An example of a full detail - C2 Part I
 

My wife's car is only 12 months old, but I'm sad to say it doesn't get as much loving as mine, due to time constraints and the fact that mine comes first! I looked at it a few weeks ago and nearly died - it was terrible, lots of hard baked bug guts, minor swirls and more serious srcatches thanks to the fools at Tesco's. Last weekend I decided to sort it...

Step 1 - thorough wash using the two bucket method and Poorboys Slick n Suds shampoo, lambswool mitt for paint, microfibre mitt for wheels, also wheel brush. Dried off using heavyweight waffle weave microfibre towel. Note how dirty the rinse bucket is in the pics below (the benefit of using clear buckets) - that was only after doing half the car. Anyone not using the two bucket method should look in the bottom of my bucket for the reason why they should.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...tail/wash1.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...tail/wash2.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...tail/wash3.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...tail/wash4.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...tail/wash5.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...tail/wash6.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...tail/wash7.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...tail/wash8.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...tail/wash9.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ail/wash10.jpg

Step 2 - thorough clean using Meguiars clay bar and Clearkote Quikshine, wiped dry with detailing microfibre towel. Note how bad the paint looks in the first two pics after washing - bonded bug guts. The clay got rid of a lot of this mess, in addition to lots of tar spots, which show up nicely in the close up.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ail/clean1.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ail/clean2.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ail/clean3.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ail/clean4.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ail/clean5.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ail/clean6.jpg

Step 3 - thorough polishing, using Poorboys SSR1 applied via Porter Cable machine polisher using white polishing pad (misted with Quikshine first). I did most of the car at 4-5 on the speed dial, bumping it up to 5-6 for stubborn swirls and deeper scratches. All trims and rubbers were taped off first (to avoid creating white stains and buffer marks), and all residues were removed using microfibre work towels. The last two pics shows the effect of cleaning and polishing - no more bugs or defects (apart from Citreon's lovely orange peel).

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...il/polish1.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...il/polish2.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...il/polish3.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...il/polish4.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...il/polish5.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...il/polish6.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...il/polish7.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...il/polish8.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...il/polish9.jpg

Step 4 - I started to add protection with a basecoat of Klasse All in One (AIO) applied by hand, followed by a top coat of Menzerna Full Molecular Jacket (FMJ), also by hand. It was getting dark by this point, so all this was done in the garage - no process pics I'm afraid, after all, who'd want to see me sweating under strip lights? Many thanks to RobDon for sending me the FMJ sample. I finished up at 9pm by dressing the tyres with Poorboys Bold n Bright, applied using foam applicator. Please forgive me, I didn't have time to dress the arches or the trims, I'll be doing that at some point in the near future after a another wash. I will also be adding a further top coat of FMJ every month through the winter, and a coat of Menzerna High Gloss Acrylic Shield (HGAS) after each wash. I have to say the FMJ is great to use - easy on,easy off, really slick and a deep, wet shine. Plus it offers just about the best winter protection you can get. Recommended.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...l/protect1.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...l/protect2.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...l/protect3.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...l/protect4.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...l/protect5.jpg

I noticed you used the Meguiars clay bar but not the Quik Detailer spray (that it comes with) as a lubricant. Can I ask why?

I find the Quikshine offers better lubricity (and thus more protection) when the weather is cold. I don't often use the Megs clay bar, as it is a bit soft for harder paints, but it's great on the C2 (soft paint), and also easy to soften up in warm water when the weather is cold.

Thought I'd do a before and after for you :D
BEFORE:
https://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f...tail/wash1.jpg
AFTER:
https://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f...l/protect5.jpg

Big thanks for the guides and info on this section of scoobynet, I've already ordered and recieved off you the brush you use in the write up here (although I didn't realise the handle comes off :)) and the interior brush which is very handy. I'm going to order a couple of towels in the near future :D

chris.

Many thanks! :)