A bit delayed but here we go.

It all started when I managed to get a Shield DA for next to nothing. I decided my pride and joy deserved some much needed care and after the Soap Rides car wash leaving Holograms and buffer trails all over the car, it really needed to be sorted out.

Anyway I visited Crazy Detailer and got me some goodies. I spoke to Lawrence via pm and also read the Detailing advice thread from start to end, and picked up some tips and tricks. Couple that along with alot of YouTube vids and some odd reading off detail forums and I was confident enough to give it a go.

Some Before pics:

Pre Wash which doesnt look all that bad


Some water marks and droppings courtesy of Nature





On to the wash. HP Rinse was done, followed by a good foam using Cyclo Auto Suds. I left it to settle and rinsed it off. A second foam blast was given, this time I left the foam on and continued with the 2BM wash. A few mists of AF Iron out(Worked like a charm)


After the final rinse


This is where I used the Shield quick detailer and fine clay. Ummm no pics, I was too busy and forgot

Anyway after the clay I used the foam cannon again, the 2BM wash method and gave it another rinse. Thereafter using the CD drying towel. Once things were all dry, I didn't have to look for swirls or any defects, it was all over.

On to paint work:






I got so stuck into it I forgot to take 50/50 pics.

I used a small section of the bonnet as a test patch, using Menz FG400 and the Orange Pad. Followed by Menz SF4000 and the Green pad and finishing with Menz PF2500.

So like I said no 50/50 pics. However here is some panel shots of the end product before laying the wax.




And the final product. Sealed with the Collonite Insulator wax






Rims & Tyres were cleaned using Prepsol(Because no money for fancy mag cleaner) Followed by AF Iron out. I used gloss worx wax on the rims and Gloss worx tyre shine.

About the tyre shine, It lasts through dirt and dust. And can probably handle one rain. Much better than most of the Tyre Shine products I've used and smells lekker (Not that I sniff tyres )Highly recommended. However if you use Meguirs, dont expect Gloss Worx to defer your purchase decision.



And that is pretty much it. It was exciting seeing the swirls and holograms disappear. Too much hard work. I take my hat off to the detailers who do this every weekend and in between manage to take all those pics.

Thanks to Lawrence for all the info. CD for great service and all the others who entertained my questions. I think I've done well and theres still alot to learn,

Thanks for looking

Nice work, car is looking minty fresh!

Very awsome bud! The transformation is insane! Very good work!

Awesome job!

And your car looks!

Absolutely awesome bud - well done. Car looks much better. So besides realizing that detailing is hard work, are there any other thoughts you would like to share about the process or the outcome? Had you clayed before and if not, what was that like for you?
How did you find #845 - you can use it to protect your rims too

Don't take this the wrong way, but I'd like to give you a better understanding of the Menzerna Polishes and when to use them.

Irfaan wrote:I used a small section of the bonnet as a test patch, using Menz FG400 and the Orange Pad. Followed by Menz SF4000 and the Green pad and finishing with Menz PF2500

Each polish can be ascribed a level of cut - in other words how much paint it can remove (on a scale of 1 being the lowest to 10 being the max).

FG400 9
PF2500 5
SF4000 4

Then each polish can also be ascribed a finishing ability - in other words how glossy the polish leaves the paint (on a scale of 1 being the lowest to 10 being the max)

FG400 7
PF2500 7
SF4000 10

Based on this what you did with your paint is (and this is really an over-simplification to illustrate the point)....

cut down 9 layers deep to remove some swirls and left the paint at a 7/10 gloss (FG400)
cut down 4 layers deep to remove some swirls and left the paint at a 10/10 gloss (SF4000)

At this stage, this is the 'typical' 2-step approach with Menz polishes..... FG400 to cut out the damage, followed by SF4000 to refine the finish and improve the gloss.

But then you followed this with PF2500 which REDUCED the gloss to 7/10.

If you actually needed to cut down that deep into the paint to remove all the defects, then the better approach would have been
FG400/PF2500/SF4000

Make sense?

Wow

invaluable info for free...shot lawrence

Great Work on the Attempt
car is looking Sweet

lawrence wrote:

Absolutely awesome bud - well done. Car looks much better. So besides realizing that detailing is hard work, are there any other thoughts you would like to share about the process or the outcome? Had you clayed before and if not, what was that like for you?
How did you find #845 - you can use it to protect your rims too

Don't take this the wrong way, but I'd like to give you a better understanding of the Menzerna Polishes and when to use them.

Irfaan wrote:I used a small section of the bonnet as a test patch, using Menz FG400 and the Orange Pad. Followed by Menz SF4000 and the Green pad and finishing with Menz PF2500

Each polish can be ascribed a level of cut - in other words how much paint it can remove (on a scale of 1 being the lowest to 10 being the max).

FG400 9
PF2500 5
SF4000 4

Then each polish can also be ascribed a finishing ability - in other words how glossy the polish leaves the paint (on a scale of 1 being the lowest to 10 being the max)

FG400 7
PF2500 7
SF4000 10

Based on this what you did with your paint is (and this is really an over-simplification to illustrate the point)....

cut down 9 layers deep to remove some swirls and left the paint at a 7/10 gloss (FG400)
cut down 4 layers deep to remove some swirls and left the paint at a 10/10 gloss (SF4000)

At this stage, this is the 'typical' 2-step approach with Menz polishes..... FG400 to cut out the damage, followed by SF4000 to refine the finish and improve the gloss.

But then you followed this with PF2500 which REDUCED the gloss to 7/10.

If you actually needed to cut down that deep into the paint to remove all the defects, then the better approach would have been
FG400/PF2500/SF4000

Make sense?

- I need more pads
- I need proper spot lights to check the other defects
- I need to get Maxi Suds II
- I need that citrus blast formula
- I need patience to tape off the rubber pieces
- I need to wear a a back brace the days following completion of a detail.


I have Clayed before, only this time it sounded so bad like a light sand paper over the body. It took extra long because I wanted to make sure I got it done right. However, I think fine clay is too weak and something a tad bit more aggressive if I may say, is needed. I say this because of the tar which refused to come out and left me irritated, so I used Auto Glym Tar remover. Anyway keeping that in mind I did watch many video's trying to see different ways of claying etc.

Thanks for the Menz clarification Lawrence, I didn't think of it in that way. I just tried the finest cut first and seen that didnt work so I played around with what i had until I seen swirls disappear. In all honesty I think I got lucky. I always take what you say as knowledge so definitely not taking it wrong. And you know I will ask your advice on alot of things.

Apart from all this, Many of neighbors who seen me busy and seen the end result asked me to "Polish" their cars and I rejected.

This being the reason:

1. I gave up 4 days of my life cleaning the car inside and out, and while it paid off I just don't have the time or energy to do it for another person.

2. They have moer expensive cars. (Ferrari's, Porsche's and Big ass mercs)

3. I can't take the risk of messing up somebody else's car.

4. I am not experienced enough

5. My back is Fecked for 2 days after and it's painful

I did enjoy the whole exercise, and I'll continue buying things. But I will do this for myself only.

Yeah I always say that okes getting into machine polishing seriously underestimate a) how physically demanding it is, b) how mentally exhausting it can be concentrating so hard for 30 hours and c) how many pads they will need

IMO you simply cannot have enough buffing pads or MF towels....or lights

Anyway it sounds like you enjoyed it, which is the main thing.... the minute maintaining your car (or full on detailing for that matter) becomes a 'chore' or something you are not excited about, then you are finished....

Keep at it and with practice it will all become a lot easier

lawrence wrote:Yeah I always say that okes getting into machine polishing seriously underestimate a) how physically demanding it is, b) how mentally exhausting it can be concentrating so hard for 30 hours and c) how many pads they will need

IMO you simply cannot have enough buffing pads or MF towels....or lights

Anyway it sounds like you enjoyed it, which is the main thing.... the minute maintaining your car (or full on detailing for that matter) becomes a 'chore' or something you are not excited about, then you are finished....

Keep at it and with practice it will all become a lot easier

Well done

Wow, very clean and shiny. Love the color

Thanks guys

wow well done bru the car looks amazing

Well done bud, it came out well

What transformation, the paint is so damn shiny and clean.
Good job bud

Kyle wrote:

lawrence wrote:Yeah I always say that okes getting into machine polishing seriously underestimate a) how physically demanding it is, b) how mentally exhausting it can be concentrating so hard for 30 hours and c) how many pads they will need

IMO you simply cannot have enough buffing pads or MF towels....or lights

Anyway it sounds like you enjoyed it, which is the main thing.... the minute maintaining your car (or full on detailing for that matter) becomes a 'chore' or something you are not excited about, then you are finished....

Keep at it and with practice it will all become a lot easier

+1

well done bud.... cabbie came out really good.....

Yip I agree very time consuming.....I did 2 car..

Thursday.... Friday. ... Saturday and Sunday. ... It was back breaking BUT I went back for more cause I'm aiming for perfection or something close enough. ... still need to do my brothers car but soon...

My DA machine broke (some factory fault ) waiting for it to return and need to juggle my studies and doing more cars

Well done bud!
The hard work definitely paid off.

With FG400 and SF4000 I find myself rarely reaching for my supply of 2500. Thats one gorgeous looking Citi btw.

Thanks Gents. I'll be attempting headlight restoration on my uncles car soon and will report back.

@Life160 is it making you regret selling your citi yet?

@Zubair thanks bro, needs some 3 piece wheels though

@Rsi you have patience and lust for back aches. I think deadlifts will do for me hahaha. Post some pics of your car's when done

Came out awesome Irfaan, well done

Look s great buddy. Well done.

Looking Awesome.

Cannot wait to get a DA polisher and get cracking on my Citi.

For tyre shine and endurance in rain etc. give the Motip Aerosol spray a try, I haven't looked back since trying it.