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Home > Maintenance & Mods (L322) > Ultimate wash with accents of detailing

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Walter Skinner

Member Since: 02 Oct 2019
Location: Varna
Posts: 53

Ultimate wash with accents of detailing

This is how I made my RR look astonishing. No jokes.

WASHING

1. Rinse the car with pressure washer. No explanation required.

2. Snow foam it, allow the foam to dwell, do not let to dry out, rinse with water.

3. Shampooing the car using a wash mitt. "Two buckets" method works best.

4. Drying the car with drying towel.

If you are happy with the result, and your paintwork is in a good shape, then apply tire dressing & wax; if no, then proceed to

POLISHING

Skip drying the car step on the washing process.

1. Claybaring the surface. Grab your clay bar, shampooed water & go all over the paintwork, evade black plastic & rubber parts. Works also on the windows and headlights glass.

This step is crucial as it helps to remove everything that hasn't been removed during the washing phase and you will be amazed on how much "invisible" dirt clay bar pulls out.

This is pretty straightforward process, you will "feel" it, literally, when the bar starts to glide smoothly - it's time to move to another section. Just start, and you'll figure it out.

This makes your paintwork smooth & almost ready to be polished, here you can hear how does it sound Claybared sound

2. Tar and Iron removal step. (I'm using CarPro TRIX Tar & Iron Remover) Cover the car, allow to do it's work, rinse well with water. Do not let this to dry! Dry the car with drying towel. Get a big one.

3. Oils removal step can be done using any IPA (Isopropyl alcohol). (I'm using CarPro Eraser diluted 1:3)

4. Compounding step removes (relatively) heavy scratches, swirl marks, oxidation, chemical damage & so on. Can be done by hand, but considering the sizes of the car... Get a DA polisher! Use heavy cutting pad and a compound (my pick is Meguiars Ultimate Compound), the car is lovely square which helps to pick proper work zones.

Compound one part at at time, buff off with a good microfiber, if you're not satisfied - repeat, if you are satisfied - proceed to the next area.

I used high machine speed with slow arm movement.

5. Switch to medium polishing pad, replace compound with a polish (Meguiars Ultimate Polish), spray on/wipe off an IPA, proceed with polishing the car the same way you were compounding it.
High machine speed, medium arm movement. This step addresses small scratches and helps to bring original shine out.

After compounding and polishing your paintwork starts to sound like this - Polished Sound

6. Take the soft finishing pad and wax (Meguiars Ultimate Wax). Make just a couple of passes at low machine speed with high arm movement. Allow it 3-5 minutes to do it's magic, buff off with a clean microfiber.

Step off and enjoy your work. Should say I haven't expected such great results, considering this is not done by a professional. The car looks transformed oh so much.

This is not happen fast, so be prepared to spend whole day. Do not work on direct sun, wear eyes & hands protection.

Pictures do not really give a clear view. I've waited for about 2 hours until it "dry out" only after that I realized it is dry and this is how it looks now.
So yes, it brings the "wet" looks and also, if mirrors were bonatti grey, not silver covered, I'd say it gives it a mirror glaze.
Below are some "before/after" pics, everything you will not like on the "after" picks are not imperfections or scratches, they are reflections.

BEFORE:

AFTER (direct sun):

AFTER (sunset):

FINAL RESULT:

MORNING MIST (treated/untreated areas):

Click image to enlarge

BLACK PLASTICS.

There is no magic, but some chemicals get really close. I will update this in a month of burning sun, but so far using Gtechniq C4 Permanent Trim Restorer I've managed to get astonishing results. Application is extremely simple: wipe the plastic with IPA, apply the chemical with provided cotton pads, wipe the excess off.

It does not fix magically the damage as seen on the right side mirror top, but it makes it not so noticeable.

My rear bumper cover was not damaged, but was bluish-grey, and this one really turned out like new one.

Manufacturer says apply only to plastic, no rubber. After 4 sunburning days and 1 rain the parts still look awesome, they do not gloss like on the pictures I've taken right after applying, but that's for good, now they look more organically.

LEATHER "RESTORATION"

With a proper level of patience, leather can be restored to "as good as new" condition. I'm lacking the patience and have only couple hours in the morning until the sun gets to my garage. Anyhow I'm impressed with the results. So, this is what we have:

1. First thing you need to do is get your leather clean. I use Furniture Clinic Leather Ultraclean, but diluted APC works too.

2. To fix the cracks & paint the leather you will have to remove original lacquer and dye. I used Furniture Clinic Leather Prep, abrasive & foam pads. You don't have to remove all the dye completely, but the more you remove - the better, especially from the damaged areas. Finish with alcohol based cleaner to remove fats & oils.

3. Next step is filling the cracks with leather filler (Furniture Clinic Heavy Filler in my case). Do not try and fill all the cracks at once, lay multiple thin coats instead and use a hairdryer to speed the process up.

4. Before painting the leather we need to get a smooth surface, to achieve that use 240 & 1000 grit sandpaper. This is the most important step where patience needed. The better you even the surface, the better outcome will be.

5. Make one more pass with Alcohol Cleaner, take the foam pad & apply the dye with tamponing movements. For the first layer you do not have to make it perfect, it will serve as a base for the following coats. Let it dry.

*Since I'm thinking to repaint whole interior I got myself an airbrush with a tiny compressor and it greatly speeds up the process, though you can fix minor damage without one.
Airbrush from the kit (0.3 mm nozzle) doesn't fit for the leather dye and gets clogged very fast causing a lot of frustration & spoiled dye, but compressor makes the purchase still worthy.
For the rest of the interior I'm gonna get an airbrush provided by Furniture Clinic.
Finish with the dye, make 3-4 coats, let it dry between the coats.

6. Final step is to cover it with the lacquer; same like dye: 3-4 thin even coats and let them dry before applying the next coat.

And the final results:

Since I planned to paint whole interior, I wasn't chasing for perfect color match, could not even find my color which is LYR, moreover, when I've started removing the dye, I've discovered that it has already been painted.

So I simply ordered a "Charcoal" tone. On direct sun its a bit blueish, but surprisingly well matches the Foundry interior when not in direct sun (inside the car with the doors closed).

Furniture Clinic has charts for LR leather DYE which makes your life much easier if you need to do some minor spot repair. No luck for LYR finish though.

P.s.: Something black/dirty on the last photo got there after the process was done, been rushing to take a pic & get off the sun so haven't noticed. Now its not there and everything looks cool.

Last edited by Walter Skinner on 11th Jul 2020 11:21pm. Edited 4 times in total

1st Jul 2020 2:42pm

GGDR

Member Since: 26 Nov 2016
Location: London
Posts: 3519

2011 Range Rover Vogue SE TDV8 Stornoway Grey

Looks great!

You know what people say when they see you washing your car.....

. Cheers, Greg
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
2011 Vogue SE 4.4 with lots of toys in Stornaway

1st Jul 2020 3:20pm

GGDR

Member Since: 26 Nov 2016
Location: London
Posts: 3519

....Can you do mine next ?

Great work .

. Cheers, Greg
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
2011 Vogue SE 4.4 with lots of toys in Stornaway

1st Jul 2020 3:21pm

DrF

Member Since: 30 Jun 2014
Location: South East
Posts: 1241

2013 Range Rover SVAutobiography 5.0 SC V8 Orkney Grey

Thats cracking

1st Jul 2020 4:33pm

BMG

Member Since: 26 Feb 2019
Location: Kent
Posts: 194

2002 Range Rover Vogue 4.4 V8 Bonatti Grey

So that's what my 2002 Bonatti should look like. Great result.

1st Jul 2020 5:38pm

RJH

Member Since: 22 Mar 2015
Location: Coventy
Posts: 396

2011 Range Rover Vogue TDV8 Santorini Black

Great job Walter, looks cracking 2011 (MY12) 4.4 TDV8 Vogue
2016 Golf GTI PP

Gone
Audi A4
VW Passat
VW Corrado G60
VW Golf GTI
BMW E30
Mini
Vauxhall Chvette

1st Jul 2020 6:15pm

DrRob

Member Since: 16 Apr 2015
Location: Petersfield, Hampshire
Posts: 4219

2011 Range Rover Vogue SE TDV8 Buckingham Blue

What’s is IPA? For me, its a beer
I’ve been tempted to buy a DA polisher but been to our scared to damage the paint. Your explanation has helped me 2011 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE Buckingham Blue with Ivory and clear glass = "Rory"
New Defender D300 90 on order so "Rory" will be going to a new home....!
1974 Series 3 Lightweight = "Millie"
My preferred specialist: www.glenrands.co.uk
--------------------------------------------------

1st Jul 2020 6:25pm

Walter Skinner

Member Since: 02 Oct 2019
Location: Varna
Posts: 53

IPA is Isopropyl alcohol, you can get it anywhere I'm using "CarPro Eraser". I'd say this is not obligatory step as have to confess, I haven't been using it on some parts and can't see the difference. Everything depends on the initial paint condition and on where your car is parked. If it resides under the trees with all their juices, then it would be desirable...
As for DA, go for it, you wouldn't regret on the investments as not only the car will look great, this is also extremely satisfying process. Dual Action (DA) polishers are more safe then regular, they do not overheat the surface (which causes paint/clear coat damage). Please also note, that I haven't had any previous polishing experience, at all, this was my first time, so I'd say it is newbie-proof.

Last edited by Walter Skinner on 1st Jul 2020 7:31pm. Edited 1 time in total

1st Jul 2020 6:52pm

Bradders

Member Since: 03 Dec 2018
Location: Gods own country
Posts: 417

2012 Range Rover Westminster TDV8 Zermatt Silver

Great results. Nice job Current: FF Westminster money pit

Gone:
RRS 4.2 SC
RRS 3.6 TDV8
FL2 TD4

1st Jul 2020 7:25pm

RichM63

Member Since: 10 Jul 2019
Location: Brittany
Posts: 249

2006 Range Rover Vogue TDV8 Stornoway Grey

Great job Walter.

(I can't see why it would be wrong to mention the products if you are not selling them)

Rob, a DA polisher is not all that scary, just don't let things dry out, or stay on one spot. L322 3.6 TDV8 Vogue. 07MY
ML 320 7 Seat full leather etc. (The Black Pearl)

1st Jul 2020 7:35pm

Haylands

Member Since: 04 Mar 2014
Location: East Yorkshire
Posts: 7905

2014 Range Rover Autobiography SDV8 Loire Blue

Also keep the DA flat on the surface and stay away from the edges, it is easy to polish through if you don'y concentrate... Pete

__________________________________________________
2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Parchment over Navy Interior. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand, Jet Interior. Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green, Ivory over Aspen Interior (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

1st Jul 2020 9:40pm

coopss

Member Since: 21 Apr 2018
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 281

That looks amazing, great effort. Had a first attempt on mine the other weekend with a medium cut. Difference is huge even with 2 quick passes 1995 4.6 v8, green/tan (long gone)
2005 4.8iS X5, blue/black
2011 4.4 tdv8, black/black (gone)
2003 3.0d X5, Oxford green/black/manual
2021 p575 SVR, BR green/vintage tan

1st Jul 2020 9:54pm

pld118

Member Since: 25 Mar 2013
Location: Bairns
Posts: 4218

2014 Range Rover Vogue SDV6 Santorini Black

A labour of love

Looks superb

1st Jul 2020 10:10pm

diesel Dave

Member Since: 14 Aug 2015
Location: Stockport
Posts: 442

2015 Range Rover Autobiography SDV8 Loire Blue

Wow that looks fantastic

1st Jul 2020 10:27pm

Tom_T

Member Since: 22 Jun 2020
Location: Essex
Posts: 44

2013 Range Rover Autobiography SDV8 Causeway Grey

Good effort there! The car looks great

2nd Jul 2020 8:49am

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