Well after a week of working on the car on and off, I finally finished the car this evening.

I'm very pleased with how it turned out. The paintwork wasn't in the best condition and so I clayed the whole car before starting with a Porter Cable and Menzerna Intensive Polish and a Sonus SFX Restore pad. I only had to break out the Menzerna PowerGloss for one bit of the car, which weirdly was the back right part of the bumper. We used the "slow cut" method: IP was spread around an area of approx 2' x 2' using speed 3 with overlapping sweeps. A single squirt of spritz and up to speed 4, moving around half an inch per second. Same with speed 5 and speed 6. I've used this method on a couple of cars before and generally found it to be pretty good at correcting swirls. It is time consuming but worthwhile.

After all the panels were done, I added some Poorboys "Black Hole" Show Glaze using the Sonux SFX finishing pad (Blue). I used the PC to spread using speed 3 and worked it again with speed 4 before buffing off with an ultra plush towel. This seemed to really work to bring the fleck out in the paintwork and has left me with a great shine.

Over the top of that went some Wolfgang sealant, the name escapes me and at 00:20 I'm not going to pop out to the shed to find out what it is I applied this by hand with a cotton applicator and buffed off with an ultra plush towel which gave the paintwork a real sheen and made it very slippery to touch.

I removed the wheels and cleaned them using (dare I say it...) Wonder Wheels! I wouldn't usually like to use it but due to my recent ailment I've not been able to keep on top of them and they were pretty caked in dust and maintenance spray which dripped onto the wheels after my lowering springs were fitted. I am always very careful with Wonder Wheels as I know it is acidic and so I rinsed the wheels regularly through out the process. On one of the wheels I found some tar spots which I removed with Autoglym Intensive Tar Remover. Once they were clean and thoroughly rinsed, I gave them a coat of Autoglym Wheel Sealant (in a spray can) and buffed off with a MF cloth. The wheels came up really well and look great, and hopefully going forward they will be easier to clean after being treated with the wheel sealant.

I wanted to give the car a coat of wax but didn't have time. I am going to Le Mans tomorrow and needed the car to be done so I could apply the stickers which you will see in the pictures. Unfortunately I did not have time to photograph the car without the stickers before applying them, which I would have liked.

Anyway, here's some proper pictures of the finished article. Please excuse the blatant advertising for another car forum but I'm sure I can be forgiven for that!

And finally....

It's a good job I'm better with cars than I am with a camera

Any comments/questions/opinions/criticism gratefully accepted

You'll be needing me to take some pics for you then mate? hahaha.

Looking spot on now matey, almost as shiney as mine! :P

Really is a shame you've had to put stickers on the car, as you can see where my car has had decals applied (presumably it was a taxi or a demonstrator at first).

I've tried out some CG EZ Creme Glaze on mine with Zaino Z6 inbetween stages, really have to say it added serious depth and gloss to the shine!

The decals won't be on for long mate. Just need them on for Le Mans.

Just wish I could have got some snaps before they went on but didn't have time.

Get some after then matey, lemme know and we can go out n get some pics took when we try my maxidot out.

Looks awesome mate. Great work

Super shiny, Ben - windows look great in the pics, and the grille sets it off a treat.

Time well spent, I think.

Enjoy Le Mans - hope the foot doesn't hinder you too much.

Looks good mate and obviously it's difficult to see any real depth in the dark but sounds like you have been busy............

Wonder wheels on new wheels or where they second hand?

The BBS CH's are a lovely wheel and I would very much like a set so safe trip to Le Mans.........

Yes the wheels were second hand, genuine article though

Yes the wheels were second hand, genuine article though

Fair enough then mate, hope you got them at a good price, can't imagine they would have been cheap............

You heading to the National Meet?

Car looks great I will look out for you at Le Mans. We travel tomorrow styaing with Speedchills at BSJ, stickered up red Leon FR with number 30 on and a white viper stripe!

Car looks awesome Ben! Enjoy Le Mans...

You heading to the National Meet?

Unfortunately not mate, I have to be at the church on the 12th to arrange my wedding. Shame as I'd really like to come and meet everyone

Car looks great I will look out for you at Le Mans. We travel tomorrow styaing with Speedchills at BSJ, stickered up red Leon FR with number 30 on and a white viper stripe!

Good man, we're with TL near Tetre Rouge.. see you in the champagne tent on Saturday?? You won't miss us, just look out for the Buttmonkeys (don't ask!).

Unfortunately not mate, I have to be at the church on the 12th to arrange my wedding. Shame as I'd really like to come and meet everyone

What a bummer...........:thumbdwn:

Good luck with the arrangements and the wedding..........

Looks subtle, yet mean..great job

Nice job, looks great.

Hope you enjoy your time at the 24H

Steve

Unfortunately not mate, I have to be at the church on the 12th to arrange my wedding. Shame as I'd really like to come and meet everyone

Best wishes and congratulations!!! :balloons:

Guessing you wont be hiring a wedding car then? :P

Can I ask what exact colour the decals are? They look proper white, but could be off-white or silverish so I thought I'd ask. My Black Magic Octavia is a workhorse so may get some advertising. Thanks.

Very nice

Well worth all the effort.

Cheers

Damian

ps, I want your wheels

Thats a bit cleaner than when I saw it.

How is your foot and where did you get your windows done (TintR)?

I have been away from the Briskoda site for a while, I will contact you soon and get you that drink.

Cheers

Thats a bit cleaner than when I saw it.

How is your foot and where did you get your windows done (TintR)?

I have been away from the Briskoda site for a while, I will contact you soon and get you that drink.

Cheers

In Ben's absence I can answer the tints question :-

Tintz UK in Lincoln

£140 - absolute bargain - mine were done by the same bloke

It looks like he went for one up from the darkest the same as me.

Ben was supprised how clear it was.

Can I ask what exact colour the decals are? They look proper white, but could be off-white or silverish so I thought I'd ask. My Black Magic Octavia is a workhorse so may get some advertising. Thanks.

These ones are proper white, they look great against a clean car, which after 1200 miles mine isn't!!!

Best wishes and congratulations!!! :balloons:

Thankyou very much indeed sir