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Picked up the car yesterday. 2009 3.0si in Ruby black.

Paintwork was ok, but minging in places. So since collecting yesterday I have.

Snow foamed and cleaned.
Clay bar treatment removed lots on ingrained dirt in front wings and bottom of doors. I did of course do the whole car.
Snow foamed again to remove residue
Heavy cut, dual action polished all over, followed by medium cut. Wil be doing the fine cutting on Wednesday when I get time
Wheels and exhaust metal polished.
Leather trim cleaned and nourished

It's on 80k but and 14 years the front shocks feel a bit soft. There's 43% off on autodoc today so ordered some Sachs dampers, new top mounts, covers and bump stops for only £200 . will give the suspension a bit of a refresh and give me a chance to asses anything else that's needed whilst under there.

I have ordered some Gtecniq C1 ceramic coating and panel prep. Will be applying this following a fine cut on Wednesday.

Will put finished pics up then , she's not perfect, but getting there..

Sun wasn't out today, which left the overcast perfect for polish. But you can't see the Ruby paint work as well.

Sorry about links, not figured out how to paste images on here yet using android.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/6aTXXZgRbhHJfGgd6
https://photos.app.goo.gl/jLozx5xVbreVAG9d7
https://photos.app.goo.gl/LePJk9S3FrbLEvDT6
https://photos.app.goo.gl/CXn44fNbebNQG8Zr6


Will pop some more pics up on Wednesday.

Good work!

Next thing to do is treat all the rubber door and window seals with Gummi Pflege rubber dressing to keep them supple. Cheapest supplier here. Bottle will last you ages and treat the rubber many times to keep it in good condition.
https://www.micksgarage.com/search?keyword=Gummi-Pflege

I do rate GTechniq C5 wheel armour, just dont knock the little bottle over its an expensive spillage!

What shampoo process are you using between the snow foam and the polishing? I tried a fair few but ended up at Gyeon Bathe+ obviously you dont get the benefits if you polish after but as a maintenance wash its fantastic.

coldel wrote: ↑Tue May 23, 2023 10:36 am I do rate GTechniq C5 wheel armour, just dont knock the little bottle over its an expensive spillage!

Thanks Coldel, What shampoo process are you using between the snow foam and the polishing? I tried a fair few but ended up at Gyeon Bathe+ obviously you dont get the benefits if you polish after but as a maintenance wash its fantastic.

I'm lacking in the shampoo area and thought the snow foam would be adequate. But appreciate the feedback on Gyeon Bathe+ shampoo. I've been looking at what can be used after ceramic coating to prolong the coating and this looks like it'll tick the boxes.

Can you suggest a good PH Neutral snow foam to use to as the one I used yesterday is a little harsh / generic?

Ive not used either but ValetPro advertise a PH neutral one, and a new company has sprung up called EZ Car Care which has everything at half price at the moment including a PH neutral foam. I tried its panel wipe and interior cleaning products and they were half decent. I have in the past used Avalanche from autofinesse and it did a really good job not sure on its PH rating though...

Looks great, OP. Can you do mine next please

Posting pics should be same on Android as everywhere else, btw. Just click the Add Files button at the bottom of the thread page, select images which will upload, then click to place inline to your post.

inkey$ wrote: ↑Tue May 23, 2023 5:28 pm Looks great, OP. Can you do mine next please

Posting pics should be same on Android as everywhere else, btw. Just click the Add Files button at the bottom of the thread page, select images which will upload, then click to place inline to your post.

Oh. That works . Thanks inkey$

Update.

2 more goes around with the das and a quick trip to the park for some pics. No longer just looks black, I can finally see the Ruby colour come through. What a difference.

Will also ceramic coat with c1 once the panel wipes arrive today.

Ceramic coating now applied .

What perfect weather to enjoy it in too

Wow

Shadbolt83 wrote: ↑Wed May 24, 2023 1:34 pm Update.

2 more goes around with the das and a quick trip to the park for some pics. No longer just looks black, I can finally see the Ruby colour come through. What a difference.
Will also ceramic coat with c1 once the panel wipes arrive today.

Looks great! Ruby black is a lovely colour when clean. In the 6th picture, the wheels are now letting it down!

Pondrew wrote: ↑Thu May 25, 2023 12:02 am

Shadbolt83 wrote: ↑Wed May 24, 2023 1:34 pm Update.

2 more goes around with the das and a quick trip to the park for some pics. No longer just looks black, I can finally see the Ruby colour come through. What a difference.
Will also ceramic coat with c1 once the panel wipes arrive today.

Looks great! Ruby black is a lovely colour when clean. In the 6th picture, the wheels are now letting it down!

Oh I know. They really do. It all looked ok ish when I bought it. But now I have the paintwork up to scratch the wheels really stand out. There's no curbing to them, just failing paint. Don't have the money to get them refurbished yet, and as they are split rims they're not cheap

Looks fantastic