Silver VW Golf MK IV Detail by Amateur
Discussion
Hello
Last year I attended a KDS Training Day organised by fellow forum member -Simon-. It was very informative and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. My thanks go to Simon for organising such an event and to the staff at KDS. Since then I have purchased a number of detailing products including a DAS6 Pro from forum member jd1982.
Now that the weather has improved, I thought what better way to spend an entire weekend in the sun then to experiment, I mean detail, the girlfriends car! I sold my car a couple of weeks ago, much to my sadness, which means I only have her car to clean. So here goes, a thread on this VW Golf that is ten years old and of a colour that no one can really tell a difference on after two days detailing it! Grab a cuppa, you are in for a long thread....
Photographs taken on iPhone 5
Firstly, the car as it was, dirty
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
As you can see, it was a state. I start with Autobrite MagiFoam from their lance using Nilfisk C120 PW, allowed to dwell for fifteen minutes
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
The wheels were cleaned with Autobrite wheel cleaner using EZ Detail brush and smaller brushes. Arches and tyres hit with Autobrite Briteclean X101 All Purpose Cleaner
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
Fuel flap and cap using APC
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
Doors with APC and just look at the dirt from here
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
Car was pressure washed and then another snow foam. Left to dwell before Autobrite Purple Rain used on lower body work and wheels
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
Pressure washed off, then Autobrite Just The Tonic Tar and Glue Remover used on lower panels and wheels
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
The door and boot shuts are cleaned with APC
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
Snow foamed again
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
I then washed car using two bucket method.
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
I used Meguiars Smooth Service Clay Bar with Dodo Juice Born Slippy as lube
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
Car washed again before being dried with Chemical Guys Wooly Mammoth and another towel
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
This was how car looked after the wash and decontamination stages
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
Somewhat cleaner than some hours earlier. I proceeded to tape up the car using 3M 3434 Blue Masking Tape as I wanted to begin polishing it before the light went.
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
I wanted to get the bonnet and roof polished and waxed before I went out for the evening so I set up the Clean Your Car DAS6-Pro. I used a Lake Country Hydrotech Polishing Pad in combination with Mezerna Fast Gloos FG500 polish. I carefully removed residue using micro fibre towel and checked results. I then refined with a Lake Country Hydrotech Finishing Pad in combination with Mezerna Super Finish FG4000 (PO 106 FA). Again, removed residue using MF. The wax I used was Dodo Juice Supernatural as I loved the finish this gave on my old car. Here are two photos of the bonnet and roof.
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
The next morning I gave the car a quick spray over and wipe down before continuing to tape the rest of the car up. I then continued polishing using the same method as above
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
Once I finished this process I waxed the remaining panels and protected the wheels using Chemical Guys Wheel Guard, here seen curing.
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
You can just about see the wax curing on the front offside panel with the dust from polishing left on bonnet as I had already waxed here
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
Car now polished and waxed
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
The sun has just gone in as I pressed the camera shutter button, but this just about shows some flake pop on the paint!
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
Finally, the results of two long days polishing the car, god my back hurt! Car was cleaned to remove remaining polishing dust. Windows polished with Autoglym Window polish and then Rain X treated. Tyres dressed with Autobrite Berry Blast Endurance Trim and Tyre Gel. How does it look?
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
I cleaned the car at my parents home where I keep all my car cleaning stuff. Once I tidied up and had a shower, I drove back to my flat and took a reflection shot of the roof for good measure.
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
I hope you are still with me on this! I know it is a little long winded. I have included the names of the products used mainly as I would like any comments / suggestions or opinions from people as to a better product or use of product. I be honest with you in that I have very little clue with the polishing stage of the car. I have the four Mezerna polishes that come as a kit and knowing that VW paint is generally hard I thought I would start with the most abrasive product first and refine down. I only had the two types of foam pad so used those both.
The results are pretty good, but with silver paint I found it hard to tell much difference. The DAS 6 I found annoying in that it stopped spinning a number of times, while still orbiting, if that makes sense. This was mainly going in to tighter concave curves (I think that is right). It also vibrates lots. Lastly I found it took quite some time to correct the paint.
Now all of these factors could well be down to the idiot using the machine, but from my short time playing with a rotary at KDS I remember finding this type of machine so much nicer to use then the DA. It was smoother in action, corrected quicker and would stop spinning when in use. To be fair the machines were made by Flex and this may have swayed my opinion also!
As I mentioned I sold my car recently and miss it dearly. I gave this a once over just prior to selling it. Here are my final two photos of it... Sad times, from M3 to public transport and occasionally the girlfriends car! Thanks for reading
iPhone photo of finished car by astonhold, on Flickr
Beading by astonhold, on Flickr
Last year I attended a KDS Training Day organised by fellow forum member -Simon-. It was very informative and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. My thanks go to Simon for organising such an event and to the staff at KDS. Since then I have purchased a number of detailing products including a DAS6 Pro from forum member jd1982.
Now that the weather has improved, I thought what better way to spend an entire weekend in the sun then to experiment, I mean detail, the girlfriends car! I sold my car a couple of weeks ago, much to my sadness, which means I only have her car to clean. So here goes, a thread on this VW Golf that is ten years old and of a colour that no one can really tell a difference on after two days detailing it! Grab a cuppa, you are in for a long thread....
Photographs taken on iPhone 5
Firstly, the car as it was, dirty
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
As you can see, it was a state. I start with Autobrite MagiFoam from their lance using Nilfisk C120 PW, allowed to dwell for fifteen minutes
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
The wheels were cleaned with Autobrite wheel cleaner using EZ Detail brush and smaller brushes. Arches and tyres hit with Autobrite Briteclean X101 All Purpose Cleaner
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
Fuel flap and cap using APC
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
Doors with APC and just look at the dirt from here
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
Car was pressure washed and then another snow foam. Left to dwell before Autobrite Purple Rain used on lower body work and wheels
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
Pressure washed off, then Autobrite Just The Tonic Tar and Glue Remover used on lower panels and wheels
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
The door and boot shuts are cleaned with APC
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
Snow foamed again
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
I then washed car using two bucket method.
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
I used Meguiars Smooth Service Clay Bar with Dodo Juice Born Slippy as lube
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
Car washed again before being dried with Chemical Guys Wooly Mammoth and another towel
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
This was how car looked after the wash and decontamination stages
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
Somewhat cleaner than some hours earlier. I proceeded to tape up the car using 3M 3434 Blue Masking Tape as I wanted to begin polishing it before the light went.
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
I wanted to get the bonnet and roof polished and waxed before I went out for the evening so I set up the Clean Your Car DAS6-Pro. I used a Lake Country Hydrotech Polishing Pad in combination with Mezerna Fast Gloos FG500 polish. I carefully removed residue using micro fibre towel and checked results. I then refined with a Lake Country Hydrotech Finishing Pad in combination with Mezerna Super Finish FG4000 (PO 106 FA). Again, removed residue using MF. The wax I used was Dodo Juice Supernatural as I loved the finish this gave on my old car. Here are two photos of the bonnet and roof.
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
The next morning I gave the car a quick spray over and wipe down before continuing to tape the rest of the car up. I then continued polishing using the same method as above
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
Once I finished this process I waxed the remaining panels and protected the wheels using Chemical Guys Wheel Guard, here seen curing.
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
You can just about see the wax curing on the front offside panel with the dust from polishing left on bonnet as I had already waxed here
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
Car now polished and waxed
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
The sun has just gone in as I pressed the camera shutter button, but this just about shows some flake pop on the paint!
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
Finally, the results of two long days polishing the car, god my back hurt! Car was cleaned to remove remaining polishing dust. Windows polished with Autoglym Window polish and then Rain X treated. Tyres dressed with Autobrite Berry Blast Endurance Trim and Tyre Gel. How does it look?
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
I cleaned the car at my parents home where I keep all my car cleaning stuff. Once I tidied up and had a shower, I drove back to my flat and took a reflection shot of the roof for good measure.
VW Golf MK IV Clean by astonhold, on Flickr
I hope you are still with me on this! I know it is a little long winded. I have included the names of the products used mainly as I would like any comments / suggestions or opinions from people as to a better product or use of product. I be honest with you in that I have very little clue with the polishing stage of the car. I have the four Mezerna polishes that come as a kit and knowing that VW paint is generally hard I thought I would start with the most abrasive product first and refine down. I only had the two types of foam pad so used those both.
The results are pretty good, but with silver paint I found it hard to tell much difference. The DAS 6 I found annoying in that it stopped spinning a number of times, while still orbiting, if that makes sense. This was mainly going in to tighter concave curves (I think that is right). It also vibrates lots. Lastly I found it took quite some time to correct the paint.
Now all of these factors could well be down to the idiot using the machine, but from my short time playing with a rotary at KDS I remember finding this type of machine so much nicer to use then the DA. It was smoother in action, corrected quicker and would stop spinning when in use. To be fair the machines were made by Flex and this may have swayed my opinion also!
As I mentioned I sold my car recently and miss it dearly. I gave this a once over just prior to selling it. Here are my final two photos of it... Sad times, from M3 to public transport and occasionally the girlfriends car! Thanks for reading
iPhone photo of finished car by astonhold, on Flickr
Beading by astonhold, on Flickr
Great work buddy....pointed in this direction by a certain Mr Harris 
Got to say really great to see the work of a KDS group event alumni, clear to see that these events are doing the job I'd hoped just by looking at the quality of your work!
Know what you mean about back ache....taken me a week to recover from the Cooper
N.b the M3 looked stunning....I'm sure you'll be back behind the wheel of something similar before you know it.
Got to say really great to see the work of a KDS group event alumni, clear to see that these events are doing the job I'd hoped just by looking at the quality of your work!
Know what you mean about back ache....taken me a week to recover from the Cooper
N.b the M3 looked stunning....I'm sure you'll be back behind the wheel of something similar before you know it.
Great turnaround you should be proud.
Yes we do have another group training day published On DW with more to come (as the current day filled up very fast and had only one space left after first few hours of being posted).
Look in same place as all the other days have been published for more info
kelly
Yes we do have another group training day published On DW with more to come (as the current day filled up very fast and had only one space left after first few hours of being posted).
Look in same place as all the other days have been published for more info
kelly
Gassing Station | Bodywork & Detailing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff