top_fuel

iTrader: (1)

Hi fellas,

Thought I'd give the car a full cleaning service today as the weather was ever so pretty

well... after spending over 3 hours on her.. the paint seems to look hella lot worse than before the wash!... its quite a dull color now... eeeek

Washed with Megs Gold Class shampoo
Polished with Megs Step1 Polish
Waxed with Megs Tech Wax

... anyone know why it turned out a bit crap?... and/or how do i fix it?

Grrr

WRX_Dazza

step one is a paint cleaner mate, it will need polish and then wax to get the best results if you go down this road..., just my personal experience.

im doing one on tuesday (same ish colour as yours if it can wait till then) and i'll post the results !!!

if that helps! (dont worry mate, im sure it can be rectified)

dazza

top_fuel

iTrader: (1)

thanxs for that Dazza....

you'd think its ok if i slap on STEP2 over the wax?...

paul_r26

If the step 2 is a polish, it'll take off the wax

You may have got water marks from allowing the water to dry on the paint in the sun, esp if you live in a hard water area.

SRP should sort it, if not a fine clay will be needed!

s70rjw

iTrader: (2)

What was on your car before? Your paint cleaner may have cleaned away your polish containing fillers, hence the car now looks worse.

Rich @ PB

iTrader: (3)

That's exactly what I was thinking, i.e. has the paint cleaner stripped away a previous layer of fillers and gloss enhancers, and thus revealed a poorer underlying finish beneath? What was used on the car last time it was given a detail?

top_fuel

iTrader: (1)

thanxs for your input fellas,

The car was previously professionally detailed in Hong Kong but not sure what was done as I wasn't the owner at the time, but that was about 2 years ago, so thought I give it a good all over.

I have now since used Step2 but it still not much better!...

Any ideas what can be done further to bring back the Mother of ALL Shine!!!...

Very disappointed, after 3 hours of work I was expecting something glorious!... but got the opposite!... suxs!... * goes off to sob*

Rich @ PB

iTrader: (3)

I think there could be several factors at play, including the suggestion above that the paint cleaner has stripped away a previopusly good coating of fillers and gloss enhancers, but also, I should ask at this stage, what did you apply and remove the cleaner and wax with? Is it possible you could have marred the finish badly by using poor condition pads/towels? It would help if you are able to post up some decent quality images of the paint finish, to give us an idea of just how bad the dullness is. Generally speaking, what you did should have produced a reasonable finish, so I am a little lost. However, I can say with confidence that to achieve the mother of all finishes, you will need better products and more time input!

top_fuel

iTrader: (1)

Thanxs for the reply PB....

I used a "Used" Meg. pad to apply the STEP1 and a "New" Meg. pad to apply the Megs Tech Wax. Buffed with brand new MF towel.

The paint may not look dull to people who haven't seen the car when it was Sparkling, but its hella difference to people who has seen it previously. Also its not dull as in matt dull, but its a lot worse after I given it my special treatment *.*

will get pics up tomorrow as about to head off to work....

top_fuel

iTrader: (1)

Okies... couldn't get any pics yesterday as it was raining per usuall in not so sunny south wales .... today was a different day... so heres some pics...

its kinda difficult to see from the pics alone... must be seen in real i guess... whats your take on the pictures?...

+Doc+

Looks like it's lost some depth, Personally I would strip off the protection and start again, remember preparation is the key, the product is secondary.

Rich @ PB

iTrader: (3)

Hmm, it does indeed look very dull and lifeless, with very little clarity in the reflections. Such dullness can arise from either widespread bonded surface contamination or heavy surface marring; in this case, given that the finish worsened as a result of the treatment, and that the method of application and choice of pads seems okay, then I'm a bit lost as to why this problem has arisen! However, to fix it, I would suggest repeating the process, this time focusing on these key steps...

1. Wash
2. Decontaminate
3. Polish
4. Protect

By doing this, you cover all bases in terms of fixing the problem, and should end up with a cracking result. Our stock advice for the best possible way to proceed would be as follows, but please pick and choose at will, as you may already have many of the required products or suitable alternatives...

Wash (ideally every week, including wheels)

Advanced Car Wash Kit - Advanced Car Wash Kit - Polished Bliss Car Care and Detailing Kits (choosing the Werkstat shampoo)

Decontaminate (once or twice a year, spring and autumn are the best times)

Step 1 - Autosmart Tardis & Accessories (to remove tar spots, tree sap, etc) - Autosmart Tardis - Autosmart Car Care and Detailing Products

Step 2 - Meguiars Quik Clay Kit (to remove industrial fallout, soot, etc) - Meguiars Quik Clay Kit - Meguiars Car Care and Detailing Products

Polish (after claying, thus done once or twice a year)

To correct swirl marks and other light to moderate defects (fine scratches and oxidation) on your car, we recommend using Menzerna Intensive Polish in conjunction with Lake Country German CCS Light Cut Pads. Working small areas at a time using moderate pressure should enable you to correct around 95% of the defects present in just 1-2 attempts per panel. You should be aware from the outset that although this method will yield very good results, it will require a reasonable amount of elbow grease! Of course, if your paint is in excellent condition with no visible sub-surface defects, you can skip this step and go straight to the addition of the protection (see below)...

Menzerna Intensive Polish - Menzerna Intensive Polish - Menzerna Car Care and Detailing Products
Lake Country German CCS Light Cut Pads - Lake Country German CCS Pads - Lake Country Car Care and Detailing Products
Poorboys Super Thick & Plush Towels - Poorboys Super Thick & Plush Towel - Poorboys Car Care and Detailing Products

Protect (add fresh protection every 6-8 weeks for best results)

Werkstat Acrylic Kit - Werkstat Acrylic Kit - Werkstat Car Care and Detailing Products

This excellent value for money kit includes everything you need to achieve the Werkstat acrylic finish on your car, and works best on lighter colours and metallic/pearlescent finishes. Werkstat Prime Acrylic is a light finishing polish that lays down a tough initial coat of acrylic protection whilst deep cleansing the paint; you should use it once every six months after claying/polishing. Werkstat Acrylic Jett Trigger is a pure spray sealant that should be used to add more gloss and protection every 6-8 weeks; the more layers you build up, the better the finish will get, in terms of both wetness and durability. Werkstat Acrylic Glos is a quick detailing spray and can be used to help boost gloss, lubricate when drying off after washing and loosen the residues of Werkstat Prime Acrylic and Werkstat Acrylic Jett Trigger should you find them hard to remove. Here are full instructions for each major six-monthly detail with the products...

After washing and claying (and corrective polishing if required), start out by applying a basecoat of Werkstat Prime Acrylic using the white Meguiars Microfibre Applicator Pad. Once fully dry, buff off this residue carefully with the Poorboys Super Thick & Plush Towel, using a spritz of Werkstat Acrylic Glos to help loosen the residue if needs be. To complete the process, apply a coat of Werkstat Acrylic Jett Trigger by spraying directly onto each panel and buffing off immediately with the Poorboys Deluxe Mega Towels, again using a spritz of Werkstat Acrylic Glos to help loosen the residue if needs be. To maintain the finish, simply quick detail with Werkstat Acrylic Glos after each wash, and add a fresh coat of Werkstat Acrylic Jett Trigger every 6-8 weeks until the time comes to start over by claying again.

Examples pictures of the finish the Werkstat system gives can be viewed on these links...

Car Care Advice - Frequently asked questions about car care products and techniques

Car Care Advice - Frequently asked questions about car care products and techniques

top_fuel

iTrader: (1)

Thats quite a reply.... will deffo be making some purchases as the Menzerna is now back in stock

.... you suggest using the Autosmart Tardis all over the car?...

Thanks

Rich @ PB

iTrader: (3)

Aye, it's safe for all exterior surfaces if used correctly, and will ensure all previous products and any organic contaminants are fully removed ahead of claying and polishing.

GeeDee

iTrader: (2)

Are you all saying that the Megs Gold Class shampoo is paint cleaner rather than a straight shampoo and is it different to Megs Gold Class Car Wash shampoo and conditioner?

If this is the case, any recommendations for a gentle but effective shampoo as my bottle of Werkstat Auto Body Wash has run out and I notice PB are out of stock.

urban

iTrader: (1)

No,

I think they're saying that the meguiars step 1 (of the 3 step system) is a paint cleaner.

The jest here is that the OP washed the car with the shampoo.
Then polished (or so he thought) using the step 1 product
Then waxed it

GeeDee

iTrader: (2)

Thanks, I misread step one to mean the first stage ie shampoo rather than "Step1 Polish".

Rich @ PB

iTrader: (3)

The Werkstat shampoo will be back in stock in about 7 days time, but if you need a good alternative in the meantime, Poorboys Super Slick & Suds is a good choice.