Paintwork TLC.

[Big Ted]

I managed to dodge some clouds the other weekend and set to work on sprucing up the paint work on my Cali.
It’s not that is was in awful condition, but I knew I could get it to a better standard.

My process.

• Rinse with water.
• Snow foam and let it dwell.
• Rinse
• Snow foam again but this time wash the foam off using a wash mitt.
• Rinse
• Iron-x (contaminate remover)
• Rinse
• Clay mitt
• Machine Polish

Ive not bothered dressing any of the trim, nor sorting the wheels out yet, this wash was really just for the paint.
The weather wasn’t great, so I only managed to do the machine polish the bonnet and the near side, I'll tackle the rest another day.

I think it's turn out quite well.
I'm pleased to have removed some of the scratches and most of the swirl marks are gone.
I'll go over it again before I ceramic coat it later.

Piccies below..

 

[Big Ted]

Forgot to add the during piccie.

 

[Pips Dad]

You’ve done a great job Big Ted. I’m also a big believer in trying to keep the bodywork in pristine condition. I don’t have polishing machine but as my Cali is only 12 months old, I don’t really need such a beast at the moment. The finish on your vehicle looks incredible.

 

[westfalia]

Nice work man

I often do mine in stages but haven't used a machine polisher yet,
although i must admit that i thought it was just a grinder with a special
head, until my mate enlightened me

 

[Volkywagen]

Great thread big ted.
I spent 7 hours on mine yesterday. All done by hand. Any vehicle needs a clay bar and a polish regardless of how new the paint is.
The results are amazing.
Finished off with a winter coat of swissvax protection

 

[Jay20cali]

Nice work man

I often do mine in stages but haven't used a machine polisher yet,
although i must admit that i thought it was just a grinder with a special
head, until my mate enlightened me

It is just a grinder with a special head and a speed dial so that’s an easy mistake to make

 

[Jay20cali]

Great thread big ted.
I spent 7 hours on mine yesterday. All done by hand. Any vehicle needs a clay bar and a polish regardless of how new the paint is.
The results are amazing.
Finished off with a winter coat of swissvax protection

View attachment 50272View attachment 50273View attachment 50274View attachment 50275View attachment 50276View attachment 50277

Looks quality I have been painting for many years also flat buff polished too many panels to think of.
But
What’s all this snow foam stuff that seems to be the new thing ??
What exactly does it do .???
I understand wax eg carnuba wax ect ect but not up to speed on this snow foam stuff that everyone seems to be using

 

[Fred holland]

It’s basical a pre-wash. It removes all the little bits of grit and bird poo that the hose leaves behind. Less chance or light scratches (swirl marks) when you wash the car. Some contain waxes but would always use a wash and wax after. If you look for a machine polisher go for a dual action. Little to no ghosting when using it. Biggest tip is not to buy cheep. I have a rupes Bigfoot and an ibrid nano long neck. Fantastic finish.

 

[sapto]

Rupes here too Your vans look amazing! Congratulation!
Clay is also just a great tool, love it for all kind of removing.

 

[PAPPA J]

Vans look amazing gents,I personally won’t allow anyone to wash my van including the courtesy wash from VW which they all think strange!, I use the two bucket method and only hand wash but I’m really interested in the polishers but have never used one, is the rupes big foot suitable for beginners?
My hands are not quite what they use to be and it could be a good investment

 

[Pips Dad]

Vans look amazing gents,I personally won’t allow anyone to wash my van including the courtesy wash from VW which they all think strange!, I use the two bucket method and only hand wash but I’m really interested in the polishers but have never used one, is the rupes big foot suitable for beginners?
My hands are not quite what they use to be and it could be a good investmentView attachment 50299

I always tell the dealers not to wash my vehicle also as I have had damage done to a previous vehicle by excessive use of traffic film remover which stained the alloy side steps.

 

[sapto]

Vans look amazing gents,I personally won’t allow anyone to wash my van including the courtesy wash from VW which they all think strange!, I use the two bucket method and only hand wash but I’m really interested in the polishers but have never used one, is the rupes big foot suitable for beginners?
My hands are not quite what they use to be and it could be a good investment

No expert here at all re Rupes, however I was told and that is also my impression that they are quite simple to handle and use. As long as you go for a "random orbital" one (https://www.rupes.com/bigfoot-system/bigfoot-system-tools/bigfoot-system-random-orbital-tools/). Feel free to correct my impression re "rotary, gear driven and random orbital".

I found some useful YT vlogs. My five points I try to remember (correct me please dear experts):
1. Better wash it properly than polish it (or wash it again and use clay)
2. Let the machine do the work (do not force or push it around)
3. Only use a little polish cream on the right polish pad (buy two of each and wash them)
4. Polish with a system (from left to right, top to bottom) and protect the rubber car parts
5. Sometimes a good hand polish looks better than a quick machine one

Hope that helps and any feedback is useful and keeps me learning

 

[Nick.C]

All your vans look superb. I didn’t think it was possible to make them shine like that and I am inspired to have a go. If I can get anywhere near to your finishes I will be well happy.

 

[Fred holland]

Snow foam then fallout remover then clay bar then wash then polish one panel at a time. Don’t do the whole car and try and remove the concrete polish. After a good buff try autoglym hd wax. If younhave a dark paint this is a must. Easy to apply and easy to remove.

 

[Nick.C]

Snow foam then fallout remover then clay bar then wash then polish one panel at a time. Don’t do the whole car and try and remove the concrete polish. After a good buff try autoglym hd wax. If younhave a dark paint this is a must. Easy to apply and easy to remove.

Can you snow foam and fallout remover the whole vehicle and then clay bar process onwards one panel at a time or is it the whole process that should be done one panel at a time?

 

[Fred holland]

Can you snow foam and fallout remover the whole vehicle and then clay bar process onwards one panel at a time or is it the whole process that should be done one panel at a time?

You can. On most fallout removers you shouldn’t let them dry. Do it when cooler or in the shade. Same with the clay bar. Always read the instructions.

 

[pjm-84]

Will have to read this thread in more detail later(off to work).

I was horrified to see loads of small scratches on my Candy white paint in a certain light so I bought a Meguiars 320 DA back in the spring but haven't got around to doing it yet

 

[Nick.C]

You can. On most fallout removers you shouldn’t let them dry. Do it when cooler or in the shade. Same with the clay bar. Always read the instructions.

 

[Nick.C]

Snow foam then fallout remover then clay bar then wash then polish one panel at a time. Don’t do the whole car and try and remove the concrete polish. After a good buff try autoglym hd wax. If younhave a dark paint this is a must. Easy to apply and easy to remove.

Hi Fred, I assume you don’t Do this every wash, so how frequently do you do all of this and what is your regime for washes in between?

 

[Fred holland]

Hi Fred, I assume you don’t Do this every wash, so how frequently do you do all of this and what is your regime for washes in between?

I do it 3 times a year. Once before wintertime to keep all the salt at bay, after Christmas and then the summer when it not in the sun. Feel the paint for ruff spots and you will know if it needs to be done.

 

[Mr_bluesky]

I managed to dodge some clouds the other weekend and set to work on sprucing up the paint work on my Cali.
It’s not that is was in awful condition, but I knew I could get it to a better standard.

My process.

• Rinse with water.
• Snow foam and let it dwell.
• Rinse
• Snow foam again but this time wash the foam off using a wash mitt.
• Rinse
• Iron-x (contaminate remover)
• Rinse
• Clay mitt
• Machine Polish

Ive not bothered dressing any of the trim, nor sorting the wheels out yet, this wash was really just for the paint.
The weather wasn’t great, so I only managed to do the machine polish the bonnet and the near side, I'll tackle the rest another day.

I think it's turn out quite well.
I'm pleased to have removed some of the scratches and most of the swirl marks are gone.
I'll go over it again before I ceramic coat it later.

Piccies below..
View attachment 50260

View attachment 50261

View attachment 50262

That shine is super ! You have done a stunning job. I’m a bit of a “geek” when it comes to vehicle detailing.
Have always washed my cars myself, always by hand, so now my Cali gets the same treatment, definitely got OCD when it comes to cleaning.

 

[Grumposaur68]

Great thread big ted.
I spent 7 hours on mine yesterday. All done by hand. Any vehicle needs a clay bar and a polish regardless of how new the paint is.
The results are amazing.
Finished off with a winter coat of swissvax protection

View attachment 50272View attachment 50273View attachment 50274View attachment 50275View attachment 50276View attachment 50277

Are you trying to shave the van ?

 

[Volkywagen]

Are you trying to shave the van ?

Yes. Eradicate tar spot stubble

 

[Grumposaur68]

Yes. Eradicate tar spot stubble

Waaaay too much foam

 

[Volkywagen]

Waaaay too much foam

Probably, but I like it.