GolfGTIforum.co.uk
General => Detailing => Topic started by: Guy on 05 February 2008, 01:06
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did a friends 1.6 mk4 the other day as they are selling it...
thought i'd share the results...
it started off pretty ropey with some paint marks on the car and also some scratches... together with a ton of tree sap and pine needles on the inside... obviously hadn't been cleaned for ages...
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2312/2240667690_dc2302c651.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2126/2240671668_56e438c4f1.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2029/2239884579_af710eae4e.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2162/2239897043_81252cdbc3.jpg)
jetwashed the arches then applied chemical guys citrus pre-wash all over
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2121/2239908613_c85fe7501d.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2361/2240704276_064e416177.jpg)
closely followed by a 2 bucket mitt wash with megs gold class shampoo and dried using megs waffle weave
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2164/2240715906_e8e94e88dd.jpg)
alloys were covered in tar, cleaned with megs hot rims, auto glym wheel brush, megs wheel brush and megs wheel face brush
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2162/2239935307_815b35f77a.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2028/2240730546_a5f7776daa.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2313/2240747844_2b68824b3e.jpg)
the washing process showed up some of the paintwork flaws more clearly
paint
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2260/2239959607_53ccc4ef5f.jpg)
scratches
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2108/2239962859_b04ed50e0b.jpg)
tree sap
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2219/2239965849_3e1aa72cd8.jpg)
the paintwork was still feeling really rough and it was pointless going any further till it was clayed using sonus green clay
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2162/2240774192_bf0b01939d.jpg)
once I had done this I degreased again using citrus wash... this time paying particular attention to crevices and window surrounds
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2103/2239990015_1c6e3fbc51.jpg)
washed again using two bucket mitt wash (if i had snow foam I would have been using it at this point) dried using sonus drying towel
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2401/2240000939_606e4f3ce2.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2398/2240017747_841b6193cc.jpg)
paint on door removed using auto glym tar remover
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2245/2240020461_d93830c679.jpg)
no real depth or clarity to the reflection as yet :undecided:
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2087/2240027095_f058741bfe.jpg)
the next day decided to machine police to remove scratches and some light swirls...
taped up...
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2097/2240830048_42e599c9fd.jpg)
had to crack on as time was against me so there aren't that many shots
machine polished with meg 220 DA polisher with red cutting pad (where necessary) and megs #83 cutting polish and menzerna final polish po85 and a polishing pad
once the scratches cut out and the polish was complete... applied the following
collinite 845 sealant wax
jetseal 109 (left for 20 mins) taken off and then another coat added and taken off
the combination of the above is just superb... thought I would top it off with a finish wax of chemical guys 50/50 which is a high carnuba content wax and makes the paintwork feel sublime and like a mirror!
glass cleaned with megs glass cleaner - easy to take off and streak free
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2098/2240833194_472de5843d.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2041/2240049171_50d5e67c72.jpg)
my favourite photo -
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2376/2240056627_45c6629a02.jpg)
engine bay given a quick once over
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2390/2240860392_6a167fdd26.jpg)
interior was stacked full of pine needles...
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2186/2240864430_9e551f9a0d.jpg)
took a while but it came up nice
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2089/2240874466_e5d7319c50.jpg)
lights cleaned with megs plastx
final shots - shame it was a bit dark by this point as I reckon would have looked great with decent light
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2070/2240877982_99fe664738.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2301/2240881590_b0cff2619d.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2207/2240884802_49fa336688.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2332/2240096049_7b31cedb0c.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2333/2240895484_39ae01e148.jpg)
no trace of any red paint
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2299/2240898320_cb5331bfb8.jpg)
products used
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2046/2240909256_8ec8f1249c.jpg)
not bad eh....
from this...
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2126/2240671668_56e438c4f1.jpg)
to this...
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2301/2240881590_b0cff2619d.jpg)
from this...
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2162/2239897043_81252cdbc3.jpg)
to this...
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2207/2240884802_49fa336688.jpg)
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tob job mate :afro: superb correction work there :cool:
couple of questions:
1) Whats the Megs polisher like? is it easy to use for a beginner like me? I've been considering one of these to keep my paintwork in tip top condition
2) Chemical guys citrus pre wash? does this strip the wax and other products or is it similar to snow foam (without the foam though)
Cheers :afro:
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hi - thanks :smiley:
1) megs polisher is great... i used it in comparison with the porter cable the other week and it is smoother... dead easy to use and you can't really go wrong with it because it is DA... I am not too advanced myself and i'd recommend it... elite car care are doing it with a cutting and polishing pad and free shipping at the moment... sounds like a great deal to me!! menzerna polishes ftw too... much better on VAG paints... although the megs polish isn't too shabby either!
http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=6&products_id=407&osCsid=25gq2j23uvqc742ttq789os7o6 (http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=6&products_id=407&osCsid=25gq2j23uvqc742ttq789os7o6)
2) the citrus pre wash is really just that... a pre wash... loosens up the dirt a bit. applied using a hand pump thing... i was going to combine it with some traffic film remover but it didn't arrive in time... you can use the citrus pre wash in two different combinations... the lesser strength mix will not strip wax but I used it in a stronger solution to really get it clean. i found it was easy to apply and you can work the crevices really quickly using a detail brush at the same time... ie.. round the rear window... things like that make a big difference. It's not really like a snow foam... i would if I had a hose use snow foam after citrus pre wash and if the car had been de-swirled try and get away with a touchless wash... and not use a mitt :afro: but I don't have a hose :cry: so I am currently looking for a 'hoseless' snow foam remedy? if anyone has any ideas i'd be grateful? :undecided:
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top job!
want to do mine :grin:
but I don't have a hose :cry: so I am currently looking for a 'hoseless' snow foam remedy?
i've got the same problem, no outside tap, going to fit one spring time though, wikes do an outside tap kit for about £10 (no plumbing skill required)
another alternative is to get the "bucket feed" for a pressure washer, this is like the normal connector but a mesh filter that goes in a bucket instead of a tap.
do you use one of these then?
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_241043_langId_-1_CarSelectorCatalogId__CarSelectorGroupId__varient__categoryId_76802_crumb_33958-33974_parentcategoryrn_76802#
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hi thanks!
your ride looks smooth already? is it suffering cosmetically?
i can't fit a tap as I rent where I live... the only thing I can think off is getting a 'tap' connector kit and feeding it through from the bathroom... although I can envisage it slipping off and water going everywhere!!
nice ideas on the bucket feed... can see a pressure washer going through a bucket in about 5 seconds though? :undecided:
i do use a car wash pump thing but only for pre-wash at the moment... this is the one that i have
http://www.chemicalguysuk.com/product_p/4.5ltrspry.htm (http://www.chemicalguysuk.com/product_p/4.5ltrspry.htm)
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Great job. Bet you was knackered though.
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mines just got a couple of light scratches, which look like they have come from going past bushes and the like, nothing major just be nice to get a machine polish at some point.
those tap connectors are awful, and they always come off, unless your tap is one of those square type ones.
i'm not sure on the flow rate of the pressure washers, my plan would be to fill a bucket in the sink, leave the tap running and then tape the feed to the bottom of the bucket, that way the bucket is always being filled and you wouldn't have to worry about the stupid adaptors that normally end up spraying the room with more water than the car.
mmm £10 might have to get one for the pre wash too.
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Great job. Bet you was knackered though.
yes! halfway through the second afternoon I thought 'I've bitten off more than I can chew here' - but it was all good in the end... had it been my car I would have done this over a few days and taken it easier...
I combined this with going out to watch the rugby on saturday afternoon and got back at 1am... had a raging hangover the 2nd day too which didn't help!! when will i ever learn?! :rolleyes:
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mines just got a couple of light scratches, which look like they have come from going past bushes and the like, nothing major just be nice to get a machine polish at some point.
those tap connectors are awful, and they always come off, unless your tap is one of those square type ones.
i'm not sure on the flow rate of the pressure washers, my plan would be to fill a bucket in the sink, leave the tap running and then tape the feed to the bottom of the bucket, that way the bucket is always being filled and you wouldn't have to worry about the stupid adaptors that normally end up spraying the room with more water than the car.
mmm £10 might have to get one for the pre wash too.
that's really what i don't want... rooms full of water! :laugh:
machine polish should get those scratches out... if you run your fingernail over them does it 'catch'?
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if you run your fingernail over them does it 'catch'?
no they are really fine and you only notice them when you're cleaning the car, i could get some scratch ex but don't want anything too harsh on her, would much rather have some one that knows what they are doing give her a full machine polish.
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no they are really fine and you only notice them when you're cleaning the car...
I know its completely uncool in the world of detailing, but AutoG SRP is underrated in my opinion. It would get rid of these kind of scrathes with enough elbow grease. Its like the scratches you get under the door handles from rings/fingernails... SRP sorts them out good and proper. Plus its cheap.
[Dave puts on body armour ready for flames...]
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no they are really fine and you only notice them when you're cleaning the car...
I know its completely uncool in the world of detailing, but AutoG SRP is underrated in my opinion. It would get rid of these kind of scrathes with enough elbow grease. Its like the scratches you get under the door handles from rings/fingernails... SRP sorts them out good and proper. Plus its cheap.
[Dave puts on body armour ready for flames...]
no need to don the armour mate as i find it good for that sort of job too. used to think it was rubbish but you got to learn to apply and remove properly
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yeah i've used SRP and found it quite good too.
goes on easily and comes off easily.
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How much do you charge?
Whats the best for getting rid of swirl marks? I may try my car this weekend as the paint is shockin!
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hmmm... AG SRP... interesting one this...
it will only really work for light haze/swirl and be careful because too much elbow grease can impart swirls... i don't think the 'cutting' element of AG SRP breaks down as much as the megs and menzerna polishes... also AG SRP has some 'filling' properties...
i used to use it a lot and it isn't all bad... found it best to use it in conjunction with AG extra gloss polish when i was using it
once your swirls are removed i'd also say to use a decent sealant and wax combination - protect all that hard work and bring out a decent shine
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Whats the best for getting rid of swirl marks? I may try my car this weekend as the paint is shockin!
wtf
i thought you had the whole car sprayed as part of the conversion, or was it just parts?
hmmm... AG SRP... interesting one this...
it will only really work for light haze/swirl and be careful because too much elbow grease can impart swirls... i don't think the 'cutting' element of AG SRP breaks down as much as the megs and menzerna polishes... also AG SRP has some 'filling' properties...
i think the SRP is more of a chemical cleaner than a polish as they say it can be layered which would imply that its not a true polish as a true polish would remove anything underneath. it nice give a nice shine though.
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Whats the best for getting rid of swirl marks? I may try my car this weekend as the paint is shockin!
now there is a debate and a half! elbow grease i guess if you don't have a polisher...
lots of people start off by trying the megs 3 step cleaning system
how bad is shockin?
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i think the SRP is more of a chemical cleaner than a polish as they say it can be layered which would imply that its not a true polish as a true polish would remove anything underneath. it nice give a nice shine though.
about right... i think that is where the 'filling' bit comes in... it's not bad for a starter for ten though
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Whats the best for getting rid of swirl marks? I may try my car this weekend as the paint is shockin!
now there is a debate and a half! elbow grease i guess if you don't have a polisher...
lots of people start off by trying the megs 3 step cleaning system
how bad is shockin?
obviously the front bumper and the rear are ok as they just been painted but the side panels and doors are pretty bad, never been detailed or anything and because its black they show up really blatently!
If I wanted to try and get rid of them myself what would you advise?
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http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=6&products_id=164&osCsid=nj5mtc5qtn4pb0gehhtv40aj65 (http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=6&products_id=164&osCsid=nj5mtc5qtn4pb0gehhtv40aj65)
http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=6&products_id=165&osCsid=nj5mtc5qtn4pb0gehhtv40aj65 (http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=6&products_id=165&osCsid=nj5mtc5qtn4pb0gehhtv40aj65)
http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=6&products_id=166&osCsid=nj5mtc5qtn4pb0gehhtv40aj65 (http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=6&products_id=166&osCsid=nj5mtc5qtn4pb0gehhtv40aj65)
lots of people start with megs 3 step system... but i would recommend that you clay before you do anything as this will make more of a difference than anything else and will mean that when you are cleaning/polishing that you are not polishing bits of residual dirt/grit into your paintwork
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sweet! il give it a try this weekend!
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personally i'm not a fan of waxes that come in a bottle and i'd recommend
collinite 476s (http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wax/collinite-no-476s-super-doublecoat-auto-wax/prod_207.html) not the best wax in the world but probably the best value and gives a nice long lasting finish.
i'd also recommend this clay kit
sonus ultra fine (http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/detailing-clay/sonus-sfx-ultra-fine-detailing-clay-sampler/prod_83.html)
ash you are aware that you're now on a slippery slope toward becoming a detailing geek, which will consume your weekends and money
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Il try and keep away from the darkside of detailing.
Its just that compared to other black mk4's my paint looks tired and that affects the overall look doesnt it!
:huh:
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Just to throw in another option... An alternative to SRP I've been looking at is dodo limeprime. Supposed to be a pure cleanser with a mild polishing action:
(http://autoperfectionworld.co.uk/catalog/images/dodo%20juice%20lime%20prime%20cutout.jpg)
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personally i'm not a fan of waxes that come in a bottle and i'd recommend
collinite 476s (http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wax/collinite-no-476s-super-doublecoat-auto-wax/prod_207.html) not the best wax in the world but probably the best value and gives a nice long lasting finish.
i'd also recommend this clay kit
sonus ultra fine (http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/detailing-clay/sonus-sfx-ultra-fine-detailing-clay-sampler/prod_83.html)
ash you are aware that you're now on a slippery slope toward becoming a detailing geek, which will consume your weekends and money
me too.. i think though for someone wanting a quicker solution it might be ok... and the megs is only half the price..
have you tried collinite 915... that is pretty groovy stuff too! flippin hard wax though!
that clay kit is a good price and I would say go for that... you'll need a couple of microfibres to go with that too...
i think somewhere there is a polish or wax specifically for black paints?
Just to throw in another option... An alternative to SRP I've been looking at is dodo limeprime. Supposed to be a pure cleanser with a mild polishing action:
(http://autoperfectionworld.co.uk/catalog/images/dodo%20juice%20lime%20prime%20cutout.jpg)
i just got some of this but haven't got around to using it yet... have you used it?
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ash you are aware that you're now on a slippery slope toward becoming a detailing geek, which will consume your weekends and money
and oh soooooo true!!! :grin:
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have you tried collinite 915... that is pretty groovy stuff too! flippin hard wax though!
i actually use both :laugh:
476s as the base, and then 915 on top (after the 476 has set)
you get the protection from the 476 and the extra depth from the 915 personally can't fault them for silver cars
don't dodo do a wax for blacks? i know zymol do but thats probably going to cost more than the car :laugh:
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Collinite 915 is the dogs danglies; got a couple of layers on mine and haven't applied any since August / Sep last year. Washed it the other day and she still beads :smug: :cool: gives a nice deep shine too
That Dodo Limeprime looks great; might have to invest in a bottle; need to pick up a few bits and pieces
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don't dodo do a wax for blacks?
:shocked: :shocked: :shocked:
LOL
I haven't managed to convince myself to spurge the cash to get some limeprime yet. Yet.
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Collinite 915 is the dogs danglies;
IMO collinite in general is the shiz!
i'm on the order tomorrow as ran out of shampoo on sunday, just need to decide what to go for, any ideas?
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Collinite 915 is the dogs danglies;
IMO collinite in general is the shiz!
i'm on the order tomorrow as ran out of shampoo on sunday, just need to decide what to go for, any ideas?
you asking about shampoo??
i've used Poorboys Super Slick & Suds for the last 15 months or so without complaints; removes dirt and keeps the mitt moving freely over the paintwork. Megs Gold Class also gets a good write up :smiley:
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i use megs gold class shampoop but am looking for something else as I get bored easily...
while we're on about collinite their sealant is excellent and I have a sneaky feeling that combined with 915 would be uber :cool:
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while we're on about collinite their sealant is excellent and I have a sneaky feeling that combined with 915 would be uber :cool:
stop suggesting stuff!! :laugh: :laugh: damnit!!
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mmmm... col-in-ite... hhmmmm :drool:
(http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/images/Collinite845.jpg)
ha haa! :grin:
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good job especially for (no offence) a novice! i used my megs g220 this weekend for the first time, really easy to use and so much quicker than by hand! i haven't got anything specific for machine polishing so tried various things just to experiment.
i've seen the results of lime prime on stupidly flat white paint and its shockingly good! just waiting till i use up some of my other products before ordering.
i also use dodo juice purple haze on my black car and its still beading nicely after giving it a good going over in november (but saying that i've probably driven it twice :rolleyes: ) and am tempted with the blue velvet version , which is the hard wax for dark coloured cars and lasts longer.
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some other wax suggestions for darker paints...
swissvax onyx
(http://www.swissvax.co.uk/images/products/1015010.jpg)
http://www.swissvax.co.uk/products/wax-products.asp (http://www.swissvax.co.uk/products/wax-products.asp)
chemical guys pete's 53
http://www.chemicalguysuk.com/product_p/pt53.htm (http://www.chemicalguysuk.com/product_p/pt53.htm)
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good job especially for (no offence) a novice! i used my megs g220 this weekend for the first time, really easy to use and so much quicker than by hand! i haven't got anything specific for machine polishing so tried various things just to experiment.
i've seen the results of lime prime on stupidly flat white paint and its shockingly good! just waiting till i use up some of my other products before ordering.
thanks! absolutely no fences taken chap... that's all i am... a novice at the moment - did this one for practice.. hoping to progress from novice to something a little more than that though - the result really was so much better than the photos suggest
megs 220 does make it so much easier though... if you're thinking of machine polishing think about menzerna final finish polishes (both bottles are identical but one cuts more than the other)... or poorboys ss3... megs #83 is also good.
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^^ yeah it was the menz i was looking at, but i have shelves full of products that i want to use up first! i'm doing all the practicing on the passat so i can do the good stuff on my golf! :P
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that's very restrained!
i'm gathering more and more stuff... never thought it would be this expensive when i started!!
keep telling myself that each time i buy something it'll be the last thing i need... yeh right! :laugh:
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that's very restrained!
i'm gathering more and more stuff... never thought it would be this expensive when i started!!
keep telling myself that each time i buy something it'll be the last thing i need... yeh right! :laugh:
Good work Guy.
Dream on if you think the next thing you buy will be the last! :grin:
All of the Coli waxes are excellent, Dodo Blue Velvet is well rated for dark colours, pretty much any Swissvax wax will give stunning results and as a wild card Duragloss TCP 111 which is a wet look sealant gives a very sharp wet look finish without the need for a coat of wax.
Me I use Swissvax Best of Show, but then I can soak up the cost of the wax in the detailing business :smug:.
There is a new wax coming on the market next month from a firm called Raceglaze which I have been helping them develop which has got a higher carnauba content than Zymol concourse and in tests on our daily driver MK4 1.8T is showing excellent durability (weekly hits with traffic film remover, supa snow foam and a regular wash) and still beading well after four months. Not sure what the price is going to be when it goes on sale but would expect it to be around £60-£70, there will also be a lower carb content version which will be a bit cheaper.
Guy has asked if I would be willing to help him run a group detailing day or something similar and of course the answer is yes, as long as there is a bit of notice.
Mark
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Mine is almost to the same level of dirt (the back isnt thaaat dirty tho). Been sooo busy with work and getting pissed that not had a chance clean her. I have booked in Sunday ALL DAY to clean her. Really not looking forward as she is a total mess :(
Fancy coming to do mine? :D
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Fancy coming to do mine? :D
sure! :grin:
erm :undecided: