Today I did some detailing...

I somehow got it into my head that the Gtechniq C4 Trim restorer was around €15. Oh my surprise when I was about to go buy it. Think it'll be worth it though (combined with the ever growing PM shopping list I have with Curran).

My girlfriends Mini has some awful grey/white trim on the wheel arches. Back to black gel is just a full time job trying to keep it well.
Her mother also recently inherited a sweet 1996 (I think) Toyota Corolla with like 40k miles on it (an elderly relatives car). Its it damn good condition (albeit after the bonnet and roof were resprayed,15 years living by the sea did some damage to the paint), but needs some TLC. Particularly the bumpers. They're spotted grey and really take from what is a quality little car.

Hoping to get all my new bits for the long weekend.

I know I know, needs pics. Ill go pic crazy next weekend, and hold MetzgerMeister personally responsible if the trim restorer doesnt cut it.

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

Just make sure you prep the surface properly first. Use alcohol wipes to remove all silicone traces from that back to black stuff. This is very important so give the surface a few goes of this and don't be gentle.

If there's any silicone, the C4 won't adhere or work properly.

I promise you, you'll be praising me and Gtechniq

Alcohol you say? :pac:

That Gtechniq C4 stuff is some joke. So far anyways.

Gave it a go on the girlfriends mini. Its black bumpers were an eye sore every time the car was washed. Forgot my DSLR so its the HTC ONEs time to shine.

Nearside rear wheel arch was in a general bad state. Previous owner must of thought the mini was actually a small car.
Before (is it just me or do those tyres look like their cracking?):

And:


After:


OnSide rear arch Before:


After:


Rear bumper and exhaust (cleaned up with some autosol) - Before:


After (ignore the rusty back box):


Wing Mirror Before:


After:


Wing mirror arm was awful before, but no pic . After:


50:50


Door handle before:


After:



Hopefully tomorrow I can get to work on the Corolla. Its filthy though. Time to test out all the bits I got off Curran. If I had the time and tools with me, id go nuts on the corolla. Alas I only have shampoo, a mitt, APC, a few buckets and C4. Id love to clay it after its 15-17 years living by the sea.

1 part APC, 5 parts water

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

You can't let water come into contact with a surface with C4 on it for around 3 hours.

Sure now ya tell me. Gave it a massive scrub down with some high concentrate APC, and applied again. We'll see.

Gave the 95 corolla a going over also. Washed down, 2 buckets and some shampoo. APC on the bumpers and wheels (hubcaps). If I was to do it right id of added claying, detarring, pressure wash the wheel arches, machine polishing (a few scuffs here any there over its 18 year life) and waxing.

Anyways, on with the pics.
Full Car:



Near side rear bumper:



Exhaust (autosol) Better pic later:



Near side front bumper:



Door panels - I know, pics are of different sides, but the soiling was the same:



Front bumper:



Offside rear bumper (and exhaust- shiny):




Also debugged, and and shampoo'd a nice A4.


Very impressed with the products I got of Detailingshed:
Microfiber madness incredimitt is pretty awesome. Very plush, lots of soakage and cleans very well.
ORCHARD AUTOCARE BRAMLEY BUBBLE BATH was great to work with. Great smell, great foam and cleaned very well. Much better than that gallon of ****e ive been trying to finish off for years.
Orchard Autocare APC worked wonders (when diluted right).
Autosol for the exhaust was effective, albeit required lots of elbow and persistence. Ive never used alternatives so im not sure how it holds up against others.