This car is owned by a DW member and was originally booked in for a quick spruce up ahead of a wedding but I was unable to fit it in, so we rescheduled for today as the owner is now thinking of selling it (possibly to me!) so wanted to see what I could do with it in the space of a day... I've fallen in love...
A quick before:
DSC05573 by
RussZS, on Flickr
Wheels were up first:
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RussZS, on Flickr
Nothing too bad, but of brake dust.
Pressure rinse to remove loose dirt:
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RussZS, on Flickr
Autobrite's Very Cherry applied liberally:
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RussZS, on Flickr
VP brushes used on spokes:
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RussZS, on Flickr
Calipers:
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RussZS, on Flickr
G101 and VP brush used on tyres:
DSC05580 by
RussZS, on Flickr
EZ Brush on the rear of the wheels:
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RussZS, on Flickr
Wheel Woolie on the arches to ensure the paint edge isn't scratched:
DSC05583 by
RussZS, on Flickr
IronX next:
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RussZS, on Flickr
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RussZS, on Flickr
and rinsed...
DSC05588 by
RussZS, on Flickr
Next I foamed with Bilt Hamber's AutoFoam:
DSC05589 by
RussZS, on Flickr
Then worked around the car with VP brushes and surfex:
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RussZS, on Flickr
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RussZS, on Flickr
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RussZS, on Flickr
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RussZS, on Flickr
Next the car was rinsed, and hand washed with Britemax CleanMAX:
DSC05598 by
RussZS, on Flickr
Then the car was assessed for fallout and tar but very little was present (the owner had recently spent a great deal of time claying the car), so the car was moved inside for the claying stage. I used AF clay and Citrus Bling as lube:
DSC05599 by
RussZS, on Flickr
It didn't pick up much aside from some sap/pollen from the roof/bonnet:
DSC05600 by
RussZS, on Flickr
Then the paint was dried with a CG Wooly Mammoth:
DSC05601 by
RussZS, on Flickr
Next paint readings were taken, and showing a healthy average of around 150 microns:
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RussZS, on Flickr
I was a little surprised when I first saw the paint under Halogen lighting!!
DSC05602 by
RussZS, on Flickr
:doublesho:doublesho:doublesho
DSC05604 by
RussZS, on Flickr
A bit swirly then... knowing that I only had this in for a single day enhancement, I was getting a bit concerned and knew I had my work cut out.
After trialling a few combinations, I was getting amazing results from Megs D300 and Megs MF Cutting Discs, however this was leaving a very slight haze/hologram to the paint so this was finished down with BriteMAX BlackMAX
Some correction pics...
DSC05605 by
RussZS, on Flickr
DSC05606 by
RussZS, on Flickr
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RussZS, on Flickr
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RussZS, on Flickr
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RussZS, on Flickr
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RussZS, on Flickr
A few deeper defects remained but as you can see - this is certainly enhanced... not bad for a part timer... :thumb:
DSC05615 by
RussZS, on Flickr
Bonnet:
DSC05622 by
RussZS, on Flickr
Front Wing:
DSC05625 by
RussZS, on Flickr
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RussZS, on Flickr
I was having quite a few issues with the dreaded sticky paint however, so had to adapt my usual MF technique to allow for this.
DSC05633 by
RussZS, on Flickr
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RussZS, on Flickr
Front Bumper:
DSC05638 by
RussZS, on Flickr
It was looking sharper already...
DSC05640 by
RussZS, on Flickr
There was also quite a severe scuff on the rear bumper:
DSC05641 by
RussZS, on Flickr
After:
DSC05647 by
RussZS, on Flickr
Still present but reduced in appearance significantly!!!
I finished up with Opti Seal on the wheels:
DSC05651 by
RussZS, on Flickr
Mercury on the exhaust:
DSC05653 by
RussZS, on Flickr
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RussZS, on Flickr
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RussZS, on Flickr
Crystal on the glass:
DSC05655 by
RussZS, on Flickr
The plastic trim was also looking a bit tired, so I used the ever impressive GTechniq C4!
DSC05657 by
RussZS, on Flickr
DSC05658 by
RussZS, on Flickr
Awesome!!
I finished with Zymol's excellent Glasur wax:
DSC05650 by
RussZS, on Flickr
and finally, some afters...
DSC05661 by
RussZS, on Flickr
DSC05662 by
RussZS, on Flickr
DSC05665 by
RussZS, on Flickr
DSC05670 by
RussZS, on Flickr
DSC05671 by
RussZS, on Flickr
DSC05672 by
RussZS, on Flickr
DSC05673 by
RussZS, on Flickr
DSC05674 by
RussZS, on Flickr
DSC05675 by
RussZS, on Flickr
DSC05676 by
RussZS, on Flickr
DSC05686 by
RussZS, on Flickr
DSC05687 by
RussZS, on Flickr
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RussZS, on Flickr
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RussZS, on Flickr
DSC05692 by
RussZS, on Flickr
DSC05693 by
RussZS, on Flickr
Total time - 9 hours.
What a beautiful car, and with the optional sports exhaust it sounds awesome. I may be buying this for myself... need to go and try one back to back with a few other things and see how I get on, but I loved it!! Running costs aren't toooo scary either.
Next up, an incredibly rare facelifted Alpina B3S!!
Thanks for reading:
DSC05696 by
RussZS, on Flickr
Russ - Midlands Car Care.