Winter Protection - Deacon's Scirocco

[RussZS]

It's getting nippy out there folks!

This morning saw me spend 4 hours or so decontaminating, then protecting the paintwork on this rather nice VW Scirocco 1.4 TSI.

The aim of the day was to clean the paintwork as best as possible in the time given and lay some protection down for Winter, to ensure the paintwork, glass and wheels are protected through the Winter period.

Some befores:


P1060523 by RussZS, on Flickr


P1060524 by RussZS, on Flickr


P1060525 by RussZS, on Flickr


P1060526 by RussZS, on Flickr

As always, wheels, tyres and arches first with G101, EZ Detail Brush and Envy Wheel Brushes.

First off though, I rinsed the wheels and arches with the rather lovely Kranzle K7, I muuuust get me one of these beasts!


P1060527 by RussZS, on Flickr


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P1060538 by RussZS, on Flickr

Next, the car was foamed with Auto Finesse Lather via Foam Lance:


P1040006 by RussZS, on Flickr


P1040009 by RussZS, on Flickr

G101 on the rubber... wow!


P1040012 by RussZS, on Flickr


G101 on door shuts:


P1040015 by RussZS, on Flickr


P1040024 by RussZS, on Flickr


P1040025 by RussZS, on Flickr

The car was then hand washed with Lather and Lambswool Wash Mitt, then rinsed.

Next up, we attacked the Tar with Tardis:


P1040034 by RussZS, on Flickr


P1040035 by RussZS, on Flickr


P1040033 by RussZS, on Flickr

The car was then rinsed.

It was evident at this point, that the paintwork was LITTERED with small iron particles, orange in colour.

I had Autobrite's Purple Rain in my collection, so I began using this and working my way around the car.

It's quite slow to begin working, but when it does, the results look good:


P1040052 by RussZS, on Flickr

We decided to do a 50/50 between Iron X (right side) and Purple Rain (left side)

Quite a difference here:


P1040046 by RussZS, on Flickr

Iron X side:


P1040047 by RussZS, on Flickr

Purple Rain side:


P1040048 by RussZS, on Flickr

This pic was taken after a 7 minute dwell time.

I personally much prefer the watery consistency of IronX, as you seem to use much less product, and I like the way it runs down the paint.  Also, it reacts far more quickly than Purple Rain.

As a further test, we re-treated the boot to Iron-X, after leaving Purple Rain to react for 15 minutes or so.

Particles visible after Purple Rain, and tbf those lumps would have needed a couple of applications of any product!


P1040053 by RussZS, on Flickr

Iron X after PR:


P1040057 by RussZS, on Flickr


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P1040060 by RussZS, on Flickr

That's quite some reaction!  Much more of the iron was released from this second application, although the car probably needed another 'hit', but we decided to remove what was left with clay.

For me, after seeing this comparison, I would probably favour Iron-X from now on, despite the apparent higher purhcase price, I like the way it reacts quite quickly, and it seems more concentrated and allows better coverage due to its non clingy consistency.  We used maybe 5-10ml on the doors and boot, but I used a good 250ml of Purple Rain on the rest of car!

The car was moved inside for claying, with Glide and AF Clay:


P1040067 by RussZS, on Flickr

It didn't pick much up and no pics of the clay used I'm afraid (I was in a rush!)

Next up, Auto Finesse Tripple on a MF Pad:


P1040068 by RussZS, on Flickr

Opti Seal was used on the wheels:


P1040069 by RussZS, on Flickr

Pinnacle Black Onyx on the tyres:


P1040071 by RussZS, on Flickr

Then two coats of Tough Coat via applicator:


P1040072 by RussZS, on Flickr

Revive on plastics:


P1040073 by RussZS, on Flickr

and the afters....


P1040074 by RussZS, on Flickr


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Optimum Metal Polish on the exhaust:


P1040086 by RussZS, on Flickr


P1040091 by RussZS, on Flickr


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P1040096 by RussZS, on Flickr


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P1040100 by RussZS, on Flickr

Total time - an assisted 4 hours!

We also added Nanolex Premium to the windscreen and gave the interior a quick vacuum with Henry, glass with AF Crystal and plastics with APC

Thanks for reading!

Russ.

[stealthwolf]

Amazing turn around.

Did you apply the G101 before snowfoaming? Was trying to work out what you had done.

Am very tempted with some of the AF products.

Did you hire the Kranzle? Would love to see it in action.

[RussZS]

Amazing turn around.

Did you apply the G101 before snowfoaming? Was trying to work out what you had done.

Am very tempted with some of the AF products.

Did you hire the Kranzle? Would love to see it in action.

Sorry, it wasn't very clear - my camerman needs a few lessons, I normally take my own pics as its a bit more logical for me when I do a write up!!

The Kranzle is owned by the guy who owns the unit, he very kindly let me use both. 

I snow foam first, then G101 the dirtier bits generally, then leave the snow foam to dwell to do its thing. 

You're welcome to try some of my AF bits if you want.

[stealthwolf]

Ah! Now it makes sense.

I tend to just use a brush and go over the panel gaps and recesses once the snowfoam's on.

I'm running out of snowfoam and will probably need some more within the next few weeks. Have ValetPro stuff but was looking at Autobrite. How does the AF foam compare with those two? I'm looking for some cleaning power as I'd be aiming to get as much winter crap off on a weekly basis.

The Iron-X looks good - I've got some ready for my winter prep.

The wheel sealant - how easy is it to apply? I love PB stuff but if you miss any bits when buffing off, it can be a pain to remove.

[RussZS]

Ah! Now it makes sense.

I tend to just use a brush and go over the panel gaps and recesses once the snowfoam's on.

I'm running out of snowfoam and will probably need some more within the next few weeks. Have ValetPro stuff but was looking at Autobrite. How does the AF foam compare with those two? I'm looking for some cleaning power as I'd be aiming to get as much winter crap off on a weekly basis.

The Iron-X looks good - I've got some ready for my winter prep.

The wheel sealant - how easy is it to apply? I love PB stuff but if you miss any bits when buffing off, it can be a pain to remove.

Autobrite Magifoam is VERY good, but I have slight concerns around how well it cleans - it seems to be a bit too effective to be wax safe.  I generally favour Bilt Hamber Auto Foam or Megs Hyper Wash (which Polished Bliss use), but the AB stuff is a cut above cleaning power wise.

The wheel sealant is awesome.  Very wet and buttery, so you use very little and it spreads VERY easily.  People are seeing 3 months easily on daily drivers from a single application.  It won't beat something like GTechniq C5 for durability, but its a more cost effective choice.  It adds a lovely wetness to the wheels too.

[stealthwolf]

In that case, unless I can find my Planet Polish wheel sealant, I'll try the optiseal stuff.

[maxload]

Top work there buddy. I really like your product choice. 

[Leonard]

Out of interest how much would a 'quick' going over like that cost?

Thanks

Matt

[Deacon]

Big, big thanks to Russ for this the car looks amazing now - cleaner than when I first picked it up!

Managed to grab a few pictures the afternoon showing off Russ's fantastic work:-













Deacon

[B3n]

Great work Russ

You've helped me make the decision to go and give my car a good detail ready for the winter Which will be fun as I haven't cleaned it in 4 months

Ben

[big al]

Think I may be booking you in Russ to do a winter one on mine too
Great work, as always. Your knowledge of the products is immense!

[RussZS]

Cheers Al :)

I still need to do Tash's wheels and plastics, I've not forgotten 

[big al]

Cheers Al :)

I still need to do Tash's wheels and plastics, I've not forgotten 

Neither's she. 

Anytime that suits you though, know how busy you are

[Rob GTI]

Interesting reading... where the hell do bonded on iron particles come from in the first place??

No wonder the claying didn't yield much results with all that decon work 

[stealthwolf]

Generally from industrial fall out.