with a small bit of soap/fairy liquid or some other agent to make the water soapy. This will act as a lube and keep the headlight well wetted as you work.

Don't rush this part. Like body prep for painting if you get "lazy" and don't do as long with each grit of sandpaper you'll end up with scratches, or improperly done parts. Once the sanding is done you rinse off the headlight and move to the compounding.

A D/A polisher is not really needed, and I see by your headlights you have the same problem I had with my A6, room. A narrow light is a pain in the backside. Use the polishing head attachment that comes with the kit and a cordless drill. Load the pad, then use a few drops of compound. Spread it around the headlight well, and once spread get to work on the compounding/polishing. Work in slow, steady alternating patterns of top to bottom, then side to side (while going from top to bottom). Same as you did for the sanding. A quick misting of water will help keep the compound from drying out, but don't soak it, just a quick squirt from a spray bottle of water will do.

Don't overwork the compound. Wipe off with a clean microfibre, and start again. I had to give mine three to four applications and remember that the compound is a fine grade of sandpaper in liquid form so it will scratch if held too hard or too long on the one spot.

Once you're happy its done, wipe with microfibre to remove any residue, and apply the sealant. Wipe off the excess with a fresh micrfibre and job done.

It took me about 35 to 45 minutes per side for my Vectra due to how bad the headlight were. So its not a ten minute job, and it helps to turn the car out of direct sunlight.

Dilbert75 · 19-06-2021 2:08pm

That's brilliant - thanks a million. I actually have a headlight restoration kit I got from in2detailing but there's enough for doing I think 4 cars and once it's opened the sealant has to be used, so I'll have to line up a few cars to do together.

https://www.in2detailing.co.uk/products/detailing-kingdom-ruv-250ml-part-1

PsychoPete · 19-06-2021 2:26pm

I bought the Shinemate EP803 kit for doing headlights, as it came with 3 backing plates,two extension bars and 36 pads. I bought sanding discs to make life easier and so far it's been an excellent little machine.

Movie Maestro · 19-06-2021 5:26pm

Hey guys, does anyone know where I can buy hose attachments for a Parkside PHD 150 F4 pressure washer please? The two I have are broken

Movie Maestro · 19-06-2021 5:45pm

Hey guys, does anyone know where I can buy hose attachments for a Parkside PHD 150 F4 pressure washer please? The two I have are broken

PsychoPete · 19-06-2021 5:51pm

I think the parkside and lavor are the same

Movie Maestro · 19-06-2021 5:56pm

PsychoPete wrote: »

I think the parkside and lavor are the same

Any idea on the best place to get the hose attachments?

Manutd623 · 20-06-2021 4:26pm

Hi all, can anyone recommend a good store or brand on aliexpress for detailing stuff mainly microfiber cloths?

Thanks in advance

ianobrien · 20-06-2021 4:51pm

God I hate birds. Washed one car today. Went into the shed to get the drying towel. Came out to find some ba$tard of a bird dive bombed the bonnet.....

JoeA3 · 20-06-2021 9:56pm

Hi lads,
I'm hoping to take delivery of a new car later in the summer. Its a few years since I bought any detailing gear, I need to dust off the cobwebs on stuff I already have in the garage but I'm sure I need a few new bits!

I'm just wondering where's the go-to place now for good stuff and value for money? Are there any Irish suppliers still going? I've forgotten the ones I used to use tbh.

Basic stuff I'd need to get:
- a decent wash mitt (or 2)
- couple of good drying towels
- tar remover

Beyond that, whats the recommendation these days in terms of sealants / waxes? The car will be silver metallic if that makes much difference.

Cheers!

punisher5112 · 20-06-2021 10:26pm

JoeA3 wrote: »

Hi lads,
I'm hoping to take delivery of a new car later in the summer. Its a few years since I bought any detailing gear, I need to dust off the cobwebs on stuff I already have in the garage but I'm sure I need a few new bits!

I'm just wondering where's the go-to place now for good stuff and value for money? Are there any Irish suppliers still going? I've forgotten the ones I used to use tbh.

Basic stuff I'd need to get:
- a decent wash mitt (or 2)
- couple of good drying towels
- tar remover

Beyond that, whats the recommendation these days in terms of sealants / waxes? The car will be silver metallic if that makes much difference.

Cheers!

I would suggest getting it treated from new, ask dealer to leave stickers, not wash etc....
Bring to a detailer and ceramic coating.
He/she will obviously have to decontaminate, clayetc etc before also.

This in turn makes it much easier to clean and if cared for right you would be getting a year or a bit more out of the protection from it.

JoeA3 · 20-06-2021 10:52pm

Yeah I’ve been down that road before and not that inclined to do so again. Those kind of services seem to be gone mental expensive too and I’m not convinced it’s worth that outlay… I’m happy enough to DIY it.

Big Daddy Kane · 21-06-2021 10:30am

Hi all, was quote 190e for a full valet and machine polish and wax.

Does that seem okay price or are they having a laugh?

Company in question seem to have good reviews and regular updates on social media etc..

"Hi,
Full car valet with one stage machine polishing and coat of hard shell wax could cost 190€ .
Price can be confirmed"

myshirt · 21-06-2021 2:26pm

What's the best way to clean and protect chrome trim?

myshirt · 21-06-2021 2:26pm

Big Daddy Kane wrote: »

Hi all, was quote 190e for a full valet and machine polish and wax.

Does that seem okay price or are they having a laugh?

Company in question seem to have good reviews and regular updates on social media etc..

"Hi,
Full car valet with one stage machine polishing and coat of hard shell wax could cost 190€ .
Price can be confirmed"

Underpriced likely

Dilbert75 · 21-06-2021 4:38pm

Big Daddy Kane wrote: »

Hi all, was quote 190e for a full valet and machine polish and wax.

Does that seem okay price or are they having a laugh?

Company in question seem to have good reviews and regular updates on social media etc..

"Hi,
Full car valet with one stage machine polishing and coat of hard shell wax could cost 190€ .
Price can be confirmed"

My normal approach is to divide the estimate by what I think someone good would need to charge as an hourly rate, considering costs of labour, premises, etc., and then decide if they're likely to do a good job in that time frame. E190 seem very cheap to me.

MetzgerMeister · 22-06-2021 10:06am

Here's a little insight to how much easier Gtechniq C5 makes life:

Before, covered in brake dust and gick:

After, Bilt Hamber AutoWheel diluted 1:1 with no scrubbing, or agitation. Solely pressure washed off at low pressure:

Also, ADBL tyre and rubber cleaner worked its magic on the tyres.

moleyv · 22-06-2021 10:52am

Any tips to remove sun cream from a family members car paint?

APC barely touched it. Do I need some sort of oil based cleaner?

Stallingrad · 22-06-2021 1:45pm

moleyv wrote: »

Any tips to remove sun cream from a family members car paint?

APC barely touched it. Do I need some sort of oil based cleaner?

Only thing that ever shifted sun cream for me was a machine polisher.

Gumbo · 22-06-2021 10:12pm

moleyv wrote: »

Any tips to remove sun cream from a family members car paint?

APC barely touched it. Do I need some sort of oil based cleaner?

Machine polish.

myshirt · 26-06-2021 10:17am

Does anyone know who the Autosmart rep is for Dublin? It says some guy by the name of Clive on their website but the contact details are for a domain that never even existed.

There's a Facebook page for the same crowd, which directs you to another domain address. Which... you guessed it.. doesn't even exist.

Looking to get some Tardis.

vectra · 26-06-2021 11:00am

JoeA3 wrote: »

Hi lads,
I'm hoping to take delivery of a new car later in the summer. Its a few years since I bought any detailing gear, I need to dust off the cobwebs on stuff I already have in the garage but I'm sure I need a few new bits!

I'm just wondering where's the go-to place now for good stuff and value for money? Are there any Irish suppliers still going? I've forgotten the ones I used to use tbh.

Basic stuff I'd need to get:
- a decent wash mitt (or 2)
- couple of good drying towels
- tar remover

Beyond that, whats the recommendation these days in terms of sealants / waxes? The car will be silver metallic if that makes much difference.

Cheers!

Hi Joe,

I have been using this now with almost 2 years and find it fantastic stuff Sonax PNS
The regualr advice given is to use Sonax BSD as an occasional topper after a wash, but I find the PNS stays cleaner....... Better Beading... Easier to wash, (I have often just snow foamed my car and rinsed it, looked 95% clean.

I know I coated it with Migliore Forte graphene last year, but :rolleyes:, would be my opinion on that, Literally zero beading.
I have since got a tin for my son and he has used it on his Focus and is delighted with it.

I will say it is a bit grabby to use, but you will find it is good and lasts up to 6 months, a top up of it every few months is time well spent.

Peter will advise on tar remover and mitts etc. as he stocks all of those.

*** EDIT ***
Use code ide10 if ordering for there.

Manutd623 · 26-06-2021 8:14pm

Hi all,

What spray wax/sealant would you recommend that is long lasting and has good hydrophobic properties?

Thanks in advance

PsychoPete · 26-06-2021 8:29pm

Gtechniq C2

Manutd623 · 26-06-2021 8:36pm

Would you use any quick detailer etc. after each wash after this is applied. Thanks

Stallingrad · 26-06-2021 9:09pm

Manutd623 wrote: »

Would you use any quick detailer etc. after each wash after this is applied. Thanks

Turtlewax Sealant wax. Cheap, easy to use with outstanding results. I keep trying other things and coming back to it.

PsychoPete · 26-06-2021 9:12pm

Manutd623 wrote: »

Would you use any quick detailer etc. after each wash after this is applied. Thanks

After washing the car I give the panels a few quick sprays of C2 and then dry it

vectra · 27-06-2021 2:23am

Manutd623 wrote: »

Hi all,

What spray wax/sealant would you recommend that is long lasting and has good hydrophobic properties?

Thanks in advance

Read my post above your query.
You don't need a QD.

myshirt · 27-06-2021 11:06am

What materials can you apply C4 to? Is it plastic only?

I want to polish the B-Pillars on a BMW and get them back to Piano black. What's the best way of protecting them?

vectra · 27-06-2021 11:48am

myshirt wrote: »

What materials can you apply C4 to? Is it plastic only?

I want to polish the B-Pillars on a BMW and get them back to Piano black. What's the best way of protecting them?

I used Carpro Dlux on the Passat Pillars, I used Migliore Forte on the Ateca.
While it helps, it is not a full solution.

myshirt · 28-06-2021 9:51am

vectra wrote: »

I used Carpro Dlux on the Passat Pillars, I used Migliore Forte on the Ateca.
While it helps, it is not a full solution.

Hoping will polish out with the mini polisher, and then apply some C4 (if I can do that on that material)

PsychoPete · 28-06-2021 11:08am

Piano black trim is a absolute pain. Would it be best to apply ppf to it or just apply a coating

Stallingrad · 28-06-2021 11:12am

myshirt wrote: »

Hoping will polish out with the mini polisher, and then apply some C4 (if I can do that on that material)

I've machine polished mine a few times, it never lasts long, you just have to look at them sideways and they are all marred up. This despite 2BW, not touching them and all the rest.

vectra · 28-06-2021 11:12am

myshirt wrote: »

Hoping will polish out with the mini polisher, and then apply some C4 (if I can do that on that material)

That's almost precisely what I did.
Now it is back to swirley again.

Detailing chat

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Forum Charter - Useful Information - Photo thread: Hardware - Ranges by County - Hunting Laws/Important threads - Upcoming Events - RFDs by County

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