diy detailing
diy detailing
Author
Discussion

Stigmundfreud

Original Poster:

22,454 posts

232 months

Sunday 1st April 2007
quotequote all
300 quid for that one the bloke did? Personally next time I'm going to pay someone rather than bother myself!

Started at 1:30 this afternoon and gave the car a good rinse down then 2 washes. From when I bought my old 350z I had some supergaurd stuff left over, after all its 300 quid for that stuff aparantly rolleyes so figured I'd use it.

The wash went well and got it all wiped nice and clean no problems.

I had some maguires clay so did that, first time ever so it took longer than probably need be but it was fairly smooth sailing...

The issue started when I decided to use the supergaurd paint sheild - aka shit. Whoever wrote those instructions was having a laugh, at my expense. Doing a panel at a time I applied, as instructed, and then let to dry to a matt film. So far so good. The instructions next state "wipe the film away gently". Whoever wrote that was on crack for it took a modest amount of pressure to shift the stuff. I say modest, I now have biceps like Arnold himself. Clearly either the instructions are a piss take or the user, me, was at fault. To save ones ego I am squarly blaming the instructions though I could accept some user error may have entered into the equation.

Looking at the car it looked little different to before I started to use the paintsheild so after a lot of effort I was wondering why I didnt use the superb Morrisons car wash down the road....

The clay kit had come with some of the maguires something or another wax. I was in 2 minds at this point as I was shattered. Applying a sample area following their instructions it worked a treat, the excess came of nice and easy so I did the full car.

That stuff is fantastic, really finished everything off nice.

So at 8pm, 6 hours later I finished. Would I do it again? Only if I have a lapse of memory or skip the paintsheild next time but the results were worth it.

So who else spent the day detailing their car?

delmeekc

1,205 posts

232 months

Sunday 1st April 2007
quotequote all
we was all at Brands, don't you read the posts , mine is detailed with err sand, mind you was pretty sh*t before I even got there.

BigNige

2,584 posts

246 months

Sunday 1st April 2007
quotequote all
Did the Monaro a couple of weeks ago, no pics yet but it was washed with Meguars Gold cleansing wash, machine polished with my Porter Cable 7424 & Sonus de-swirl polish, then waxed with Poorboys Nattys blue.



Did the Jag today, same thing and it has come up beautifully.

Stigmundfreud

Original Poster:

22,454 posts

232 months

Sunday 1st April 2007
quotequote all
oh mr bloody I've got a bloody orbital sander

next time try doing it by hand and smiling mad hehe

BigNige

2,584 posts

246 months

Sunday 1st April 2007
quotequote all
I'll bet it's still got loads of swirls too.
They're surprisingly hard to remove, even with a machie polisher. By hand it takes nigh on forever.

Before & after shot using the roof

mose

814 posts

247 months

Monday 2nd April 2007
quotequote all
Pay someone to do it....at least you can sit and watch and enjoy a few tinnies.

stigmundfreud

Original Poster:

22,454 posts

232 months

Monday 2nd April 2007
quotequote all
next time I will but this time I wanted to have a few hours alone to myself on a sunny sunday... I quite like swirl marks driving

VXR_Daz

1,830 posts

242 months

Monday 2nd April 2007
quotequote all
BigNige said:
I'll bet it's still got loads of swirls too.
They're surprisingly hard to remove, even with a machie polisher. By hand it takes nigh on forever.

Before & after shot using the roof



What happened to the after? Did it shine so much it broke the camera?

stigmundfreud

Original Poster:

22,454 posts

232 months

Monday 2nd April 2007
quotequote all
VXR_Daz said:
BigNige said:
I'll bet it's still got loads of swirls too.
They're surprisingly hard to remove, even with a machie polisher. By hand it takes nigh on forever.

Before & after shot using the roof



What happened to the after? Did it shine so much it broke the camera?



and nige, you on hard times? Why you drinking meths?

BigNige

2,584 posts

246 months

Monday 2nd April 2007
quotequote all
I've just realised that I haven't taken any of the full monty - I will sort that out asap as it does look jolly spiffing I must say.

Meths?
METHS?!!

Only the best white spiwit old chap.

VXR_Daz

1,830 posts

242 months

Monday 2nd April 2007
quotequote all
I must admit that after spending an hour or so doing the roof as a sort of trial I think I will definitely look at getting a pro to do it.

It did come up extremely well but still not as good as I had hoped.

The likes of Booster, Nathan and Dan earn their money, it isn't easy!

jedi-knight83

143 posts

227 months

Monday 2nd April 2007
quotequote all
nice to hear ppl are out doing it themselves. I was outside doing another car yesterday and today and it was bliss being out in the warm sun... i even wore shorts for the first time this year

The supaguard stuff wont have enhanced the looks atall. Its not desiged to do that and isnt really a polish. Its a sealant (and in my humble opinion... not a very good one)

The secret (i say secret... its not rocket science and i encourage most owners to watch and learn if they can spare the time..) is doing things in the right order, good paint prep, and not missing any details.

For your car to shine you need to thoroughly clean the paint. For me this consists of a pre wash with a traffic folm remover, then a shampoo, then a clay bar treatment, then a polish (machine or hand depending on what the customer is after) After this the paint is technically as clean as it will get and you can see this in the reflections. Then comes waxing and protecting. Wax will enhance what is already there... apply even a £7k wax to a poorly prepped car and it will look shockingly average. Apply a cheap budget wax to a very well prepped car and it will look a million dollars.

Yes the different waxes and sealants out there will give different finishes and last different amount of times. Man made sealants tend to give sharp glittery finishes.. Natural carnauba waxes give warm deep glow. The supaguard you applied falls under the sealant category.. but in terms of looks id put it way down at the bottom.

For me... one of the best all round products on the market that is easily available is Autoglym Super Resin Polish. I love this product. Its easy to use and does a great job or preparing and cleaning the paint for a good wax. I use SRP by applying to the whole car and then removing about 20 mins later. It comes off easily. Then i use a natural wax to finish and this gives great looks and good durability (depending on the finishing wax of course). In terms of looks its extremely good given the cost of the products.

Feel free to ask any questions if you want to have another try yourself. There is nothing more satisfying than standing back at the end of the day and seeing a nice clean car.

Nathan

stigmundfreud

Original Poster:

22,454 posts

232 months

Monday 2nd April 2007
quotequote all
nathan thanks for clearing up the supershite. The car did look good certainly as a treatment for the wax, only next time I know not to use the superguard first!

very little in the way of noticable swirl marks from memory

harryoz

1,016 posts

247 months

Monday 2nd April 2007
quotequote all
Nathan, what was the shampoo you recommended I use that wouldn't be too hard ont he wax?

cheers
Harry

jedi-knight83

143 posts

227 months

Tuesday 3rd April 2007
quotequote all
Sorry Harry. Havent been very communicative since coming home have i. I'll do you a proper email soon. But basically most mild shampoo's will be fine. I use Autoglym Shampoo and Conditioner as it happens.

Its important to do a pre wash first though. Something like Megs APC or if you can get hold of it.. Autoglym PM3 TFR. Its a trade only product but its wax safe and it the best pre wash ive ever used. It loosens the dirt so 95% can be pressure washed off minimising the chance of damaging the paint further during the shampooing phase.

Demolition Man

1,050 posts

275 months

Tuesday 3rd April 2007
quotequote all
The black plastic is fading - any top tips to get it 'back to black' or is that the only answer?

BigNige

2,584 posts

246 months

Tuesday 3rd April 2007
quotequote all
Demolition Man said:
The black plastic is fading - any top tips to get it 'back to black' or is that the only answer?



I use a product called Amaze for all black plastic & rubnber trims, have done for years on bikes & cars.
It's really good.
I think it's silicon based but isn't at all harsh and certainly doesn't leave a horible greasy feel to the parts that many silicon based products do.

It's made by a firm called Action Can but the only supply I can find is a local motor factors.
If enough people want a can I can go buy a case (24 cans I think) and can probably send 'em out for about £3.50 each inc postage but I'll have to firm up on that price.

mobile01

470 posts

229 months

Tuesday 3rd April 2007
quotequote all
Demolition Man said:
The black plastic is fading - any top tips to get it 'back to black' or is that the only answer?


heat gun has always worked wonders on all my motors when the plastic fades, just dont get too over zealous and melt the damn things

jedi-knight83

143 posts

227 months

Tuesday 3rd April 2007
quotequote all
yes i was gonna say.. heat gun. it brings the oils back to the surface. then use a bumper gell aswell regularly to keep it like that. I use AG Bumper Care. Its a green gell and brings the natural colour back nicely.

eatthis

33 posts

245 months

Wednesday 4th April 2007
quotequote all
jedi-knight83 said:
nice to hear ppl are out doing it themselves. I was outside doing another car yesterday and today and it was bliss being out in the warm sun... i even wore shorts for the first time this year

The supaguard stuff wont have enhanced the looks atall. Its not desiged to do that and isnt really a polish. Its a sealant (and in my humble opinion... not a very good one)

The secret (i say secret... its not rocket science and i encourage most owners to watch and learn if they can spare the time..) is doing things in the right order, good paint prep, and not missing any details.

For your car to shine you need to thoroughly clean the paint. For me this consists of a pre wash with a traffic folm remover, then a shampoo, then a clay bar treatment, then a polish (machine or hand depending on what the customer is after) After this the paint is technically as clean as it will get and you can see this in the reflections. Then comes waxing and protecting. Wax will enhance what is already there... apply even a £7k wax to a poorly prepped car and it will look shockingly average. Apply a cheap budget wax to a very well prepped car and it will look a million dollars.

Yes the different waxes and sealants out there will give different finishes and last different amount of times. Man made sealants tend to give sharp glittery finishes.. Natural carnauba waxes give warm deep glow. The supaguard you applied falls under the sealant category.. but in terms of looks id put it way down at the bottom.

For me... one of the best all round products on the market that is easily available is Autoglym Super Resin Polish. I love this product. Its easy to use and does a great job or preparing and cleaning the paint for a good wax. I use SRP by applying to the whole car and then removing about 20 mins later. It comes off easily. Then i use a natural wax to finish and this gives great looks and good durability (depending on the finishing wax of course). In terms of looks its extremely good given the cost of the products.

Feel free to ask any questions if you want to have another try yourself. There is nothing more satisfying than standing back at the end of the day and seeing a nice clean car.

Nathan




heres a complete noob question i apoligise in advance hehe
whats the diff between polish and wax?
step 1 wash bucket and sponge?
step 2 claybar (i jhave mguires quickclay and really like it)?
step 3 autoglym srp by chance i have a bottle iv never used?
step 4 wax i have mquires gold class is this stuff ok?