Hi guys.

 

I bought my daughter a Clio for her first car, last weekend.

 

It wasn't in the best condition paintwise, with loads of swirls and some RDS in various places.

 

Decided to tackle it this weekend, and give my 40th birthday present from the Mrs a try out, a kestrel DAS-6.

 

Started off at 9am on Saturday morning, and it went like this...

 

 

Gave the car a soaking with my trusty Nilfisk pressure washer, and covered it in Snowfoam

 

Blasted that off, then sprayed the alloys with Bilberry wheel cleaner.

 

Blasted that off, and then washed with Megs Gold class using 2BM with scratch guards.

 

Clayed using Megs Clay and detail spray

 

Washed again and dried with drying towels.

 

Using the DA I set about the deep scratches first, using Megs stage 1 polish and working backwards from a green pad (medium pad) to an orange (firm pad).

 

This didn't get the desired results, so I switched to Megs Compound polish, again working backwards to find the best results.

 

Turned out that Compound on the orange firm pad worked a treat and did a great job of hiding them.

 

Worked my way around the car, buffing off by hand and then had to call it a day as time was kicking on and we were going out for a few beers and a meal.

 

Started again today at 1pm, first of all washing and drying to remove the over night crap what had lightly settled all over it.

 

Then it was time to sort out the Swirls and spider webs, caused by previous poor washing techniques.

 

After finding a perfect combo of pad and polish through progressive testing, which for me was Orange firm pad and Megs stage 2 polish, I did the entire car and buffed off as I went.

 

The results were astounding. I really did feel like a detailing master, as this pad polish seemingly was a winner.

 

I then went over the car with Poorboys black hole as there were a few deeper scratches that the DA couldn't fully  eradicate.

 

I love Poorboys Black hole, such a great product, and is so easy on/off.

 

Finally the wax.

 

I tried the bonnet with Hell shine Abyss, but I couldn't get on with it. It said leave on for 5-10 mins before buffing off. Yeah right. More like 2 mins or its a nightmare.

 

Time and light was fading, so I switched to my old favourite Farecla G3 paste wax. Superb stuff. So easy on/off and a pleasure to use. Its one of those, you could really apply every other wash as its that quick to do.

 

With light fading, a sore back and 15 hours in total, the car was looking totally transformed from how we got it.

 

I wish id have took before and after pics (rookie error) as it is like night and day. It looks like its had a respray tbh.

 

I loved using the DA, and it has worked better than I could have ever expected. I already have someone else who has seen the car, asking if I will do theirs ha.

 

 

I took some pictures with my phone, but the light was fading, so you won't get the full effect, but to say Im pleased is a huge understatement. I can see this detailing lark becoming addictive.

 

Still got to dress the plastics and Megs endurance on the tyres tomorrow, and Ive bought a touch up kit for some little chips, then interior clean and engine bay dress with my trusty Aerospace 101

 

Big thanks to you lot for all your links, tips and inspiration. Also thanks to Ste (Samuir1974) for supplying the Pads and Poorboys

 

Cheers and thanks for reading

 

Regards

 

Damo 

 

 

Brilliant work Damo

Well done matey!! :sun: 

That looks great.

Although it does look like you've only done half the bonnet!

I enjoyed my first go with a DA (borrowed from George. Thanks.) and will be back soon to give the Yeti a more thorough going over with a proper polish now I have a little more confidence.

Great work sir. Came up a treat. Bet the daughter is happy. One day I may splash out and have a try with a DA.

Great work Damo

nice job damo!

That looks great.

Although it does look like you've only done half the bonnet!

 

Haha it does indeed. I can assure you its the central bonnet crease and the angle as I was trying to capture the shine in the fading light.

 

I'll get a better pic if I get chance 

 

Cheers 

Looks great! Well done now you will be hunting cars to polish.

Nice work. Im glad someone else agrees that Hell Shine Abyss is garbage, I hate the stuff.

Nice work. Im glad someone else agrees that Hell Shine Abyss is garbage, I hate the stuff.

 

Well, after glowing reports on here, I bought the little sample pot (25ml) and thought I'd give it a go.

 

I thought I must be doing something wrong, as it said apply and buff off after 5-10 mins. If I had have left it that long it would have been a nightmare to remove.

Gave it two minutes and test buffed, and even then it was really stubborn.

I wonder if it might have helped warming it up in hot water or something, as it was quite firm.

 

Anyway, I just reverted back to the G3 as I love the stuff, so easy to use.

 

 

Only thing I wasn't sure on is how best to clean the pads? I just ran them under hot water and kept squeezing them until it was clear. I wasn't sure if it was a good idea to put them in the washing machine or not?

Looking good Damo - nice work, and a good write-up!

Well, after glowing reports on here, I bought the little sample pot (25ml) and thought I'd give it a go.

 

I thought I must be doing something wrong, as it said apply and buff off after 5-10 mins. If I had have left it that long it would have been a nightmare to remove.

Gave it two minutes and test buffed, and even then it was really stubborn.

I wonder if it might have helped warming it up in hot water or something, as it was quite firm.

 

Anyway, I just reverted back to the G3 as I love the stuff, so easy to use.

 

 

Only thing I wasn't sure on is how best to clean the pads? I just ran them under hot water and kept squeezing them until it was clear. I wasn't sure if it was a good idea to put them in the washing machine or not?

 

Agreed, it is so fussy and the finish IMO isn't that great or worth all the hassle!

 

I clean my pads with fairly liquid under the tap and work it in with my hands till its clean.

Contrary to opinion....I love it

It buffs off better after 20 minutes Damo...It is quite temperature sensitive..It doesnt tell you this in the instructions

It took me a while to work this out too

Now I have, I rate it highly, but I can see why you may not..AB need to change the intructions

However, G3 is a nice wax..so no harm done

Awesome write up and results Damo. May I ask, did you use megs stage 1 and 2 throught the paint correction, or did you switch to another megs compound? (after initial testing of stage 1)

I always thought megs stage 1 and 2 were non abrasive compounds?

Cheers

Awesome write up and results Damo. May I ask, did you use megs stage 1 and 2 throught the paint correction, or did you switch to another megs compound? (after initial testing of stage 1)

I always thought megs stage 1 and 2 were non abrasive compounds?

Cheers

 

I used Megs Compound for the deep scratches and megs stage stage 2 on a firm pad for the swirls.

I then used Black hole to fill a few stubborn ones and then waxed.

Agree with ChrisRs about Hellshine being very temperature sensitive, it really works well on a warm summer day but the moment the temperature drops it is a pig to work with. The results do justify the product though.

Tony

I've not had any problems with abyss at anytime of the year, I prefer the paste to the liquid, but both work well for me even after 10 mind cure time, still my favourite wax.

Good job by the way it looks amazing.