First Detail [First ever use of DA] Honda CTR [Pic Heavy]

[James28]

First Detail [First ever use of DA] Honda CTR [Pic Heavy]

I used my DAS6 for the first time over the weekend, on my cousins Civic Type R. Got a new camera and took lots of photos and thought I'd make a little write up.
Was hard work, but enjoyed it, and thoroughly rewarding at the end!
Had a few little niggles, that'll just come with experience I guess, but overall pretty happy with my first attempt.
Big thanks to everyone on here who has helped me in terms of advice on products and techniques!

Before pics:

DSCF4067 by James.Rawlins, on Flickr

DSCF4068 by James.Rawlins, on Flickr

DSCF4069 by James.Rawlins, on Flickr

DSCF4070 by James.Rawlins, on Flickr

DSCF4071 by James.Rawlins, on Flickr

DSCF4072 by James.Rawlins, on Flickr

DSCF4073 by James.Rawlins, on Flickr

Stage 1: Decontamination

First up I pre-rinsed with Daisy APC diluted, and washed using Dodo BTBM and the 2BM.

DSCF4074 by James.Rawlins, on Flickr

Next up I sprayed on some Tardis, before leaving it to dwell and wiped with MF applicator pad, wasn't to bad for tar:

DSCF4075 by James.Rawlins, on Flickr

Next up applied Wolfs Deironizer, quite a few spots came up, and left to do its work before washing again, with Megs Gold class and the 2BM.

DSCF4077 by James.Rawlins, on Flickr

Also tackled the wheels whilst the Wolfs was doing its work, used Daisy APC diluted, and De-ironizer/Tardis. In need of a refurb really.

DSCF4078 by James.Rawlins, on Flickr

Next up, once I'd shampoo'd off the Wolfs, It was time to clay, with a Megs Clay bar and diluted Demon Shine as lube. Even though I'd de-tarred/de-ironed it was still lifting off a fair bit of contaminants

DSCF4079 by James.Rawlins, on Flickr

Finally, after completing the final shampoo, car was dried with drying towel and taped up ready for polishing

DSCF4081 by James.Rawlins, on Flickr

DSCF4080 by James.Rawlins, on Flickr

Stage 2: Polishing

Paintwork wasn't actually in to bad condition, not many swirls I could see:

DSCF4082 by James.Rawlins, on Flickr

So then cracked on with the polishing. Used Mezerna PO 106 FA and a combination of Green and White Hex Logic Pads.
Started off at slow speed for two or so passes, then stepped the speed up and did a further 6 or so passes, or until the polish was worked in:

DSCF4090 by James.Rawlins, on Flickr

Shot after just polishing:

DSCF4093 by James.Rawlins, on Flickr

After going round the car, I then moved onto Glaze. Used Britemax Blackmax and a Blue Hex Logic pad, on slow speed for a few passes. Loved using the glaze. So easy to put on and barely any excess to remove.

Shot after polish/glaze:

DSCF4094 by James.Rawlins, on Flickr

Stage 3: LSP

Finally as LSP I used AG HD wax. Left for 15 mins then buffed off. Found it quite hard to buff off, don't know if it was the heat, or too much product, or a combination of the two. Probably should've done smaller areas too.

DSCF4095 by James.Rawlins, on Flickr

DSCF4096 by James.Rawlins, on Flickr


Finally, Polished the glass by hand, dressed the plastics with AG Vinyl and Rubber care, and used Megs Endurance Tyre Gel on the tyres.
I ran out of time at this point, so didn't get to finish a few things I'd have like to, but took a few pics anyway.

Quite pleased with the results for my first time, obviously on a steep learning curve, and could've been better, but my cousin was over the moon with it, and apparently has been receiving a lot of glowing comments. Looking forward to doing my car next and improving further!!

Didn't really achieve much in the way of correction, but did bring out the shine in the paint and no visible swirls, a few deeper scratches in the clear coat I couldn't get out, but am still quite happy.

Finished:

DSCF4097 by James.Rawlins, on Flickr

DSCF4112 by James.Rawlins, on Flickr

DSCF4111 by James.Rawlins, on Flickr

DSCF4110 by James.Rawlins, on Flickr

DSCF4109 by James.Rawlins, on Flickr

DSCF4108 by James.Rawlins, on Flickr

DSCF4107 by James.Rawlins, on Flickr

DSCF4106 by James.Rawlins, on Flickr

DSCF4104 by James.Rawlins, on Flickr

DSCF4103 by James.Rawlins, on Flickr

DSCF4101 by James.Rawlins, on Flickr

DSCF4099 by James.Rawlins, on Flickr

DSCF4098 by James.Rawlins, on Flickr

 

[aucky]

Nice job

Looks lovely!

AG HD isn't too great at removal at the best of times tbh. As you said, stick to smaller areas next time.

 

[TheEvilGiraffe]

Always best to use someone else's old banger to practise on eh

FLOL @ using that beast !!

Good work :approve:

 

[Joe#]

Good job mate. You can really see the flake in the paint now too.

And as above HD wax isn't the easiest at the beat of times. I used it for the first time in about 7 months and was suprised.

Look foward to seeing the next one.

 

[James28]

Cheers for the comments!

My Zaino Z2 arrived today, so looking forward to using that on the next one!

Few questions, one thing I struggled with was polish building up on the pad between sections. What should I do about this?

I had a spray bottle, and just sprayed water on the pad, and used my hand to wipe of the polish, but upon moving on to another section, I applied three pea sized amounts, and dabbed it on paintwork, then turned on at low speed to spread it and it threw spots of polish out everywhere? Was it because it was too wet?

 

[Joe#]

You can buy pad cleaners on i4deatailing. I'd send a link but I'm in my phone atm.

 

[James28]

There's the spur tool, and the pad cleaning powder.
I've got the spur thing, ruined my pad more than anything tbh.
I've seen the powder. Chemical Guys do a Pad cleaner and Pad conditioner, but is something like that okay to use between sections, I think it was the fact that it was wet that caused the flinging in the first place..

 

[JamesBryan]

One of these brushes is what you want http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/meguiars-triple-duty-detail-brush.php

 

[James28]

One of these brushes is what you want http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/meguiars-triple-duty-detail-brush.php

Looks just the ticket. Seen them somewhere else too.

 

[Burty182]

Looks good mate!

 

[Joe#]

One of these brushes is what you want http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/meguiars-triple-duty-detail-brush.php

I've been meaning to get one of those for a while now. Nobody seemed to have them in stock last time I looked.

 

[James28]

I've been meaning to get one of those for a while now. Nobody seemed to have them in stock last time I looked.

Yea still don't . Huge variance in price too. I ended up getting one of PolishedBliss' own ones for £6

 

[Joe#]

Dam it lol.

I think i might order one of those ones too then. I need one for next week really.

They look fairly similar though anyway

 

[Jimbo_M]

Good work mate! as mentioned AG High def wax is quite hard to remove, try a panel at a time on your next one

 

[Whirly172]

looks like you did a pretty good job mate

 

[Y7 ADW]

Fantastic results there mate.

I found with AG HD that the key to making it easier to remove is applying a thin layer as like you say it takes forever to buff off. Still one of my favourite wax's, it has always giving amazing results on my RB. I have switched to AF Soul now though to see how it compares, at the minute im more in favour of it just because of how easy it is to apply and remove. It hasnt rained yet so I havnt seen the beading.

 

[James28]

Fantastic results there mate.

I found with AG HD that the key to making it easier to remove is applying a thin layer as like you say it takes forever to buff off. Still one of my favourite wax's, it has always giving amazing results on my RB. I have switched to AF Soul now though to see how it compares, at the minute im more in favour of it just because of how easy it is to apply and remove. It hasnt rained yet so I havnt seen the beading.

Cheers mate
I've always struggled with applying the correct amount of waxes tbh. Always seem to apply to much, or if I try to do less don't seem to get an even covering.

 

[Gally]

Hi mate, sorry I missed this before. Not sure how I did.

First of all, very nice detail. Everything pretty much covered for a straight forward one. You can instantly see how "clear" the clearcoat is now hence the flake popping. All that decontamination being removed and show the true paint.

How did you find the 106FA? The weather isn't ideal for polishing tbh but with the oilyness of it it should have been spreading very well. I simply love it.

In regards to the wax definitely don't let it "set" especially not in the heat. I'd be doing a panel at a time unless you can leave it on for 24 hours. If you struggle in the future either, apply more fresh wax on top then remove straight away or use your QD and remove lightly with that. Lo

Lovely finish.

 

[James28]

Cheers mate! Seeing as you helped me with the products so much good to hear you approve :approve:

Yea the 106FA worked perfectly! Just ordered 1L of it from CYC. Obviously I don't have anything to compare it too though.
I did find it harder to work/buff then the glaze, but I guess this is to be expected.
One thing I did struggle with was working out when I'd done enough passes to know I'd worked it in properly, and I'd broken it down correctly? I was trying to look to see when the polish changed the look like in Dave's guide, but I found it quite hard to tell!
I guess the hot weather played a part in this too, but I at least I could keep it in the shade!

Is the green pad / 106FA abrasive enough to remove swirls, my Clio is very swirly
I don't think I achieved much in the way of correction on this, although there were no swirls, but some random scratches in the clearcoat weren't being removed.

Also ordered some 4" Hex Pads and backing plate to do more intricate areas.

I'm going to use Z2 for my next one, but cheers for the tips on waxing!

Looking forward to doing many more!

 

[Kane.]

Great detail

 

[James28]

Cheers mate.
Did some more of it for him again today, rinsed then QD, and sealed with two coats of Zaino Z2.
And did the front and rear bumpers properly with my new small 4" pads.