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Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch - Teamwork!

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  • Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch - Teamwork!

    The subject of a recent tuition detail, this Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch...









    The car is owned by Helen, who is already experienced with a DA polisher but fancied learning how to use the rotary Gordon (caledonia) was also along for the day to help out, huge thanks to Gordon for his assistance on the day - very enjoyable team detailing today :thumb:

    Starting off with the wheels and arches, Bilberry Wheel Cleaner was used, with All Purpose Cleaner from Meguiars used on the tyres and arches. This was before the car was foamed using Meguiars Shampoo Plus through the foam lance...





    After washing the car using Shampoo Plus and the two bucker wash method, it was clayed using Bilt Hamber Soft Clay. The car had clearly been clayed quite recently, the paint aleady very smooth and only the odd bit here and there being lifted off the paint.

    With the car cleaned, and clayed, we could now assess the finish... the swirls were there, but they were very light...









    While Helen and I worked on the test car for rotary tuition, Gordon got started on the rear of the car...





    Once Helen was happy with the control of the rotary on the test car, it was time for her to tackle her bonnet... I stepped up first, assessing the paint finish and what was going to achieve the results and explaining the process of product choice as I went. A light finishing polish was knocking out all of the swirls but leaving some RDS in the finish. In the end, we decided on Menzerna PO85RD3.02 Intensive Polish applied by rotary using a Meguiars W8006 polishing pad, using a "correction-only" technique as follows:
    • Spread at 600rpm
    • Begin working at 1200rpm
    • Work at 1500 - 1800rpm until defects corrected


    No attempt at refining was made here. Instead, we used a dedicated finishing stage: Meguiars #205 Ultra Finishing Polish on a Meguiars W9006 tan finishing pad. Quite a polish this new finishing polish from Meguiars, using unigrit technology it remains abrasive till the end of the set but you can vary the cut by varying the pressure you apply to the pad (as well as the pad itself...). For finishing purposes, we have used a finishing pad. Product applied as follows:
    • Spread at 600rpm, light pressure
    • Begin working at 1200rpm, light pressure
    • Work at 1500rpm for a couple of minutes, moderate pressure, until the residue goes clear
    • Refine at 900rpm, light pressure to burnish to a gloss


    The end result of this process:















    Happy with the results, Helen went down the passenger side of the car, putting into practice what she had picked up so far...

    Before:








    Working away...







    End results, well worth the efforts put in:




    I went down the driver's side, some befores:









    Working away...







    Using a 4" pad for tight spots and small details...





    End results...

















    Corrected in the tight small regions...



    Door handles corrected (using rotary at slow speed, light pressure to avoid heating the plastic edges):



    Below the styling line and sill...








    Gordon was doing sterling work on the rear and roof...







    Paying off in the results...










    Helen corrected the front V-grille... Before:






    A full box of cakes were nearly completely scoffed by this point! :doublesho



    :lol:


    Protection for this car was chosen to be Duragloss Track Claw - something slick and easy to clean on a show stand after a long drive was the remit here. Track Claw also applied to the wheels. Glass cleaned with Autoglym Fast Glass, plastics with Black Wow and tyres with Meguiars Hot Shine.

    The afters are a result of teamwork - three of us working our socks off, some tuition, lots of cakes, good banter and all in a mighty enjoyable day The results of our efforts...















    Nice clean arches



    and wheels...



    More afters...























    Big thanks to Helen, Gordon and Jane for a cracking day
    "A thing of beauty is a joy for ever: Its loveliness increases; it will never pass into nothingness; .... "

  • #2
    Re: Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch - Teamwork!

    I like the looks of that car, especially after you did a fantastic job detailing it. Thanks for sharing the detailed pictures and words, as well.

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch - Teamwork!

      That is a great looking finish. You have been very busy. Great work, once again
      quality creates its own demand

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch - Teamwork!

        The nicest Astra i've seen! very good job!

        I'm from Glasgow...

        Which part of Scotland are you from...?

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        • #5
          Re: Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch - Teamwork!

          Another job well done Dave.
          Learning new things everyday

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch - Teamwork!

            Originally posted by Eddie6th View Post
            The nicest Astra i've seen! very good job!

            I'm from Glasgow...

            Which part of Scotland are you from...?
            From Dundee
            "A thing of beauty is a joy for ever: Its loveliness increases; it will never pass into nothingness; .... "

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            • #7
              Re: Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch - Teamwork!

              I've visited Dundee once.Nice town.

              I hope Knockhill is still on the go.I used to go every year.It's a real shame what happened to Ingliston.

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              • #8
                Re: Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch - Teamwork!

                I always ejoy your write-ups. Concise, informative, easy to read, and the photos are top-notch! And your vehicles always look incredible when done! I think you missed a spot of rust on the brake disc though.....just kidding!
                Black......the ONLY color!

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