Latest detail on my wife's car

WX51 TXR

WX51 TXR

New member
My wife's car is only 9 months old, but I'm sad to say it doesn't get as much loving as mine, due to time constraints and the fact that mine comes first! I looked at it a week or two back and nearly died - it was terrible, lots of hard baked bug guts, minor swirls and more serious srcatches thanks to other considerate drivers at the local supermarket. This weekend I decided to sort it...



Step 1 - thorough wash using two bucket method and Poorboys Slick n Suds, lambswool mitt for paint, microfibre mitt for wheels, also wheel brush. Dried off using Sonus Der Wunder waffle weave towel. Note how dirty the rinse bucket is in the pics below (the benefit of having a clear bucket) - that was only after doing half the car. Anyone not using the two bucket method should look in the bottom of my rinse bucket for the reason why they should.



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Step 2 - thorough clean using Meguiars Clay and Clearkote Quikshine, wiped dry with Sonus detailing towel. Note how bad the paint looks in the first two pics after washing - bonded bug guts. The clay got rid of a lot of this mess, in addition to lots of tar spots, which show up nicely in the close up.



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Step 3 - thorough polishing, using Poorboys SSR1 applied via PC and Sonus white polishing pad (misted with Quikshine first). Did most of the car at 4-5 on the dial, bumping it up to 5-6 for stubborn swirls and deeper scratches. All trims and rubbers taped off first, all residues removed using Sonus work towels. Last two pics shows the effect of cleaning and polishing - no more bugs or defects (apart from Citreon's lovely orange peel).



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Step 4 - added protection with a basecoat of AIO applied by hand, followed by a top coat of FMJ by hand. It was getting dark by this point, so all this was done in the garage - no process pics I'm afraid, after all, who'd want to see me sweating under strip lights? Many thanks to RobDon for sending me the FMJ sample. I finished up at 9pm by dressing the tyres with Poorboys Bold n Bright. Please forgive me, I didn't have time to dress the arches or trims, I'll do that after the next wash in a week or so. Might also add another coat of FMJ if I have time. I have to say the FMJ is great to use - easy on, easy off, really slick and a deep, wet shine. Now we wait to see if durability is as good as they say.



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Fantastic detail! Looks very wet. AIO topped with FMJ is a great combo, one I often use (except I use Werkstatt Prime).



I also like the writeup. Used it to show a family member all the steps required in a typical detail so she can appreciate what I just did to her car!



- J
 
Very nice detail . . . comprehensive and great pics :2thumbs:



Ever tried HGAS over FMJ? I highly recommend it.



PS: Detail the engine and interior, snap a few more pics, and submit as Extreme Detail.
 
Nice work Richard, all prepped for winter now! How well did the SSR1 work, as I find I get better results and have an easier time if I don't mist the pad with a QD when using the SSR's?



Good set of pics too, they really tell help the story.
 
Thanks for comments everyone, its not easy to get process pics, but this time my wife was happy to help out. Haven't tried HGAS yet, but it's on my list for a few weeks time, before snow season starts. I'm planning to do the engine bay in a week or two, and the interior is already perfect (my wife did it herself and did a great job - she even phoned me at work asking "Shall I use 303 Protectant or Natural Look for the dash?" - I love her to bits. As for the SSR1, I love it, it's my favourite cutting polish, and I always mist the pad lightly before I start - just a shot or two, nothing more. Never had any problems, but I haven't ever tried it without misting first.
 
:clap: Thanks to you and your wife for taking the time to snap the pictures for the write-up. It always helps so much for beginners to see what is actually going on in each step. I know I was always looking for something like this when I started. Great job!
 
Very nice write up and detail. It is always nice to see pics describing the step by step process. I'm surprised SSR1 was agressive enough to get the job done. BTW, that Meguiars tire brush you have, I have one and I hate it. It is way to stiff for my liking. Although yours seems to be be broken in a bit.
 
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