Astra VXR (Red) - Detailed....

[Nick Goodall]

Just thought I'd share another write-up as I haven't put any in here for ages, and I know some people don't mind reading haha.

DetailMyCar Presents Vauxhall Astra VXR

This is one of the first VXR's (Early 2006 I believe) and although well cared for by the current owner it had obviously had a fairly hard few years not being washed very carefully....

This was done in October (2011).

As it started:
http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03648Large.jpg

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03650Large.jpg

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03651Large.jpg

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03652Large.jpg

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03655Large.jpg

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03663Large.jpg

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03659Large.jpg

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03658Large.jpg

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03657Large.jpg

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03664Large.jpg

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03668Large.jpg

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03671Large.jpg

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03672Large.jpg

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03673Large.jpg

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03674Large.jpg

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03675Large.jpg

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03676Large.jpg

So as you can see there were a lot in the way of swirls, but also a lot of contamination in the way of Tar and bird lime that would need to be removed safely and effectively, the wheels were looking fairly dirty too.

Snow foam:
http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03700Large.jpg

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03683Large.jpg

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03681Large.jpg

[Nick Goodall]

I then went around the car with some G101 (6:1) cleaning the lights, gaps, fuel flap, grills etc

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03701Large.jpg

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03700Large.jpg

After rinsing off I set about cleaning the wheels using some AS Smartwheels 4:1 with a combination of EZ Detail brush and a Valet pro wheel brush then Tyres and arches were cleaned with G101

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03704Large.jpg

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03703Large.jpg

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03706Large.jpg

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03708Large.jpg

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03707Large.jpg

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03793Large.jpg

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03792Large.jpg

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03791Large.jpg

The wheels came up really nice, and I was pleased to see the nice finish appearing on them as they were refurbed a few months previous in a nice powdercoated finish but with a touch of sparkle to them - you'll see what I mean further down in the final shots.

Shampoo used was Wolfs White Satin with an Adam's wash pad, two buckets with grit guards from Autobrite - These have lasted me really well so far so no plans on changing them yet but I do keep wondering how long the handles will last :-)

Tardis was remove all those tiny bits as well as a few larger areas! This was sprayed on one panel at a time and left for 2-3 mins before wiping away with a new MF cloth.

This removed all the Tar easily so I was happy to get claying, using Blue 3M clay and some AS Reglaze as lube
Last step before polishing was to rinse off again, mist with Last touch all over and towel dry.

You've seen the swirls already in the sunlight but under lights they were obviously even worse! I got it all taped up, and used my 3M rotary with the usual combination of Hex Logic White, Green pads and a 3M blue for the refining. Polish wise I used Menzerna 85RD 3.02 and refined with 3M ultrafina.
Polishing Stage:

Before:
http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03729Large.jpg

After:

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03730Large.jpg

50/50's

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03750Large.jpg

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03748Large.jpg

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03739Large.jpg

Before -
http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03758Large.jpg

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03757Large.jpg

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03756Large.jpg

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03755Large.jpg

After -
http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03767Large.jpg

[Nick Goodall]

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03765Large.jpg

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03764Large.jpg

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03763Large.jpg

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03761Large.jpg

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03760Large.jpg

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03759Large.jpg

Roof before showing bad swirls
http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03773Large.jpg

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03772Large.jpg

Roof done:
http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03774Large.jpg

Bonnet done
http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03801Large.jpg

On a nice bright Red i opted for FK1000p again, this is a great Sealant for winter as durability is so good and I love the way it looks over bright colours like this!

Glass was cleaned with Meg's Glass concentrate (10:1), Tyres dressed with Meg's Endurance.

Final shots are below

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03800Large.jpg

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03799Large.jpg

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03798Large.jpg

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03795Large.jpg

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http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03786Large.jpg

[Nick Goodall]

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03785Large.jpg

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03784Large.jpg

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http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03781Large.jpg

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03815Large.jpg

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03814Large.jpg

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http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03802Large.jpg

[Matt Butcher]

nice work!

what is the foaming shampoo that you use in this photo?

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj510/detailinguk/Vauxhall%20Astra%20VXR%20Red/DSC03681Large.jpg

[Nick Goodall]

Thanks Matt, that's Meguiars Hyper Wash Shampoo but the key is that it's run through an HD Foam Lance - To be honest most shampoo's work well as Snow Foam but Hyper wash gives ultra thick foam.