[lastmanstanding]

Originally Posted by blackasta

1. Try using a waffle weave towel for drying. Works faster then regular MF.

2. Please use caution while using clay. Knead it often to keep the clearest face out. Use ample quantity of clay lube. Take care not to drop the clay.

3. If the swirls and scratches are mild, try starting from the mildest method. Try any swirl remover for the swirls and scratchx for the scratches. Make sure you use the correct hand application pad. CCS euro foam pads /wolfgang tri foam pad are good as I have heard.

4. Use a low cut polish before sealing.

5. C845 is good for topping up. Use sparingly.

Thank you so much, can you suggest me a good low cut polish which I am suppose to use before the sealing.

[blackasta]

Originally Posted by lastmanstanding

Thank you so much, can you suggest me a good low cut polish which I am suppose to use before the sealing.

Duragloss 101 (this is a paint cleaner with sealant), Meg's Ultimate Polish, sonus paintwork cleanser (this one has fillers) are some which comes to my mind.

[blackasta]

Tried the nanoskin autoscrub medium grade 6" pad with DA on the roof today.



Broke the new pad by using it on glass for couple of minutes with plenty of QD.
Couple of learnings which should be valuable tips for others using autoscrub pads on a DA:

1. Use plenty of clay lube - in this case I used UWW diluted to QD proportions.
2. Maintain even pressure on the DA as the rubber pads have a tendency to jump around.

I used speed 3 to make the first pass and speed 2 for the second pass.

Wiped the QD using a MF cloth.

The bare skin as well as plastic bag test (aka 'baggie test') showed the roof is smooth as glass, but there was a shock to come.



Initially I had planned to compound the entire roof using the most aggressive stuff I have, UC + LC CCS yellow pad, as I knew it was in a pretty bad shape.

But couple of years of thorough neglect when I was out of country had resulted in the roof looking like this:

















Full of type 1 & type 2 bird drop etching, tree sap hardened like stone, chips exposing the basecoat (on a roof - how??), and random scratches with truckloads of swirls. Also marring was present in a couple of places, guess the geniuses from the A.S.S who tried 'polishing' my car this time or earlier have a hand in that!

I seriously think that the roof is beyond correction by detailing, and only option is a repaint or wrapping.

That's why I did not progress any further today, and ask for opinions from you guys - what do you suggest? I am strongly leaning towards black CF vinyl wrapping.

OT: Snapped a pic of the el cheapo rack I bought a few days back to organize my detailing supplies. The pads / brushes are stored separately in packing boxes. Guess I need a good, bigger and firm rack soon to store all items together.

[mani_jeenu]

I have a friend flying in from the US in Jan. Was thinking of ordering Ultima Waterless Wash Plus Concentrate which will cost me around $20 which seems like an all rounder product
Then also read about this Ultima Waterless Wash Plus Concentrate.
I am a newbie in exterior car cleaning and detailing. Went through the forum and some other sites and most recommended Ultima. Are both these doing the same job ? Or do i need to look into separate products for wax, polish, etc ?

[el lobo 6061]

Great work you are doing blackasta and inspiring a lot among us!

Originally Posted by blackasta

I seriously think that the roof is beyond correction by detailing, and only option is a repaint or wrapping.

That's why I did not progress any further today, and ask for opinions from you guys - what do you suggest? I am strongly leaning towards black CF vinyl wrapping.

I would suggest you to give a thorough round of compounding and give in your best effort to restore the finish. The reason why I suggest is
1. You would at least know by how much you were able to correct the surface
2. Later even if you go in for a wrap, the i10 roof would be in best possible condition after compounding which would help in adhering the wrap.

[blackasta]

Originally Posted by mani_jeenu

I have a friend flying in from the US in Jan. Was thinking of ordering Ultima Waterless Wash Plus Concentrate which will cost me around $20 which seems like an all rounder product
Then also read about this Ultima Waterless Wash Plus Concentrate.
I am a newbie in exterior car cleaning and detailing. Went through the forum and some other sites and most recommended Ultima. Are both these doing the same job ? Or do i need to look into separate products for wax, polish, etc ?

UWW plus concentrate is available in India, albeit at slightly higher prices to cover for import shipping/duties etc.
If possible, get your friend to carry in something which you want but is not available in India.

[mani_jeenu]

Originally Posted by blackasta

UWW plus concentrate is available in India, albeit at slightly higher prices to cover for import shipping/duties etc.
If possible, get your friend to carry in something which you want but is not available in India.

Please advise some good products which are reasonably priced

[blackasta]

Good news folks - detailedclean.co.in has gone live - they are in their beta release now, so checkout is actually enabled!
Plan to place a sample order to check out the actual working.

N.B: Just an enthusiast's post for greater good - I am in no way related to detailedclean

P.S - Noticed that a lot of products are still out of stock.

[thoma]

Originally Posted by blackasta

Good news folks - detailedclean.co.in has gone live - they are in their beta release now, so checkout is actually enabled!

Since I had registered with them earlier, received a mail yesterday regarding BETA release. At present, they are offering a discount of 15%, use code DCI-2013 (not applicable for polishing machines).

They have stock of Poorboy's World, Auto Finesse, CarPro, nanolex, DodoJuice, Sonus, Ultima, GTechniq, Wolfgang, Bilt Hamber etc. Due to holidays, current orders will be shipped by 6th January 2014 at the latest. They are planning to ship international soon they say.

[blackasta]

Originally Posted by mani_jeenu

Please advise some good products which are reasonably priced

Well now a lot of items are available in India.
One thing that comes to my mind is maybe you can get the Klasse kit.
http://www.autogeek.net/klassekit.html

Originally Posted by thoma

Since I had registered with them earlier, received a mail yesterday regarding BETA release. At present, they are offering a discount of 15%, use code DCI-2013 (not applicable for polishing machines).

They have stock of Poorboy's World, Auto Finesse, CarPro, nanolex, DodoJuice, Sonus, Ultima, GTechniq, Wolfgang, Bilt Hamber etc. Due to holidays, current orders will be shipped by 6th January 2014 at the latest. They are planning to ship international soon they say.

Yup received a mail.
Planning to place an order soon.

[blackasta]

Today I tried compounding the roof as suggested.
Made 2 rounds of 5-6 section passes with UC + LC CCS Yellow pad, first with speed 4 and then with speed 6.
The Defects, especially the type 2 etchings are reduced somewhat, and some of the shallow swirls are gone.
Overall some improvement is there.
Had to pack up quickly today, so did not polish and just sealed with a coat of C845.

Some Before-after pics





Ran out of Meg's car wash last week, so decided to put the flip-top cap from the same on the C845 bottle. Fits like a glove.



After a coat of C845. Plenty of deep defects visible.



Eye level, almost zero visible defects.



So guess I shall leave the roof like this until I can decide about whether or not I shall go for a wrap.

Next weekend - FR/RR bumpers and head/tail lights!

[SunnyBoi]

Today was a good day. Results after just one step

[nishkarsh]

Hi !
I am having problems with Zaino ZCS. I applied it after a couple of coats of Z-5 and left it to dry as directed. But even after a couple of hours I can see some dark colored patches. Should I wipe them off with Z-6 spray? The car looked pretty good after 2 coats but now there are dark patches all over it.
Can someone tell me the correct method of application?

[S_U_N]

Originally Posted by blackasta

Good news folks - detailedclean.co.in has gone live - they are in their beta release now, so checkout is actually enabled!
Plan to place a sample order to check out the actual working.

N.B: Just an enthusiast's post for greater good - I am in no way related to detailedclean

P.S - Noticed that a lot of products are still out of stock.

Good to know about this. I was looking to buy something now, after 2 years.
The clay bars are expensive though.

I had purchased stuff from Sanjay in November 2011, and now, I am on the verge of needing to buy again pretty soon.

[blackasta]

Originally Posted by S_U_N

Good to know about this. I was looking to buy something now, after 2 years.
The clay bars are expensive though.

I had purchased stuff from Sanjay in November 2011, and now, I am on the verge of needing to buy again pretty soon.

I have only heard good things about bilt-hamber clay - though have never used it personally.

Placed an order a few days back, with shipping promised by 6th Jan. Let's see how the first buying experience is.