22nd Lowiepete's Detailing Day Lowestoft

[Lowiepete]

Hello Folks,

The first of the 2017 Lowiepete Detailing Days is planned for Saturday 22nd April.
The meeting venue is unchanged at The Fighting Cocks PH in Lowestoft, NR33 0NA
The meeting time is brought forward to 09:30 for 10:00hrs.

The date chosen is the weekend before the Duxford Spring Show, generally seen as
the event that kicks off the car show season. Please note that the date of this meet is
now a week earlier than originally posted, to allow for practice time twixt events.

Instead of the meeting then coming to my home, we will transfer to a local industrial unit.
What this means is that the meet is no longer weather dependent and I can increase the
attendees limit from 10 to at least 15. If there are enough experienced detailers to
support it, that limit could be extended to 20. Please indicate this willingness as you register.
We'll be providing hot drinks, but you will need to bring your own packed lunch. We'll not
be retiring to the local pub as hitherto.

The invitation to this meet is also to members of two other Forums, so preference will be
given to those who register first, should the limits be reached.

Instead of goodie-bags, there will be a free prize draw, with some worthwhile items.
See next post for list...

Please register by adding your name here... (Show *E for experienced and willing to be a guide)

1:
2:
3:
4:
5:
6:
7:

Regards,
Steve

[Lowiepete]

Hello Folks,


Instead of the usual goodie-bag, as it might be a bit of a challenge assembling 20 of them,
there will be a draw with some worthwhile prizes. More prizes are promised and will be
listed when received...

The Prize List - Incomplete a 60x90cm Uber Microfibre Towel (http://www.seriousperformance.co.uk/Products,130,toView_820.html) from Serious Performance

Regards,
Steve

[Lowiepete]

Updated and combined list as at 18 March 2017...

1. Balky001 (DW)
2. dchapman88 *E (DW
3. SamD (DW)
4. mgtf (DW)
5. Andy (Local)
6. Ray (TR)
7. JimJam92 (PH)
8. iluvmercs (PH)
9. Graham (Local)
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.

Regards,
Steve

[LiamR]

Such a shame your not closer

[Lowiepete]

Updated and combined list as at 18 March 2017...

1. Balky001 (DW)
2. dchapman88 *E (DW
3. SamD (DW)
4. mgtf (DW)
5. Andy (Local)
6. Ray (TR)
7. JimJam92 (PH)
8. iluvmercs (PH)
9. Graham (Local)
10. ndwall (PH)
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.

Regards,
Steve

[Lowiepete]

Hello Folks,

Introduction

They've been a bit like buses these electric blue cars coming my way, 2
Méganes, a Rav 4 and now a Clio 182. We seem to have a bit of a Renault
enclave down our road and this car joins those that shine a bit, or at least it
will. Andy, the car's owner is bringing it to my Detailing Day on the 22nd, so
we're doing the prep ahead of it being ready for machine work on the day.

A Tuition Detail

Andy is no stranger to keeping his cars tidy, but seeing us gathered on
previous detailing days, he was intrigued. The biggest headache, and ongoing
puzzle, is the car's bonnet that has had a couple of experiments carried out
on it. There are some bad water streak damage lines emanating from the
screen-wash jets.

So, the first job was to wash the car, with a single bucket ADS No Rinse
(ANRSS) mix and a spray bottle of ONR. This method of washing, especially
its simplicity and effectiveness, was appreciated by Andy, as was the clay
cloth clean that came next. Again, there was ANRSS in the bucket for rinsing
and helping to lubricate the surface.

So, I then set to on the front of the car, with the bonnet being my first
attention priority. Here's a couple of pictures where study will show the
screen-wash damage...

http://s5.postimg.cc/4fh56wl87/clio170400.jpg

http://s5.postimg.cc/firkl0rqv/clio170401.jpg

The first tool used was a magic sponge. This was used in conjunction with
CarPro Spotless. The sponge had been wetted in the ANRSS bucket, and
squeezed out before picking up the cleaning liquid. There was a curious
reaction where there was some unexpected light foaming as if the sponge
was pulling out previously used detergents. No pics taken...

Once rinsed and dried, I tried a coat of ADS Blue Lotion.(ABL) Presently, I'm
trialling no less than 3 versions of ABL, so my comments below are mainly
for the guys in SG. My original bottle (used here) was Version 3, and gently
working in 3 tiny drops from a soft black sponge applicator produced this...

http://s5.postimg.cc/pb3fi5hfb/clio170402.jpg

...half the bonnet done

http://s5.postimg.cc/jgeuafek7/clio170403.jpg

...and all the bonnet done. Yeah, I know, I missed a bit! ;)

http://s5.postimg.cc/vkyp55gtz/clio170404.jpg

Next up came the upper grilles; typical Renault plastics. Before...

http://s5.postimg.cc/rd3wwefef/clio170405.jpg

...and after...

http://s5.postimg.cc/yybzozgqf/clio170406.jpg

The car's front beginning to look quite tidy... :)

http://s5.postimg.cc/cxvn8cy2f/clio170407.jpg

More Water Damage

With Andy having given the car its clay cloth clean, it was time to give the
paint a more thorough inspection. At first glance, it doesn't look too bad...

http://s5.postimg.cc/bswj5v59z/clio170408.jpg

...but closer inspection shows that the car hasn't avoided the East Coast style
water-spotting. We've seen this on the Rav 4 and although you have to look
for it, the dulling effect on the paint will become clear.

http://s5.postimg.cc/3r8anymif/clio170409.jpg

What do you notice between this next photograph and the one that follows it?

http://s5.postimg.cc/ak8nk8dbr/clio170410.jpg

http://s5.postimg.cc/cq2yeqgs7/clio170411.jpg

The give-away is the bit of the ABL bottle, that was Version 4, and the release
of the shades of purple so far absent. I'm quite thrilled with these comparison
photographs because they show that it can_only_ be clean paint that shows
its true colours. All we had done is reduced the water damage by the final
cleaning action of the ABL.

The paint is now ready for its cleaning by ABL applied by DA, where hopefully
the remainder of the water spots will be removed. You'll need to study this
next photo to establish how much the spotting has been reduced, there is
still some there...

http://s5.postimg.cc/r6q7tb69j/clio170412.jpg

Nearing Day's End

Back to the car's front end, and more plastics to deal with. This could be
quite a fiddle, but the ABL was applied with a long-haired brush first, then
worked in with a shorter bristle brush. Here's a quick 50/50...

http://s5.postimg.cc/4lzw740on/clio170413.jpg

The remaining pictures show our progress by the end of the day. On the
Detailing Day, it will want nothing more than a thorough wash and final check
for tar spots before being ready for some machine demos...

http://s5.postimg.cc/nqy3jr913/clio170414.jpg

http://s5.postimg.cc/b4sqk1cvr/clio170415.jpg

http://s5.postimg.cc/oun9stzzr/clio170416.jpg

http://s5.postimg.cc/ngvmxj0qf/clio170418.jpg

Having got the bonnet vinyl looking reasonably tidy, there was more ABL
used on the wipers and trim behind...

http://s5.postimg.cc/yui68qb93/clio170417.jpg

Overall, a pretty rewarding day, with nary a sweat broken. From my
perspective, it's really good to share a bit of a different way to do things and
to witness the sense of satisfaction of my partner for the day. The 22nd can't
come soon enough!

Regards,
Steve

[Lowiepete]

The list as of 12 April 2017

1. Balky001 (DW)
2. dchapman88 *E (DW)
3. SamD (DW)
4. mgtf (DW)
5. Andy (Local)
6. Ray (TR)
7. JimJam92 (PH)
8. iluvmercs (PH)
9. Graham (Local)
10. ndwall (PH)
11. barclayboy (PH)
12. tel595 (PH)
13. panda (Local)
14.
15.
16.

[Lowiepete]

Back in the day, the thought of wearing anything special for detailing was an
anathema, after all, the very best waxes were always best applied by hand,
literally! How the World has changed?

While the majority of this meet will be around benign potions and methods,
if we are to do more than just talk about what are essentially "professional"
practices, then we do need everyone to stay safe. By attending this event it
is incumbent upon you to not put yourself or anyone else at risk. You _will_
need to bring the following items with you, and you'll be required to wear
them when instructed, else stay well clear of that work area until that demo
is concluded.

Please bring...
protective eyewear
nitrile gloves (more than one pair)
a face mask to FFP3 standards (disposable is fine)

I do want everyone to enjoy their day. We're there to share experiences with
each other, not to test ambulance response times. Your collaboration is much
appreciated. Thanks.

Regards,
Steve

[Lowiepete]

Hello Folks,

After a long absence I'm once again able to distribute samples of ONR to
everyone who attends this detailing day. Along with your PPE equipment, please
also bring an empty 100ml bottle for filling on the day. In the past, when I
funded this myself, I gave out 60ml samples, but at this meet that amount will
be increased to 90ml, the equivalent of 6 capfuls.

I'm able to do this thanks to Dr. G of OPT in the USA. :niceone:

Regards,
Steve

[Matt Cole]

Hope this is a great day for everyone.:agree:

[Lowiepete]

The List as of 20 April 2017

1. Balky001 (DW)
2. dchapman88 *E (DW
3. SamD (DW)
4. Panda (Local)
5. Andy (Local)
6. Ray (TR)
7. JimJam92 (PH)
8. iluvmercs (PH)
9. Graham (Local)
10. ndwall (PH)
11. barclayboy (PH)
12.



Please note that the list closes at 21:00 on Friday 21st

[rat1]

thanks again to Steve for organizing another grate day. you lot don't know what you mist. :agree: