Reply With QuoteWhat colour is your GT mate?
Debo what would you recommend for a complete kit for a beginner? Wanna give the GT a proper good going over after this weather is over.
What colour is your GT mate?
Nero Black (it's non metallic)
Perfect! Great colour for this sort of work, but difficult to get exactly right as it will highlight any errors you make (i.e not working the polish enough which will leave holograms). Well, from start-to-finish take a look at these items for some ideas.
Sheepskin wash mitt:
http://www.shinearama.co.uk/product.php?id=EUR-FH1135
Shampoo.. this stuff smells amazing aswell.
http://www.shinearama.co.uk/product....INS-CARGLO-GAL
Dry your car with some waffle weave microfibre's like this:
http://www.shinearama.co.uk/product....PBY-TWAFFLE-24
Clay, this Meguiars stuff is ideal for beginners (and tbh, I still use it as it's good stuff, works out cheaper buying it in a kit like this too!!)
http://www.shinearama.co.uk/product.php?id=MEG-G1016
Sounds like you're wanting to do a full job, so if you're going to buy yourself a machine polisher you're going to need to get the prep work right - so you'll need all of the above really. Use the 2 bucket method to wash the car, then clay it and do this very thoroughly so the paintwork feels as smooth as glass to the touch. You'll probably need a good tar remover aswell for the lower panels, it's imperative you remove all bonded contaminants before any machine work. Then you will need to re-wash the car, and finally dry it carefully with the towels. At this point you're ready for machining.
Either of the kits on the previous page would suffice, and will yield great results with a bit of practice on an old scrap panel first to get the technique right.
But you could do it cheaper with this kit, and it's still a Kestrel DAS-6:
http://www.shinearama.co.uk/product.php?id=KES-DAS6KIT4
Then get yourself a very light polish (Meg's Swirl Free Polish):
http://www.shinearama.co.uk/product.php?id=MEG-M8232
You want to start with the least aggressive pad/polish combo possible - so I would start with the SFP on the white Polishing pad. Work the polish until it goes clear, then carefully buff off using the soft microfibre provided. You might want more towels though, so take a look at these (which are better than the one in the kit):
http://www.shinearama.co.uk/product.php?id=EUR-MTS12-X3
You'll find that this combo should be sufficient. If not, and you believe you can further improve on the finish, use the yellow light cutting pad. You'll find this gives you a greater level of cut than before, and should still leave a high gloss finish.
Fiat paint is typically soft, so you risk taking too much off if you're not careful. Machine polishers should only be used in conjunction with PTG's, but you only have to go on DW to see how many people don't bother (but when working on your own car, if you make a mess, it's only your problem).
After you've finished the machining, make sure you buff off as much residue as possible. It's also possible that there might be lots of dust around the car (as some of the dry polishes create this). In any event, make sure you buff VERY CAREFULLY and not too hard, as the paintwork on Fiat's is soft, you risk marring it again whilst removing residueOnce you've done this, you'll need to re-wash and dry the car again (yes, 3rd time).
You should really use a pre-wax cleanser in order to form a bond between the wax and bodywork. Think of it as laying down a foundation for the wax. You've done all the prep work so skimping here is pointless, and it's easy on/off.
On a dark car, I'd just use Autoglym High Definition.
http://www.shinearama.co.uk/product.php?id=AGL-HDC
http://www.shinearama.co.uk/product.php?id=AGL-HDW
It's durability is amazing when applied properly. I have seen 5 months out of one coat on one of the Merc's I have done (the blue one from the wash guide I did).
Here's how it looks on black:
There's lots of exotic and expensive waxes out there. I think spending £50 on a cleanser and wax is sufficient, particularly as an enthusiast. I have a pot of wax that is £65 just on it's own - not expensive by any means, but puts it into context how good the HD stuff is for the money.
I have just realised that this is quite a long post and alot to take in. Maybe not what you were looking for? I got a bit carried away! But hope it makes sense.. and helps
Cheers,
Matt.
Cheers for that! I've already got a waffle weave drying towel, dodo juice buffing cloth, sheepskin mitt and some dodo juice purple haze, just need to get the rest!
You're already doing well! I'd still consider the HD Cleanser then, like I said, it lays down a foundation for the wax to bond to the paintwork properley.
The best advice I can give you if you decide on the machine polisher, would be to get down the scrappies and pick up a couple of "practice panels" - preferably in black, or dark coloured so you can see what you can achieve, and practice before doing your own car
got an old door and wing i can have a go oncheers again.
Wanna come and clean my car?
I've got access to a proper detailing studio now James, so you can come and have the Porka done oop hereOriginally Posted by Mr Hans
£70 of fuel is 250 miles. Be cheaper to buy a "detailing bedroom studio" I think.I've got access to a proper detailing studio now James, so you can come and have the Porka done oop here
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