AutoGlym Audi A3...

[A3-sport]

Detailed the car last week on one of my days off and was very impressed with the results...

Used only autoglym products as I have had a few new additions to my autoglym family lol. (except for the Nano-Tech).

First some pics of the products used...

Leather cleaner is missing from this pic. Used a 100% sheepskin wash mit, 2 bucket method, microfibre cloths etc etc.

And some pics of the car...

comments welcome.

 

[Jimmeh]

I like the matching Magic Tree air freshener that's the 'New Car Smell', isn't it?

How are you getting on with the two bucket method? Seen much build-up in the rinse bucket yet?

What was the process on the above? I don't see Super-Rsein Polish there, did you use this at all? SRP/EGP works well together. Did you top EGP with the HD wax?

Must admit, they're not the best pics - they're a bit far away! lol too arty, not close enough for my liking ! (..bumpers/tyres look nice and fresh though)

 

[A3-sport]

I like the matching Magic Tree air freshener that's the 'New Car Smell', isn't it?

How are you getting on with the two bucket method? Seen much build-up in the rinse bucket yet?

What was the process on the above? I don't see Super-Rsein Polish there, did you use this at all? SRP/EGP works well together. Did you top EGP with the HD wax?

Must admit, they're not the best pics - they're a bit far away! lol too arty, not close enough for my liking ! (..bumpers/tyres look nice and fresh though)

Hi Jim mate...

just replying to your email... will post the response up here lol. Give me 5.

 

[A3-sport]

Jim,

Well I took your advise on a few things really...

Few things ive bought / given for bday last week:
1. Sheepskin washmit
2. Autoglym EGP
3. Autoglym HD (gift)
4. Autoglym tyre dressing
5. Meguars wheel brush (gift)

All in all im very impressed with all this stuff so far and a mate of mine also gave me some Bilt Hamber which Ive yet to try. He has used it before and apparently the water doesnt even streak when you wash it? strange.

Anyways, update on my method for you...

1. Pre-rinse: pressure bottle - high concentrated shampoo mix and allow to soak for 5mins whilst doing steps 2, 3 & 4.
2. Autoglym "Clean wheels" and Meguars wheel brush.
3. Rinse wheels with sponge and clean water.
4. Seperate sponge to clean cills, door jambs, etc
5. Rinse stage 4.
6. Rinse remaining car with watering can and rose at shallow angle to remove as much dirt and dust as possible without actually touching the car (the less contact the better lol - wise words)
7. Sheepskin washmit & Autoglym shampoo & conditioner using 2 bucket method.
8. Rinse with open hose to sheet down the car until free from suds.
9. Pat dry with a goooood microfibre cloth.
10. Autoglym Super Resin / HD Wax on paint.
11. Buff off with microfibre mit.
12. 2 (thin) coats of Autoglym Extra Gloss Protection. again removed with microfibre mit.
13. Autoglym Bumper Care, Glass Polish, Tyre Dressing (brush applied) etc etc
14. Leather cleaner and cream to interior.

DONE! approx cleaning time, 3 hours depending on weather.

Let me know your thougts.

Cheers.

Martin.

 

[A3-sport]

I like the matching Magic Tree air freshener that's the 'New Car Smell', isn't it?

It sure is mate lol.

How are you getting on with the two bucket method? Seen much build-up in the rinse bucket yet?

Very good, its surprising how much builds up.

What was the process on the above? I don't see Super-Rsein Polish there, did you use this at all? SRP/EGP works well together. Did you top EGP with the HD wax?

Used HD wax then EGP... not sure if thats allowed lol.

Must admit, they're not the best pics - they're a bit far away! lol too arty, not close enough for my liking !

What about these (which you have seen already lol)

..bumpers/tyres look nice and fresh though

Lol see above post for method on these - I was impressed.

 

[Jimmeh]

Good stuff Martin. Replied via Email!!

 

[A3-sport]

Good stuff Martin. Replied via Email!!

haha yer nice reply mate lol...

Now then!



Good stuff – nice to see you took some of the stuff on-board! Well done.



A few recommendations:

· Do try and get yourself a pressure washer to aid steps 1 and 6

· After SRP, apply EGP and THEN the HD wax (sealent first, then wax)

· Microfibre mitt? Can you show me what you’re using.



Do you find the sheeting method worth it? See what I mean RE the water running off the bodywork? Thus, leaving less mess to dry!



Holy sh1t – a white R8 has just driven past my house.. that’s erm, different! AN OLD LADY DRIVING IT TOO!! WHaaaaaT! Man.. that thing needs to come see me lol



Keep it up man!



Jim

 

[quattrojames]

Car looks very nice! I use a lot of AG products too, and I rate them quite highly. Perhaps they aren't as good as premium products, but they are good for the price.

Used HD wax then EGP... not sure if thats allowed lol.

I do this too - I keep a good coat of HD wax on the car at all times, and buff up with EGP every 2 or 3 weeks which gives my Dolphin Grey car a really nice deep lustre. I paid £35 for my HD at a show and there's barely a dip in the top of it yet so should last me years. Only product i would swap it for at the price would be some Collinite.

Same for the Glass polish, tyre dressing etc - although maybe the Meg's tyre gel lasts a bit longer....? I have no use for bumper care on this car, but I don't remember that lasting very long either.

Top Job though - you're very dedicated reading your step by step guide

 

[A3-sport]

Car looks very nice! I use a lot of AG products too, and I rate them quite highly. Perhaps they aren't as good as premium products, but they are good for the price.



I do this too - I keep a good coat of HD wax on the car at all times, and buff up with EGP every 2 or 3 weeks which gives my Dolphin Grey car a really nice deep lustre. I paid £35 for my HD at a show and there's barely a dip in the top of it yet so should last me years. Only product i would swap it for at the price would be some Collinite.

Same for the Glass polish, tyre dressing etc - although maybe the Meg's tyre gel lasts a bit longer....? I have no use for bumper care on this car, but I don't remember that lasting very long either.

Top Job though - you're very dedicated reading your step by step guide

well apparently the hd wax is supposed to go ontop of the egp because it is natural and needs to breathe. As for the bumpercare, i think its amazing. Works well on engine bay too.
Thanks for the comments mate. I like this kind of stuff, only just started getting into detailing.

 

[quattrojames]

well apparently the hd wax is supposed to go ontop of the egp because it is natural and needs to breathe. As for the bumpercare, i think its amazing. Works well on engine bay too.
Thanks for the comments mate. I like this kind of stuff, only just started getting into detailing.

Yeah me too

Who told you the HD should go on top? I think that the EGP gives a much better shine than the HD personally, so if I put the HD over the top it might lessen the shine But then again the HD may bring out even more shine in the EGP.....?

Had better try it soon ......

 

[Jimmeh]

It was me, James. I've always learn that if you're going to go down the seal & wax route, you should always seal, first! Sealant being acyrlic/polymer based, and, wax being a natural carnauba content!

When wax is applied, it needs to cure. ("breathe") This is why it's always a good idea to give the freshly waxed vehicle a final wipedown some hours after the wax has been put on. Rids the gassy oils that 'could' have rissen (sp)

I've never used HD so I can't comment. EGP however, yeah, I don't have a problem with. Infact, I'm looking forward to an up-coming job as I plan on using it!

If you're happy with EGP's results, fine. If curious and want to add further HD, go for it. Sometimes though, it can become a bit overkill.

Wash > Clay > Polish > Cleanse/Glaze > Seal > Wax

I tend not to mix 'n match with the LSPs. (Last stage products) for me, it's either one, or the other (to avoid any possible bonding issues)

 

[quattrojames]

Thanks Jim, that makes a lot of sense.

So purely in reference to the AutoGlym range (because I am familiar with it) Are HD and EGP both classed as waxes? Obviously the HD wax is, but is the EGP too? Or is that something else?

Wash > Clay > Polish > Cleanse/Glaze > Seal > Wax

SRP = Polish
EGP = ??
HD = Wax

Thanks, this is all new to me, and mind boggling :thumbsup:

EDIT: EGP is a sealant right?

 

[Jimmeh]

EDIT: EGP is a sealant right?

You got it!

Sealants are something I plan on looking into with more detail soon... I have a few, but, always enjoy putting a wax down instead.

There are douzens of great sealants out there (or at least I've read there are!) a lot of it comes down to personal preference.

**EDIT - sorry for the thread hijack Martin - lol. Back on topic, better pictures. Much better. Looks nice and glossy there chap!

 

[JimC64]

Hey Martin, firstly let me say that your A3 and your Alfa look great. I too spend hours n hours on my A6 ( probably wash the thing about 3-4 times a week...lol )
I try to be as kind to the paint as possible but have not taken it to where I know it needs to go as I'd spend my whole life just detailing her. She looks fantastic for a 2 and a half year 58k miler though and gets compliments regularly.
Your wash routine sounds just the ticket...loved the finish you achieved on both cars....top job

I hope you don't mind 2 small criticisms though...
As you have 2 beautiful cars loved n well looked after I cannot believe that I saw wheel balance weights on the outside rim of your A3 ( And you Alfa I think ? ).....thats a definite NO NO ....however you may cause damage to the rim if you try to remove them now
Also I noticed some, what looks to be water damage to your front plate.....these 2 points really take the edge off what is a beautiful car otherwise Martin.

Thanks for sharing your pics with us

Jim

 

[A3-sport]

Hey Martin, firstly let me say that your A3 and your Alfa look great. I too spend hours n hours on my A6 ( probably wash the thing about 3-4 times a week...lol )
I try to be as kind to the paint as possible but have not taken it to where I know it needs to go as I'd spend my whole life just detailing her. She looks fantastic for a 2 and a half year 58k miler though and gets compliments regularly.
Your wash routine sounds just the ticket...loved the finish you achieved on both cars....top job

I hope you don't mind 2 small criticisms though...
As you have 2 beautiful cars loved n well looked after I cannot believe that I saw wheel balance weights on the outside rim of your A3 ( And you Alfa I think ? ).....thats a definite NO NO ....however you may cause damage to the rim if you try to remove them now
Also I noticed some, what looks to be water damage to your front plate.....these 2 points really take the edge off what is a beautiful car otherwise Martin.

Thanks for sharing your pics with us

Jim

No thanks for the comments - criticisms are always good because its an honest opinion of someone outside lol.

Well the number plates are being replaced with metal pressed ones in the near future.

As for the wheels, Ive only have the car a few months now and they came like that - just looks a bit sloppy. But im not planning on keeping the wheels so thats not a major issue.

Thanks for all the comments.

 

[JimC64]

Hey Martin, hopefully you'll post more pics once you've completed these so we can see how it looks.
I thought the wheel looked pretty good and wondered if you were changing them for a different style or for any other reason.
You look / sound as if you love you car and have patience to get it to where you want it to be.......I posted a how to refurb your alloy thread which shows how easy it can be, especially for someone with your dedication. It lists the Wurth paint / lacquer needed and shows pics etc etc.....so so easy to bring tired wheels back good as new and save £££ into the bargain.
Possibly in the event that you even bought a 2nd hand set that needed some work for a few ££....always available on Ebay.....just a thought that you might consider.


All the best

Jim

 

[A3-sport]

Hey Martin, hopefully you'll post more pics once you've completed these so we can see how it looks.
I thought the wheel looked pretty good and wondered if you were changing them for a different style or for any other reason.
You look / sound as if you love you car and have patience to get it to where you want it to be.......I posted a how to refurb your alloy thread which shows how easy it can be, especially for someone with your dedication. It lists the Wurth paint / lacquer needed and shows pics etc etc.....so so easy to bring tired wheels back good as new and save £££ into the bargain.
Possibly in the event that you even bought a 2nd hand set that needed some work for a few ££....always available on Ebay.....just a thought that you might consider.


All the best

Jim

Thats exactly what im planning on. Im looking around for a set of 'ok' wheels with tyres and refurbing them myself. Just want to change them because they are a) too small and b) not very nice lol.

Infact that alfa's wheels were refurbed by myself and my mate (These are before pics though lol)