Got round to detailing my Fabia Monte Carlo Tech estate this weekend, also machine polished by myself for the first time. A few before pictures from yesterday: -

 

 

Flies, flies and more flies!

 

 

 

 

Not many pictures of the process but it was as follows: -

 

• Wheels first, hit with Bilberry Wheel Cleaner, tyres and arches with Meguiars APC, then Iron-X on the wheels and Auto Finesse Oblitarate on the wheel arches
• Snowfoamed the car with Autobrite Magifoam
• 2BM with Meguiars Gold Class Shampoo
• Door shuts hit with Meguiars APC
• Oblitarate on the lower half of the car
• Iron-X on the lower half of the car
• Clayed the car with Autobrite soft clay (another clay bar that uses water as lube)
• Dried with i4D Uber Drying Towel and microfibres
• Single stage machine polished with Meguiars 205 and White Hexlogic pad
• Waxed with Chemical Guys XXX Hardcore Paste Wax (won this in a competition, very difficult to buff off after leaving for 20 minutes as they say you should do, much prefer Collinite 845)
• Meguiars Endurance Tyre Gel on tyres
• Poorboys Wheel Sealant on wheels (yet to do)

 

The details on the Monte makes for some interesting masking!

 

 

And finished today: -

 

 

 

 

 

My first time machine polishing was an interesting experience, took longer than I thought! Very satisfying though, but I do need some smaller pads for tighter areas and a proper light source, my phone flash light didn't really cut it, and the Monte Carlo trim made masking a right pain!

 

Thanks for reading!

 

You did use rather a lot of masking tape..lol

Polishing does take time...many hours, the reason detailers charge so much

Nevertheless....a great job

Well done

Cheers Chris, didn't want any polishing residue going into the various tiny gaps so I thought better be safe than sorry!

Absolutely fine with the tape

If you pressure wash and dry again after the polishing stage, any residue is removed and try an IPA wipe down......

....this will ensure proper adhesion of the LSP as well

How did you find the Meg's 205 and white hexlogic to work with? How long a set were you doing on each panel?

The 105 and 205 ( also Ultimate Compound and the new 101 and 201) all use Meg's non diminishing abrasives and technique and pad choice has a big impact. These should be popular with beginners as they are a proven 1-2 combo 105->205 but I think gathering more peoples experiences on here would be a good idea.

I found that 205 felt like a really fine finishing polish when worked with black pad and only light pressure not removing as much as I might have expected, but with a bit more pressure and on white it stepped up the cut noticeably. Like having two polishes in one.

Last post for a while, plane about to leave, had to get one last fix

Absolutely fine with the tape

If you pressure wash and dry again after the polishing stage, any residue is removed and try an IPA wipe down......

....this will ensure proper adhesion of the LSP as well

I did a wipedown with Carpro Eraser when I finished polishing. Forgot to mention it!

How did you find the Meg's 205 and white hexlogic to work with? How long a set were you doing on each panel?

The 105 and 205 ( also Ultimate Compound and the new 101 and 201) all use Meg's non diminishing abrasives and technique and pad choice has a big impact. These should be popular with beginners as they are a proven 1-2 combo 105->205 but I think gathering more peoples experiences on here would be a good idea.

I found that 205 felt like a really fine finishing polish when worked with black pad and only light pressure not removing as much as I might have expected, but with a bit more pressure and on white it stepped up the cut noticeably. Like having two polishes in one.

Last post for a while, plane about to leave, had to get one last fix

I found it quite easy to use. Did 4 passes on each section with moderate pressure (was trying to anyway!) The paint was in fairly good condition anyway so just wanted to give it a once over.

NIce looking car - and looking so much better now.  :sun:

 

Great write-up and good product selection too.

 

Thanks for sharing! 

I love a red car when it's looked after properly... good results there.