I've re-read Rebecca's first detail of her R and detailing guide threads just to remind me, but still have a few questions.
I'm starting to think about winter prep and aiming to do it sometime in September. After watching a vid on youtube recently where a Ferrari FF was being detailed by pros, I now understand what swirl marks look like and my Golf has them in plentiful supply, especially on the bonnet.
So I'm going to invest in a DA... understand the current favourite is the DAS 6 Pro+. The question is which kit to get with it?
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/polishing-machines/das-6-pro-plus-dual-action-polisher/cat_150.htmHeard good things about the chemical guys kit as I remember others on here buying, but also seem to remember Bec saying she was trying/using the meguiars microfiber system so not sure which is best as the microfiber is only £20 more. There's not too many scratches on the car so I imagine it's only going to need a light going over to clear the swirl marks.
My current thoughts for winter prep process are as follows:
- Snow foam + 2/3 bucket wash
- Decontaminate using iron X and tardis
- Snow foam + 2/3 bucket wash
- DA polish
- Panel wipe or wash again to remove polish residue?
- C2v3 at least 1 coat, preferably 2
I'd prefer not to clay if possible as I'm going to be pushed for time/weather to get this all done as I don't have a garage to use, and also claying frightens me a bit (for some reason using the DA doesn't!), but the main reason to avoid claying will be the time factor.
I've used iron X before, but not tardis so have a couple of questions on this:
- how to apply - dilute? use a spray bottle? (and how much do I need)
- probbably a daft question so apologies if this has been answered before but why does iron x need to be done before tardis? (if done other way around then wouldn't need to dry the car in between as iron x can be put on a wet car)
- Where best to buy from as CYC don't sell it? Seen some on both amazon and eBay.
Before all this I'll need to get a chip repair kit and fix the stone chips - 1 one deep one on the front wing, 1 on the back door and 1 on at the bottom of the front bumper. I seem to recall discussing this in another thread about what to use (I think chip-ex), so I'll go an have a search for that. I figure it's better to have the DA going over them after they've been fixed rather than before.
Not planning on taking the wheels off, as I gave them a coat of C5 back at the beginning of march and it's supposed to last about 2 years (according to the website "The coating requires no special maintenance and should last for around two years"). It's still beading up well at the moment when using the pressure washer on the wheels so will leave it until the post-winter full detail to top it up.
Sorry for the long post but I still feel like a bit of a detailing newbie with regards to some things!