Renault Clio 182 - Progress and product thoughts.

R

Richt

New member
I brought my Clio back im March, first black car, brand new so paint was not in bad shape. For the first months I had been trying out products to look good on Black and had done a few shots off the car with various combos.



Just delieved, AG resin, Clearkote VM, Poorboys EX and P21s.



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After the usual Autopia research Wolfgang seemed a popular choice and Souveran was a must have for Black, so after getting my self solvent after buying the car I decided to grab both and try.



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At the same time the Clearkote Red machine Glaze and Yelloe Cream wax where released. Even though I didnt have a PC I still tried them all out by hand. Went for the full monty, VM, RMG, YCW and topped with CMW.



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At this stage I had really tried out the products I wanted to and pretty much decided on the combo's I liked, but was getting frustrated with the dealer installed swirls and scratches that we all know stand out like a sore thumb on black. As much as I tried I couldnt shift the marks by hand in the ways I could on my previous lighter cars so bit the bullet and ordered the full range of Sonus DAS, SFX and Spot pads and a PC from Autopia. After the token practice on other cars decided to finally try it out on my car the reason I brought it. Now I havent looked back, and have finally got the car in the shape I am happy with.



Over the last 2 odd months I have played about with the PC to get the results I wanted and now wonder why I didnt get on years ago when I first joined this board, I am a real convert now.



I havent got pictures for all off the process I am afarad only the ones I have as the car stands as off this morning. Still being a bit scared of the PC on black I have really taking things cautiously on the paint, ie mild polishes and polishing pads.



The car was initally polished with the PC using Meguiars Speed Glaze and a DAS Green Polishing pad x 2. This was followed by AG Super Resin by PC again on Sonus Green pad, Glazed with Clearkote RMG - Sonus Blue plus a revist off Meguiars NXT x1 by PC and one by hand.



The car stayed like this for a week or so, at this point I was planning to top but was not as impressed with the finish as I was with Poorboys EX with Carnuba or the Wolfgang sealant. So gave the car a coat off Clearkote Yellow Cream wax and Poorboys EX as I was pushed for time, and against the weather so the Wolfgang was out. I then topped it off with Clearkote CMW x 1 and a coat off Souveran.



Earlier this week I was able to get a sample off the Mew Megiuars #21 sealant off a fellow UK Autopian off here Brazo. Cheers mate. This stuff wipes on so easily even by hand, and seems to wipe off easily to after 15 mins or so, the other night it was more tricky though due to it being humid. Apperance is hard to judge as the paint was in good shape form all the above trials. I feel that the 21 is good a taking on the apperance off what is under it already.
 
So now for the Pictures as the car stands, all are fully sun shots, so with no shaded side due to sun postion only one in the shade in the final shot back in the garage to try and show off the wet deep look, will try and update with less sun in the next few days.



At least having a hot sunny day here in the UK shows its finaly swirl free though.



Final steps as off this week following on from the combos in the above post have been Megs #21 by hand x 1 which was applied over a coat off Meguiars #81 Hand polish. This was revist as I had not used it for ages and not at all on the Clio. As much as I like Clearkote RMG it is not as easy by hand as the 81 and I couldnt use the PC due to time contraints mid week so I used the 81, Forgot what a nice look it gives.



So what you are looking at in this pics is #81, #21 x1 ( x2 on Roof and hood), Souveran by hand x2 (second coat spit shined with EF Clear Pearl QD, this works a treat btw)



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Hood



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Drivers door, used the flash to bring out the Gold flecks in the paint. In picture the car looks flat back but in the sun to the eye you see the gold flecks.



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Rear quater



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I admire your quest for the ultimate combo and I must say that the Clio looks absolutley fantastic. What do people say when they see your car, I guess peoples reaction could not be typed due to the swear filter !



The rear end picture looks like black chrome and I'm impressed with the paint finish on the car, much better than my Honda.



Have you been warned by the Police about being a hazard to other road users - sunlight reflection dazzle (jk) :cooleek: :bow :2thumbs: :p



Amazing stuff mate :spot :bigups
 
Thanks Nick. :o



Its funny you say that I was getting some strange looks from two officers off the law this morning when they pulled up at a house opposite and I was spit shining the coat off souveran!



The paint finish is OK, slightly dimpled orange peel in places. Seems to have smoothed out with some polishing.



Most peoples reaction is when can you do mine... or what have you used on that...or the normal stop cleaning it! :nono
 
Looking great mate, I came here from cs and thought I would heck to see if you had posted! Did you do anything prior to #81 such as AIO? Or was the the surface good to go?
 
sometimes wish i had gone for black, if only an excuse to buy some Souveran ;-) , do you think souveran will work on mine, ps i got some #21 too, but only done a bit of my bumper and wing, and first impressions are really good
 
Mark the paint was at LSP stage in the last few weeks had Clearkote Yellow Cream wax Poorboys EX then topped Clearkote CMW x 1 and a coat off Souveran. Previous to that it had been polished with 80m and AG SRP, so was nice and swirl free. It needed no real polishing just wanted something Megs for it to bond to. Plus as I said over on CS that I hadnt used 81 for a while so fancied a revist. Gives a lovely wet look.



Shaun I really struggled to even see the differnce side by between Signature and Souveran on mine over a good prep. #21 is really slick, even the Souveran over it feels sliucker than over EX or WG.
 
the car's looking great rich.



#21 is a very slick product indeed, isnt it. I put 3 layers ont he gf's corsa this week. Very easy to apply and remove, even in hot weather and being left for 20min.



Paul
 
Cheers Paul.



The #21 even seems to make the Souveran over the top feel slicker?



The first night I tried te #21 it came off easily after 10-15 mins.



The second time the next night it seemed a bit more work to remove? Not sure if it was because it was very humid or that I left it a little longer due to going round the whole car?
 
Wonderful finish Rich. :2thumbs:



Your neighbours must think you're seriously crazy spending that much time polishing a new car! But 'we' all know that it IS possible to get a car looking better than new! :chuckle:
 
Superb finish to the paint Rich! You've obviously got a lot of P.C. work in.I'll have to read the thread through a couple more times to understand all the combinations you've used :)



Well done, Peter
 
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