The Maestro
S3 ~ MTM 330BHP ~ Milltek TBE
[FONT="]Hi Guys,[/FONT]
[FONT="]
Well, for years I myself, physically, have only ever snow-foamed, washed (2 bucket method), chamoised (yes, tut tut, I know), waxed and then glossed, all using the autoglym products. Had some of my previous cars professionally detailed but never really took an interest in what they were doing. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Reading these threads I became interested in the world of detailing, specifically claying, and after posting and reading here I ventured my first detail yesterday using a few new purchased items and my existing cleaners. Didnt touch my brand new S3, I dont feel it needs it yet, so did my Oct 59 BMW X6 as the tester lol white as my S3. Apologies for dingy photo - the sunlight wasnt helpful with over/under auto exposure, glare off the bonnet, nightmare. But if this photo displays as I see it on my PC then the paint-work catches the light where required lol.[/FONT]
[FONT="]
[/FONT]
[FONT="]So what did I do?[/FONT]
[FONT="]Before doing anything I got my bucket of shampoo-water and did my alloys wheel-waxed already.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Ultimate snow-foam through my Clarke ELS145R jet-washer with a Gilmour Foamaster II Foam Gun attachment.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Rinsed off on a low pressure setting.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Autosmart Tardis tar remover didnt realise how splattered they get until you really look.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Washed with Autoglym Car Shampoo and lambs wool mit. Side, side, roof, boot, bonnet 2 bucket method. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Dried with microfiber towel 1st time using a towel, usually a chamois, and by God a towel, surprisingly, is better/quicker![/FONT]
[FONT="]Maguires clay kit and lube! Now, spraying as I went, I realised one needs more lube than 1st thought but, lubing as I went, I got used to handling the clay after a few minutes and I now wonder why the hell I didnt try it before. You can feel the contaminants as you glide the clay over the bodywork and feel it getting smoother. I love the way it naturally flattens down to be turned over leaving a clean face each time. Guess I could get 3-4 jobs out of a half bar??? Anyway, panel by panel, wiping off the chalky lube with the microfiber towel included.[/FONT] Guys, I love how the paint-work feels afterwards and I now KNOW what you lot are going on about. Of course, now I've done this I'm paying attention to other people's bodywork (cars) and noticing how contaminated cars are! Lol, listen to me - armchair expert
[FONT="]Ditched using the Maguires polish included in the clay kit I bought, favoured my usual Autoglym Resin Polish. Did that with a applicator pad, panel by panel, then buffed off. And so nice to polish without some over-looked spec of **** spoiling the rub. A totally clean surface, smooth as silk, to work on - 1st ever experience, long to continue![/FONT]
[FONT="]Finally, Autoglym Gloss.[/FONT]
[FONT="]The few swirls present before all this were significantly reduced post. So Im now thinking about machine-polishing and the better effects especially applying 2 coats of polish and then a buffer.[/FONT]
[FONT="]So, Ill be looking into better products which, like most things, is a trial and error exercise aided by good reviews and advice from you guys. So please feel free to comment either way on anything here.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Polished Bliss products pending: [/FONT]
[FONT="]Snow Foam Meguiar's Hyper Wash[/FONT]
[FONT="]Blackfire Clay Lubricant[/FONT]
[FONT="] Gloss It Mild Clay Bar[/FONT]
[FONT="]Poorboy's White Diamond Glaze[/FONT]
[FONT="]Werkstat Prime Acrylic[/FONT]
[FONT="]Werkstat Acrylic Jett Trigger[/FONT]
[FONT="]Werkstat Acrylic Gloss
But overall, thank you to all of you who inspired me and provided sensible advice and logical, simple instructions on how to do this without making a mess.
[/FONT]
[FONT="]
Well, for years I myself, physically, have only ever snow-foamed, washed (2 bucket method), chamoised (yes, tut tut, I know), waxed and then glossed, all using the autoglym products. Had some of my previous cars professionally detailed but never really took an interest in what they were doing. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Reading these threads I became interested in the world of detailing, specifically claying, and after posting and reading here I ventured my first detail yesterday using a few new purchased items and my existing cleaners. Didnt touch my brand new S3, I dont feel it needs it yet, so did my Oct 59 BMW X6 as the tester lol white as my S3. Apologies for dingy photo - the sunlight wasnt helpful with over/under auto exposure, glare off the bonnet, nightmare. But if this photo displays as I see it on my PC then the paint-work catches the light where required lol.[/FONT]
[FONT="]So what did I do?[/FONT]
[FONT="]Before doing anything I got my bucket of shampoo-water and did my alloys wheel-waxed already.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Ultimate snow-foam through my Clarke ELS145R jet-washer with a Gilmour Foamaster II Foam Gun attachment.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Rinsed off on a low pressure setting.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Autosmart Tardis tar remover didnt realise how splattered they get until you really look.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Washed with Autoglym Car Shampoo and lambs wool mit. Side, side, roof, boot, bonnet 2 bucket method. [/FONT]
[FONT="]Dried with microfiber towel 1st time using a towel, usually a chamois, and by God a towel, surprisingly, is better/quicker![/FONT]
[FONT="]Maguires clay kit and lube! Now, spraying as I went, I realised one needs more lube than 1st thought but, lubing as I went, I got used to handling the clay after a few minutes and I now wonder why the hell I didnt try it before. You can feel the contaminants as you glide the clay over the bodywork and feel it getting smoother. I love the way it naturally flattens down to be turned over leaving a clean face each time. Guess I could get 3-4 jobs out of a half bar??? Anyway, panel by panel, wiping off the chalky lube with the microfiber towel included.[/FONT] Guys, I love how the paint-work feels afterwards and I now KNOW what you lot are going on about. Of course, now I've done this I'm paying attention to other people's bodywork (cars) and noticing how contaminated cars are! Lol, listen to me - armchair expert
[FONT="]Ditched using the Maguires polish included in the clay kit I bought, favoured my usual Autoglym Resin Polish. Did that with a applicator pad, panel by panel, then buffed off. And so nice to polish without some over-looked spec of **** spoiling the rub. A totally clean surface, smooth as silk, to work on - 1st ever experience, long to continue![/FONT]
[FONT="]Finally, Autoglym Gloss.[/FONT]
[FONT="]The few swirls present before all this were significantly reduced post. So Im now thinking about machine-polishing and the better effects especially applying 2 coats of polish and then a buffer.[/FONT]
[FONT="]So, Ill be looking into better products which, like most things, is a trial and error exercise aided by good reviews and advice from you guys. So please feel free to comment either way on anything here.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Polished Bliss products pending: [/FONT]
[FONT="]Snow Foam Meguiar's Hyper Wash[/FONT]
[FONT="]Blackfire Clay Lubricant[/FONT]
[FONT="] Gloss It Mild Clay Bar[/FONT]
[FONT="]Poorboy's White Diamond Glaze[/FONT]
[FONT="]Werkstat Prime Acrylic[/FONT]
[FONT="]Werkstat Acrylic Jett Trigger[/FONT]
[FONT="]Werkstat Acrylic Gloss
But overall, thank you to all of you who inspired me and provided sensible advice and logical, simple instructions on how to do this without making a mess.
[/FONT]
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