Well today was supposed to see me getting my hands on an Oyster Grey RenaultSport Megane 250, but there was a change of plan as a new car was being put in its slot by my customer. All I was told was that it was German and 1 of only 450 in Europe... surely not... a 1M!!! It was love at first sight :argie: (don't tell Milly!!) Some befores: DSC03812 by RussZS, on Flickr DSC03813 by RussZS, on Flickr DSC03814 by RussZS, on Flickr As always, wheel first with Auto Finesse Imperial (Lather to be used later on) DSC03806 by RussZS, on Flickr DSC03815 by RussZS, on Flickr DSC03816 by RussZS, on Flickr DSC03817 by RussZS, on Flickr Imperial liberally applied: DSC03818 by RussZS, on Flickr Worked with Valet Pro wheel brushes: DSC03819 by RussZS, on Flickr DSC03820 by RussZS, on Flickr The supplying dealer had used some nasty sticky crap (technical term) on the tyres and got lots on the wheel too, so I broke out the neat Surfex to remove this: DSC03821 by RussZS, on Flickr DSC03822 by RussZS, on Flickr The rear of wheels and calipers with Imperial: DSC03823 by RussZS, on Flickr DSC03825 by RussZS, on Flickr Arches with G101 and Wheel Wooly: DSC03826 by RussZS, on Flickr Finally IronX was used to safely remove any brake dust deposits: DSC03827 by RussZS, on Flickr DSC03831 by RussZS, on Flickr and rinsed: DSC03833 by RussZS, on Flickr Spotless arches: DSC03834 by RussZS, on Flickr Next the car was foamed with Surfex to remove the nasty PDI stuff the dealer had used: DSC03835 by RussZS, on Flickr The intricate areas were then worked with Surfex and more VP brushes: DSC03836 by RussZS, on Flickr DSC03837 by RussZS, on Flickr DSC03838 by RussZS, on Flickr DSC03839 by RussZS, on Flickr DSC03840 by RussZS, on Flickr Next the car was rinsed and hand washed with Lather and CQuartz Mitt: DSC03841 by RussZS, on Flickr DSC03842 by RussZS, on Flickr Then IronX and Oblitarate: DSC03843 by RussZS, on Flickr DSC03844 by RussZS, on Flickr Then a further foaming to remove all traces of IronX and Oblitarate: DSC03845 by RussZS, on Flickr DSC03846 by RussZS, on Flickr Next the car was moved inside for claying - I do this inside to avoid debris falling on the car, whilst claying: DSC03847 by RussZS, on Flickr DSC03848 by RussZS, on Flickr DSC03849 by RussZS, on Flickr Drying next with Auto Finesse Drying Towels - I have a few!! DSC03850 by RussZS, on Flickr DSC03851 by RussZS, on Flickr Followed up with my 'blower: DSC03853 by RussZS, on Flickr Next I assessed the paint under lighting: DSC03857 by RussZS, on Flickr Not good!!! After playing with a few combinations, I settled for Scholl S17 and 3M Polishing Pads via Rotary. It was leaving some of the deeper marks behind, but leaving a stunning finish otherwise. I've really spent a lot of time getting to learn to use the Scholl range, and I'm a huge fan now, on all but the softest paints. Some correction shots (a few more than I normally post, but hopefully not too many!!) DSC03860 by RussZS, on Flickr DSC03862 by RussZS, on Flickr DSC03865 by RussZS, on Flickr DSC03867 by RussZS, on Flickr DSC03870 by RussZS, on Flickr DSC03871 by RussZS, on Flickr DSC03883 by RussZS, on Flickr DSC03897 by RussZS, on Flickr DSC03911 by RussZS, on Flickr DSC03912 by RussZS, on Flickr Great flake in the paint DSC03916 by RussZS, on Flickr Scratch on lip of rear bumper before: DSC03918 by RussZS, on Flickr After: (Just about visible under the Halide) DSC03923 by RussZS, on Flickr It was getting late, so I called in reinforcements! DSC03924 by RussZS, on Flickr Protection on this one, at the customers request, was Swissvax's awesome Crystal Rock wax: DSC03927 by RussZS, on Flickr The exhausts needed some love still, so out came the Mercury and a MF towel (no wire wool used here!) DSC03928 by RussZS, on Flickr DSC03929 by RussZS, on Flickr DSC03930 by RussZS, on Flickr DSC03931 by RussZS, on Flickr Finally, the wax was removed after 30 mins or so: DSC03932 by RussZS, on Flickr (That's wax, not swirling btw!! ) and finally, after 11 loooong hours, some afters!! DSC03934 by RussZS, on Flickr Great flake pop for a wax!! DSC03935 by RussZS, on Flickr DSC03937 by RussZS, on Flickr DSC03943 by RussZS, on Flickr DSC03944 by RussZS, on Flickr DSC03946 by RussZS, on Flickr DSC03948 by RussZS, on Flickr DSC03949 by RussZS, on Flickr DSC03951 by RussZS, on Flickr DSC03956 by RussZS, on Flickr DSC03962 by RussZS, on Flickr DSC03964 by RussZS, on Flickr DSC03965 by RussZS, on Flickr DSC03966 by RussZS, on Flickr DSC03957 by RussZS, on Flickr What a car (I want one!!) and what a day!! Next up from MCC, we're down at Zaino HQ tomorrow for a 'chilled out Tuesday' with Mr Zaino Europe himself... the Golf may get treated to something special!! Then a Rocco on Friday, Amarok on Saturday and a Clio V6 on Sunday... busy times indeed! Thanks for reading! DSC03959 by RussZS, on Flickr Russ - Midlands Car Care
Lovely work. The car looks brilliant. You comment that you like the Scholl Concepts range "on all but the softest paints." If you don't mind my asking what polish and pad combinations are working for you on soft/sticky paints?
Thank you. It depends on the car really, but on stickier paints I tend to use a DA with something like Megs D300. On softer paints I tend to reach for Megs 205, Menz 106FA, 3M UltraFina and sometimes Britemax Blackmax. Some of the Scholl finishing polishes were disappointing for me, but the new S20 Blue looks promising, but I haven't personally tried it yet. Thanks Martin
Looks great Russ! How do you think Oblitarate compares to other tar removers? Probably going to grab some from Martin when I get back in town
It's without a doubt the fastest reacting one I've used - very impressive indeed. It's costly compared to some of the bulk options here in the UK, but it doesn't have the awful smell and is far nicer to work with so I use it a lot and thanks Thank you!
I thought the US was slim pickins' at 740 1Ms, UK is even more rare! Beautiful work on a wonderful car! Again I am unequivocally biased..
