Car Detailing

[andrew_churcher]

Well I finally had a crack at detailing my car after putting it off for a few weeks. I gave it the full treatment...wash, clay bar, pre wax paint clean, then wax polish. I used Race glaze products and the 55 signature series wax.

After 4 hours of grind I am pretty happy with the results given it was my first attempt. My clay barring expertise could use some work but I think the hard work is now done as the wax should last 5-6 mths so just washing and some top up wax every now and again.

I plan to go down and touch up a few paint chips tonight so will take some photos. Would have been nice to get it into the sun.......some undercover garage photos may have to do.

The wax was great....very easy to apply and take off and just felt like a quality product. I gave it two coats and the paint does feel smooth with a nice wet glossy look.

All due respect to professional detailers. Some hard yakka required to get the job done properly

 

[zcacogp]

Andrew,

You're in Bethnal Green. About a mile down the road from me.

It's been pee-ing it down with rain here, all day.

Please tell me you haven't been washing and polishing your S2 in the rain? []


Oli.

 

[andrew_churcher]

haha...no mate...i did it yesterday arv...and i had cover...which given the time it takes and the current weather is almost a "must have". Off on holidays back home for 2 weeks on Tues so thought i would give the car a "proper tub" now.

We should do something when i get back though...given u are just down the road.

 

[ukmastiff]

Andrew if you're gonna brag about your deep shine we want some pics [8D]

 

[andrew_churcher]

I will try and get some up before I go on hols....lighting wasnt great... u will probably wonder what I am on about!! []

 

[ukmastiff]

Well when we get that North London and Herts meet buzzing I can see for myself can't I []

 

[Diver944]

Well done Andrew.

Just be wary that if you touch in the chips now they possibly won't adhere very well seeing as you have filled them all up with fresh wax []

I know it's too late now, but you should have done the chips first

 

[andrew_churcher]

Hi Paul - Thnx for the tip. I did actually finish the waxing yesterday eve. I didnt actually look at the touching in until this eve...so it was almost 24hrs....might have saved myself through laziness.

 

[Copperman05]

ORIGINAL: andrew_churcher

Hi Paul - Thnx for the tip. I did actually finish the waxing yesterday eve. I didnt actually look at the touching in until this eve...so it was almost 24hrs....might have saved myself through laziness.

You can still do your stone chips if you use a decent paint safe solvent to clean the area first and get rid of any lingering wax. Isopropyl alcohol is the usual stuff I believe.

Edd

 

[plenty]

Without a trace of sarcasm, while obviously dry climes are needed for polishing and waxing, I find wet weather perfect for washing and claying - unless you like spannering in the wet (I don't), detailing is a good way to get one's fix of man-car love when the weather is shyte. Also, I get better results when the car stays wet before the final wipedown - whereas washing in the sunshine is actually more difficult as the water dries off quickly, leaving unsightly streaks which have to be buffed off.

 

[Eldavo]

You should never wash your car in the sun as the evaporating water leaves calcium deposits on the car body. I am lucky in that even on a hot day, my drive is in the shadow of my house until mid morning.

Also, to prevent streaks and smears plus impart a bit more shine, mist the panel over with quick detailer spray before drying. I use Meguiars Last Touch as it comes in a trade pack size and mixes down 1:1 but Dodo Juice make one that is well thought of too, tropical mist or something (it's red).

The best way to do it although perhaps a bit too serious for most is to use RO water through a watering can as a final rinse. I use this in my tropical fish tank and it uses a process known as reverse osmosis to remove all the minerals and salts from water thus rendering it pH neutral and completely pure. That way you can just rinse the car with it and walk away, it will air dry leaving no marks. You can buy RO water from aquatic shops for about 10p/litre or get a kit to make it yourself for about £50-60. I used to live in a hard water area and used to use RO water for drinking too. Makes the best damn cuppa ever!

Take a look at the gallery on my website listed in my profile for some clean and shiny inspiration. I promise to get the 944 in there, but so far I've only done the front wings and it has taken me 2-3 hours already! Might get to do the bonnet tomorrow, will post some before and afters.

 

[plenty]

Yep - when I have no choice but to wash in the sunshine, QD as a drying aid is invaluable especially in a hard-water area like mine. I usually go once around again with the QD on dry bodywork, for that final sheen.

 

[Chrishazle]

Another source of "RO" water - do you have a condensing tumble dryer?? We collect the water from ours, the wife uses it in the steam iron. We live in a very hard water area - most of our tapwater comes from the chalk - but instead of having to clean her iron every month I now only have to do it once or twice a year - and the iron lasts a lot longer too! You'd be surprised how much you can collect from tumble drying the towels!

 

[Copperman05]

I use Optimum No Rinse Car Wash, does what it says, no rinse, no drying marks. Works wonders...

Edd