First effort with a PC - why's it taken me so long to get one?!

benpocock

New member
Having had my PC delivered last Friday I was eager to get out and have a go with it to see what all the fuss was about. However, being naturally cautious, I didn't want to risk it on my car - cue a mate with a work van in desperate need of attention:D I figured it try it on this first on the theory that if I really did screw it up, then it wouldn't matter.



The van in question is a four year old red ex Coca-Cola Vauxhall Astra van. I had stickers on it from new and I don't think it was ever waxed. Other than serious blooming/oxidation and the fact that you could still see where the stickers used to go the paint was actually in pretty good condition.



Here are the "before" pics after we'd washed it with Megs GC and clayed with the Megs clay (using the GC as the lube).



In this pic you can see where the Coke roundel used to be on the bonnet (sorry I'm English, I suppose I should say hood!)

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This shows the blooming/oxidation on the roof and how bad a state the hood was in:

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After washing and claying we used AG Paint Renovator on a Sonus Orange at 6, SRP on Sonus Green at 6 and then EGP by hand. We actually need something more aggressive as the PR/Orange combo didn't quite get rid of the sticker outline, but I think you'll agree it's a vast improvement on what it was!



These pics show the completed hood next to a wing that we hadn't started:

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And these two pics show what we managed on the roof (exuce the signs in the background - they were acquired in my uni days!)

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It was dark by the time we'd finished so couldn't get pics of the whole van, but I was seriously impressed about what we managed with the PC and some fairly "run of the mill" products. I was also pleased to have practiced on a vehicle that didn't really matter so much as I now have the confidence to attack my own car! Pictures of which will follow next weekend!



One question though, what would be a suitable step up from PR/Orange? I'm thinking maybe it's something in the 3M line of products but as a newbie I'm not quite sure. Would SSR3 do the trick?



Ben
 
Great result!



What PC did you get? I'm looking to buy one, but since I'm in The Netherlands it is quite difficult to find one.



Richard
 
Are you going to step up the aggressiveness at all, or leave it the way it is?

I need to step up the aggressiveness but don't know what would be best after PR/Orange? Being a newbie and having never used anything more aggressive than I just have I don't know what would be best. A more aggressive products or step up to a yellow pad - or both?

What PC did you get? I'm looking to buy one, but since I'm in The Netherlands it is quite difficult to find one.

I got the 7424 from www.autopia-carcare.com.



Ben
 
You could try some #80 by meguiars, or some Dual Action Cleaner/Polisher. That may leave hazing though so some #80 (quick glaze) may be needed. AG is ok but it is not aggressive enough.



Good Job!



John.
 
I've hopefully got some #80 and #83 being delivered this week. If #83 doesn't work do you think it would be best to go up to 3M PI II RC with an Orange pad, or change the pad as well?



Ben
 
I think #83 will do the job, I have an astra (one in the sig) and the swirls and etching was much worse. Im sure you will be fine with it. Try 80 with orange pad first. Then try 83 with orange pad, you will probably have to remove the hazing from 83 with 80 anyways.



Post pics once your dun!!



JJ
 
You did a good job there Ben, AG are not my favourite products but good results can be achieved with them as you have shown. :xyxthumbs



Blue206GTI said:
Did you need some kind of adapter and convertor for the PC since the UK uses 240 Volts?



Yes we need a 110 volt converter, this can be bought for around 70UKP lowejackson's sticky thread (Detailing Products Discussion) has the appropriate URL.
 
looks good, but that paints still need more work. YOu can see in the pictures alot of swirling is left, but yes i know it is your first attempt at the pc so excellent job!!
 
In pictures 1 and 2 I hadn't done anythng, in pictures 3 and 4 I've only done the hood (using the wings as a comparison) and in pictures 5 and 6 I'll give you $50 is you show me the swirls!



Ben
 
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