Detailing & Car Care - 7.5 hours later...

I am knackered. Absolutely and completely knackered.

If I close my eyes, I'll be gone in seconds.

It has been a long time since the 6 received what I'd consider to be a full, no bits missing, detail. The sort that you want to give you car every weekend, but simply don't have the time nor inclination to do. I've gone for mini-details of wash and polish one week, with wax applied the next, and even panel by panel details over a number of weeks. However, thats just putting off the inevitable requirement for any true petrolhead who takes pride in the look of their car.

So, today was the day.

I had moments when I nearly stopped at certain stages, but I persevered and don't think there is anything like that final feeling when you stand back and take a good look from various angle. Excellent! Very pleased with it.

Then again, I should be after doing this lot.....

1. Wash wheels (AG Alloy Wheel Cleaner)
2. Wash car (Meguiars Gold Class Shampoo)
3. Dry off wheels (Leather)
4. Dry off car (4 x Meguiars Water Magnets)

-then, panel by panel-

5. Apply Meguiars Stage I Paint Cleaner to all bodywork
6. Buff off
7. Apply Meguiars Stage II Polish to all bodywork
8. Buff off
9. Apply Autoglym Extra Gloss to all bodywork
10. Leave each panel for 30-60 mins for AG Extra Gloss to bond

-then-

11. Give a full all-round final buff before...

12. Apply Pinnacle Souveran to all bodywork panel by panel
13. Final buff

The incidentals of glass polishing, exhausts and tyre blacking all followed, with another last buff to get rid of any glass polish residue.

The results:

During the day I also tried a new Halford Luxury Wash Mitt that I'd bought a few weeks back. I'm surprised to find myself saying I found it as good as the Meguiars Lambswool Wash Mitt and it was probably even better in respect of the feel of it when washing. Longevity will be tested of course, but I've never been too impressed with the Megs Wash Mitts in terms of their lasting power. I'll report back on it.

More importantly though, I had introduced AG Extra Gloss into the process. I used to use this about 10 years ago. For some reason, and probably no specific one, I stopped using it when I last ran out. I bought more a couple of weeks back because I can recall a Titanium Silver E46 318i SE that I used to own having a fantastic shine through this stuff.

I also wanted something else to go under the Pinnacle Souveran as a harding last sealant because of the soft 4-6 week life of Pinnacle.

AG Extra Gloss is a breeze to apply (its like a water form almost) and you leave it to set/bond. It then buffs off without too much effort. I've got to say I'm delighted with the results. Even without the Pinnacle the car was gleaming, but I still applied it to get the full effect and beading.

The car has now been rolled back into the garage in the hope that tomorrow afternoon will brighten up as forecast and I can enjoy the car in its proper arena...blinging the country lanes of Northumberland up.