Albi R27 452/500 (UPDATE - 19.02.2017 - The end)

[Jmax]

UPDATE 19.07.2013

I decided to try and reduce the chances of stone chips on the edge of the doorframe (3 ¼ panel) by adding some clear vinyl.

I was out for work yesterday and I noticed the car wasn’t as sharp and responsive as it is, think this might be the cause.

After my days work this is what I was greeted by when I finally stepped out of the car at home. So much for all the hard work put in over the past week lol.

And this is what happens when you let two models and a makeup artist loose around a Clio unsupervised.

My latest purchase, some Wolf’s Chemicals White Satin Auto Shampoo. I decided to by this as I was fed up using shampoo that created next to no foam.

And I found this in the back of the garage, had forgotten all about having it.

As you can see here, no lack of foam.

I was really happy with how the shampoo performed, it felt really smooth and the mitt glided easily over the bodywork. Also the foam was present throughout the washing process and if it looked like it needed livening up again all I had to do was hit it a quick blast with the hose.

Some beading shots.

All nice and clean again…

I spotted these marks on the vinyl on the roof, will have a look at them tomorrow morning while the roof is cool to see if I can get them shifted.

John

 

[Jmax]

UPDATE 20.07.2013

So this morning it was time to tidy up the mess left by the models…

Mats removed, carpet hovered.

Some upholstery cleaner was used to shift the makeup off the seat.

As new…

A stiff bristled brush to tidy up the mats

With the interior now back the way it should be it was time to turn my attention to those troublesome stickers once again.

I tried using the autoglass and a nail brush, which has worked to remove watermarks in the past but this didn’t even make an impression on the dirty marks. If anyone has any ideas they would be greatly appreciated.

How the car is currently looking.

I’m toying with the idea of putting yellow lamin-x on the fog lights, but I’m not sure if it would suit it or not.

As always your help and comments are more than welcome.

John

 

[N0ddie]

I'd stay away from the yellow lamin-x tbh. The car looks superb as it stands.

 

[Jmax]

I'd stay away from the yellow lamin-x tbh. The car looks superb as it stands.

Thanks very much, I know the yellow fogs are going to be a bit marmite, and as I said I'm undecided on them myself but I suppose if I do them and don't like them I cant always remove the tints. I guess it just boils down to, do I want to waste some money lol.

 

[shubz197]

I'd say Photoshop them on 1st... You never know

 

[Jmax]

I'd say Photoshop them on 1st... You never know

Yea could be an idea but even then it doesn't give a true representation, I guess I'm just going to have to spend the money and see what they look like.

 

[shubz197]

I've heard you can plastidip a tint onto a light bulb. YouTube wrapzbyrooster and check it out. It's way easier to pull off, and probably cheaper. And no damage at all to the lens.

 

[Jmax]

I've heard you can plastidip a tint onto a light bulb. YouTube wrapzbyrooster and check it out. It's way easier to pull off, and probably cheaper. And no damage at all to the lens.

Surely plastidipping the bulbs would't work as it would just melt? You sure they didn't just plastidip the lens?

 

[shubz197]

Agh flip, I meant the lens. Apologies buddy.

 

[Jmax]

Agh flip, I meant the lens. Apologies buddy.

Ah it's cool, think I'll just go for the lamin-x at least if I don't like it then I can easily take it off again.

 

[shubz197]

No stress

 

[Jmax]

UPDATE 25.07.2013

So last night was a bit interesting, there was some of the worst weather I have ever experienced. A thunderstorm passed over my house with some of the loudest thunder I have ever heard, it was literally like an explosion going off beside the house.

Anyway, on the plus side it has given me the chance to get some lovely beading shots this morning.

But on the down side the sticker problem is back. I know a lot of people were putting this down to the glue in the sticker or the shampoo I was using but I’m putting it down to some sort of impurity in the rainwater. The only time I really ever have a problem with the stickers is after a heavy downpour.

There’s another storm due in this afternoon, so the stickers are going to have to wait a couple of days to be sorted.

John

 

[shubz197]

Nice shots man...

 

[Jmax]

UPDATE 30.07.2013

With there having been pretty much nothing but rain since I last cleaned the car, when I woke up this morning and saw a break in the rain I felt it was only right that I go and capture some beading porn to share with you all.

I’m pretty happy with the beading I’m getting at the moment but cant wait for my latest purchase to arrive, so I can see what difference it makes.

John

 

[Warren]

I've had the same problem with the stickers but only on the first batch of rain late last week, I'm putting mine down to residue from waxing the car being watered down and running over the sticker? Wiped it off the stickers and it hasn't come back all week as of yet.
I wish I could get mine to bead like that, what you using?

 

[badbuzz2]

Great pics bud :thumbup:

 

[Jmax]

I've had the same problem with the stickers but only on the first batch of rain late last week, I'm putting mine down to residue from waxing the car being watered down and running over the sticker? Wiped it off the stickers and it hasn't come back all week as of yet.
I wish I could get mine to bead like that, what you using?

I honestly don't think its a wax problem as its been doing it on the car even when the car hasn't been waxed.

To get the beading in this picture I used a combo of Clay, Auto Glym Super Resin and Maguire’s Gold Glass Clear Coat Liquid Wax.

Great pics bud :thumbup:

Thanks very much.

 

[Jmax]

UPDATE 31.07.2013

This morning my latest purchases from Polished Bliss arrived.

First off we have some Auto Finesse Avalanche along with an Atomiza Dispensing Pump and a spare bottle for my PA Foam Lance.

This was purchased to replace my old out of date snow foam, which unsurprisingly wasn’t breaking down the dirt on the car as a snow foam should.

Also arriving this morning was my latest extravagance, in the form of the Auto Finesse Temptation Kit.

The kit consists of:

1 x Auto Finesse Tripple (250 ml)
1 x Auto Finesse Temptation (200 ml)
1 x Auto Finesse Finale (500 ml)
1 x Meguiar's Microfibre Applicator Pad
1 x Meguiar's Foam Applicator Pad
1 x PB Super Buffing Towel
2 x Poorboy's Deluxe Mega Towels

I’m really looking forward to seeing the finish the new wax gives compared to my old Meguiar’s stuff, there will be another update soon I’m sure.

John

 

[Jmax]

Update 02.08.2013

So today saw me tackling my troublesome PA Foam Lance and trying out my new Auto Finesse Avalanche snow foam.

[video=youtube;pPsiPCgBvVg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPsiPCgBvVg[/video]

John

 

[Jmax]

Update 12.08.2013

So my latest purchase arrived in the form of new weather strips.

As you can see the old strips were cracking, splitting and even pulling away from the window with no effort.

I simply just pulled the strip away from the window and it really came off with ease.

A quick spray of tar and glue remover to remove any glue left behind from the old strip.

Just using a scalpel to lightly scrape off and of the glue or strip that the tar and glue remover didn’t manage to shift.

Line the top corner of the strip with the corner of the window, so it obviously sits perfect all the way down.

After pushing the strip in the whole way down I used the card to push it in a bit further and also push it a bit tighter to the window.

All looking good…

Now to just close the door and let it all set into place.

As you can see the old rubbers have definitely seen better day, time they hit the bin.

Since changing the weather strips the car has definitely sounded a lot quieter inside with a significant reduction in wind noise.

John