My First Attempt At Detailing

[rikcougar]

Originally Posted by moncman

Regardless of the result, I'm afraid you lost me at step one.

Step one for me too, step two onward quite interesting

Nice result

[bobdabuilda]

Originally Posted by JimG

Sorry, Country Music is my guilty pleasure.

Even if you don't like the music, you have to admire her legs!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhtK2F_v4bY

Well out of two I'd definitely give her 50%.

[docjd]

excellent result-i think my black XC90 needs similar attention!-need to find half a day!!

[JimG]

Originally Posted by lespaul

Looking good there, must do mine if the weather is okay this weekend, polish and Permanon is on the cards )

Darren

Let me know it goes with the Permanon. It was a hard choice between the Tough Coat and Permanon.

[weble]

Originally Posted by JimG

Step 1: Set up Country music play list on Itunes.

It took 4 hours and I'm sure the neighbours got fed up with the sound of steel guitars and fiddles,

Why can't i have neighbours like this? Rather than the stuff i was subjected to last night!

Great finish on the car too!

[lespaul]

Originally Posted by JimG

Let me know it goes with the Permanon. It was a hard choice between the Tough Coat and Permanon.

Permanon was very easy to use, didn't bother with the machine polish in the end as it was to damp all weekend and the days are getting a bit short now, will machine it in the spring now.

Will put some pictures up and do a little write up soon.

Darren

[961]

You obviously live where the farmers aren't still digging spuds and spreading inches of mud along ALL the local roads

Great pictures!

[JimmyB]

After comparing the state of my xc90 to JimG's I felt ashamed and managed to negiotiate 5 hrs of free time from the other half and the kids.

1. Started with the wheels/wheel arches using Bilberry Wheel Cleaner
2. Snow foamed the car twice (valet pro PH neutral) - really does the hard work
3. Washed car using sheepskin mitt and Duragloss cherry car wash, 2 bucket with grit guard approach.
4. Pressure rinsed
5. Dried car with miracle dryer ultra plush yellow cloth
6. Taped round silver trim and bumpers with blue masking tape
7. Clayed car Mequires Mild detailing clay and Mequires Last Touch
8. Cleansed paint work with R222 paintwork cleaner
9. Polished with Autoglym High Definition Wax
10. Sealed with Auto Finesse - Tough Coat Sealant (as recommended by JimG - Great Product - thanks JimG)
11. Remove Blue Tape
12. Use Armorall Exterior Wipes on Bumpers/rubber
13. Use Turtlewax Artic Ice on Tyres
14. Use Autoglym Car Glass Polish
15. Have a well earned Beer..




Result below also with Snow Foam picture.

Now you can imagine how proud I was with my hard graft, and reluctantly let the wife use the car an hour after to pick up the kids. I saw the car approaching the house and noticed what I thought were twigs/leaves on the car due to the wind - but on closer inspection saw that it was bird cr*p. Not just one spot but the car was littered in the stuff - I almost cried. I had to rehose the car down to wash the cr*p off after removing the muck with autoglym bird poop remover wipes. Suspect it will need to be buffed up but by this time it was getting dark and I cannot see how bad the finish is now. In some ways I should be glad I had the paintwork protected - but still not seeing the funnyside yet...

ps for those who also was to be as mad as do their car to such detail I got most of my stuff from www.cleanyourcar.co.uk - used them twice now and they are very good. Most products recommended on the detailing forum and they are superb.

[Ron_XC90]

Very nice job!

[JimG]

Looks great. I want to get snow foam, will have to put it on my Christmas list!

One point, I was advised on the DW forum to wax over the top of the sealant. From your steps it looks like you sealed over the wax. You may find that the sealant won't bond.

Regards the bird droppings, I find that a rinse removes dirt quite easily due to the sealant protection.