Today I did some detailing...

MyStubbleItches wrote: »

Yeah standard ones won't fit and the flaps look crap. Looks like an awful lot of hassle to fit those! I'll see how I get through the next few months without first but thanks for the link.

I think mud flaps take away from the look of a car.

Whatever you do don't fit big red or blue plastic sheets they look sh1t

You all know I still firmly have the training wheels on but I tried using my TarX and IronX that i got from Detailingshed last week today on my old astra.
Went on to try another panel with a belt of Menzerna FG300 and SF4000 and a coating of Collinite 845.

The results are below and are easily my best yet. I think I was afraid of doing harm previously but now being to get a trust with the DA. I am getting some bit of a feel for it now

Curran wrote: »

Great work YbFocus - it does take a bit of time to build up the confidence using a machine polisher, but it seems you are starting to master it!

I don't think master is the word, just breaking the surface!
Everytime i use it though I feel more confident

Finally got a round to giving my own some much needed attention. Snow Foamed, 2 Bucket Wash, APC Wipedown, De-Tarred, De-Ironed, Clayed, Dried, Single Stage medium polish and resealed with Fusso, made a massive difference!

Quick comparison video:



Afters:

YbFocus wrote: »

Sooner or later there will be no paint

Or so everyone keeps saying :pac: I should really get myself a paint depth gauge

ianobrien wrote: »

I was at it again today, but no pictures as the bloody phone died (and I was too bloody lazy to get the SLR out). I tackled my motorhome and it was some job! I gave it a good wash two or three weeks ago, getting into places that were never cleaned (under the roof vents where they come down over the roof, between the awning and the body, etc).

I started with AG Shampoo and a two bucket wash, detarred the painted surfaces with AG tar remover (but not anywhere there was graphics applied). Washed and clayed with the clay cloth and my water/Fairy washing up liquid/drop of APC lubricant. I tried using a clay bar for the awkward bits but the bar broke up. Rinsed again and dried with a Dry-me-Crazy. Then came the tough one. Two coats of Collinite 845 were applied, buffed by hand with about two hours in between (lunch was needed, and a spot of furniture removal). Buffed by hand with a Crazy Pile microfibre. The external Plastics (rubbing strip, rear bumpers, grill insert) was done with AG bumper gel (I know its not the best but I also use it on the Escort and AG stuff works reasonably well on 40 year old plastic).

Me two arms are hanging off me, and its not finished. No glass, tyres, wheels or brightwork was done. That's next weekend's job, along with the parents Motorhome for the same treatment. I'll be getting Da to help on that one though. What I'm also amazed at is the amount of stone chips on a year old 'van, and/or how soft Fiat's paint is!

Am not surprised your arms are hanging off! How big of a MH is it? is it a coach built? I have been putting off doing mine but will tackle it next weekend.

ianobrien wrote: »

Mine isn't too bad, a proper factory van conversion, but the roof ribs under the vents were never cleaned. The parents is a 7.4m coachbuilt. Thankfully its a low profile and the low profile luton sticks out enough to reach from a strategically placed step ladder.

Unfortunately mine is a coach built. I did the cab recently but I am not sure what results I will get on the living area. But I will use 845 too. A clay mitt is a must for an area that big.

Just finished mine. Snow foam, followed by bucket wash, wax, deep clean of wheels, dressed tyres, hoovered and the most satisfying.......... polishing the tail pipes

Oh...... And a bird crapped on my roof half way through waxing!

Bandito909 wrote: »

Great results!! What polish/machine did you use if ya don't mind me asking?

I used Menzerna 2200 on a Hex Logic White Pad on a D/A Pro, speed 2/3 to spread and then 6 to cut away. Finally sealed with Fusso for the added gloss and protection.

Just a follow up on http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=98893560&postcount=3978 myself and Da tacked his motorhome.

It started with a wash with dilute Mudbuster Caravan & Motorhome cleaner (recommended by the main dealer). That was done during the week as that can take between 1.5 & 2 hours to do properly. Saturday started with a rinse down to get rid of any dust that fell on it between the wash and Saturday morning. Next was a claying of the body with a clay towel & my home made lube (water, Fairy washing up liquid & a drop of APC), but no graphics, windows and unpainted metals. I didn't use any tar remover as I was afraid of putting something that strong on the coachbuilt body. Next was a rinse down and drying with a Dry-me-Crazy.

The fun was next, a coat of Collinite 845 applied to the motorhome, both the cab and the main body. It was left to cure and the two of us buffed it off by hand with two Microfibre Madness Crazy Piles. It wasn't put on the rear plastic windows. We broke for lunch and left it to cure before the second coat of Collinite. Then (thankfully for the arms) the rain came so that's where we stopped. That means no wheels/tyres, glass, etc were done but they don't take too long to do.

Oh, the body is white, not yellow!



My one in the distance (done last week)



Using a ladder for access.......



And the idiot that did the work.....



User tips for something this big - get a ladder, be careful with some polishes/compounds as some don't react too well on some finishes (don't ask how we know!), use a claycloth and allow plenty of time! Also, a collinite blob the size of a 5cent coin was almost enough for one side of the coachbuilt body.

Mondeo done at the weekend, full exterior decontamination and seal, quick once over on the interior:























Nice turnaround for a 300k+km car!

Mister Jingles wrote: »

Nice work.

That CharlieCrokers mondeo ?

Sound! That's the one alright