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Today I did some detailing...
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In relation to the nudge bar (it has many names, but I've settled on nudge bar as that's what it seems to be most commonly called), the nudge bar is the chrome bit and the dark-grey surround. It's all one Piece.
Here's a (very clean) Rav4 with a nudge bar:
... and one without a nudge bar:
It's all one piece that's screwed on, but I've noticed that every time I see it out and about on other Ravs, it's never a different colour; even on black Rav4s. It's a dark gray, rather than a black (well, it is black, but a completely different shade or type of finish than the car itself). I've yet to see one sprayed the same colour as the Rav itself (hence the hesitance to doing it - incase it comes out looking a lot worse).
It looks crap on a different coloured Rav (silver, for example). But that's just my opinion. When the panel beater said he could make it look the same as the rest of the car I was surprised, and tempted. I must get a price.
But anyway; now that we've differentiated between the nudge bar and bumpers, do you still think the bumpers need some working on? Or were you just referring to the nudge bar all along? (genuinely curious).
The wax I use is indeed white. This is the exact product I bought: CarPlan "Complete Deep Gloss Car Wax".
If you're against the Tesco wash and wax (to be honest, I have little faith in any tesco products, but I've found the car to be clean enough if i use a good dose of this when doing it- which backs up your point), could you perhaps suggest an alternative? I see plenty of other 'wash and wax' products out there, but if I want to avoid the 2-in-1, what product am i actually looking for? Is it just 'car shampoo'?
What is a microfibre applicator, out of curiousity? is it this thing (Google search)
How would that work? One pad to apply, another to buff? (I was using the mitt to apply, and then just using a regular everyday microfibre cloth to 'buff' it afterwards)?
Also, can you advise on how to get started on polishing it myself? I believe I need a machine buffer? I'd imagine such a piece of equipment would be expensive? (I'm googling and getting eBay links for ~€150ish?)Put a few quid to it, buy some de-tar solution, de-ironiser, clay, hand polish
These are all products that are completely alien to me (except the polish). I'd have no idea what to look for, or how to use, such products. Could you advise on where to buy? (is there perhaps a starter kit out there that would include all this kinda stuff in one package?).
With regards to the hand polish, I've no issue applying by hand, but does polishing by hand take hours upon hours to do correctly? Or is it a 'wax on, wax off' approach? I could do an 'apply, then buff' thing, like i do with the wax, but I don't think I'd have the patience if it was going to be very difficult to "buff" into the car by hand (but i assume it would be very time consuming and require a lot of the ould 'elbox grease'? and this is why people use buffer machines?).
Sincerely appreciating all of your advice by the way, Curran. Very detailed and insightful responses. Extremely helpful and thorough. You're a credit to this forum.0 -
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I don't think they were intended to be painted, in the accessory brochure they were untainted IIRC
But you did paint them, anyway?
I'm confused.
Can I ask you, Colm, seen as you're a fairly knowledgeable Toyota gentleman, is my Rav nudgebar missing a piece? Should the bottom part be chromed over, too?
Like in the picture I posed above?0 -
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Yep, there's a bit missing.
Wouldn't worry about it though.
There may have been two types too. There's 3 on carzone like yours without the second bar.
Hmm.. I have seen a lot around without the lower chrome (more without than with), so I assumed two different versions. I can't see any holes or marks on the bottom part that would indicate there is a piece missing, but at the same time, I suppose it's possible the bottom part was just put on shoddily and a lot of them fell off over time? That's probably very unlikely though.
I think I like the second bar on it. Problem with chrome on the nudge bar though (back to the detailing world) is that I find it very difficult to make it look nice and clean. It seems to pick up 'spots' or 'speckles' or such naturally. Very frustrating.
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Deleted User wrote: »But anyway; now that we've differentiated between the nudge bar and bumpers, do you still think the bumpers need some working on? Or were you just referring to the nudge bar all along? (genuinely curious).
OK so I was assuming that the nudge bar is what you are saying it is. Its not that it needs "work" as such. In the picture you posted, yours looks a bit faded and gone a lighter shade of grey that it would have been when it was brand new.
It needs a treatment similar to the way you would tyres....obviously not as glossy as tyres, but you can get matt dressings that darken without the shiny gloss appearance.
Its not a major thing, but with anything to do with detailing, its the little things that make a difference. Most people wont be able to tell you straight away what it is you have done, but lots of little things add up to the total package. Streak free glass, tyres dressed, arches dress, exhaust polished, in and around bagdes being spotless.
These are all things that when you start getting the major things right, will begin to become more obvious and eventually will get in at you and you'll have to have right!
All that said, treating bumpers with that amount of plastic, regularlly can become frustrating. You can go out and buy some expensive products that give great durabilty, but to be honest, its something Id consider painting, as I mentioned, as it will really freshen up the front end....thats IMO, but seek other people opinion and I'm pretty sure they'd agree. If you could get your hands on the 2nd, lower piece of chrome, I think the whole job would be very nice!Deleted User wrote: »The wax I use is indeed white. This is the exact product I bought: CarPlan "Complete Deep Gloss Car Wax".
If you're against the Tesco wash and wax (to be honest, I have little faith in any tesco products, but I've found the car to be clean enough if i use a good dose of this when doing it- which backs up your point), could you perhaps suggest an alternative? I see plenty of other 'wash and wax' products out there, but if I want to avoid the 2-in-1, what product am i actually looking for? Is it just 'car shampoo'?.
There are a lot of products out there that are 2-in-1 or 3-in-1. The thing is, 90% or more, of Irish motorists, have no interest in keeping the cars as clean as the folk on here. They'll bring cars to brush washes, wash the car with sponge or soft kitchen brush, etc, etc and are satisfied with a "clean" car, certainly not worried about swirls, protection, etc, etc....and its 2-in-1 products that they are attracted too....OHHHH I can wash and wax (to get gloss) my car in one. Its a bit of a con really....the wax doesnt give you shine or gloss, its the prepartion. Wax is protection. Manufacturers of such products play on the fact the most people dont know any different.
Shampoo you are looking for is, as you say, just shampoo. It doesnt have to be sudsy, but its not harm. It has to be two things. pH netural, so it doesnt strip away any protection you have applied. Secondly it needs to be slick, which help limit drag of dirt on the paintwork.Deleted User wrote: »What is a microfibre applicator, out of curiousity? is it this thing (Google search)
How would that work? One pad to apply, another to buff? (I was using the mitt to apply, and then just using a regular everyday microfibre cloth to 'buff' it afterwards)?
Yeah, thats them. They are ideal for something that is liquid based. Use one to apply the product, but use you plush microfiber to buff it off. At a guess you are probably using a short pile microfiber. They are fine for doing the dirty work jobs, such as cleaning interior, plastics, glass, etc, but you should have one or two plush MFs for buffing.Deleted User wrote: »Also, can you advise on how to get started on polishing it myself? I believe I need a machine buffer? I'd imagine such a piece of equipment would be expensive? (I'm googling and getting eBay links for ~€150ish?).
Considering you are so new to the whole detailing, Id certainly wait a while before splashing out on a machine. Its a pretty hefty outlay, when if you spent the same money on the right products initially, you can do quite a lot to improve the appearance of the car, with a bit of trickery with fillers in hand polishes, etc. When the swirls start eating at your insides, then its time. A lot can be done by hand and there are plenty on here who have been surprised by what can be done with a light hand polish.Deleted User wrote: »These are all products that are completely alien to me (except the polish). I'd have no idea what to look for, or how to use, such products. Could you advise on where to buy? (is there perhaps a starter kit out there that would include all this kinda stuff in one package?).
To a newbie, a lot of the products, terms and techniques can seem a bit daunting, but to be honest, its not rocket science, and with a bit of guidance and advice you'll quickly learn. If you want me to do up a list of things I'd buy, shoot me a quick PM, and I'll get back to you when I can.Deleted User wrote: »With regards to the hand polish, I've no issue applying by hand, but does polishing by hand take hours upon hours to do correctly? Or is it a 'wax on, wax off' approach? I could do an 'apply, then buff' thing, like i do with the wax, but I don't think I'd have the patience if it was going to be very difficult to "buff" into the car by hand (but i assume it would be very time consuming and require a lot of the ould 'elbox grease'? and this is why people use buffer machines?).
No, it doesnt require hours and hours of time, nor does it require a massive amount of elbow grease....that said, for your first time, your arms will get a decent work out!
It is pretty much a "wax on, wax off" type approach. Applying the hand polish with a bit of pressure. Once it hazes, buff it off. As said previously, you wont get correction from hand polish, but you will remove a very, very fine amount of the top of the surface. This removese the oxidation and contamination in paint...only leaving whatever defects are permanent in the paintwork, but the fillers in the polish help hide these.
Then its "wax on, wax off" approach again for your protection, either a wax/sealant; and repeat so you have two or three layers of protection!Deleted User wrote: »Sincerely appreciating all of your advice by the way, Curran. Very detailed and insightful responses. Extremely helpful and thorough. You're a credit to this forum.
Its no problem at all. I enjoy sharing my knowledge. There are plenty of helpful lads on here and we're all happy to help. Detailng cant grow unless people share their learnings. We're way behind, as a nation, in the way we look after our cars, but slowly, things seem to be changing!! 0 -
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Deleted User wrote: »So can I ask you, is the one I have unfinished (in the sense that it's sold with the assumption it will be painted to match the car)?
Would you have any photos by any chance (or even give any opinion on how it looks)? Does it actually match the car properly? When it's wet it looks good and matches in correctly, but im fearful of getting it sprayed it it'll end up looking worse afterward.
EDIT: My worry is that the nudge bar will be a matte black and the car will be glossy (as they are). The nudge bar plastic feels like a different plastic, so I worry that it will affect the overall look when it's finished being sprayed).
I wouldn't really get it sprayed, those matt plastics were a pretty common design theme on many cars. The MkV Golf & GTi, Mini, and the the VW Cross Polo shown below.
I think you should just restore the appearance of the plastic.
I got pretty good results with Turtle Wax Black in a Flash which is about a fiver.
The best product is supposed to be GTechniq C4 but its perhaps too expensive.
http://gtechniqna.com/featured-products/c4-permanent-trim-restorer/
Just an opinion anyway.0 -
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I only polished it about a month ago, no harm in having another go at it I guess.
I've seen consistently good reviews about that stuff alright, think I'll have to try some. Get the order in tomorrow, get more applicator pads and a micro fibre for good measure. 0 -
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Yeah, Silver is a bit of a "grey area"
Looks pretty good if its dirty and looks a bit better even after spending hours on it!
Lighter colours are very hard to get that wet look from the paint that you get with black, blues, reds, etc.
For that reason, its better to try achieve a sharp look, and as a rule of thumb, sealants do this best.
Werkstat Jett is one of the best things Ive seen on silver/white, it manages to get a wet look.
Found that Bilt Hamber Finis Wax, in the sun really makes the fleck in the paint stand out.
Thing is, the secret to getting any paint looking brilliant is preparation, preparation, preparation!! I find that the use of a good fallout remover /de-ironiser, really makes a massive difference on lighter coloured cars, as darker colours can hide the slight contamination in the paint better.0 -
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Not working on the Silver anymore, lads.
Just trying to bring out the best in this, something about the finish always seems a bit dull.
It'll be getting another polish because there's a few scrapes I want to work out the best I can.
Roadster by CianRyan, on Flickr
Have to get some metal polish for that tip too!0
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