Spent 4 1/2 hours today washing, drying and applying a couple of coats of SRP.  I had all intentions of moving on to LSP but I'm too sore and tired, so have just packed up!  

 

Lesson learned: I NEED a polishing machine!!!  

 

Ha ha, its just a knack buddy. In 4 and a half hours I fully decontaminated , single stage enhancement polished and waxed the Octavia. A machine doesn't make it quicker either. It just means you can work the product better. Remember, practice makes perfect pal. I'm always finding quicker ways to do things and I've been detailing nearly 10 years now. I work so much faster now than I did back then. Try to enjoy it though.

I must admit, I done very little to my car yesterday, but my shoulders know about it today

And in these single digit temperatures - u brave!

1. For detailing outside - brrrrrr

2. Using products that may not be effective in such cold weathers

I washed my car today - hands were purple cold!

Couldnt really apply wax - so use a quick detailer instead!

Thanks all.

 

And in these single digit temperatures - u brave!
1. For detailing outside - brrrrrr
2. Using products that may not be effective in such cold weathers

I washed my car today - hands were purple cold!
Couldnt really apply wax - so use a quick detailer instead!

I fill the buckets with hot water to keep em warm longer.  Sports pants on, water proofs over the top and two jumpers on

 

I must admit, I done very little to my car yesterday, but my shoulders know about it today

 

Yup.  I'm only 28, but feel 82.  Lower back is aching like hell...

 

Ha ha, its just a knack buddy. In 4 and a half hours I fully decontaminated , single stage enhancement polished and waxed the Octavia. A machine doesn't make it quicker either. It just means you can work the product better. Remember, practice makes perfect pal. I'm always finding quicker ways to do things and I've been detailing nearly 10 years now. I work so much faster now than I did back then. Try to enjoy it though.

Yeah, plus that 4 1/2 hours includes getting everything out, setting up and tidying all away. I'm not trying to get an award winning finish, I just like a clean tidy car that shines a bit  Shame that I ran out of light and energy before applying the LSP, as all that SRP is just going to wash off in days now...

 

The best thing about a DA polisher is not the reduced time, it's that it's doing the hard work for you

 

It's no excuse, in fact, I should really be taking more care because of it, but car is seriously littered with stone chips so every time I see one I get disheartened and decide it's not worth the extra effort.

Edited 8 February, 201511 yr by planehazza

It's not an easy job, if I'm doing a single stage polish I try to split it over 2 days. 1st day is strip back, tar remover, de-iron, clay, wheels etc etc

2nd day tape up & polish & then apply LSP.

Then have a few beers & admire the work.

You don't want an award winning car now, but give it time. It gets really addictive! You'll get a DA, then you'll give correction polishing a go, then you'll want 100% correction, then your mates will ask you to do it to their car for a few beer tokens...... etc etc.

The new formula SRP won't wash away that quickly, so all your hard work won't be wasted. Plus, think of the workout! Free phys!

It's not an easy job, if I'm doing a single stage polish I try to split it over 2 days. 1st day is strip back, tar remover, de-iron, clay, wheels etc etc

2nd day tape up & polish & then apply LSP.

Then have a few beers & admire the work.

 

Do you have a garage? What do you do on the second day if it has rained, or there's dirt/dust all over it again?  I don't have a garage so everything is done outside...

 

You don't want an award winning car now, but give it time. It gets really addictive! You'll get a DA, then you'll give correction polishing a go, then you'll want 100% correction, then your mates will ask you to do it to their car for a few beer tokens...... etc etc.

The new formula SRP won't wash away that quickly, so all your hard work won't be wasted. Plus, think of the workout! Free phys!

 

It's quite old SRP (~3 years) so hopefully it's still good. Haha we'll see...

 

 

I'll try and grab a piccy tomorrow before work. It's shiney at least

Edited 8 February, 201511 yr by planehazza

Do you have a garage? What do you do on the second day if it has rained, or there's dirt/dust all over it again?  I don't have a garage so everything is done outside...

 

 

It's quite old SRP (~3 years) so hopefully it's still good. Haha we'll see...

 

 

I'll try and grab a piccy tomorrow before work. It's shiney at least

If I'm able to use the lock up then I just crack on as I'll cover the car inside in plastic. If it is an outside job I'll just foam the car & wash off & dry as its bound to have some dust on it.

It's not an easy job, if I'm doing a single stage polish I try to split it over 2 days. 1st day is strip back, tar remover, de-iron, clay, wheels etc etc

2nd day tape up & polish & then apply LSP.

Then have a few beers & admire the work.

 

I like your style mate....

 

that's my new routine when i get the new detailing space kitted out 

I also like doing it over two days however it would be much nicer if I could store the car in a garage as it always rains the second day ;-)

Nearly all my clients want their car done in a day...purley for logistical/travel reasons

So it can be a very very long day..working flat out with no rest for the Detailier

Those with any car cleaning knowledge will know already that Detailing is not a quick process..thats why it usually costs so much..Its the attention to detail that Valeters cannot offer

I would much prefer to keep a clients' car longer than a day, most of the time its just not possible

I love the luxury in the summer of having a car for a week so time can be spent but as above, many people can't do this so you end up trying to do what you can in one day. Eight hours of work can usually be enough to achieve what 99% of car owners desire. I have found time savings by claying with a mitt, and it's amazing how chemical use speeds up decontamination. usually in 90 minutes I'll be at the point of having a completely clean washed dried decontaminated car ready for taping up and starting to polish.

It does get harder on the bones and joints though. Regular 5 minute breaks are usually needed which is when I normally take photos

What do you tape up? Why? And what type of tape do you use?

Taping up to protect corners, rubber and plastic trim when polishing using 3M masking tape

Luckily I burned a rubbrr trim machining my own car before I realised what damage catching rubbers with a polishing pad at speed can do. 3m blue masking tape all the time now.

And in these single digit temperatures - u brave!

1. For detailing outside - brrrrrr

2. Using products that may not be effective in such cold weathers

I washed my car today - hands were purple cold!

Couldnt really apply wax - so use a quick detailer instead!

  use the plastic coated fabric work gloves and 2 pairs of wool liners inside, a wooly hat, thick Merino wool socks, and waterproof over trousers, then a waterproof coat, ( i use an old cycling one, it helps to keep you warm 

Taping up to protect corners, rubber and plastic trim when polishing using 3M masking tape

Chris, are there any video guides for doing this anywhere?, I fancy investing in a DA for my birthday and having a crack at this.

 

I have a couple of spare old panels to ruin - i mean practise on, so I would like a general idea of what to do to do it properly.

use the plastic coated fabric work gloves and 2 pairs of wool liners inside, a wooly hat, thick Merino wool socks, and waterproof over trousers, then a waterproof coat, ( i use an old cycling one, it helps to keep you warm

Ha ha, I'm like a nuclear reactor when I get going. I'd be wet through after an hour!

Chris, are there any video guides for doing this anywhere?, I fancy investing in a DA for my birthday and having a crack at this.

 

I have a couple of spare old panels to ruin - i mean practise on, so I would like a general idea of what to do to do it properly.

Googled this:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKFdlAFgio4&feature=player_detailpage

Ha ha, I'm like a nuclear reactor when I get going. I'd be wet through after an hour!

As its cycling stuff its breathable  :p

This is a rough idea of what a taped up car looks like.  Not sure if i took this right after doing it or maybe part way through.  Basically all rubbers covered.

 

Thanks Chris and Devonutopia.

use the plastic coated fabric work gloves and 2 pairs of wool liners inside, a wooly hat, thick Merino wool socks, and waterproof over trousers, then a waterproof coat, ( i use an old cycling one, it helps to keep you warm

All that to mask your car?!

Yup, I'm feeling very disheartened :(  Spent £170 yesterday (on top of all the gear I have) on a DAS6 Pro + plus various pads and polishes, and I haven't even had them out of the box.  Spend about 3 hours just cleaning the car and removing tar spots from the tailgate alone and I can't do any more - my back is too stiff and sore and I'm exhausted :(

 

What's more, the paint work is really bad in places, I'm not even sure it's worth the effort :(

 

If I hadn't already just spent hundreds on tools and parts for the car, I'd be sorely tempted to get the front end resprayed. The problem is that every panel has a nasty, rusty stone chip or two that needs attention so it would cost a fair amount to have it all resolved.  I'm not sure it's worth it on a car that's valued at <£6k...

 

No fancy coming up to Newcastle and doing all the work for me? I'll pay cash and cuppas?!

Edited 19 March, 201610 yr by planehazza