So the time had finally come where all my months of lurking about and reading more and more about detailing & months of spending quite a lot of cash on products that I have finally realised that washing a car hosing it down and drying it really doesn't amount to actually CLEANING IT!! And so with the arrival of my GTI, a year ago cough its finally had the treatment it deserves!
So my first detail hope this thread helps a few other people who are newbs to this also and perhaps gives you a bit of confidence to give it a go an to others hope you enjoy please feel free to add any tips from products to technique.
So my approach:
1. Wash
2. Iron X
3. De-tar
4. Wash
4. Clay Bar
5. Wash
6. Dry
7. AF Tough Prep then Tough Coat
8. Alloys Sealed
9. Tail Pipes Polished
The tools:
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Jimmgc511, on Flickr
The task at hand:
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Jimmgc511, on Flickr
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Jimmgc511, on Flickr
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Jimmgc511, on Flickr
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Jimmgc511, on Flickr
First job car was pressure hosed unfortunately no snow foam this being next on my buy list. After a wet down alloys were tackled first with Wolfs Nano Alloy Cleaner, spayed left for a few mins then agitated with a brush then rinsed off.
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Jimmgc511, on Flickr
Not bad stuff can't compare with any other product for this is the only one I've used.
Now onto the car AutoGlym Bodywash Shampoo is the stuff I use still got loads left from when halfords had it on 3 for 2! So same technique as most two buckets 4 x mitts 1 for top of car, 1 for bottom, 1 for alloys and 1 for the exhaust.
So after an all over wash and a quick dry it was time for the Iron X, and Tar remover!
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Jimmgc511, on Flickr
Now sadly I was really looking forward to this stage the orange specs all over my car is actually what got me into reading these sites and ultimately to where I am today so I was looking forward to seeing what this stuff could do and finally restoring the paint, needless to say the whole bottle got used and the boot at one point was practically purple but was difficult to get pics when using harsh chemicals but did mange to get one:
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Jimmgc511, on Flickr
So my next stage was to de tar around the paint near to the arches and where ever I could see any (the bonus of a white car)
Same pic as before, much better
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Jimmgc511, on Flickr
Now clay time, now being my first time with clay I personally found it really easy and actually quite enjoyable, the tips I had read was lots and lots of lube and small areas so taking this advice did the car panel by panel. It took about an hour and to be honest there was hardly that much on there, the Iron X had definitely done its job here.
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Jimmgc511, on Flickr
Finished with the clay it was time to wash again!
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Jimmgc511, on Flickr
Then onto applying the sealant.
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Jimmgc511, on Flickr
It took me a long time to buy a sealant for I really wanted Werkstatt but it had been out of stock for a long time and Zaino was quite pricey and I wanted to at least sample a sealant before spending lots of money so I settled on AF Tough Kit. Again can't compare against any product but I loved it a breeze to work with and the results look spot on.
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Jimmgc511, on Flickr
Finally after the paint was sealed with x 2 coats of TC the alloys were sealed with Poorboys and tyres sealed with Mequires Endurance Gel and finally the exhaust was polished with Mothers Mags & Alu and all done.
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Jimmgc511, on Flickr
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Jimmgc511, on Flickr
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Jimmgc511, on Flickr
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Jimmgc511, on Flickr
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Jimmgc511, on Flickr
A few hours after the rain arrived but gave a great opportunity for a beading shot with the TC applied:
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Jimmgc511, on Flickr
Cars all done for winter, spring detail it will time to sort the swirls out……..
