Howie's Detail Job by Reflect Effect

[Justin Fox]

This morning Suga got me to move my car out of the driveway so that she could take this pic:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4061/4439434818_24b599427a_o.jpg

Howie and Jane came over late last night to drop the car off and Dave got to work on it early this morning. He's just finished up so here are some shots:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/4439258041_639f86d010_o.jpg
Where's Dave?

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2768/4439709082_31118a0482_o.jpg
A courier dropped in too and delivered our invitational cards.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/4439709158_7dd8861867_o.jpg
I whacked one on Howie's car. I couldn't resist. :D

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010/4439258123_9e6381ed83_o.jpg
All done. Bit of a trickier job for Dave as Howie's got clear paint protection decals all over the front of his car (if you look closely you can see it halfway up the bonnet).

Dave took some shots too so I hope he'll come on board later tonight and post them up!

PS: Howie's on MSN and he just told me to go out and have a blat of his car. Who am I to refuse?!

You know, after driving Suga's Ksg exhaust it sure is nice to hear that lovely stock exhaust note. It's so meaty and it's not offensively loud so it encourages you to hit it more often (without worrying about other people on the street thinking you're a hoon).

Howie's suspension feels like Suga's, firm but a bit more comfy if anything. On tighter corners it rubs a little (I assume the front guard tab like Suga's car) but on one particular sweeper where there's a bump in the middle Howie's didn't rub where Suga's does. Could be an offset/tyre width issue in this case though.

Howie also mentioned he's got a DSG Mechatronic problem, and yes, sure enough on a start off the lights with a small amount of accelerator pedal the car will jerk, but it's not that bad at all.

I also noticed that Howie's car has the rattling drivers side seatbelt (Suga's has it as well). It's the plastics from around the B-Pillar where you can adjust the seatbelt height. I'm sure there's an easy fix for this. Cheers for the drive Howie. I tried my best not to brake (to avoid getting brake dust on your clean rims!). :lol:

[Bizi]

Nice pics - it's good that you mentioned the film as it's a clearly different level of reflection on the sections of the boonet.

Nice work Dave and beautiful car, Howie.

[Howie]

w00h00 clean car! yay! :D

Good stuff Dave, thanks for the great job (i haven't seen it yet, but i trust ya) and many thanks to Justin for letting me use his car port!

[Frenchie]

Very nice Howie...Enjoy that clean car - gunmetal comes up so nice when clean :)

You got HPA's suspensions don't you Howie ? be good to hear your thoughts on HPA's kit.

[DaveXR8]

As some of you already know, I had the pleasure of detailing a lovely Gunmetal grey R32 today owned by Howie.

Now the car was in reasonable condition with the signs of it needing a good detail.

After having a quick look over the car I noticed that it had the stoneguard vinyl protection added onto the front of the car.
These are good if you are doing regular long distance driving as stone chips are a b!t#h but these vinyls need to be maintained regularly with cleaning and wax to help prevent it from going dull and cloudy.

Howie asked me to carry out the same detail that was done on SUGA's car which is what I did but instead of it having the brown spots on the paint like SUGA's, it instead had a bit of tar splatter here and there.

Here are some before pictures
http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp229/Reflect_Effect/R32%20Golf%20-%20Howie/DSCN0315.jpg

Justin mentioned there might be some spiders and my heart skipped a beat. Had a bad experience with a Huntsman once when it crawled onto my head while vacuuming :eek:
http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp229/Reflect_Effect/R32%20Golf%20-%20Howie/DSCN0316.jpg

Stoneguard vinyl
http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp229/Reflect_Effect/R32%20Golf%20-%20Howie/DSCN0317.jpg

http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp229/Reflect_Effect/R32%20Golf%20-%20Howie/DSCN0318.jpg

http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp229/Reflect_Effect/R32%20Golf%20-%20Howie/DSCN0319.jpg

http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp229/Reflect_Effect/R32%20Golf%20-%20Howie/DSCN0320.jpg

My process was:

Engine bay - Autosmart Trucksteam degreaser (5:1) and pressure cleaned
Wheels - Autosmart Trucksteam degreaser (3:1), Brushes and pressure cleaned. Waxed with Toughseal wheel wax.
Pre foam - Mix of Autosmart autowash and G101
Wash - Autosmart Auto wash. 2 Bucket method
Clay - Reflect Effect fine grade clay and Driven Quick Spray as lubricant
Tar removal - Autosmart Tardis and MF towel
Glaze - Prima Amigo by RO and Black glazing pad
Sealant (LSP) - Driven Automotive polish

Leather - Cleaned with G101 (6:1) and conditioned with Driven Leather Conditioner
Dash and Trims - Cleaned with G101 (6:1) and treated with Prima Nero

Exhaust tips - Polished with Driven Finish Restorer

Pre foam
http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp229/Reflect_Effect/R32%20Golf%20-%20Howie/DSCN0322.jpg

Contaminants from half the roof
http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp229/Reflect_Effect/R32%20Golf%20-%20Howie/DSCN0323.jpg

tar on rear bar
http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp229/Reflect_Effect/R32%20Golf%20-%20Howie/DSCN0325.jpg

Tar gone
http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp229/Reflect_Effect/R32%20Golf%20-%20Howie/DSCN0326.jpg

More tar
http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp229/Reflect_Effect/R32%20Golf%20-%20Howie/DSCN0330.jpg

gone
http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp229/Reflect_Effect/R32%20Golf%20-%20Howie/DSCN0331.jpg

Floor mats left to dry after shampoo
http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp229/Reflect_Effect/R32%20Golf%20-%20Howie/DSCN0332.jpg

After Prima Amigo
http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp229/Reflect_Effect/R32%20Golf%20-%20Howie/DSCN0333.jpg

http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp229/Reflect_Effect/R32%20Golf%20-%20Howie/DSCN0334.jpg

[DaveXR8]

Finals
http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp229/Reflect_Effect/R32%20Golf%20-%20Howie/DSCN0336.jpg

http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp229/Reflect_Effect/R32%20Golf%20-%20Howie/DSCN0337.jpg

http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp229/Reflect_Effect/R32%20Golf%20-%20Howie/DSCN0338.jpg

http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp229/Reflect_Effect/R32%20Golf%20-%20Howie/DSCN0339.jpg

Wheels had heavy brake dust and some still remain on the inner rim. Wheels will need to come off and be clayed to remove all the marks.
http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp229/Reflect_Effect/R32%20Golf%20-%20Howie/DSCN0340.jpg

http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp229/Reflect_Effect/R32%20Golf%20-%20Howie/DSCN0341.jpg

Attempt on a macro shot with my cheap camera:lol:
http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp229/Reflect_Effect/R32%20Golf%20-%20Howie/DSCN0342.jpg

http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp229/Reflect_Effect/R32%20Golf%20-%20Howie/DSCN0343.jpg

http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp229/Reflect_Effect/R32%20Golf%20-%20Howie/DSCN0344.jpg

http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp229/Reflect_Effect/R32%20Golf%20-%20Howie/DSCN0345.jpg

http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp229/Reflect_Effect/R32%20Golf%20-%20Howie/DSCN0347.jpg

Tips before
http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp229/Reflect_Effect/R32%20Golf%20-%20Howie/DSCN0348.jpg

http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp229/Reflect_Effect/R32%20Golf%20-%20Howie/DSCN0349.jpg

http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp229/Reflect_Effect/R32%20Golf%20-%20Howie/DSCN0350.jpg

http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp229/Reflect_Effect/R32%20Golf%20-%20Howie/DSCN0351.jpg

Thanks for the positive feedback all >D

Hope you approve Howie :D

[VR53KS]

F-word that looks good! Naaaaisss... If you've got a bad deal with spiders, you might wanna stay far away from my car :lol:

[nath_mk6]

came up a treat :)

[SUGA]

Saw it in the driveway when I got home, another job well done Dave!

[burgs]

Awesome detail job, i think i might have seen this car on Saturday night in north Sydney?

[10d]

Looking good, saw and felt it. Hmmm.

My turn!

[Pharkus]

That's a disgrace Howie. More detailing loving more often I reckon. Once again, great job by Dave, the beauty was lurking, just needed someone to entice it out.

[nath_mk6]

Looking good, saw and felt it. Hmmm.

My turn!

Have to wait 10d as its my turn today! >D

[Howie]

That's a disgrace Howie. More detailing loving more often I reckon. Once again, great job by Dave, the beauty was lurking, just needed someone to entice it out.

I have a confession to make. I've NEVER washed the R32 OR 911. Well, not by me anyway.

I better do the 911 at least. It's been a month and the rims look awful.

Thanks Dave! I've never seen the car looking so great, I think the paint is actually slightly different in colour now! There is now an extra dimension to the tone and hue of the duco, bringing in the colour of the environment in the reflection! Definitlely a "REFLECT EFFECT"!!!

[Pharkus]

Well if only there were no water restrictions here and you lived in Melbourne I could definitely keep that car looking clean for ya!

[M4RK0]

Nice work Dave, it looks awesome,

I'm not sure in sacriface shine for protection..........I'm totally agree with the film very handy for sure, I have several stone chips on mine but I don't know,

What you think guys?,

Cheers!!

[G-rig]

Oooo came up nice!

looked fairly neglected :(

[Howie]

Hey! I did Dave a favour, the dirtier and nastier it is, the bigger the improvement!!! I got only 1 car space and the porka lives there so the r32 gets left outside on the kerb under heaps of trees.

[Pharkus]

Poor thing. My one requirement when we went house shopping was secure undercover GARAGE!

[DaveXR8]

Hey! I did Dave a favour, the dirtier and nastier it is, the bigger the improvement!!!

:lol: Sure made the happy snaps look good.

Im glad your happy with the results Howie. Very nice United Gay colour.
Was thinking that I might paint my Civic the same colour:D

[chucky]

looks sweet

do that colour dave, looks good

[fungry]

Loooks naaasssss. :)

[visconti]

Excellent job!!

[chris32]

Awesome job, I really need to find the time to get mine done.