Shiny Cerb...

[morebeanz]

Well last week proved to be quite a learning experience! I started with three days on tour with a group of fellow Cerbera owners to the Nurburgring and back – what a blast in every possible way, and me a track day novice! And then I spent a couple of days learning about machine polishing from an expert.

Courtesy of a throwaway remark on another thread, Gary Funnell of Refined Reflections and I had hooked up with the intention of him getting experience of a Cerbera and me just getting experience! He also agreed to help me detail our family Audi too. Part of the deal was that I get involved where possible with working on both cars – it didn’t quite work out that way as you will see.

The overall process will be of no surprise to anyone familiar with detailing:
- APC on wheels, arches and lower bodywork to help rid us of the worst of the grime, agitated by a Meg’s wheel brush and a Swissvax detailing brush. These proved to be a top combo for reaching in all of the Cerbera’s wheels difficult spots.
- Gary’s special foam mix liberally distributed by a rather weedy looking pressure washer. Actually I think Gary had washed it in a hot wash accidentally!
- Wash with mitt and rinse via the pressure washer.
- PTG time, and a big surprise. The paint thickness varied from around 170 to 57 microns on the Cerbera!uch: And across a minimal distance of the body work! At this point , I baled on the exercise and left it to the Pro (thanks, Gary!).
- Ultimately, following some test runs, Gary ended up using the Menz Ceramiclear IP on a white pad (Gary – correct me if I’m wrong!) on the rotary.
- Cleaned and dressed the engine bay (he even waxed the panels!).
- Dressed the tyres and rubber.
- Cleaned and waxed the door/boot/bonnet shuts
- Polished the windows
- Waxed the bodywork…and wheels.

…all the wax used was Swissvax Best of Show – even under the bonnet and on the wheels. Gary’s quote “It just seemed like the right thing to do.”!

I keep the Cerbera as clean as possible (no machining) and it had been waxed just prior to the road trip, so bug splats, rubber particles and oceans of dust where the main contenders. Enjoy the pics!

BEFORE:
Dusty flanks pre-wash

Bonnet bug city

Front before wash

Wheels pre-wash


Front wing swirls

Door swirls

Rear arch swirls

Wing swirls

PTG - no thickness

Product Testing - masked up
Product Testing - part way through

Full Bonnet reflection

Flank shot post wax

Sparkling wheels post wax
Overview shot post wax

Evening sky - bonnet reflections


Having seen many detailing photos before, I was astounded by what the camera doesn’t show. The car was absolutely transformed, reaching a new level. I always look after it, and I often get comments, but now I really do have complete strangers looking to talk to me at petrol stations, etc!

My heartfelt thanks to Gary for sharing his secrets, for putting up with me, and for coaching me through machine polishing. I am a changed man!

And finally a token after pics of the Audi (it’s much less photogenic!):

[M3John]

Ian, good write up mate and thanks for giving me the heads up about this. What was the damage mate if you don't mind me asking?

[RReflections]

Glad to have been of help Ian, and many thanks for looking after me so well while I was there.

It was a joy to help and give advice etc, as I said I'd much rather do that than get a call later on asking if I can come back to sort out something that's been caused by not knowing what you were doing, not that this was ever going to be the case with you

I'll have a sort through my pictures and see if I have any others that will work nicely with yours.

Thanks again