My Edition 30 - Wraith-Crystal Rock 50/50, AF Mercury, Elite Pressed Plates!

[RussZS]

Forgive me, for I have sinned!

I've not touched my car since my time down with Kelly@KDS in December, and it was looking a little sorry for itself so I spent today giving it a bit of love and adding some protection to it.


DSC02338 by RussZS, on Flickr


DSC02320 by RussZS, on Flickr

Beading from the C2 was a bit flat too...


DSC02318 by RussZS, on Flickr

As always, wheels were dealt with first:


DSC02316 by RussZS, on Flickr


DSC02317 by RussZS, on Flickr


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DSC02332 by RussZS, on Flickr

AS Smart Wheels (new formula) was used via EZ and Swissvax brushes, then IronX to follow:


DSC02325 by RussZS, on Flickr


DSC02341 by RussZS, on Flickr

Next the car was foamed with BH Auto Foam:


DSC02344 by RussZS, on Flickr

Whilst the foam was dwelling, the shuts and sills were treated with Surfex HD:


DSC02346 by RussZS, on Flickr

Auto Finesse Lather was up next:


DSC02347 by RussZS, on Flickr


DSC02348 by RussZS, on Flickr

and rinsed...


DSC02350 by RussZS, on Flickr

Pulled inside to dry properly:


DSC02351 by RussZS, on Flickr

After drying, it was time to decide which LSP to apply to the car.  I'd recently picked up a pot of the new flagship Auto Finesse Wax - Wraith, which will be the new range topper above Spirit.  I definitely wanted to test this out, and decided to go for a 50/50 split between this and Swissvax Crystal Rock.  Obviously CR will be about 4x more expensive, so it's not exactly a fair test, but could well be interesting to see how the two compare.

The matching pre wax cleansers were also used, and applied via DA and 3M Waffle Pad:


DSC02354 by RussZS, on Flickr

The drivers half of the car was topped with CR, and the passengers' with Wraith:


DSC02355 by RussZS, on Flickr


DSC02357 by RussZS, on Flickr

Curing:


DSC02358 by RussZS, on Flickr


DSC02359 by RussZS, on Flickr

and removed:


DSC02361 by RussZS, on Flickr


DSC02366 by RussZS, on Flickr

Next the CR side was applied and removed and I turned my attention to the exhaust.


DSC02423 by RussZS, on Flickr

It was looking rather sorry for itself to say the least!!

So out came the Mercury and a CostCo MF Cloth:


DSC02424 by RussZS, on Flickr


DSC02425 by RussZS, on Flickr

2 mins work and just an MF:


DSC02426 by RussZS, on Flickr


DSC02427 by RussZS, on Flickr

The number plates were next.  I'd recently bought some pressed plates from Alex at Elite, so I decided to add these today:

Original plate:


DSC02415 by RussZS, on Flickr

Removed:


DSC02416 by RussZS, on Flickr

Cleaned with IPA:


DSC02417 by RussZS, on Flickr

New plate!


DSC02418 by RussZS, on Flickr


DSC02419 by RussZS, on Flickr

Same with the rear:


DSC02420 by RussZS, on Flickr

After:


DSC02421 by RussZS, on Flickr


DSC02422 by RussZS, on Flickr

and now for some finished shots (some taken before the plate swap)


DSC02384 by RussZS, on Flickr


DSC02386 by RussZS, on Flickr


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DSC02405 by RussZS, on Flickr


DSC02408 by RussZS, on Flickr


DSC02409 by RussZS, on Flickr


DSC02429 by RussZS, on Flickr


DSC02432 by RussZS, on Flickr


DSC02435 by RussZS, on Flickr


DSC02436 by RussZS, on Flickr


DSC02437 by RussZS, on Flickr

Orange peel free! :D


DSC02438 by RussZS, on Flickr

Not a bad finish given that there was no sun out...


DSC02439 by RussZS, on Flickr

Both waxes impressed me deeply and were a pleasure to use.  I'll keep this thread updated with thought and videos of beading and sheeting.  Mercury was awesome yet again too and replaces Optimum Metal Polish in my collection.

Next from Midlands Car Care is this...


DSC02313 by RussZS, on Flickr


DSC02315 by RussZS, on Flickr

Enhancement Detail with Crystal Rock...

Thanks for looking.

Russ.

[E30Dom]

Golf looks stunning, can't wait to see how the TT-RS turns out!

[stealthwolf]

Russ, those two pics of the car outside after the detail look almost perfect. Need to get a decent backdrop and they'd be calendar worthy!

Love the turn around and would love to see how the two waxes hold up.

How did you affix the plates?

[Greeners]

Nearly looks as good as my old baby Russ! 

I'd be scared to use the damn thing after all that sanding! 

 

[yetidom]

 

Wow that looks amazing! Tried to have a quick look at your site for prices etc? Where are you based in the Midlands?

[maxload]

Forgive me, for I have sinned!

Lovely work there Russ , the eddy's looking great. You are forgiven.... 

[welikeaps]

Good work as always Russ.

[mvb12]

fookin" Awesome 

[RussZS]

Wow that looks amazing! Tried to have a quick look at your site for prices etc? Where are you based in the Midlands?

Sorry the site isn't completed yet I'm afraid, but will hopefully be worth the wait - I've got one of the best guys out there from the detailing community doing it for me - I'm really excited about it!!

I'll send you a PM :)

[yetidom]

Thanks Russ, I've replied. Look forward to checking your new site out too!

[craigy123]

awesome work as per  Any info on the plates? im after a set

[B3n]

awesome work as per  Any info on the plates? im after a set

+1 any more info on the plates?? Are they legal?

Could you also please drop me a PM ref prices etc as i'm looking to get my Eddie done after winter

Ben

[Frodo-anni]

Quality finish,

What order do you use iron-x on paintwork, along with claying and tardis de-tar, im confused?