If you spotted my post in the noobs section you'll know I'm fresh to the Toybaru platform, accordingly I thought I'd go for it a bit here by way of an introduction. Naturally I spent the first few days getting familiar with her from behind the wheel, but I've now gotten familiar from behind the mitt. I've been getting into detailing over the last couple of years, trying a variety of goodies from trade products to boutique, but it's always been on the grey of my Zed, so working on the gorgeous mica paint is a bit of a treat. The dealer value was decent, clean but not protected, but with a few hundred miles this weekend she was pretty filthy and ready for me to get stuck in. That first wash can often be revealing. I hope you don't mind me posting up some pics, sharing a few products I like and maybe asking some questions too.
I've broken out my favourite goodies for the maiden wash, ready to do battle. In the bucket is a Microfibre Madness Incredimitt, excellent - get one.
I haven't found a better shampoo than AMMO Paint Cleanser (Bathe+ is a close second favourite) it gives excellent lubrication on the paint and maintains good level of soapiness throughout the wash. The downside is it is expensive as it comes only from Larry in the US, worth it though if you fancy a treat. To keep the same theme going I also broke out the AMMO Brute Wheel Soap and AMMO Plum Wheel Cleaner, these aren't as special as the shampoo but are still excellent products.
First up, I've used a fair few snow foams, some shaving foam thick (Magifoam) and others quite watery (Avalanche, BH), I'm not too fussed about dwell time and thickness, it's more about shifting as much debris as possible before touching the paint. The best cleaning one I've found is Bilt Hamber Autofoam, but I am a bit of a tart, so I am currently dabbling with Car Chem's offering and another one I like i Envy's Bubbly Jubbly (best smelling foam by miles)
Not quite made my mind up on this yet, I think BH probably edges it.
Plum liberally spritzed on the wheels, but normally I'd be using Sonax Extreme Wheel Cleaner or Car Chem Revolt for a decon.
As you can see, AMMO Plum is indeed another fallout remover which turns purple, like many other offerings. However, the plum element stops AMMO smelling like the end of the world. It's more of a plum scented murder scene, in a warm country.
Most of the purple on there is the result of me trying to bed in the previous owner's new pads and discs. They must have been the last thing they did as they're as clean as they came out the packaging, with copper slip still on one rim from a lingering fingering. I managed to find a bit more bite, but I might have to try some new pads if these don't sharpen up, I got back in the Zed today and nearly went through the windscreen at the first set of lights.
Anyway, back on topic. Generally the wheels are in excellent nick, three of four are spotless, with just some light kerbing on the front driver's side. However, they are a PITA to clean compared to my previous RAYS. Intricate and narrow, I can barely get woolies in there. But I persisted and they came up pretty nice.
After foam and rinse there wasn't anything stubborn I could see, so it was on to the more intricate spots.
I did get to find some nasty surprises along the way in the wash, I don't even know how some of these popped up, not the normal random deep scratches. Actual boot lid graffiti here.
Similar on the nearside front wing too. I had a bit of a go at them by hand with some Meg's Ultimate but I only softened them, they need mowing down my machine. There's a few stone chips that I need to touch up too.
After stripping the paint back and towelling off, got on with giving the glass some love. For me, Stoner's Invisible Glass is just brilliant. I picked this up two years ago in Walmart across the pond when our rental Camaro had a weird stain on the windscreen. Been using it (this exact can!) ever since, the flash time is perfect and it is a doddle to use. No streaks or smears. The aerosol does like to overspray onto panels in any kind of breeze, so mist your MF towel away from the car and apply towel to glass. The outline of the wiper's is still on the glass after I finished but this isn't too bad as I need to break out my Gtechniq glass polish prior to adding a hydrophobic coating, not RainX.
Leaves a very nice clean finish for not much input
I don't quite know how I missed this (probably a bit too excited at the test drive) until now but something gritty has got trapped in the weatherstrip on the window/door seal and it's made a serious impression on the window. Not easy to focus on with a phone, but you can see the three distinct vertical lines (between the red ones) where the damage has been done. Sadly, they feel far too deep to polish out.
Not used to having to clamber in the back to clean the rear glass, usually it's a hop in the boot, so if anyone know a good technique for clearing the bottom third of the inside of the rear window which doesn't involve being a contortionist with Trump size hands, PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
As expected on a new sale, the interior is clean apart from some "fluids" under the cup holder, either old tea or a brown, human discharge. Hard to say and tasting proved indeterminate So just gave the plastics a once over with Gtecniq Matte Dash. I can't tell if this does anything on already clean plastics, but it doesn't do any harm.
Having had a quick pass round the inside, it was back out to inspect and finish off. I was certain a clay bar would be needed given it appeared the paint hadn't been protected at all, but it feels fairly glassy, with no major rough areas, just a few tar spots I'll get next time. Finished the job off with a layer of AMMO Skin Defense [sic] which is my go to sealant. I'm just on ploymer, not graduated to the modern hard coatings yet as I have to detail outside and can't chance screwing up a hard coating with contaminants.
I'm not really a wax lover, I might break it out for special occasions but despite it's extreme grabiness Sonax Brilliant Shine Detailer always leaves a strong and pleasing finish to my eyes. I skipped it this time as the Skin was so freshly applied, but I'll be using i on the next quiz wash as part of the drying stage (a bit of water reduces said grabiness).
Looking pretty decent if I do say so myself
Tomorrow's job is to get rid of the filth under the bonnet. Looks like it's not been touched from new. It looks like it should come up with just a bit of elbow grease, a brush and some APC. I'm hoping I can keep the carb cleaner safely in the shed.
Did a little mod too, popped on some Bosch Aeros to eliminate a bit of smearing and reduce drag (good for an extra second to 60 they say
You just don't see enough glamour shot of wiper blades these days...
Quick question before I go, am I missing a nipple on top of the dash?
Or are they all like that?
Thanks! I hope this hasn't been too tedious for you, I got a bit carried away
