Yesterday Nick from CleanDetail and I hosted our very first Training Day, at Nicks fantastic unit up in Doncaster.
The day was pitched at the Detailing Enthusiast and aimed to cover the basics of cleaning and preparing a car for machine polishing, and also covered machine polishing, glazing and different types of protective products.
This write up offers a brief overview of the day and a flavour of the topics covered.
Milly and I arrived at Nicks unit bright and early around 8:30 to begin help setting up for the day:
DSC04494 by
RussZS, on Flickr
The subject for the day was to be this very tired looking Audi TT Roadster:
DSC04495 by
RussZS, on Flickr
It was the perfect test subject as it was littered with RDS, Swirls, holograms and had been partly resprayed. It was also the hardest clearcoat I'd ever come across!
A few of the attendees beginning to arrive:
DSC04496 by
RussZS, on Flickr
Nick getting some before shots on his SLR:
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RussZS, on Flickr
After ensuring everyone was signed and settled in and refreshed from their journeys from Milly's superb tea and coffee, we began the first part of the day - how to safely wash and decontaminate a car ready for machine polishing:
DSC04500 by
RussZS, on Flickr
Nick rinsing any loose dirt from the car:
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RussZS, on Flickr
Degreaser used to begin to break down any heavier soiling on the lower half of the car:
DSC04506 by
RussZS, on Flickr
A fallout remover was used on the wheels to begin pre cleaning them ahead of making physical contact:
DSC04514 by
RussZS, on Flickr
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RussZS, on Flickr
Next the car was rinsed and snow foamed:
DSC04518 by
RussZS, on Flickr
G101 was used around the tighter areas of the car with a Swissvax brush:
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RussZS, on Flickr
Nick then began to work on the wheels with Smart Wheels mixed 10:1
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RussZS, on Flickr
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RussZS, on Flickr
After hand washing with AM Details shampoo and their mitt, the car was rinsed again:
DSC04536 by
RussZS, on Flickr
At this point we spoke about the fact that despite the car appearing 'clean' there was a fair amount of contamination left, which needed to be safely removed ahead of any machine polishing.
We followed up with a fallout remover and Tardis to safely eliminate the fallout and tar deposits present:
DSC04540 by
RussZS, on Flickr
This was followed with another thorough rinse:
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RussZS, on Flickr
Then the car was safely dried:
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RussZS, on Flickr
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RussZS, on Flickr
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RussZS, on Flickr
Once dried, the TT was moved inside to begin the claying process:
DSC04554 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
The TT was then dried again to remove any traces of clay lubricant:
DSC04561 by
RussZS, on Flickr
Next we turned our attention to the paint on the TT and began to cover the difference between various polishes and polishing systems on the market and also how filler heavy products can work:
DSC04565 by
RussZS, on Flickr
The TT was thoroughly taped and masked up using 3M Tape and sheeting:
DSC04568 by
RussZS, on Flickr
We then took two very popular 'glazes' which can be very effective if used correctly and we understand what the product is doing to the paint:
DSC04570 by
RussZS, on Flickr
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RussZS, on Flickr
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RussZS, on Flickr
Here we can see the significant filling effect from this type of products:
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RussZS, on Flickr
A laser pointer was used to allow us to assess removal rates and also the difference in temperature build up between DA and Rotary:
DSC04596 by
RussZS, on Flickr
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RussZS, on Flickr
We also covered the difference between different polishes and again how these polishes can also fill quite heavily:
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RussZS, on Flickr
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RussZS, on Flickr
We also demo'd some of the newer machines to market such as the Rupes BigFoot system and looked at whether or not these systems filled:
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RussZS, on Flickr
Nick demonstrating a Rotary in action:
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RussZS, on Flickr
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RussZS, on Flickr
Discussion around different polishing systems and the Microfibre pads available on the market:
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RussZS, on Flickr
The Flex 3401 was also used to show the difference between various machines and how they work:
DSC04612 by
RussZS, on Flickr
We then opened up the car to the group to have a go themselves using everything from a DAS6 to a Flex DA, Rupes Bigfoot and various Rotary Polishers:
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RussZS, on Flickr
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RussZS, on Flickr
Nick's superb lift put to good effect:
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RussZS, on Flickr
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RussZS, on Flickr
Flex DA with MF pad:
DSC04624 by
RussZS, on Flickr
Festool RAP150 Rotary:
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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
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RussZS, on Flickr
One of my customer Joe made the trip up from Hinckley for the day!
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RussZS, on Flickr
Ricky from Birmingham working his new found skills on the rear quarter:
DSC04641 by
RussZS, on Flickr
We also covered machine polishing lights:
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RussZS, on Flickr
Milly also joined in working her magic on the very tired looking exhaust - for some reason she managed to draw a very big crowd!
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RussZS, on Flickr
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RussZS, on Flickr
Nick demonstrating the Mothers Polishing Cone:
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RussZS, on Flickr
Starting to look much sharper!
DSC04659 by
RussZS, on Flickr
After machining we covered the difference between Wax and Sealants, where hybrids fit in and also Coatings:
DSC04661 by
RussZS, on Flickr
Wheel waxes were also covered - Swissvax Autobahn here applied by Chris by hand!
DSC04663 by
RussZS, on Flickr
Nick applying Wolfgang's Fuzion Hybrid:
DSC04665 by
RussZS, on Flickr
Waxes curing:
DSC04668 by
RussZS, on Flickr
Glass coatings were also covered:
DSC04670 by
RussZS, on Flickr