LowiePete
Well-Known Member
19 november 2016
Hello Folks,
Introduction
Being that I forgot the 2015 summary until way too late, I guess it is safer to
try posting 2016's a few weeks early. Most of the work this year has been
on other people's cars, with very few new products tried. The biggest shock
of the year was the demise of availability of ArtDeShine products in the UK,
although at the time of writing a few items remain in Matt's (stangalang) sale.
While I search to find alternatives, at least I still have a core of products
that will probably always stand the test of time, especially in the ease of use
stakes.
The Cars Tackled
First off came a return visit to the Gordon Keeble. This was given a bucketless
wash and a quick clay cloth clean which was done mostly to remove any loose
wax. After a panel wipe, the car was given 2 coats of ADS ArtDeSicko Gel
Coat, then topped a couple of days later with ADS Nano Bio Coat. For the first
time the car won its class at a prestigious concours event, much to the owner's
delight :driver:


Detailing had to be curtailed mid way during my May visit to Cumbria, where
I had treated half of my car to the Gel Coat / Nano Bio Coat treatment. That
and working on the replaced farm workhorse brought to a sudden stop by me
smashing my right wrist in a fall
Next door's Mégane only received a few maintenance washes, then a full detail
in August, where it got the same ADS treatment. Part of that process involved
using ADS Blue Lotion as cleaner / primer. I have found an alternative in
CarPro's "Essence" - more of which below.


Back on the farm in September saw me tackle their new to them Mercedes
C Class. Despite being only 5 years old, the neglect on the paint was bad, so it
will probably be on my future visit in May before I get it back to how I feel it
should look.
This car was my test-mule for CarPro's "Essence", and it turned out to be an
"in at the deep end" task. Considering that the car had obviously only been
attacked with TFR in its previous washes, (the deterioration of the lacquer
on the wheels being the biggest giveaway) I'm happy to put my name to the
results. The black spots in the pictures are pesky flies...


Just a couple of days ago, I re-visited an electric blue Mégane that I had given
a treatment to ADS Gel Coat on top of Obsidian Wax, simply because of the
car's colour. T'was a beat-up 12 year old back then and this is how it looks 11
months on...

All I have done is to give the car a bucketless wash. No QD was involved!
So, To The Potions List
So, To The Potions List
This was the 2014 list, the additions are highlighted in green....
...and for 2016
While I focus on potions, it was 2 years ago in September since my Laguna
received its TacSystems "Sparkle" - more or less its planned lifetime. All I
can say is that I have been thrilled with its performance and its looks. Keeping
the car clean has mostly been down to the rain, even though I live in the driest
part of the UK.
Yes, the exercise was expensive, but it was worth every penny! The problem
I have is in wondering how much is now left on the paint. I have absolutely no
way of determining this but I certainly don't feel that I need to do any topping
up real soon, now.
The surface has of course been maintained to the best of my abilities, it still
feels as smooth as ever and there are very few, if any, swirls. The coating's
hardness has seen to that, but I haven't used that as an excuse to be less
careful with my ongoing maintenance.
The Product Highlights of 2016
The obvious highlight has been the introduction of CarPro's Essence. When
comparing it with ADS Blue Lotion, the main difference is the ease in buffing it
off, though some care needs to be taken in not breathing in the nanofine glass
dust. Despite the similarities in use of both products, I have posted a review
and application guide for Essence.
What I really like about products like Essence is the fact that they are true
restorative potions. No longer the filler-heavy glazes that can compromise the
longevity of a good wax. Okay, so the application of Essence may take a bit
of work and concentration, but if you cannot handle a machine, it's a god-send.
Chemical Guy's Hose Free Eco still features on my list though it probably won't
in 2017 as I reach the end of my stock. It's a real shame that it's no longer
sold. I've been searching for a replacement in the meanwhile. Though it's too
soon to recommend, I expect it to be "EcH20" from CarPro. It's still under early
testing here. The only concern is the need for skin protection.
I can barely believe that it's over 3 years ago since I was introduced to the
wonders of a clay cloth. I kinda cooked my original in an unintended 60degC
machine wash, though its replacement is still like new. Considering just how
much damage that I could potentially do, with no machine for correcting it,
there's no question that I'll only replace it with a branded one, rather than
from a questionable source. I simply see it as a tool, so no compromises!
Falling back on SPSD will be no hardship, it still has the Wow factor, despite
the advent of the silane based QDs in the meantime.
I replaced the ArtDeGlass with ArtDeSpiros mostly because of the latter's
bigger beads and less misting. My bottle will probably last for years, because
I only use a few drops at a time on the windscreen, annually. The future seems
to be all about coatings, so finding an alternative won't be difficult.
So, To The Future
Well, as I've alluded to, finding replacements for some brilliant products that
came from the ADS stable will be the biggest battle. Luckily, I have stocks
that'll last me quite a while. Rationing it all out will be the main consideration,
until I find suitable replacements. At least there is no hurry.
I do have some concerns with the wonderful wizardry offered by the chemical
boffins supplying this industry. I come from a time when the warmth of your
hands helped enormously with the spreading of a protective potion. Getting
hands-on with some cherished metal was all part of the deal.
So I tend to greet with horror the need to wear protective gloves. Detailing,
especially as a hobby, was meant to be therapeutic, but I fear that it's almost
inexorably heading toward the need to dress up like Darth Vader even before
you open the container.
My limited motor function also doesn't welcome the need for nitrile gloves,
though eye protection has always been an absolute given. Products like Essence
and EcH20 do have some specific PPE considerations. At least with Essence you
can avoid skin contact by technique and choice of applicator. Quite how this can
be achieved for removing bird-bombs with EcH20, I'm unsure.
With the Sparkle having come to the end of its planned longevity, it's probable
that the Laguna will go back to Oldham for a little more orange-peel removal.
With the Clay Cloth being one step change and products like Essence becoming
the next, I wonder what will be next to fundamentally change this hobby?
Regards,
Steve
Hello Folks,
Introduction
Being that I forgot the 2015 summary until way too late, I guess it is safer to
try posting 2016's a few weeks early. Most of the work this year has been
on other people's cars, with very few new products tried. The biggest shock
of the year was the demise of availability of ArtDeShine products in the UK,
although at the time of writing a few items remain in Matt's (stangalang) sale.
While I search to find alternatives, at least I still have a core of products
that will probably always stand the test of time, especially in the ease of use
stakes.
The Cars Tackled
First off came a return visit to the Gordon Keeble. This was given a bucketless
wash and a quick clay cloth clean which was done mostly to remove any loose
wax. After a panel wipe, the car was given 2 coats of ADS ArtDeSicko Gel
Coat, then topped a couple of days later with ADS Nano Bio Coat. For the first
time the car won its class at a prestigious concours event, much to the owner's
delight :driver:


Detailing had to be curtailed mid way during my May visit to Cumbria, where
I had treated half of my car to the Gel Coat / Nano Bio Coat treatment. That
and working on the replaced farm workhorse brought to a sudden stop by me
smashing my right wrist in a fall

Next door's Mégane only received a few maintenance washes, then a full detail
in August, where it got the same ADS treatment. Part of that process involved
using ADS Blue Lotion as cleaner / primer. I have found an alternative in
CarPro's "Essence" - more of which below.


Back on the farm in September saw me tackle their new to them Mercedes
C Class. Despite being only 5 years old, the neglect on the paint was bad, so it
will probably be on my future visit in May before I get it back to how I feel it
should look.
This car was my test-mule for CarPro's "Essence", and it turned out to be an
"in at the deep end" task. Considering that the car had obviously only been
attacked with TFR in its previous washes, (the deterioration of the lacquer
on the wheels being the biggest giveaway) I'm happy to put my name to the
results. The black spots in the pictures are pesky flies...


Just a couple of days ago, I re-visited an electric blue Mégane that I had given
a treatment to ADS Gel Coat on top of Obsidian Wax, simply because of the
car's colour. T'was a beat-up 12 year old back then and this is how it looks 11
months on...

All I have done is to give the car a bucketless wash. No QD was involved!
So, To The Potions List
So, To The Potions List
This was the 2014 list, the additions are highlighted in green....
- Cleaner / Shampoo - ONR for bodywork, HFE for wheels
- Polish - Liquid Shine Zero Swirl
- Pre-Wax Cleaner - Serious Performance Paint Cleaner
- Clay - replaced by ADS Clay Cloth
- Glaze - .50Cal Cover Up
- QD - SP Show Detailer (now in Version 3) / ADS Nano Gloss Paint Sealant
- Sealant - FK#1000p / FK #2180 sealant
- Paste Wax - Harlys / FK#2685 Pink Wax / ADS Obsidian Wax
- Liquid Wax - Serious Performance Spray Wax / CG Blacklight
- Tyres / Trim - FK#350 / FK#108AS
- Glass - ADS ArtDeGlass
...and for 2016
- Cleaner / Shampoo - ONR for bodywork & claycloth, HFE for wheels
- Polish - Liquid Shine Zero Swirl
- Pre-Wax Cleaner - Serious Performance Paint Cleaner
- Clay - [strike]ADS Clay Cloth[/strike], to be replaced by CarPro Claycloth
- Glaze / Paint Primer - [strike].50 Cal Cover Up[/strike] / CarPro Essence
- QD - SP Show Detailer V
/ ADS Nano Bio Coat
- Sealant - FK#1000p / FK #2180 sealant
- Paste Wax - Harlys / FK#2685 Pink Wax / ADS Obsidian Wax
- Liquid Wax - Serious Performance Spray Wax / CG Blacklight
- Tyres / Trim - FK#350 / FK#108AS
- Glass - [strike]ADS ArtDeGlass[/strike] / ADS ArtDeSpiros
While I focus on potions, it was 2 years ago in September since my Laguna
received its TacSystems "Sparkle" - more or less its planned lifetime. All I
can say is that I have been thrilled with its performance and its looks. Keeping
the car clean has mostly been down to the rain, even though I live in the driest
part of the UK.
Yes, the exercise was expensive, but it was worth every penny! The problem
I have is in wondering how much is now left on the paint. I have absolutely no
way of determining this but I certainly don't feel that I need to do any topping
up real soon, now.
The surface has of course been maintained to the best of my abilities, it still
feels as smooth as ever and there are very few, if any, swirls. The coating's
hardness has seen to that, but I haven't used that as an excuse to be less
careful with my ongoing maintenance.
The Product Highlights of 2016
The obvious highlight has been the introduction of CarPro's Essence. When
comparing it with ADS Blue Lotion, the main difference is the ease in buffing it
off, though some care needs to be taken in not breathing in the nanofine glass
dust. Despite the similarities in use of both products, I have posted a review
and application guide for Essence.
What I really like about products like Essence is the fact that they are true
restorative potions. No longer the filler-heavy glazes that can compromise the
longevity of a good wax. Okay, so the application of Essence may take a bit
of work and concentration, but if you cannot handle a machine, it's a god-send.
Chemical Guy's Hose Free Eco still features on my list though it probably won't
in 2017 as I reach the end of my stock. It's a real shame that it's no longer
sold. I've been searching for a replacement in the meanwhile. Though it's too
soon to recommend, I expect it to be "EcH20" from CarPro. It's still under early
testing here. The only concern is the need for skin protection.
I can barely believe that it's over 3 years ago since I was introduced to the
wonders of a clay cloth. I kinda cooked my original in an unintended 60degC
machine wash, though its replacement is still like new. Considering just how
much damage that I could potentially do, with no machine for correcting it,
there's no question that I'll only replace it with a branded one, rather than
from a questionable source. I simply see it as a tool, so no compromises!
Falling back on SPSD will be no hardship, it still has the Wow factor, despite
the advent of the silane based QDs in the meantime.
I replaced the ArtDeGlass with ArtDeSpiros mostly because of the latter's
bigger beads and less misting. My bottle will probably last for years, because
I only use a few drops at a time on the windscreen, annually. The future seems
to be all about coatings, so finding an alternative won't be difficult.
So, To The Future
Well, as I've alluded to, finding replacements for some brilliant products that
came from the ADS stable will be the biggest battle. Luckily, I have stocks
that'll last me quite a while. Rationing it all out will be the main consideration,
until I find suitable replacements. At least there is no hurry.
I do have some concerns with the wonderful wizardry offered by the chemical
boffins supplying this industry. I come from a time when the warmth of your
hands helped enormously with the spreading of a protective potion. Getting
hands-on with some cherished metal was all part of the deal.
So I tend to greet with horror the need to wear protective gloves. Detailing,
especially as a hobby, was meant to be therapeutic, but I fear that it's almost
inexorably heading toward the need to dress up like Darth Vader even before
you open the container.
My limited motor function also doesn't welcome the need for nitrile gloves,
though eye protection has always been an absolute given. Products like Essence
and EcH20 do have some specific PPE considerations. At least with Essence you
can avoid skin contact by technique and choice of applicator. Quite how this can
be achieved for removing bird-bombs with EcH20, I'm unsure.
With the Sparkle having come to the end of its planned longevity, it's probable
that the Laguna will go back to Oldham for a little more orange-peel removal.
With the Clay Cloth being one step change and products like Essence becoming
the next, I wonder what will be next to fundamentally change this hobby?
Regards,
Steve