Well thanks to kind advice from Chris  (ChrisRs) , Wayne (Power Maxted), Jules and any others who have had the patience to explain the rudiments of detailing to this old timer... I did a fair job on my Octavia today.... nowhere near as excellent as some of you far more experienced guys, but with work I am sure that I may eventually make an acceptable job of it.

 

I rinsed the worst of any dirt away with the power washer, then applied the Power Maxted TFR in the Mesto sprayer @ 25:1 ... after allowing it to dwell, I power washed it off again leaving a very clean finish... I then clayed with the Farecla clay mitt, and as I was going to seal rather than wax, rather than lubricating with shampoo containing wax, I decided to use the TFR instead, which actually worked very well. Putting little or no weight on the mitt, I could feel the roughness through the mitt, about six passes and the mitt glided smoothly over the panel with no more roughness... this really is an amazing piece of kit needing very little effort to create a smooth surface ready for the next operation. I rinsed off again them mopped dry with a microfibre towel.

 

I decided to use Chris's method with the Powermaxted sealant, and applied by hand a panel at a time. It proved difficult to buff off by hand leaving the sealant on for the recommended 5 minutes... so I found it easier to buff off after a little less time, 3 to 4 minutes.

Only one application of sealant so far for it needs to cure for 24 hours before putting anymore on, but that will be easier as Powermaxted recommend a second method to top up, which is to dilute the sealant to 40:1, then after each wash and rinse, you use a sprayer such as the Mesto to apply the diluted sealant to the whole car, (bar the windscreen)... then rinse off again ...  dry the car with a microfibre towel.

You can of course layer the sealant after 24 hours by hand, but this "easy method" also adds sealant and builds the deep shine and protection.

 

 

 

I was losing the light by the time I finished this evening, but at least the rain stayed of, and I waited until later today before starting as the forecast was cloudy this afternoon... bright sun this morning here in North Wales, which makes a change for Bank Holiday...

 

Thanks again to you guys for sharing your knowledge and expertise.

 

Alan.

Great work Alan and a good write up

Well done

Looks good! Bet your chuffed with it :-)

Nice one! It looks great. Thanks for sharing.

It can be a slippery slope to spending hours upon hours on your pride and joy. Well worth it though, it keeps us out of trouble!

Thank you for your kind words chaps ... but I think a few more applications of sealant needed to deepen the shine. Later in the year a little work to do as the claying revealed some small stone chips on the bonnet that were not noticable before ? would claying lift touch up paint out of chips ? ? ?

So a strip with TFR, touch up and buff with cutting compound prior to sealant again may be in order then ... but as I have no paint yet, my priority was to apply some protection from the elements at the moment, particularly as I am off on my "travels" South again this weekend ...

Otherwise the bodywork/paintwork is in excellent order for an 11 year old car... the wheel trims need work though.

 

I finished just in time last evening as rained all night here ...

 

Alan.

It shouldnt do...but perhaps best to avoid claying that area

Yes, clay can pull out paint from touch up sticks used to cover up chips.

Decent beading. Extra layers of sealant won't really deepen the shine. You can add shine by using a glaze/all in one polish underneath the sealant or by polishing it with a cutting and finishing compound like you said. I told you iy was a slippery slope

As said, it wont shine anymore with another layer, but Power Maxed do recommend another, or even two to increase duarability

Leave it a day or so in between each coat, or you risk removing the previous layer

Decent beading. Extra layers of sealant won't really deepen the shine. You can add shine by using a glaze/all in one polish underneath the sealant or by polishing it with a cutting and finishing compound like you said. I told you iy was a slippery slope

Well said, if you want to alter the looks, a wax could be applied. Indeed, it's a very slippery slope.

Well the sun is shining again this morning folks, and the "flake pop" is very evident in the sunshine. Cloudy intervals this afternoon so I am going to apply another coat of sealant by hand  while the car is still spotlessly clean... ... for longetivity of course.

 

My smaller second order just arrived from PowerMaxed. only another 100ml of sealant to apply using the "wet method) between washes ... (spray on a 40:1 solution after rinsing while car is still wet, then dry off after 5 minutes which they say will keep the sealant topped up.

Actually ordered some of their Quick Detailer as well before I knew I was going to seal rather than wax ... is this now redundant or is it OK to use over the sealant, and will that coat need to be removed before adding more sealant ?... are they compatible... It does not mention if it contains wax anywhere on the bottle.

 

Thanks for more input Chris ... and Northern Monkey and Hunty of course ... I will try my best to keep off the "slippery slope" ... ...  but I am enjoying this section of the forum and reading of your guys expertise and varying methods to achieve perfection ... telling my girlfriend on Facetime last night and she says I am becoming "anal" ...

 

Cheers ... Alan.

Edited 5 May, 201511 yr by AlanRHB

I use the Power Maxed QD all the time between washes over my existing sealant/s...Its superb!!

BTW...Youve some way to go before you become 'Anal'..I like to think that I have a way to go yet too  

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Good job mate. Get some good advice in the forum here! Enjoy the shine before it needs its next wash!