Megane R26
I've been looking forward to this one for a while - a stunning Ibis White Audi TTRS with some very special touches! I'm a huge TTRS fan after the Dolphin Grey one we detailed early last year and it looks particularly fresh in Ibis. The was also to be my first published CQuartz Finest detail - a truly superb paint coating boasting a 2 year warranty.
The TTRS was booked in for a corrective detail to deal with its paint defects, CQuartz Finest to keep it protected, CarPro DLUX on the wheels, CarPro Fabric and Leather on the interior and an engine bay spruce up. We were also asked to replace various pieces of vinyl and badges to help partly deliver the cosmetic overhaul this TTRS is about to go through - Rotiform wheels and Lamborghini Calipers (in yellow!) to follow...
Some before photos:
DSC06449 by RussZS, on Flickr
DSC06451 by RussZS, on Flickr
DSC06453 by RussZS, on Flickr
DSC06456 by RussZS, on Flickr
DSC06457 by RussZS, on Flickr
DSC06461 by RussZS, on Flickr
We started with the wheel area with a high pressure rinse to remove any loose dirt and brake dust:
DSC06463 by RussZS, on Flickr
Due to the delicate nature of these stunning wheels, we opted for Valet Pro's Advanced Neutral Snow Foam, mixed 10:1 with water in a bottle with a foaming spray head - this is a fantastic product for more delicate surfaces:
DSC06464 by RussZS, on Flickr
Wheel Woolies were used to delicately remove dirt from the rear of the wheels and the spokes:
DSC06467 by RussZS, on Flickr
Soft Valet Pro brushes were used on the faces and spokes:
DSC06469 by RussZS, on Flickr
Calipers too:
DSC06470 by RussZS, on Flickr
The tyres were degreased with G101 to ensure the new tyre dressing bonded correctly:
DSC06472 by RussZS, on Flickr
G101 was also used on the arches along with a larger Wheel Woolie to ensure the painted area which meets the arch isn't damaged by an aggressive brush:
DSC06473 by RussZS, on Flickr
Then rinsed:
DSC06476 by RussZS, on Flickr
Next, despite no brake dust pitting being evident, we applied IronX to ensure the wheels were free of contamination - this is pH neutral and safe to use on all wheel types:
DSC06478 by RussZS, on Flickr
Very little was removed:
DSC06479 by RussZS, on Flickr
Much better!
DSC06477 by RussZS, on Flickr
Next we addressed the more intricate areas with the Valet Pro Snow Foam in the spray bottle mixture and a smaller Valet Pro brush:
Engine bay area:
DSC06480 by RussZS, on Flickr
DSC06483 by RussZS, on Flickr
DSC06492 by RussZS, on Flickr
After this, the vehicle was foamed using Valet Pro Advanced Neutral Snow Foam via AutoBrite HD Lance, to begin to break down the dirt and road film present on the cars paintwork and glass:
DSC06499 by RussZS, on Flickr
This solution was also used to cleanse more intricate external areas such as badges:
DSC06502 by RussZS, on Flickr
DSC06503 by RussZS, on Flickr
Next the foam solution was rinsed off and the car was safely hand washed with Auto Finesse Lather and a CarPro Wash Mitt:
DSC06505 by RussZS, on Flickr
DSC06507 by RussZS, on Flickr
After rinsing, IronX was applied to the entire car to safely dissolve any fallout contamination present in the clearcoat:
DSC06528 by RussZS, on Flickr
The owner had recently cleansed the car with IronX, but this step was still worthwhile:
DSC06542 by RussZS, on Flickr
DSC06543 by RussZS, on Flickr
After rinsing again, the tar spots were dealt with using AutoSmart Tardis:
DSC06549 by RussZS, on Flickr
To finish off decontaminating the paintwork, it was clayed:
DSC06551 by RussZS, on Flickr
DSC06560 by RussZS, on Flickr
Not too much contamination left on the paintwork:
DSC06563 by RussZS, on Flickr
After claying the TTRS was safely dried with an Uber Drying Towel:
DSC06566 by RussZS, on Flickr
At this point we began to remove the various vinyl pieces which we were to replace:
DSC06571 by RussZS, on Flickr
Gently heated with a Dewalt Heat Gun, then carefully removed:
DSC06572 by RussZS, on Flickr
This one too:
DSC06573 by RussZS, on Flickr
We also removed the front number plate and holder:
DSC06574 by RussZS, on Flickr
DSC06575 by RussZS, on Flickr
Once all removed, we were ready to begin tackling the defects and swirl marks present in the RS's clearcoat. We started off by carefully taping off delicate areas:
DSC06568 by RussZS, on Flickr
Next the paintworks thickness was assessed to try and identify any areas which may have seen polishing and/or paintwork previously, which allows us to know to treat these areas potentially in a different way and approach. The car was reading a consistent average of around 210 microns:
DSC06642 by RussZS, on Flickr
Being such a bright white, it was very difficult to capture the defects on camera, but below are a selection of shots from the correction process:
50/50:
DSC06590 by RussZS, on Flickr
Before:
DSC06593 by RussZS, on Flickr
After:
DSC06596 by RussZS, on Flickr
Before:
DSC06598 by RussZS, on Flickr
After:
DSC06605 by RussZS, on Flickr
Before:
DSC06620 by RussZS, on Flickr
After:
DSC06625 by RussZS, on Flickr
The lights were corrected too.
Before:
DSC06645 by RussZS, on Flickr
After:
DSC06648 by RussZS, on Flickr
After cutting, we refined with Rupes BigFoot with Rupes Diamond Gloss:
DSC06653 by RussZS, on Flickr
We were also tasked with removing the rear Auto Badge and TTRS badge and replacing them with gloss black/yellow versions. The boot was polished around the badges, then the edges of the badges were used to form a border to align the replacement badge. Whilst the badge was off, the area behind the badge was clayed and machined:
DSC06664 by RussZS, on Flickr
DSC06665 by RussZS, on Flickr
DSC06680 by RussZS, on Flickr
Then the area prep'd for the new badge with Eraser:
DSC06682 by RussZS, on Flickr
then fitted and heated to activate the adhesive:
DSC06683 by RussZS, on Flickr
We also refitted the new yellow Revo logos:
DSC06669 by RussZS, on Flickr
DSC06670 by RussZS, on Flickr
Blue tape was used for the spacing and squaring of the decals on the door:
DSC06675 by RussZS, on Flickr
DSC06677 by RussZS, on Flickr
DSC06679 by RussZS, on Flickr
The TTRS was booked in for a corrective detail to deal with its paint defects, CQuartz Finest to keep it protected, CarPro DLUX on the wheels, CarPro Fabric and Leather on the interior and an engine bay spruce up. We were also asked to replace various pieces of vinyl and badges to help partly deliver the cosmetic overhaul this TTRS is about to go through - Rotiform wheels and Lamborghini Calipers (in yellow!) to follow...
Some before photos:
DSC06449 by RussZS, on Flickr
DSC06451 by RussZS, on Flickr
DSC06453 by RussZS, on Flickr
DSC06456 by RussZS, on Flickr
DSC06457 by RussZS, on Flickr
DSC06461 by RussZS, on Flickr
We started with the wheel area with a high pressure rinse to remove any loose dirt and brake dust:
DSC06463 by RussZS, on Flickr
Due to the delicate nature of these stunning wheels, we opted for Valet Pro's Advanced Neutral Snow Foam, mixed 10:1 with water in a bottle with a foaming spray head - this is a fantastic product for more delicate surfaces:
DSC06464 by RussZS, on Flickr
Wheel Woolies were used to delicately remove dirt from the rear of the wheels and the spokes:
DSC06467 by RussZS, on Flickr
Soft Valet Pro brushes were used on the faces and spokes:
DSC06469 by RussZS, on Flickr
Calipers too:
DSC06470 by RussZS, on Flickr
The tyres were degreased with G101 to ensure the new tyre dressing bonded correctly:
DSC06472 by RussZS, on Flickr
G101 was also used on the arches along with a larger Wheel Woolie to ensure the painted area which meets the arch isn't damaged by an aggressive brush:
DSC06473 by RussZS, on Flickr
Then rinsed:
DSC06476 by RussZS, on Flickr
Next, despite no brake dust pitting being evident, we applied IronX to ensure the wheels were free of contamination - this is pH neutral and safe to use on all wheel types:
DSC06478 by RussZS, on Flickr
Very little was removed:
DSC06479 by RussZS, on Flickr
Much better!
DSC06477 by RussZS, on Flickr
Next we addressed the more intricate areas with the Valet Pro Snow Foam in the spray bottle mixture and a smaller Valet Pro brush:
Engine bay area:
DSC06480 by RussZS, on Flickr
DSC06483 by RussZS, on Flickr
DSC06492 by RussZS, on Flickr
After this, the vehicle was foamed using Valet Pro Advanced Neutral Snow Foam via AutoBrite HD Lance, to begin to break down the dirt and road film present on the cars paintwork and glass:
DSC06499 by RussZS, on Flickr
This solution was also used to cleanse more intricate external areas such as badges:
DSC06502 by RussZS, on Flickr
DSC06503 by RussZS, on Flickr
Next the foam solution was rinsed off and the car was safely hand washed with Auto Finesse Lather and a CarPro Wash Mitt:
DSC06505 by RussZS, on Flickr
DSC06507 by RussZS, on Flickr
After rinsing, IronX was applied to the entire car to safely dissolve any fallout contamination present in the clearcoat:
DSC06528 by RussZS, on Flickr
The owner had recently cleansed the car with IronX, but this step was still worthwhile:
DSC06542 by RussZS, on Flickr
DSC06543 by RussZS, on Flickr
After rinsing again, the tar spots were dealt with using AutoSmart Tardis:
DSC06549 by RussZS, on Flickr
To finish off decontaminating the paintwork, it was clayed:
DSC06551 by RussZS, on Flickr
DSC06560 by RussZS, on Flickr
Not too much contamination left on the paintwork:
DSC06563 by RussZS, on Flickr
After claying the TTRS was safely dried with an Uber Drying Towel:
DSC06566 by RussZS, on Flickr
At this point we began to remove the various vinyl pieces which we were to replace:
DSC06571 by RussZS, on Flickr
Gently heated with a Dewalt Heat Gun, then carefully removed:
DSC06572 by RussZS, on Flickr
This one too:
DSC06573 by RussZS, on Flickr
We also removed the front number plate and holder:
DSC06574 by RussZS, on Flickr
DSC06575 by RussZS, on Flickr
Once all removed, we were ready to begin tackling the defects and swirl marks present in the RS's clearcoat. We started off by carefully taping off delicate areas:
DSC06568 by RussZS, on Flickr
Next the paintworks thickness was assessed to try and identify any areas which may have seen polishing and/or paintwork previously, which allows us to know to treat these areas potentially in a different way and approach. The car was reading a consistent average of around 210 microns:
DSC06642 by RussZS, on Flickr
Being such a bright white, it was very difficult to capture the defects on camera, but below are a selection of shots from the correction process:
50/50:
DSC06590 by RussZS, on Flickr
Before:
DSC06593 by RussZS, on Flickr
After:
DSC06596 by RussZS, on Flickr
Before:
DSC06598 by RussZS, on Flickr
After:
DSC06605 by RussZS, on Flickr
Before:
DSC06620 by RussZS, on Flickr
After:
DSC06625 by RussZS, on Flickr
The lights were corrected too.
Before:
DSC06645 by RussZS, on Flickr
After:
DSC06648 by RussZS, on Flickr
After cutting, we refined with Rupes BigFoot with Rupes Diamond Gloss:
DSC06653 by RussZS, on Flickr
We were also tasked with removing the rear Auto Badge and TTRS badge and replacing them with gloss black/yellow versions. The boot was polished around the badges, then the edges of the badges were used to form a border to align the replacement badge. Whilst the badge was off, the area behind the badge was clayed and machined:
DSC06664 by RussZS, on Flickr
DSC06665 by RussZS, on Flickr
DSC06680 by RussZS, on Flickr
Then the area prep'd for the new badge with Eraser:
DSC06682 by RussZS, on Flickr
then fitted and heated to activate the adhesive:
DSC06683 by RussZS, on Flickr
We also refitted the new yellow Revo logos:
DSC06669 by RussZS, on Flickr
DSC06670 by RussZS, on Flickr
Blue tape was used for the spacing and squaring of the decals on the door:
DSC06675 by RussZS, on Flickr
DSC06677 by RussZS, on Flickr
DSC06679 by RussZS, on Flickr
