This morning saw me spend 4 hours or so decontaminating, then protecting the paintwork on this rather nice VW Scirocco 1.4 TSI.
The aim of the day was to clean the paintwork as best as possible in the time given and lay some protection down for Winter, to ensure the paintwork, glass and wheels are protected through the Winter period.
Some befores:
P1060523 by RussZS, on Flickr
P1060524 by RussZS, on Flickr
P1060525 by RussZS, on Flickr
P1060526 by RussZS, on Flickr
As always, wheels, tyres and arches first with G101, EZ Detail Brush and Envy Wheel Brushes.
First off though, I rinsed the wheels and arches with the rather lovely Kranzle K7, I muuuust get me one of these beasts!
P1060527 by RussZS, on Flickr
P1060531 by RussZS, on Flickr
P1060532 by RussZS, on Flickr
P1060534 by RussZS, on Flickr
P1060538 by RussZS, on Flickr
Next, the car was foamed with Auto Finesse Lather via Foam Lance:
P1040006 by RussZS, on Flickr
P1040009 by RussZS, on Flickr
G101 on the rubber... wow!
P1040012 by RussZS, on Flickr
G101 on door shuts:
P1040015 by RussZS, on Flickr
P1040024 by RussZS, on Flickr
P1040025 by RussZS, on Flickr
The car was then hand washed with Lather and Lambswool Wash Mitt, then rinsed.
Next up, we attacked the Tar with Tardis:
P1040034 by RussZS, on Flickr
P1040035 by RussZS, on Flickr
P1040033 by RussZS, on Flickr
The car was then rinsed.
It was evident at this point, that the paintwork was LITTERED with small iron particles, orange in colour.
I had Autobrite's Purple Rain in my collection, so I began using this and working my way around the car.
It's quite slow to begin working, but when it does, the results look good:
P1040052 by RussZS, on Flickr
We decided to do a 50/50 between Iron X (right side) and Purple Rain (left side)
Quite a difference here:
P1040046 by RussZS, on Flickr
Iron X side:
P1040047 by RussZS, on Flickr
Purple Rain side:
P1040048 by RussZS, on Flickr
This pic was taken after a 7 minute dwell time.
I personally much prefer the watery consistency of IronX, as you seem to use much less product, and I like the way it runs down the paint. Also, it reacts far more quickly than Purple Rain.
As a further test, we re-treated the boot to Iron-X, after leaving Purple Rain to react for 15 minutes or so.
Particles visible after Purple Rain, and tbf those lumps would have needed a couple of applications of any product!
P1040053 by RussZS, on Flickr
Iron X after PR:
P1040057 by RussZS, on Flickr
P1040058 by RussZS, on Flickr
P1040059 by RussZS, on Flickr
P1040060 by RussZS, on Flickr
That's quite some reaction! Much more of the iron was released from this second application, although the car probably needed another 'hit', but we decided to remove what was left with clay.
For me, after seeing this comparison, I would probably favour Iron-X from now on, despite the apparent higher purhcase price, I like the way it reacts quite quickly, and it seems more concentrated and allows better coverage due to its non clingy consistency. We used maybe 5-10ml on the doors and boot, but I used a good 250ml of Purple Rain on the rest of car!
The car was moved inside for claying, with Glide and AF Clay:
P1040067 by RussZS, on Flickr
It didn't pick much up and no pics of the clay used I'm afraid (I was in a rush!)
Next up, Auto Finesse Tripple on a MF Pad:
P1040068 by RussZS, on Flickr
Opti Seal was used on the wheels:
P1040069 by RussZS, on Flickr
Pinnacle Black Onyx on the tyres:
P1040071 by RussZS, on Flickr
Then two coats of Tough Coat via applicator:
P1040072 by RussZS, on Flickr
Revive on plastics:
P1040073 by RussZS, on Flickr
and the afters....
P1040074 by RussZS, on Flickr
P1040075 by RussZS, on Flickr
P1040082 by RussZS, on Flickr
P1040083 by RussZS, on Flickr
P1040084 by RussZS, on Flickr
P1040085 by RussZS, on Flickr
Optimum Metal Polish on the exhaust:
P1040086 by RussZS, on Flickr
P1040091 by RussZS, on Flickr
P1040095 by RussZS, on Flickr
P1040096 by RussZS, on Flickr
P1040098 by RussZS, on Flickr
P1040100 by RussZS, on Flickr
Total time - an assisted 4 hours!
We also added Nanolex Premium to the windscreen and gave the interior a quick vacuum with Henry, glass with AF Crystal and plastics with APC
Thanks for reading!
Russ.
looks stunning russ!
