What I did today thread...

[GaryS40]

Well, over the past weekend, I was fortunate enough to get my trusty old G220 DA machine out and give the car a good cut and polish, followed by an Si02 spray coating.
Should be protected for the next 12 months.
Maybe even longer, since I can't go out and enjoy it!😐

Treated all of the black trim to a coating of CarPro PERL.

Luckily, I managed to get the stainless steel exhaust further modified, with the stainless steel sports cat and downpipe, plus additional resonator, just before we were put into lockdown.

Totally bored out of my mind now, so I took the sound insulation from under the bonnet and started polishing the old paint underneath.
Also going to polish the slam panel and ceramic coat it too.

I have also decreased and washed down the engine bay and treated the plastics to some PERL too.

New titanium bolts arrived for the injector cover and anodized blue aluminium bolts for the coil cover, so I might fit these today too, time dependant.

Plenty more on my list, so if the weather stays fine, I'll be in the carport for quite some time.

Might be going on a 3 month furlough soon, so will have even more spare time on my hands!

Gary

[volvo2]

Washed my 2002 V70 for the first time in ages.

[Cento16v]

Managed to do a full paint correction and then get 3 layers of wax on my S60 before a ceramic cost and then finished with a ceramic wax!

Took 4 days but it was worth it!

Rained yesterday when I was on my way to the shop (10 miles away) and when I parked up at the shop the car was dry!

Didn't need to use my wipers on the bypass either as the beading was so effective, better than rain x!

Also fit sound deadening to all 4 doors, boot panel, rear shelf, under the boot carpet, spare wheel well and under the bonnet.

Made the bass response stronger from the 13 speaker stereo and stopped some vibration from the doors and rear shelf at high volumes, took a while but was worth it.

[GaryS40]

Originally Posted by Cento16v

Managed to do a full paint correction and then get 3 layers of wax on my S60 before a ceramic cost and then finished with a ceramic wax!

Took 4 days but it was worth it!

Rained yesterday when I was on my way to the shop (10 miles away) and when I parked up at the shop the car was dry!

Didn't need to use my wipers on the bypass either as the beading was so effective, better than rain x!

Also fit sound deadening to all 4 doors, boot panel, rear shelf, under the boot carpet, spare wheel well and under the bonnet.

Made the bass response stronger from the 13 speaker stereo and stopped some vibration from the doors and rear shelf at high volumes, took a while but was worth it.

I'm assuming you used a hybrid ceramic spray, not a full on ceramic coating?
Ceramic coating should always go on to bare paint, or it'll just come off with the wax, as it breaks down.

Good amount of work done though.

Gary

[GaryS40]

Following a pretty extensive surface corrosion treatment of the underside and suspension of the V70, i realised that the engine undertray was missing, or perhaps, never been fitted.
I bought a new one online and it arrived today.
Fitted in literally 10 minutes, including fitting the axle stands under the car.
Looks much better now and should keep the engine bay even cleaner, for longer.

Gary

[Father Ted]

Well, having had false alarms I looked into it and found the dreaded siren failure. So today I pulled the siren out and (hopefully) repaired it.

I have put the full details here for anyone else who comes looking. But attached is a picture of what my board was like.....not nice.

[ASt85]

Originally Posted by GaryS40

Looks much better now and should keep the engine bay even cleaner, for longer.

Gary

I wouldn't bet on it, in my experience it reduces the rate of air flow around and down over the engine which seems to increase the rate of dust deposition.

[GaryS40]

Originally Posted by ASt85

I wouldn't bet on it, in my experience it reduces the rate of air flow around and down over the engine which seems to increase the rate of dust deposition.

If it stops the dirty road spray coming into the engine bay, I'm happy.
Dust isn't an issue, as I'll clean that off with an engine detail.

Gary

[ASt85]

Hi GaryS40,

Having read many of your detailing posts, I bow to your knowledge and expertise.

On a related matter can you give any tips about the best way to restore Volvo leather seats?

The reason I ask is that a fellow forum user has raised the question of the best means to restore those in a C70 - https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=306061

My use of Meguiar's Gold Class Rich Leather 3-in-1 has not achieved the desired restoration of suppleness or softening in either the C or V70 cars family and whilst they look reasonable the comfort of the seats hasn't been restored.

Your input would be gratefully received.

Alan

[GaryS40]

Originally Posted by ASt85

Hi GaryS40,

Having read many of your detailing posts, I bow to your knowledge and expertise.

On a related matter can you give any tips about the best way to restore Volvo leather seats?

The reason I ask is that a fellow forum user has raised the question of the best means to restore those in a C70 - https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=306061

My use of Meguiar's Gold Class Rich Leather 3-in-1 has not achieved the desired restoration of suppleness or softening in either the C or V70 cars family and whilst they look reasonable the comfort of the seats hasn't been restored.

Your input would be gratefully received.

Alan

Hi Alan

I usually clean leather seats and trim with Gliptone leather cleaner and a soft nail brush, followed by two or three layers of Gliptone leather conditioner, applied with a microfibre cloth and let it soak in. Buff any residue off after about 12 hours, or overnight. This is more for the likes of older leather on cars such as the Rover P5 and P6, Jaguars and vehicles of that ilk.

I hope this helps, somewhat.

Gary

The Volvo leather has a coating on it, that can prevent the conditioner from penetrating into the hide.

I usually wipe mine down with a damp microfibre cloth and once a year, put on a layer of conditioner.

Mine are not perfect and are due for a few touch ups to my outside bolster, this summer, but are still in very good condition.