Auto-Genie showroom

Post by **Stuart** » Thu Nov 22, 2012 7:46 pm

I was really keen not to use too much water with the engine bay in particular, so I just used a weak mix of G101 and sprayed this onto a cloth and used this on the plastics and exposed metal. One this was dry, I used tissue paper for any surplus water and then used a vinyl and rubber cleaner for all plastics and rubbers

So with the car basically clean, it was time to prepare for hand polishing. A little bit of masking to the black chrome window trim would save me a fair bit of time later if I was unlucky with polish.

This tape is specifically for valeting and therefore it's low tack and waterproof. I chose to use a polish that has some wax in it; partly as it's given me such good results with a few cars recently, but also as I intended to give the car two coats

A nice reflection in the dying daylight

What most road users get to see

The polished AMG exhausts

First coat off and starting to look pretty good

That gorgeous panoramic roof flows so well into the rear screen

The finished alloys, brakes and dressed tyres

(The black dots are flies)
This tells a big story

Polished headlights

Second coat on and the light doesn't do this any justice at all

A wonderful car in my opinion. Enormously powerful, superb levels of luxury and build quality to rival the best British stuff.

Roll on Danny's Escort tomorrow

I can't wait!

gary@apt · Post by **gary@apt** » Thu Nov 22, 2012 8:26 pm

chips are on me!

drifter · Post by **drifter** » Thu Nov 22, 2012 8:33 pm

gary@apt wrote:chips are on me!

Barstards

Danny@APT · Post by **Danny@APT** » Thu Nov 22, 2012 8:43 pm

Stuart wrote:Roll on Danny's Escort tomorrow I can't wait!

Neither can I!

Post by **Stuart** » Thu Nov 22, 2012 9:08 pm

gary@apt wrote:chips are on me!

Thanks Buddy

I may not be able to lift a fork by then though, cos that roof and bonnet will certainly take it out of me

I also have the mobile number of an expert just in case I need to phone a friend! (I'm not proud

)

Rob S · Post by **Rob S** » Thu Nov 22, 2012 9:26 pm

Great work Stu, who valeted it before- Stevie Wonder?
Seriously though, shows the difference between doing a job properly and rushing it. The car looks miles better for it.

Post by **Stuart** » Thu Nov 22, 2012 9:35 pm

Thanks buddy. I was pleased and so was the owner so it's all good

I want one in black.............seriously awesome cars

RX7 · Post by **RX7** » Thu Nov 22, 2012 10:08 pm

Wheels look like Delorean ones

Nice work again mate.

blacky · Post by **blacky** » Thu Nov 22, 2012 10:23 pm

Mmmmmmm chips.....

Post by **Stuart** » Fri Nov 23, 2012 8:50 pm

Today was the day. Today was the day that I bit off more than I could chew

Danny and I had talked about trying to improve the roof and bonnet, as they both showed pretty significant paint oxidisation. I started it at Snetterton just to see whether it was retrievable or not, and I will admit I opened a right can of worms!

The usual before and afters.
A pretty tidy Escort and especially for a twenty two year old

An indication of the paint marks

The bonnet was also knackered, but fortunately Danny had a spare

So cleaned down and ready for a towel dry

When it was indoors the true state of the paint became apparent

I've invested in some different polishing pads and compounds, and Danny's car was certainly going to test the new gear and every muscle I had in my arms, shoulders and wrists!