Hello.

I want to detail my new car when it arrives. I have detailed before but never used iron x. The main thing I am concerned about is not to let it dry in the sun. The problem is I don't have a garage and I will obviously wash the car when it's nice outside with no chance of rain.

Shall I just forget iron x if I can't shelter the car from the sun in any way?

Thanks for the help.

Be fine, just dont leave it for hours.

Be fine, just dont leave it for hours.

Thanks. That was quick :-)

Needs no longer than 2 minutes really.  I actually tend to use it after a quick wash, whilst paint is still a bit damp.

 

It would probably bake dry on a sun facing panel in proper sunshine/heat in about 2 minutes.

Needs no longer than 2 minutes really.  I actually tend to use it after a quick wash, whilst paint is still a bit damp.

 

It would probably bake dry on a sun facing panel in proper sunshine/heat in about 2 minutes.

It will bake dry in 2 minutes! Blimey don't think I want to risk that.

Have you seen how hot a panel gets in strong sunshine.  See how long it takes water to evaporate when just poured on and left.

My new car has been sitting at the docks for over 2 months (guess it's a cancelled order), so probably covered in iron. Not sure what to do now :-(

Maybe I will do it on a bit of a cloudy day and hope it doesn't rain.

Edited 21 May, 201412 yr by tigermad

Plenty of overcast / cloudy days to choose from!

Either that or start early morning / late afternoon.

Just avoid the 'baking heat'. But it does have to be a superb day to start causing major issues.

To be fair, if I was in a position to buy a new car, I would ask that they do the PDI and plate it but not clean it at all, I would want to be doing that myself, better to be cleaing a car from factory than trying to correct the damage (swirls etc) that the valeters will cause by using low quality, cheap cleaning materials and chemicals...I would find somewhere undercover to be able to decontaminate, although, the transport wrap should still be on, reducing the areas exposed to the iron fallout...HTH

Wouldn't they think I was a plonker asking for the wrap to be left on. What about the interior. Do you let them clean that?

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Let them take the wrap off, it's good to see there is no issues with the bodywork.

 

Interior - this is wrapped up in plastic too, just needs a hoover and mats fitting, they can't do any damage to that...

 

The only reason I would (personally) ask them not to clean it (outside really) is that it's not their car, therefore they will not take as much care doing so as you would...the products they use will not be as high quality (they need to keep costs down) and the cloths/sponges etc may well have been dropped etc and are likely to have picked up grit and dirt which (if you are not careful) will be smeared all over your new pride and joy causing swirls which (if you are as OCD as I am) will have to be removed by your good self prior to your own choice of treatment/wax/sealant etc...

 

Just my ten pennith...

I tend to agree with the above providing you are an experienced detailer who knows what to look for because if you go down that route and subsequently find some damage when cleaning and detailing your car for the first time the dealer would be very unlikely to be prepared to do anything. The dealer I got both my octys from did an excellent job, so it may be worth checking what sort of job they do before you decide by looking at some cars that are ready to be picked up as it does vary from dealer to dealer how good a job they do. If you are still unsure you could ask some local professional detailers what they would charge to inspect the car at handover, then do the initial clean and detail. That way if there are any problems with the car at handover the dealer will have to rectify them and if the detailer doesn't spot any its then up to him to sort them.

It really is surprising what the keen eye of a professional will spot that you can easily miss, especially if the light is flat on a cloudy day. Good luck.

I think I will let them clean it. I am not an experienced detailer, just done a bit here and there over the past year. I will make sure I give it a good looking over though before driving off in it.

 

I have decided on bilthamber korrosol instead of Iron X, It's a bit cheaper and smells nicer (apparently). I will ensure I don't leave it for more than 2 minutes and hopefully not in full sun.

 

Regarding a grout sponge to agitate it, do you just get one from wickes?

 

Thanks for all the help :-)

Should have mentioned, I worked for Skoda for 7 years, valeting and selling, I was responsible for checking in new cars so my eyes are trained to spot defects a mile off!! When I was valeting, I practically threw away all the old stuff, the guy I took over from had dirty sponges, horrible leathers and I replaced them with wash mits and microfibres... the comments from the sales guys were as if the other guy didn't have a clue and suffice to say, the cars looked better than ever and sales increased!

Do I need to agitate the bilt hamber with a grout sponge? If so how do you stop the sponge scratching the car? Not keen on using sponges. I was planning to do this stage after a blast of demon shine rapid dirt shifter and some snow foam

Do I need to agitate the bilt hamber with a grout sponge? If so how do you stop the sponge scratching the car? Not keen on using sponges. I was planning to do this stage after a blast of demon shine rapid dirt shifter and some snow foam

 

Take a look at Valet Pro detailing brushes, they are cheap, durable, safe and indispensable in my eyes, you can pay more and go hogs hair, but I dont think it is necessary.

Thanks. I have read you only need to agitate the wheels and the bodywork can just be sprayed left 2 minutes then rinsed off. Maybe this is the best method.

 

Another stupid question time. My neighbour and I share the same driveway, side by side. Is it best to ask if he can move his car for 15 minutes whilst I do the fallout removing, don't fancy coating his Mazda with the stuff and there is no way/room I can do the work on the street

Korrosol is very easy to use. No need to agitate.