Vauxhall Astra Mini Detail(Pic Heavy)

[Jay.S]

So yesterday i finally got a chance to give my car a good going over. The weather didnt help as i didnt get to do as much as I Planned, but these are my results. My new car isnt the fastest and will not be to everyones taste so can we stay away form the slow diesel comments .

So firstly i gave the car a rinse, my car is generally kept clean so it wasnt to bad to begin with.

P1000968 by JayS_182, on Flickr

P1000969 by JayS_182, on Flickr

I then rinsed and started with the alloys, i used my bilberry wheel cleaner on 2 alloys at a time so it had time to work in. I then used a wheel brush to get rid of all the crap and rinsed it off i dont put a sealant or tyre dressing on at this stage as i like to do it at the end, just personal preference.

On bodywork I used the 2BM method with Dodo Juice B2BM and a lambs wool wash mitt I used warm water with the B2BM,then I rinsed the car off. I didnt stop to take many pics due to the weather not looking good.

The next stage was to tar remover. I used AG tar remover for this not the best as it takes a while to get going and do the job especially on the bigger bits. Front Bumper, Bonnet, Arches, Rear Arches, Back bumper and the boot there was alot to do.I then rinsed the car and give it a quick wipe over with my wash mitt and rinsed again. I did this i could still see oily residue left behind.

I then dried the car first i used my i4d uber blue drying towel to collect most of the water, i then followed it up with my mircale drying towel from CYC padding dry.

Once the car was dry i then moved onto the polishing stage, I didnt use my Menz203s as the car didnt look to bad. I went straight for the Blackfire Gloss Enchaning Polish.

P1000971 by JayS_182, on Flickr

I worked this in with a mircofibre applicator doing 1/2 panels at time then buffing it off, half a bonnet or half the roof I classed as 1 panel. I can say the Poorboys buffing towel is brilliant as is BF, in the picture below you can see half the roof buffed off and the other ready to be, not the best pic.

P1000976 by JayS_182, on Flickr

After finishing the car.

P1000970 by JayS_182, on Flickr

So after doing the GEP which makes you tired by hand, i took a little tea break . When I came back though I started on the Blackfire All Finish Paint Protection(Sealant).

P1000974 by JayS_182, on Flickr

I used the same method as before doing 1/2 panel at a time then buffing them off once hazed. I didnt take any pics of hazing etc as the weather was closing in . Heres the car finished though.

P1000977 by JayS_182, on Flickr

P1000972 by JayS_182, on Flickr

About 5-10mins after putting the BF AFPP on it rained so i got a few beading pics which i am really surprised after only 5-10mins of it being on the car.

P1000978 by JayS_182, on Flickr

P1000981 by JayS_182, on Flickr

I was bit gutted at this point i was expecting to use my celeste wax but after about 45mins the sun came out again so i got back out and carried on.

As the bodywork was complete I finished off the wheels and windows. As i had cleaned the wheel early i used went round them with a mircofibre gave them a wipe down and sealed them with PB wheel sealant, I then used Chemical Guys new look trim gell on the tyres and put my new dice caps on.

P1000988 by JayS_182, on Flickr

As the sun stayed out for abit i thought i will see how far i can get with the celeste i did the bonnet and bumper before the weather was looking abit dodgy, by this point i decided to pack up.

Here is my final result.

P1000990 by JayS_182, on Flickr

P1000989 by JayS_182, on Flickr

P1000973 by JayS_182, on Flickr

I think the colour in the last picture compared to the first picture is a good improvment. All this was done by hand so i had a few beers after to relax. I think i will be looking at DA's very soon.

Comments & Advice welcome :approve:

Jay

 

[Gally]

Looks grand Jay! The BF stuff is fantastic to use I find and GEP is perfect as a pre-wax/sealant cleanser. It contains some fillers aswell so it'll help give a better finish overall.

I also think afpp can add a little to the finish looks like a different car to be honest, evry dull before. Red cars respond well to good cleaning.

I'll try and get that trigger posted down this week been a bit hectic after work the last week or so. Hopefully you can try out the Z6 after your next wash. Shame you never got to give the RB the same treatment.

 

[Jay.S]

Yeah i was thinking that as i was going along i wish this was the RB haha. The astra is a bigger car so it was more work but was worth it all in the end though.

Thats cool mate won't be giving it a wash and wipe down for about 2weeks, when i do i think i will use the rest of the celeste.

I think he sun coming out also made the car look alot better. BF is brilliant though thanks for the recommedation.

 

[Gally]

You're welcome, still underrated I think but they offer a lot of perfromance especially gep. And afpp is a stunning base for wax. They'll both be pretty durable.

 

[richy22]

I need to order some bits..Considering the Wolfs brake cleaner over Iron-X??