As could a fully insured professional detailer that has a family to feed for a very similar price.

I think telling people what their car needs and dropping in that you can do it for a price over steps the mark, charity or not. My opinion of course ;-)

Thanks for that

Really not needed at all

I was trying to help

IMO of course :think:

Thanks for the offer Chris but I'm going to try and do as much as I can by myself as I start to use the products I've bought. Don't think my car's ever going to be perfect but as long as it looks better than respectable I'll be happy. I've actually used some of your threads as inspiration for my process and products so thanks for that.

Regarding the wheels, I was thinking of getting them refurbished anyway as I want them matt black eventually. I will get some Iron-X and try that on them though, and see whether that improves things.

As for the bird droppings, they are noticeable lumps dried on to the paintwork. Can't really tell if they've removed the clearcoat or not. Will try the rest of the process at a later date and see if that helps things.

Thanks for the offer Chris but I'm going to try and do as much as I can by myself as I start to use the products I've bought. Don't think my car's ever going to be perfect but as long as it looks better than respectable I'll be happy. I've actually used some of your threads as inspiration for my process and products so thanks for that.

Regarding the wheels, I was thinking of getting them refurbished anyway as I want them matt black eventually. I will get some Iron-X and try that on them though, and see whether that improves things.

As for the bird droppings, they are noticeable lumps dried on to the paintwork. Can't really tell if they've removed the clearcoat or not. Will try the rest of the process at a later date and see if that helps things.

Glad I could help Dan....at no cost

Please play nicely all.

Just for the record the charity post is time limited as per Colin who was asked for permission prior to posting (seeing as this has been raised).

As for taking business from detailers, eastern European staffed outfits popping up everywhere are doing this so not sure why the beef going on?

Thanks

Got me very puzzled too GM

Dan, apologies for going off topic and ruining your thread.

Chris, again apologies. Your fund raising is none of my business, and I jumped on a soap box about nothing. And you're right, i should find better things to do with my time.

I will leave you to it chaps. Enjoy

Back on topic...........

dan4291 - Your wheels are looking a little sorry for itself and the only way to get them up to a better standard will be to invest in Iron-X and Tardis, Iron-X will not clean those wheels on their own, you will need some Tardis to remove the tar deposits.

If you intend to refurb the wheels and will have them stripped and painted properly then I wouldn't worry about investing in these products.

As for the bird etching, I would be suprised if you can get that out with some SRP and the reality is that it will need to be wet flatted and machine polished out to stand a chance of removing it, this all depends on how much paint and lacquer is on your motor.

Finally I do have to agree with ChrisRs, the paintwork on your motor does look a little faded and would greatly benefit from a machine polish to get the depth in shine back to it.

Here is a simple enhancement on an Audi A6 Avant, super tough lacquer on these but a quick buzz around really shows the difference a 'machined' finish can make:

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=236027

(You will also seen both Iron-X and AS Tardis being used in the above link)

Thanks for that. I won't be getting the wheels refurbished for quite a while (need the money first!) but I'll probably be getting some Iron-X and Tardis as they seem to be really useful and popular products that work well so I'll try those on the wheels and the rest of the car and see if they make a noticeable difference.

As for machine polishing I can see where you're coming from. There are a fair few swirl marks if you look up close but I'm going to try the SRP and see how that does with them. I didn't go for a machine polisher due to my inexperience and the initial expense of buying one. I have a mate who has a machine polisher so I might ask him to see what he can do with it, don't know what type he has or what products he's got though.

I've earmarked a couple of days at the end of the month to do a thorough clean, including trying out the clay, SRP and Collinite 845 so I'll keep you posted.

Just thought I'd update this thread with a few things. Payday has just gone so I've ordered some Iron X and Auto Finesse Oblitarate, as I couldn't find Tardis in stock anywhere. I've heard good things about Oblitarate though so I'll see how I get on with it.

Until I get them delivered (and the snow disappears!) I won't be doing a proper clean but rest assured once I do there'll be a proper write-up!

So this arrived today, Carpro Iron-X: -

Came in a bottle with a separate spray head. While I was putting the spray head on, I made the mistake of smelling the stuff (as it said it had a cherry scent!), lets just say I'm never doing that again!

It stinks doesnt it.

Very good stuff though...but quite expensive compared to others that do a similar job

So this arrived today, Carpro Iron-X: -

Came in a bottle with a separate spray head. While I was putting the spray head on, I made the mistake of smelling the stuff (as it said it had a cherry scent!), lets just say I'm never doing that again!

If you think that smells bad then you should have smelt the original, before they added a cherry scent...........:(

If you think that smells bad then you should have smelt the original, before they added a cherry scent........... :(

Lol I dread to think what that was like!

Auto Finesse Oblitarate arrived today, smells a lot nicer thankfully! Had to buy a separate spray head (Atomiza one off eBay) as Auto Finesse don't provide one, which was a pain, and cut the plastic tube down to fit inside. Is it worth using Oblitarate (or any other tar remover) on wheels, or will Iron-X do the job on its own?

All I'm waiting for now is a weekend with decent weather (has to be a weekend as I work 9-5 weekdays). Saturday up my way will hopefully be dry, but cold, not going to stop me though! Been waiting long enough, and my poor Furby needs some TLC!

Worth using as well on the wheels as well

Iron X wont remove/dissolve tar

Thanks Chris.

So here is my process that I'm going to use this weekend (and every few months whenever necessary). Feel free to criticise (and praise!): -

Wheels and Arches

Rinse with pressure washer

Spray Bilberry Wheel Cleaner on wheel, agitating with the wheel brush after 5 minutes

Spray tyre sidewall with APC and agitate with scrubbing brush

Rinse off

Spray AF Oblitarate on wheel and leave to dwell

Rinse

Spray Iron-X on wheel and leave to dwell

Rinse

Clay the wheel while it is still wet with Bilt Hamber clay bar

Rinse

Dry with Poorboys Waffle Weave drying towel

Apply Collinite 845 to wheel and leave to cure, then buff off with MF

Apply Meguiars Endurance Tyre Gel to tyre with homemade applicator

Spray arch with APC and agitate with scrubbing brush after a few minutes

Rinse

Spray AF Oblitarate and leave to dwell

Rinse

Rest of Car

Snow foam the whole car and leave to dwell

Rinse off

Two bucket wash with Meguiars Gold Class shampoo and Dooka Woolie Wash Mitt

Rinse off

Spray on AF Oblitarate, mostly bottom 1/2

Rinse off

Spray Iron-X over whole car

Rinse off

Clay while car is still wet with Bilt Hamber clay bar

Snow foam the whole car and leave to dwell

Rinse

Dry with Poorboys Waffle Weave Drying Towel

Apply SRP by hand, wait 15 mins for it to cure then buff off

Apply Collinite 845 wax, leave to cure then buff off

Cant argue with that.

Pictures or it never happened

Cant argue with that.

Pictures or it never happened

Don't worry Chris, there'll be plenty of pictures come Saturday!

Got a good deal on a quick detailing spray, to apply after every quick wash, Zaino Z6.

Got a good deal on a quick detailing spray, to apply after every quick wash, Zaino Z6.

The Zaino range is one of my personal favourites so good investment, you would have been better off using Z8 for a top up on your wax / sealant after each wash as Z6 won't provide as much protection...........:(

Right all, I did it. Saturday was a nice sunny day (but cold!) so I finally had a go at my very first 'detail'.

A few before pics (all pics taken on my Galaxy S2 so not the best quality I'm afraid):

Dried on bird droppings on the roof:

And a sorry looking spoiler:

So I started off with the wheels. I thought I'd try a couple of ways of cleaning them: taking them off the car and cleaning them, or cleaning them whilst on the car. I took the front wheels off the car. This is what they looked like:

Mucky to say the least! I started off by rinsing them, then spraying on neat Bilberry Wheel cleaner, agitating with a wheel brush after 5 minutes. I also sprayed Megs APC on the tyre sidewall and agitated it with a scrubbing brush after 5 minutes, then rinsed the wheels.

I also rinsed the arch area and sprayed with Megs APC, rinsed then applied AF Oblitarate, then rinsed (although maybe I should've wiped off with a microfibre first?):

I also applied AF Oblitarate to the wheels, left to dwell for 5 minutes, then rinsed off. I then applied Iron-X (you're going to love this!) to the wheels.

Couldn't believe the amount of bleeding! This was on the face of the wheel:

Rinsed off after 5-10 minutes to leave this:

Gave the barrels another hit of Iron-X, still stuff coming off!

I was tempted to give them a 3rd hit of Iron-X, but then realised that I may run out of the stuff! So I rinsed off the 2nd hit which left this:

Some close-ups showing grubby marks still there, including some dark spots at the top of the barrels in these pictures that I couldn't get off.

So I clayed the wheels, which removed a few more grubby marks, then rinsed, dried and applied some Collinite 845, put on a thin layer, waiting 15 minutes for it to cure, then buffed off with a microfibre cloth, which left them looking like this. I also applied Megs Endurance Tyre Gel using a home made sponge applicator (an old sponge cut in half!):

Had a bit of a clart on with the jack and axle stands so decided not to take off the back wheels and see how I went. Same process, rinsed then Bilberry then rinse:

The wheel pictured above was especially bad and didn't look much better at the end of the process to be honest.

Anyway, AF Oblitarate sprayed on and rinsed, then Iron-X came out again, more brown than red though!

Rinsed off, tried claying but couldn't do all the barrel, which I found is the advantage of taking the wheels off! Rinsed off, dried and applied Collinite 845 to the wheel face and as much of the barrel as I could. Also applied Megs Endurance Tyre Gel.

I personally think the wheels need refurbished, as I'm not happy with them to be honest. But hey, it's my first time doing this and I think I've done alright.

You still with me? Finally onto the car, rinsed then foamed with Magifoam, which didn't really work as well as the previous time I'd used it, hardly foaming up at all. I thought it was to do with the dilution ratio I'd used, but I think it was more to do with me turning the knob on the top of the lance the wrong way! Ah well, still learning! While the foam was dwelling, I went round the car with Megs APC on the exterior trim, door shuts, badges and fuel filler cap, agitated with a Valet Pro detailing brush. I then rinsed and did a 2BM wash with Megs Gold Class shampoo and my Dooka Woolie Wash Pad. Rinsed off, then sprayed AF Oblitarate on the bottom half (which I think didn't really do much), then rinsed then Iron-X'ed the car, which didn't bleed much. I rinsed and then had my first go at claying the car with my Bilt Hamber medium clay bar. I filled up an old spray bottle with water for lubricant and went round the car with the clay bar. Used a few bits as I kept dropping it! Found claying actually took off a fair amount of dirt, including part of the bird dropping marks on the roof, which I was pleased about.

Pics of the process below:

After all that, I brought it into the garage and dried it with my Poorboys Waffle Weave drying toweI. I then applied a layer of Autoglym Super Resin Polish, which I found easy to work with, but unfortunately I'd used a poor quality polishing cloth which kept falling apart! Did the whole car then buffed off with a microfibre cloth. I then did the same with the Collinite 845, one thin layer around the car then buffed off. Polished the exhaust the best I could with some APC, Autosol polish and fine grade wire wool, and after 6 gruelling hours (I'm quite unfit!) it was all done. Some after pics:

It's the best my car has ever looked I think! It's by far from perfect, found a few stone chips on the bonnet and I couldn't get the bird etching 100% off but I'm so glad I tried! I hoping one day to get a professional detailer to take a look at it and see what they can do with it however, so we shall see! Thanks for all your help.

Fabulous job I'd say. Well done.

Great job Dan

An almost flawless cleaning regime too

May I suggest:

Next time you do it..use some Gtechnik P1 with a hand polishing pad instead of AGSRP.

It will remove fine scratches, rather than hide them, and give a better shine to your paint.

Thanks guys. Need a proper polishing pad and new applicator pads the next time I do it I think! I'm going to try and maintain the car during the next few months and I'll do another write-up as I've got some Zaino Z6 to try! I'm hoping the Collinite 845 should last quite a while so we shall see.

Well worth all the effort there and I can honestly say the only way to get those wheels back to 'A1' condition would be a full refurb but as you can see, once they are on the car they look 10 times better.........

Spoiler has faded badly in comparison to the rest of the car and your next steps, if you have the 'bug' would be to get yourself a DA and buzz over that paintwork to give it some gloss..........