Detailing

Author
Discussion

Gmw76

104 posts

151 months

Sunday 8th March 2015
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I use 0 TDS water to rinse and then let air dry. That way the only reason I have to touch paint when cleaning is after snow foam and rinse and then I use lambs wool mit. Drying towels present another risk. Also I find that the fine mist left after a drying towel does evaporate quickly but leaves slight residue. This can come of with micro fibre but then the risk kick in again.
Oops, obviously touch it to wax etc when required but after above method.

Mark

SELON

1,172 posts

129 months

Sunday 8th March 2015
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Treated mine to a hand wash today - by me. Took about 3 hours to give us a proper clean and then I applied Autoglym HD Wax.

I wanted to try the clay and super resin polish first, but just didn't have the time.

I'm happy with the end result, although need to allow for another few hours next time to give it the full treatment...of course won't be anywhere near a pro job, but happy enough with the result today.

Reason for using Autoglym was because I got a load of product when I bought the car. The Aquawax has been particularly easy to use in the past. But this time I 'treated' myself to some HD Wax.

I'm sure there are better products out there, judging by some happy customers of other products. But it seems to have done a good job. I realise I also need some other tools to get into the books and crannies of the car.

SELON

1,172 posts

129 months

Sunday 8th March 2015
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Apologies for the quality of the pics. Was getting dark and iPhone isn't that great in the dark...

Ken Figenus

5,707 posts

117 months

Monday 9th March 2015
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No apologies Selon! It always does get dark when you clean them - takes b ages!

Just on the 0 TDS v drying towel thing - I got this and its a bit supernatural how it dries the car totally dry http://www.theultimatefinish.co.uk/gtechniq/zero-s...


SELON

1,172 posts

129 months

Monday 9th March 2015
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Ken Figenus said:
No apologies Selon! It always does get dark when you clean them - takes b ages!

Just on the 0 TDS v drying towel thing - I got this and its a bit supernatural how it dries the car totally dry http://www.theultimatefinish.co.uk/gtechniq/zero-s...
2 just purchased. Thanks Ken.

This thread and this forum has drawn me into a world of hydrophobia and increasing attention to my paintwork and any dirt!

I last heard hydrophobia mentioned in the 70s in relation to Rabies.

But now it's about rabid detailers and cleaning the car. Can't wait for it to rain so I can marvel at the 'beading' now!!

Still, it's the preserve of men everywhere to enjoy their little labours of love: cleaning the car and mowing the lawn on a weekend.

Jon1967x

7,229 posts

124 months

Monday 9th March 2015
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SELON said:
This thread and this forum has drawn me into a world of hydrophobia and increasing attention to my paintwork and any dirt!
Not just paintwork. Have you had the water beads running up your windscreen following an application of gtechniq G1?

SELON

1,172 posts

129 months

Monday 9th March 2015
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Jon1967x said:
Not just paintwork. Have you had the water beads running up your windscreen following an application of gtechniq G1?
Do they defy gravity?
Sounds exciting! I haven't tried the G products yet. They sound impressive. I'm just moving into the realm of hydrophobia so I will see how I get on with AG products for the summer and may then try something new later in the year.

I'm saving up for a detailer!

Jon1967x

7,229 posts

124 months

Monday 9th March 2015
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SELON said:
Jon1967x said:
Not just paintwork. Have you had the water beads running up your windscreen following an application of gtechniq G1?
Do they defy gravity?
Sounds exciting! I haven't tried the G products yet. They sound impressive. I'm just moving into the realm of hydrophobia so I will see how I get on with AG products for the summer and may then try something new later in the year.

I'm saving up for a detailer!
The glass stuff is pretty impressive - water sits on top and beads, then wind speed blows them upwards. The G1/G2 is the one to go for., the G5 is meant to last longer but seems to smear more. G4 is a great glass polish giving a real shine as prep. Theyre said to last 6 months plus.

AG are good especially when on offer at halfords.


Ken Figenus

5,707 posts

117 months

Tuesday 10th March 2015
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Jon1967x said:
Not just paintwork. Have you had the water beads running up your windscreen following an application of gtechniq G1?
YES! Just tried this alchemy of gravity defying tomfoolery fluid! To be honest with you I find it is has made the screen a bit smeary and am disappointed. Took a good hour to put on as it needs 3 coats and drying time. I even watched the video online so really think I applied it correctly too.

Jon1967x

7,229 posts

124 months

Tuesday 10th March 2015
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Ken Figenus said:
Jon1967x said:
Not just paintwork. Have you had the water beads running up your windscreen following an application of gtechniq G1?
YES! Just tried this alchemy of gravity defying tomfoolery fluid! To be honest with you I find it is has made the screen a bit smeary and am disappointed. Took a good hour to put on as it needs 3 coats and drying time. I even watched the video online so really think I applied it correctly too.
G5 was really smeary but I'd leave G1 for a while and I think the smears will settle down. I've got it in two cars without a problem

SELON

1,172 posts

129 months

Tuesday 10th March 2015
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Is the experts view that the G products are currently the best (regardless of price)?

From my ultra limited experience, the other magic ingredients are the equipment (time saving and improved prep and Polish) and there is a lot of time and experience required to do a very good job.

I must admit though, it is satisfying to do it yourself. It's addictive at the moment. Looking at all the technology and 'improvements' the manufacturers claim. Although I may well get bored of doing myself by 2016!

Still waiting for rain to see the marvellous beads occur. If there is a drought it will be entirely due to the fact I spent 3 hours doing my car over the weekend.

Detailers (and others) reading my posts must despair!!

paddy328

2,905 posts

185 months

Wednesday 11th March 2015
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With the glass, you should make sure it's perfectly clean before you apply any sealants. The best way for this is to use the amazing G4 glass polish on a MF applicator pad and work it into the glass, then using a normal glass cleaner, spray it on and wipe of the residue. It's a bit grabby, so make sure you get everything off. Then once that's done, apply the g1 with a cotton applicator pad and go over the windscreen 3 times, making sure it's dry in between each coat. Apply the first coat vertically, then horizontal and then vertical again. Once you've done that, wait 15 mins and remove with the residue remover. The best thing to do it go around the whole car starting with the windscreen, so by the time you get back to the start, it's dry.

Now here's a tip for you. The residue remover is ipa (isopropyl alcohol) which can be bought from any online detailing store. By far the quickest way of removing the residue is to spray the glass with the ipa and wipe off. Much easier than trying to do it with the little bottle they give you. Do that until it's nice and clear. Then you have to make sure the wiper blades are clean, so presuming they have been cleaned when the car was washed, give them a few wipes with the ipa. Once that's done, apply some of the G1 to the blades and let them dry, but do not remove. This will help with any juddering that may occur. If it does judder, don't worry as it will stop after a while.

SELON

1,172 posts

129 months

Wednesday 11th March 2015
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Ohhh light drizzle...beading beading biggrin





www.iamslightlysad.com

Edited by SELON on Wednesday 11th March 22:03

Ken Figenus

5,707 posts

117 months

Wednesday 11th March 2015
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paddy328 said:
With the glass, you should make sure it's perfectly clean before you apply any sealants. The best way for this is to use the amazing G4 glass polish on a MF applicator pad and work it into the glass, then using a normal glass cleaner, spray it on and wipe of the residue. It's a bit grabby, so make sure you get everything off. Then once that's done, apply the g1 with a cotton applicator pad and go over the windscreen 3 times, making sure it's dry in between each coat. Apply the first coat vertically, then horizontal and then vertical again. Once you've done that, wait 15 mins and remove with the residue remover. The best thing to do it go around the whole car starting with the windscreen, so by the time you get back to the start, it's dry.

Now here's a tip for you. The residue remover is ipa (isopropyl alcohol) which can be bought from any online detailing store. By far the quickest way of removing the residue is to spray the glass with the ipa and wipe off. Much easier than trying to do it with the little bottle they give you. Do that until it's nice and clear. Then you have to make sure the wiper blades are clean, so presuming they have been cleaned when the car was washed, give them a few wipes with the ipa. Once that's done, apply some of the G1 to the blades and let them dry, but do not remove. This will help with any juddering that may occur. If it does judder, don't worry as it will stop after a while.
Superb Francis - so much better than the GTechiq 50p guide video... Just isoprop in that tiny unwieldy bottle too!

paddy328

2,905 posts

185 months

Wednesday 11th March 2015
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The first time I used it, I got the little bottles and found the remover was too small, but I got told just to use iPa and it's so much easier.

SELON

1,172 posts

129 months

Wednesday 11th March 2015
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Got some of that streaky thing going on too Ken smile

woohoo

Ken Figenus

5,707 posts

117 months

Thursday 12th March 2015
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Saddos! laugh Beerding beer

SELON

1,172 posts

129 months

Thursday 12th March 2015
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drink

thumbup