So, I detailed my Rabbit back in October (my first correction) but the day that I was planning to winterize my paint snow fell. My car being a daily driver that sits outside all winter took a toll. Anyone that lives in a snow climate knows how snow can come in a very icy form so as hard as I tried to remove snow when it gets covered it ends up sliding across the paint and marring. I got ansy a few weeks ago and started one side, just to see how 85rd on a blue pad would look. Here are the results from that time: Before After 50/50 Well, on to this weekend when I set up to do the entire car and properly protect it (and use some new tools and product). As it looked before wash: Not pictured are wheels and tires: Autoglym Custom Wheel Cleaner various brushes were used including a stiff bristled brush for gunky tires, a Griot's Garage 4 finger mitt, and these new "wheel woolies" from Griot's Garage for the barrels (I wanted something that can get into tight clearance areas so these might just work perfectly). 1Z Blitz 1:4 in a Kwazar spray bottle to loosen up the deeper stuff after a quick water rinse. I gave in and order a Rapid Reel wheeled hose cart to make the washing step easier to clean up after. It costs a pretty penny ($215 shipped) but I think it's worth it (10yr warranty, rust-free, well built). Sorry for the bad photos at this point. Funny that I just bought a $1000 dollar lens for my DSLR, but I don't want to risk it tipping over in the garage. Hood - a good look at the haze: Fender before: Fender after: 50/50: Hit the headlight with the same combo I was using the entire car - 85rd with a blue bad via PC 7424XP. Note the water spotting on the top (the hood covers this area): After: After - newness (to coin Bob from Auto Concierge): At this point I had the tail, and both bumpers left: Sun shots - pre-LSP: Locked in the freshness with Menzerna Power Lock machine applied via 5.5" black uber pad. Let it cure for over 12 hours. Topped it today with Autoglym HD Wax: Some areas of the car also needed some attention - including the dried out VW hatch badge (the black negative space). I applied Black Wow with a MF towel got in tighter with some Q-tips. Not pictured, Applied some 1Z Cockpit Premium to the matte finished B-pillar, the lower rear bumper. Applied Black Wow to the dried out antenna. All in all I probably spent 6-7 hours. I wasn't going for 100%, nor do I think I could achieve it without leveling the clear with some heavy compounding tools I don't have (and more importantly no Paint thickness gauge). Product list: Washing: 2 buckets Griot's Garage wool mitt Uber Wash Sponge Chemical Guys Citrus Wash and Gloss 1Z Blitz APC Adam's Mild Clay Bar Grey Griot's Garage Micro Fiber Wheel Wands Autoglym Custom Wheel Cleaner Waffle Weave towels from Griot's Garage and Sonus Polishing: PC 7424XP 5.5" Uber Blue pads 4" Uber Blue pad 3" Uber Backing plate Menzerna 85rd Griot's Garage 3" Orange Foam Polish Pad & Holder Menzerna Top Inspection Protection/LSP: Menzerna Power Lock Autoglym HD Wax Chemical Guys FLUFFER Microfibers (product removal) Black Wow 1Z Cockpit Premium Gloss-It Signature Tire Gloss
Looks pretty good for only using 85rd.:thumb: Would love to see some pics next detail from your DSLR and new lens
The ride Looks great . I got one of those RapidReels through Phil over the winter. I love that thing as it is so well made. Enjoy it.
Rwise - you were the one that convinced me to pull the trigger. The reel was on my list for the last 5 months.
Per request here are some photos straight from my XSi (and EF-S 17-55): Yes I know there are RIDs, but I didn't want to go deep and correct them.
