AG Lifeshine

Matthew_S3

Matthew_S3

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Hi all!

I am going to give the car a complete wash, get rid of any small scratches/swirls with polish etc and then apply the AutoGlym Lifeshine.

It says on the bottle etc that it's for 'professional use only'. But I look at that and think how hard can it be?!!

But, I thought I'd ask on here before doing anything... Should I do it myself or pay a local garage to apply it (surely they would rush and miss bits - I will take my time...?)

The car is a Glacier White S3 3dr by the way (if it makes a difference...)

Cheers!!
 
I thought AG Lifeshine referred to the paint protection package offered by dealers? Wasn't aware there was a specific product by AG called 'Lifeshine'. I've never used their products though so could be mistaken!

If it's just a wax/glaze or sealant then you will be fine applying it yourself. It's some of the ceramic coatings that can be tricky to apply and sometimes needs professional application.
 
Yeah this stuff is the paint protection stuff. Can I apply it myself or should I pay someone? What can go wrong?
 
You got a link to it? I imagine you will have no problem at all applying it yourself, but I don't know exactly what it is to say for certain. I've applied many different paint sealants, waxes and even ceramic coatings myself, so as long as you follow the instructions you will be fine.

I only know of a couple of products which require pro application, such as Gtechniq Crystal Serum. These are extremely hard ceramic coatings, and if not applied right will need wet sanding/polishing to remove. I can't imagine its anything like that!
 
Ah ok. Yea this sounds very similar to Gtechniq C1. As long as you read the instructions and read up on it you should be fine applying yourself.

Good results will heavily depend on the prep work you do before (hence why the results tend to be awful when the dealers do it...) In addition to this kit, you are going to want to fully wash and decontaminate the car. So ironX, tar remover and clay bar treatment.

It will probably last a good year or more if you maintain the car well with a good wash. Ceramic sealants are more difficult to remove so would aim to do this just the once!
 
I'm more thinking if someone else has put a coat on it in the past as it looks like it might but if so it's not been done very well.

My plan was...

1- Snow foam pre wash and rinse
2- 2 bucket wash
3- another wash or snow foam rinse if necessary
4- use swirl/scratch remover to sort the mini scratches etc from the previous owner
5- another wash/rise
6- dry with AG blade and towel
- HERE IS WHERE I NEED HELP! This is my current plan... I don't have a clay bar or know how to use one...
7- wax car, double coat
8- apply sealant
9- apply wax and sealant to wheels
10- clean interioir
11- apply AutoGlym Lifeshine

I was thinking if I apply the Lifeshine at it's perfect stage then surely it will stay perfect better? That's my thinking but new to all this!!

Let me know if I'm on the right lines or not!

Thanks
 
It would only take one small bit of grit to be caught by the blade to be dragged across your paintwork to get you back to stage 4, personally I would stick with just the towel, others will probably agree.
 
sidibear said:
It would only take one small bit of grit to be caught by the blade to be dragged across your paintwork to get you back to stage 4, personally I would stick with just the towel, others will probably agree.
Click to expand...

Yeah, good point, I'll ditch the blade and stick to the towel then!

Is it wax before sealant or sealant before wax?

Sorry for 100 questions, don't want to get it wrong if using Lifeshine to finish off...
Cheers
 
MatthewA94 said:
Yeah, good point, I'll ditch the blade and stick to the towel then!

Is it wax before sealant or sealant before wax?

Sorry for 100 questions, don't want to get it wrong if using Lifeshine to finish off...
Cheers
Click to expand...
Sealant before wax.
 
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Not wishing to dissuade you but can I ask why you are dead set on using Lifeshine? There are better products out there that a pro detailer could apply for you. Or failing that if you want to DIY something like Finish Kare 1000p will give good protection, comes in a big tin, can be used on the wheels as well.

Oh and as @sidibear said ditch the blade, stick to the towel. :)
 
scotty76 said:
Not wishing to dissuade you but can I ask why you are dead set on using Lifeshine? There are better products out there that a pro detailer could apply for you. Or failing that if you want to DIY something like Finish Kare 1000p will give good protection, comes in a big tin, can be used on the wheels as well.

Oh and as @sidibear said ditch the blade, stick to the towel. :)
Click to expand...


Just because I've had it before and it was good and I've not got £300-600 to get a better coating when I can do this one for £23 and some effort... I'll take a look at Finish Kare 1000p though, never heard of that! But whatever I end up using, I want to make sure that my pre-wash ritual is perfect before I apply this stuff!

Towel it is, blade can go to eBay! Cheers
 
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MatthewA94 said:
Just because I've had it before and it was good and I've not got £300-600 to get a better coating when I can do this one for £23 and some effort... I'll take a look at Finish Kare 1000p though, never heard of that! But whatever I end up using, I want to make sure that my pre-wash ritual is perfect before I apply this stuff!

Towel it is, blade can go to eBay! Cheers
Click to expand...
Yep, that's toally fair enough. I wouldn't think it can be that hard as the dealers usually give the wash guy not time at all to apply it. :( If you are worried though, do one panel as a test and move on from there.
 
Your plan looks good, but you want to decontaminate and clay bar before you polish. So:

Wash
Dry
Decon
Clay
(Might need to do another snow foam and rinse)
Polish
Protect

I can't imagine you will need to apply a sealant and wax after the AG Carbon stuff. You will want to make sure the surface is as clean as possible before you apply a ceramic, so if you do want to wax, it needs to be after. Gtechniq ceramic has a panel wipe before you apply to make sure no wax residue or oils are present to maximise the bond. You can wax after to enhance the depth though.
 
Thanks Eskimo, ok so... the plan is:

- Snow
- Wash
- Dry
- Clay (need to learn how to do this but have bought the products on your advice... Any help here would be good!)
- Snow
- Dry
- Polish
- AG Carbon
- Seal
- Wax
- Admire the car.

I'll post some pics, before and after (if I remember). Will be doing this Saturday/Sunday.
 
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scotty76 said:
Arms like Popeye coming right up!
Click to expand...

Haha indeed!

Clay barring is easy Matthew don't worry. Use plenty of lubrication (quick detailer is fine) and work in straight lines. If you drop it make sure you throw it away as it will pick up any dirt from the floor.

Are you polishing by hand, or using a DA? Polishing by hand will kill you...I'm skeptical you can get rid of any swirls without a machine. Takes me ages to make a dent in my Audi paint using a my DA with a MF cutting pad and strong compound....
 
DrEskimo said:
Haha indeed!

Clay barring is easy Matthew don't worry. Use plenty of lubrication (quick detailer is fine) and work in straight lines. If you drop it make sure you throw it away as it will pick up any dirt from the floor.

Are you polishing by hand, or using a DA? Polishing by hand will kill you...I'm skeptical you can get rid of any swirls without a machine. Takes me ages to make a dent in my Audi paint using a my DA with a MF cutting pad and strong compound....
Click to expand...

So after 1 use of the clay bar I must bin it? Even if it's just touched the car?

I will apply by hand and then buff by hand, I do have an electric buffer (it's HUGE) so doesn't make it easy but suppose I can do the big panels with it!!
 
MatthewA94 said:
So after 1 use of the clay bar I must bin it? Even if it's just touched the car?
Click to expand...

No. Only if you drop it. It needs to go in the bin when you can no longer fold it to a clean side. Don't panic, it's really easy. Have a look on YouTube at some videos. If you haven't yet bought clay I can thoroughly recommend the "Farecla G3 Body Prep Clay Mitt" instead. It's much quicker to use. I've used clay and the mitt and will be sticking to the mitt. It works just as well but takes a fraction of the time.
 
audi upgrades
http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/decontaminating-paint.html

Also @MatthewA94 if you don't mind me saying, I don't see why you need to seal and wax on top of the Lifeshine? Whilst I have not used it, it appears to be designed as the top coating or LSP in detailing speak. I think you're just making extra work for yourself.

My car has CQuartz Finest on it which is a nano ceramic coating. This is applied by thoroughly cleaning and prepping the paintwork usually with a single stage light machine polish and wipedown with CarPro Eraser. The CQ Finest coating then sits on top of this. There's no need to wax or seal. Indeed if you wax it will "block" the coating from doing its job.

Just a thought.
 
@MatthewA94 - Won't go over stuff that already has been said

TBH I wouldn't use the AG Lifeshine you've got. There is way better stuff out there for a better more durable coating IMO

If you want a sealent I would go down the Gtechniq route if doing ti yourself
If your getting a Pro to detail your car I would do as @scotty76 has done and go down the CarPro CQ Finest route
If you dare, I would venture onto http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/
It can be a bit daunting at first, but the place is rammed with useful info/tips/reviews

PS This was my 'procedure' when doing my new S4
http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/thread...lue-b8-5-audi-s4-black-edition-saloon.247421/
 
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Bristle Hound said:
@MatthewA94 - Won't go over stuff that already has been said

TBH I wouldn't use the AG Lifeshine you've got. There is way better stuff out there for a better more durable coating IMO

If you want a sealent I would go down the Gtechniq route if doing ti yourself
If your getting a Pro to detail your car I would do as @scotty76 has done and go down the CarPro CQ Finest route
If you dare, I would venture onto http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/
It can be a bit daunting at first, but the place is rammed with useful info/tips/reviews

PS This was my 'procedure' when doing my new S4
http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/thread...lue-b8-5-audi-s4-black-edition-saloon.247421/
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice. Lovely S4 by the way!!

Is a sealant (JetSeal) the same as a ceramic coat (Lifeshine)?
 
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Ok, sorry for all the questions...

On your S4, the Supercharged badges, love them but isn't 1 back to front?

Anyway... Ok, well I will still do everything I planned buy maybe leave AG off... Can I add another product to the car later or does the car need to be completely stripped of any wax/sealant etc?

cheers
 
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MatthewA94 said:
Ok, sorry for all the questions...

On your S4, the Supercharged badges, love them but isn't 1 back to front?

Anyway... Ok, well I will still do everything I planned buy maybe leave AG off... Can I add another product to the car later or does the car need to be completely stripped of any wax/sealant etc?

cheers
Click to expand...
Why don't you stick to the plan you had and just leave out Lifeshine? So Seal then Wax.
 
Ok, will try that... I was just thinking that something like AG would give more protection and last longer then add seal and wax to top up the shine and protection...

I'm new so please excuse me but I'll go off the advice from you guys :)

Cheers
 
MatthewA94 said:
Ok, will try that... I was just thinking that something like AG would give more protection and last longer then add seal and wax to top up the shine and protection...

I'm new so please excuse me but I'll go off the advice from you guys :)

Cheers
Click to expand...
Go for it and don't forget the pictures! :) We all learned by doing. Try stuff. See what works, see what doesn't. Rinse and repeat (sorry bad pun). :)
 
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Some inspiration for you. This was my lunchtime. Quick wash and wax with Autoglym HD Wax. This car is our family transport, has kerbed alloys and is generally in a bad way. However, just 90 mins graft gave me:

Show Us Your Reflection Shots
 
MatthewA94 said:
On your S4, the Supercharged badges, love them but isn't 1 back to front?
Click to expand...
The Supercharged badges I have fitted are OEM Audi one's & its the way they come
If you have a look at any Audi S-line models their front wing badges also appear to have one back to front as well

Don't forget the pics when you've done your detail @MatthewA94
 
Bristle Hound said:
The Supercharged badges I have fitted are OEM Audi one's & its the way they come
If you have a look at any Audi S-line models their front wing badges also appear to have one back to front as well

Don't forget the pics when you've done your detail @MatthewA94
Click to expand...

Could you send me a pic of each side when you get 5 minutes please? Just to see what they look like as I may buy some... I think they look good from what I saw.

Yeah, will do before, during and after shots. :)
 
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