First polish and wax done

[Lucky]

Finally managed to get time (a day and a half lol) to give the car a proper seeing too (ooh err)

Snow foam.
Washed and rinsed with 2bm and new mitt
Clayed (iron x hadn't arrived and I wanted to get it done so will use that anther time now)
Washed and dried
Paint prep with meguires 2.0 compound
Polished using Blackfire gloss enhancing polish
Sealed with blackfire paint protection.

Not done the windows, wheels or inside as I ran out of time!

Anyone who says you can properly polish a black car in a day hasn't done it!

A few pics tonight in the garage. I'll get some of the whole car but it was raining this afternoon and there was no way it was coming out in that!

Sunday before the rain



yes, I know the bumper still has polish on it!



Tonight in the garage so a bit limited

[Matt23]

now that looks the nuts Steve, excellent job mat

[Hongkongfooi]

looks great....you have been 'lucky' with the weather as its been pissing down here all day

[Scott.T]

Very nice mate.....

Look at you with your can of 3-in-1 on the shelf. Your really get into this mechanics lark now.........

[BIG"E"]

Very nice job, you had Mr. Pieman round ????

[Lucky]

Originally Posted by SilverSurfer

Very nice mate.....

Look at you with your can of 3-in-1 on the shelf. Your really get into this mechanics lark now.........

Lol, I've been told that can will fix pretty much anything

[NL03Scooby]

I think even the rain would avoid the bodywork with that shine, looks awesome! You may not rate yourself mechanically but you can certainly get the detailing right!

[Lucky]

Originally Posted by BIG"E"

Very nice job, you had Mr. Pieman round ????

It's a good job but not that good lol

Nope, this was all by hand which I have to be honest is starting to hurt now so I Really must invest in a machine soon.

[Lucky]

Originally Posted by NL03Scooby

I think even the rain would avoid the bodywork with that shine, looks awesome! You may not rate yourself mechanically but you can certainly get the detailing right!

Thanks mate. I've always enjoyed that side of it and having had a load of black cars I guess it's just as well! They are a challenge as you generally can't just get away with a quick wash as you can with more forgiving colours but when black is clean it looks awesome. A few more layers of wax and it should start to get a nice deep shine..

I've also found over the years that using the right products helps massively. Blackfire for instance is pretty easy to get off once it's hazed and it doesn't go all powdery/chalky which again with a black car is a nuisance.

[NL03Scooby]

Originally Posted by Lucky

Thanks mate. I've always enjoyed that side of it and having had a load of black cars I guess it's just as well! They are a challenge as you generally can't just get away with a quick wash as you can with more forgiving colours but when black is clean it looks awesome. A few more layers of wax and it should start to get a nice deep shine..

I've also found over the years that using the right products helps massively. Blackfire for instance is pretty easy to get off once it's hazed and it doesn't go all powdery/chalky which again with a black car is a nuisance.

I think the traditional blue like mine isn't too bad to keep clean, black cars certainly require some thought and effort, having never owned a black car I can only imagine! I have had a couple of yellow cars, they always looked great from a distance but however much you tried up close they looked pretty pants, especially if they were not well maintained from new.

I certainly agree with the correct product ethos, I currently only use Auto Glym stuff and most of it I love and have got used too however the 'darker colour' polish I have tried of theirs recently is really hard work to get off once it has hazed, even after a clay, so wont be buying it again. I am all ears for polish and wax recommendations if you have some!

[Firelight76]

Gorgeous! This is why I love black cars!

Been trying to figure out if I wanna put the lettering back on the back of mine.

Looks pretty sweet with it on. Might just go for the WRX Impreza bit. Kinda to match the massive over done key hole thing.

[Sti mayhew]

Very very good job mr luck

[Lucky]

Originally Posted by Firelight76

Gorgeous! This is why I love black cars!

Been trying to figure out if I wanna put the lettering back on the back of mine.

Looks pretty sweet with it on. Might just go for the WRX Impreza bit. Kinda to match the massive over done key hole thing.

This may help!

NONE



WRX AND STI



ALL ABOARD!

[Firelight76]

Ha! Thanks!

I think the inbetween looks good!!

[Lucky]

You're right though. Just wrx on the left will balance it out with the lock

[Firelight76]

Originally Posted by Lucky

You're right though. Just wrx on the left will balance it out with the lock

[Ginola]

That looks brilliant Steve, really shiny stuff!, I would also agree you cant do a proper job in a day

[Lucky]

Originally Posted by Ginola

That looks brilliant Steve, really Shiny stuff!, I would also agree you cant do a proper job in a day

Cheers Dave. Explaining to Sarah that I still have the wheels,glass, inside and engine bay to do was fun. Another day and a half!!!!!

[Ginola]

Originally Posted by Lucky

Cheers Dave. Explaining to Sarah that I still have the wheels,glass, inside and engine bay to do was fun. Another day and a half!!!!!

Wanda is quick to complain if my engine bay is dirty!!

[Banstead Stig]

Nice job.

I have two to do before winter, one of which is black... takes so much longer, which is a pain as it's not even mine!!

I'm yet to brave a machine, so I know the pains of doing all that by hand!

[Bolesroor]

Looking good Steve, what make is the rear box on the car now (in the 3rd picture)?

[Lucky]

It's a TSL. The same as is on the wagon

[Bytes]

Cracking job and super pics

[Rdlangy1]

Looks very shiny indeed