Today I did some detailing...

12-12-2013 12:22AM

As the above was wrote quickly, little bits I messed up:

I didn't go to halfords halfway through cleaning. I got the drying towel before I started. I didnt move the car at all, all day, except to bring it into the shed from outside.

Also, i meant the spare wheel itself was rough with the claybar. Not the tyre. I know not to clay the tyres :P

And I also gave the exhaust another bit of autosol loving. It's shining up much better. Well, not actually shining (it's not one of those chrome effect fellows) but it's shinier than before.. you know what I mean! But it will still do no harm to do it again tomorrow.

Curran · 12-12-2013 09:38AM

On the Iron Cleanse, and the lack of purple/pink bleeding....you wont get a huge reaction as you had used it previously....it would have done most of the work before it started to bleed, when you rinsed it off.
Try it again...just a small amount on another wheel...one you know hasnt been done before - quick blast of the washer to take the heavy stuff off and then leave the Iron Cleanse on for about 10 minutes, and you should see lots of purple!

Should be something like this

Aside from that you seem to be doing a good job. I like that you are thinking ahead, by getting the towel first, and using your Dads car so you arent recontaminating the car. Sure sign that some one has gotten the bug, is when they are taking off bits and pieces to clean behind areas that cant be seen...such as the spare wheel!

On the drying towel...this the one?

The fibre pile on that isnt vey long; not really surprised that you werent too happy with it...doesnt look very absorbent (though often looks can be deceiving)

Good work though!

MetzgerMeister · 12-12-2013 10:27AM

IMO, the best way to use Iron Cleanse on wheels is to wash the wheels fully first and then dry them. It's important that you dry them as the IC will stick a lot better. Then let it do its job and hose it off.

Don't worry, a wheel that has never been IC'd before will have plenty of contamination that will turn it purple even though you may think it's perfectly clean

Mc Love · 12-12-2013 10:43AM

I have to say the same thing happens to me as it does to kkv when snow foaming. I'll admit its frustrating but i still use it even though it's runny, as i think it does do some good. Might try it before rinsing next time. I really have been falling behind, haven't washed her in ages

IK09 · 12-12-2013 10:53AM

Just one piece of advice (i know, i know you didnt ask for it). The choice of clothes you were while claying, polishing and protecting are EXTREMELY important.

I have a friend who as in the last year become almost as OCD as me when cleaning his car...and he put a nice deep 6 inch scrape in the bonnet whole polishing...all because he wore a hoodie with a zip

No Zips, no buttons, death to zips and buttons.

Its looking great though well done...what sealant/wax/protection are you going to use?

Curran · 12-12-2013 11:28AM

Mc Love wrote: »

I have to say the same thing happens to me as it does to kkv when snow foaming. I'll admit its frustrating but i still use it even though it's runny, as i think it does do some good. Might try it before rinsing next time. I really have been falling behind, haven't washed her in ages

What lance / snowfoam combo are you using!?

IK09 wrote: »

Its looking great though well done...what sealant/wax/protection are you going to use?

Agree with you on the buttons / zips...and dont forget belt buckles....you dont need to be glam'd up when detailing, so trackies, t-shirt. I even try to say away from baggy jumpers and stick with a t-shirt and body armour!!

Judging by his post a while back...he's going for Chemical Guy's Pete's 53

Deleted User wrote: »

MetzgerMeister · 12-12-2013 11:40AM

To be honest lads, I don't know where ye're going wrong with the snowfoam. I use Meguiars Hyperwash and an older version of the AB SF bottle and I get lovely, thick, long-dwelling snowfoam. Cotton candy is a dedicated snowfoam solution whereas Hyperwash is a shampoo first and then snowfoam solution.

I have often used it as a shampoo but I mainly use it for SF and I use Meguiar's Shampoo Plus as a regular shampoo.

vectra · 12-12-2013 11:48AM

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

To be honest lads, I don't know where ye're going wrong with the snowfoam. I use Meguiars Hyperwash and an older version of the AB SF bottle and I get lovely, thick, long-dwelling snowfoam. Cotton candy is a dedicated snowfoam solution whereas Hyperwash is a shampoo first and then snowfoam solution.

I have often used it as a shampoo but I mainly use it for SF and I use Meguiar's Shampoo Plus as a regular shampoo.

Strangely enough I have the same problem with foaming.

Originally I bougt a foam lance from CC.ie along with a gallon of their own foam.
Was thrilled with it. But after a while things went downhill.
Stripped the gub several times
Cleaned it
Changed filter but foam would only dribble out of it.

Then threw it in a drawer and bought an AB one with the red tip.
Turn the knob on top for full foam and a creamy liquid flows out of it.
Turn it back and it does begin to "Foam" but again it is only creamy and has run off the first side of the car by the time I get the second side done.
Have a new filter just to try it again when I get a chance but not hoping for much.

Curran · 12-12-2013 11:54AM

Have to say, Im very surprised that people are having any issue with the AB lance.

KKV, if you were interested, some day suitable to both of us, we could do a wee test.
Either on my power washer or yours, as both are Nilfisk....
Hook my lance up use it, verify that we're getting good foam
Hook up yours, and see if the same issue continues
Get a brand new one, and try it...if the issue is your lance, you can take the brand new one knowing its a good one.

I pretty certain that the AB lance are bullet proof.

12-12-2013 01:49PM

Sounds like a great

12-12-2013 01:52PM

Sorry. Using phone. Meant to say sounds like a great idea if you didnt mind.

I'll pm you.

Also.. Hand polishing...what the **** was I thinking!?

MetzgerMeister · 12-12-2013 01:54PM

I really don't understand how people think they will get results with little effort when it comes to hand polishing. When you think of the amount of work a D/A does and even at that it takes a while to do a correction on one panel, imagine the amount of work it would take by hand to get even half the level of correction!!!!

It's ok for small, very light scratches but someone who tries to correct badly damaged panels by hand is 'avin a larf!

Curran · 12-12-2013 02:08PM

In fairness, he's not trying to get correction from a hand polish - told him that!

He's just trying to restore shine and hide swirls!

Thing I didnt mention is; there's no to kill yourself trying to work the polish in!

He's a noob, and doesnt realise the amount of effort and workout your arms get claying, hand polishing, buffing, wax application and buffing!! Sure had I told him that; he'd have never done it!

12-12-2013 02:25PM

Claying wasn't so bad. It was time consuming but nothing horrible on the arms.

Polishing though...

Thankfully my mechanic has one that he's happy to lend me. Couldn't continue by hand. It was definitely shining up by hand, but because it was so clear, the scratches looked worse.

So a buffer is on my to buy list now too. Hooray. :-(

Do I need anything with a buffer? Particular type of pad or anything like that? My mechanic will probably be busy and just hand it to me. So can I ask, is it relatively simple to use or is there a risk of damage by improper use?

I've only got my phone so can't really google (surprised I'm getting boards to be honest).

Cheers.

Curran · 12-12-2013 03:30PM

Will need the type of machine it is before advising.

If its a dual action polisher, they are relatively safe to use. If rotary, you are risking the paintwork with that.
You'll need polish and a decent pad. Since its your first time, you will be best starting with a finishing pad and finish polish. Toyota paint is relatively soft, as I had said before, and you will get some correction with that....but the finish that you will achieve will be excellent. From a few feet away the car will look brilliant, but up close, under harsh light, the scratches will show!

MetzgerMeister · 12-12-2013 03:42PM

Curran wrote: »

In fairness, he's not trying to get correction from a hand polish - told him that! He's just trying to restore shine and hide swirls!
Thing I didnt mention is; there's no to kill yourself trying to work the polish in!

He's a noob, and doesnt realise the amount of effort and workout your arms get claying, hand polishing, buffing, wax application and buffing!! Sure had I told him that; he'd have never done it!

I wasn't actually referring to nor was I targeting KKV at all, my post was about expecting results from hand polishing in general.

Some detailing sites are even selling the Hexlogic hand pads FFS :pac:

With regard to this machine you're getting from your mechanic KKV, it could also be just an argos buffer which is only good for applying/buffing wash and gloss-enhancing polish. You won't get any correction with this.

challengemaster · 12-12-2013 03:44PM

Curran wrote: »

On the drying towel...this the one?

The fibre pile on that isnt vey long; not really surprised that you werent too happy with it...doesnt look very absorbent (though often looks can be deceiving)

It's not bad, considering you can get it handily enough in halfrauds. That said, world of difference between that and the microfibre madness stuff. Having used both, it's gone from easily 20-30 mins of hard work to dry the car to about 5 mins of leisurely work.

A decent drying towel would be the one thing I'd recommend above all else for improving your cleaning collection

Curran · 12-12-2013 03:59PM

Agreed that its definitely not the worst drying towel out there....but better than what he had been using!! It's all a learning process, and he's progressing very quickly, so fair play to him!

challengemaster wrote: »

A decent drying towel would be the one thing I'd recommend above all else for improving your cleaning collection

Almost word for word what I had said to him!

Most people dont think of the drying step in the overall wash process, and its hard to convince them that its a worth while investment!

challengemaster · 12-12-2013 04:06PM

Curran wrote: »

Most people dont think of the drying step in the overall wash process, and its hard to convince them that its a worth while investment!

Most people don't think of it, or try actively forget it because with the wrong tool (if you're scottish you'll say towel anyway) it's a bloody nightmare.

The amount of times I got to the end of a wash and went "Oh for **** sake I've to ****** dry this whole ******* **** of a *******. ****!"

discombobulate · 12-12-2013 04:23PM

Getting a proper drying towel was the best thing I ever got i'd say. Got this one and it only takes a few minutes to do the whole car without having to wring it out once.

I'd previously tried microfibre cloths and a chamois cloth that was awful.

CianRyan · 12-12-2013 04:36PM

Had a spot of polishing the other night, complete with questionable white polish stains all over my bed sheets, anyway... I digress.

I took the wheel off because it was cold and dark and I was wearing shorts, I wasn't in the mood to sit in a cramped and cold soft top smothering in polish fumes, my bed room seemed the better spot.
The wheel, how ever old it is, had picked up quite a fair bit of discoloration, oxidation, grunge and it's pitted quite a lot.

First attempt was as Chemical Guys suggested on their youtube channel, a good amount right on and spread around... They forgot to mention I'd loose half of the polish from the cloth through the holes in the wheel. Woops!

I took it slowly, small drops about 2-3mm across working small areas, one at a time.
I gave it two passes and decided to leave it before it started looking like new again, it's from an old car so I want it to look weathered but in good nick. Very pleased with the results.

I used Chemical Guys Vintage Heavy Metal Polish and an old crappy micro fiber cloth to polish and I buffed it with a Microfiber Madness Crazy Pile... Super fluffy!

12-12-2013 05:59PM

Can see my reflection so vividly. Amazing.

Anyway, better put this mirror down and get back to cleaning the car.

Seriously though, the mechanics buffer is called a Parkside XQ90.

In using it to apply the polish and then using a microfiber polishing cloth to buff off. It's either amazing or terrible depending on whereabouts I stand looking at it.

The bonnet, having spent so many years as being.. Well.. A bonnet... Is letting it all down so far in my opinion. Could be just the very harsh she'd lights coming right down on it, but it's nothing I'm impressed with (not the polishes fault, of course).

The rest of the car though, so far anyway, is looking pretty good. I'm very pleased with the doors and such but again it could just be the overhead lighting hiding things. I suppose i won't really know until tomorrow.

Anyway I'm not done yet. Only half way around the car with the polish and wax. I'm gonna take the car out of the shed and turn it around to do the other side (makes it easier and gives me more room).

Then I'll repeat again for the wax. Then I'll cry a bit.

Also.. It would appear that the only reason to clean a car is to sell it. The amount of people asking am I selling it because I throw a bucket of water at it. Is it that unusual to clean a car!? :-(

Scortho · 12-12-2013 06:02PM

Yep!

MetzgerMeister · 12-12-2013 06:06PM

That Parkside (Lidl) buffer is absolutely uselss when it comes to getting scratches out. All it's good for is applying and buffing wax and glossing polish i.e. not correction polish.

Curran · 12-12-2013 06:15PM

As above...id really only consider that helpful if it had a fluffy wool pad to use for buffing off polish or wax.
Apply products with an applicator pad and buff using it. Obviously a different woll pad to remove polish and wax.

MetzgerMeister · 12-12-2013 06:21PM

If you want to do a real paint correction you need THIS

It's perfect for someone starting off detailing as it's very safe to use compared to a rotary.

The_Pretender · 12-12-2013 06:53PM

I'm looking into getting a good drying towel and was checking the Microfibre Madness one, but according to the website it's not available?

http://www.detailingshed.com/drying-towels/114-microfiber-madness-dry-me-crazy.html

I guess this is a question for Curran, what's the story with it or is it just me getting the message?

bennyx_o · 12-12-2013 06:54PM

The_Pretender wrote: »

I'm looking into getting a good drying towel and was checking the Microfibre Madness one, but according to the website it's not available?

http://www.detailingshed.com/drying-towels/114-microfiber-madness-dry-me-crazy.html

I guess this is a question for Curran, what's the story with it or is it just me getting the message?

Says out of stock for me

The_Pretender · 12-12-2013 07:12PM

bennyx_o wrote: »

Says out of stock for me

My bad I read it as 'no longer available'.

@Curran any idea when you'll have them back in stock? And when it says it's available with other options, do you have some packed with other products that if I bought I'd be able to get the towel with?

MetzgerMeister · 12-12-2013 09:29PM

Whatever way Curran has the site set up, "No longer available" means out of stock. I agree that it looks like as though the product is indeed no longer available and he should change it to out of stock instead.

Today I did some detailing...

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