An example of a full detail - our C2 Part I

[PolishedBliss]

When we did this detail, our C2 was only 12 months old, but I'm sad to say it doesn't get as much loving as our Leon, due to time constraints and the fact that the Leon comes first! I looked at it last October and nearly died - it was terrible, lots of hard baked bug guts, minor swirls and more serious scratches thanks to the fools at Tesco's. So, I decided to sort it...

Step 1 - thorough wash using the two bucket method and Poorboys Slick n Suds shampoo, lambswool mitt for paint, microfibre mitt for wheels, also wheel brush. Dried off using heavyweight waffle weave microfibre towel. Note how dirty the rinse bucket is in the pics below (the benefit of using clear buckets) - that was only after doing half the car. Anyone not using the two bucket method should look in the bottom of my bucket for the reason why they should.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/polishedbliss/polishedbliss/c2detail/wash1.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/polishedbliss/polishedbliss/c2detail/wash2.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/polishedbliss/polishedbliss/c2detail/wash3.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/polishedbliss/polishedbliss/c2detail/wash4.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/polishedbliss/polishedbliss/c2detail/wash5.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/polishedbliss/polishedbliss/c2detail/wash6.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/polishedbliss/polishedbliss/c2detail/wash7.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/polishedbliss/polishedbliss/c2detail/wash8.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/polishedbliss/polishedbliss/c2detail/wash9.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/polishedbliss/polishedbliss/c2detail/wash10.jpg

[PolishedBliss]

Step 2 - thorough clean using Meguiars clay bar and Clearkote Quikshine, wiped dry with detailing microfibre towel. Note how bad the paint looks in the first two pics after washing - bonded bug guts. The clay got rid of a lot of this mess, in addition to lots of tar spots, which show up nicely in the close up.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/polishedbliss/polishedbliss/c2detail/clean1.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/polishedbliss/polishedbliss/c2detail/clean2.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/polishedbliss/polishedbliss/c2detail/clean3.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/polishedbliss/polishedbliss/c2detail/clean4.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/polishedbliss/polishedbliss/c2detail/clean5.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/polishedbliss/polishedbliss/c2detail/clean6.jpg

[PolishedBliss]

Step 3 - thorough polishing, using Poorboys SSR1 applied via Porter Cable machine polisher using white polishing pad (misted with Quikshine first). I did most of the car at 4-5 on the speed dial, bumping it up to 5-6 for stubborn swirls and deeper scratches. All trims and rubbers were taped off first (to avoid creating white stains and buffer marks), and all residues were removed using microfibre work towels. The last two pics shows the effect of cleaning and polishing - no more bugs or defects (apart from Citreon's lovely orange peel).

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/polishedbliss/polishedbliss/c2detail/polish1.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/polishedbliss/polishedbliss/c2detail/polish2.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/polishedbliss/polishedbliss/c2detail/polish3.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/polishedbliss/polishedbliss/c2detail/polish4.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/polishedbliss/polishedbliss/c2detail/polish5.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/polishedbliss/polishedbliss/c2detail/polish6.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/polishedbliss/polishedbliss/c2detail/polish7.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/polishedbliss/polishedbliss/c2detail/polish8.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/polishedbliss/polishedbliss/c2detail/polish9.jpg

[PolishedBliss]

Step 4 - I started to add protection with a basecoat of Klasse All in One (AIO) applied by hand, followed by a top coat of Menzerna Full Molecular Jacket (FMJ), also by hand. It was getting dark by this point, so all this was done in the garage - no process pics I'm afraid, after all, who'd want to see me sweating under strip lights? Many thanks to RobDon for sending me the FMJ sample. I finished up at 9pm by dressing the tyres with Poorboys Bold n Bright, applied using foam applicator. Please forgive me, I didn't have time to dress the arches or the trims, I'll be doing that at some point in the near future after a another wash. I will also be adding a further top coat of FMJ every month through the winter, and a coat of Menzerna High Gloss Acrylic Shield (HGAS) after each wash. I have to say the FMJ is great to use - easy on,easy off, really slick and a deep, wet shine. Plus it offers just about the best winter protection you can get. Recommended.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/polishedbliss/polishedbliss/c2detail/protect1.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/polishedbliss/polishedbliss/c2detail/protect2.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/polishedbliss/polishedbliss/c2detail/protect3.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/polishedbliss/polishedbliss/c2detail/protect4.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f293/polishedbliss/polishedbliss/c2detail/protect5.jpg

[dsh85]

that is stunning mate, ive noticed a lot of the bonded big guts on my front bumper and until now ignored it, was it meguairs clay you used to get rid of this yes?

[djjoney]

looks superb when its finished :)

[PolishedBliss]

that is stunning mate, ive noticed a lot of the bonded big guts on my front bumper and until now ignored it, was it meguairs clay you used to get rid of this yes?

Yes, in this case I used the clay bar that comes in the Quik Clay package with Clearkote Quikshine as the lubricant. :)

[YM03]

must say I'm very impresed, with the look off this stuff and the finnish you achieve.

[CHowells]

Good job

[Colin]

Im so inpressed with how sparkling you get the cars.

Ive got a black Saxo and struggle to keep it clean and even after I polish it, it still looks bad!

I really take my time over my car but I still get such bad results!

Nice work!

[willsy]

Thats certainly impressed me, that pic where u can clearly see the reflection of the cleaning gear shows just how stunning the finish is

[saunders]

That looks great! think im in need of some of that clay!

[mike_obuk]

ive got huge tar spots all over the front of my car. and with the heat this week the bloody road had melted so there are bound to be more!

cant wait till the hosepipe ban is over so i can tackle the thing properly!