First Wash - My Maserati GranTurismo Sport MC Auto

Serkie

Junior Member
Messages
94
Evening All,

I've not long had the car long and after some 400 miles in it, it was time for its first wash in my ownership. I thought I'd take some pictures and share.

So the current plan is to keep her clean through the winter and caress her with a Flex in the spring, really get the paint flake popping. Until then a series a maintenance washes and wax top-ups will suffice.

Some before photos, not too dirty...

DSC04955_zpsguomdm5i.jpg


DSC04952_zpsc994nooz.jpg


DSC04944_zpscyr7hmmi.jpg


DSC04936_zps797cgqyu.jpg


DSC04938_zpsyuqjwjuy.jpg


Set a pasting table up as the drive was pretty minging with leaves everywhere. Initial products for the wash phase:

DSC04934_zpseuu2uql1.jpg


Gave the wheels and lower sections of the car a spray with some Power Maxed TFR...

DSC04957_zps2w5ayecb.jpg


Power washed the whole car to get rid of a much crud as possible. Car is wearing Zymol Royale which looks to be still present...

DSC04965_zpspnkijziy.jpg


Next, each wheel was sprayed with Autosmart Smart Wheels and then carefully agitated with a Valet Pro brush and medium Wheel Woolie. Tyres were scrubbed with a Viken soft brush. Didn't use the Iron-X today as I didn't think it was needed.

DSC04969_zpsbdlktmre.jpg


The car was then hand washed using Bilt Hamber Auto Wash and a Meguiars lambs wool wash mitt. Standard two bucket method (2BM) with a grit guard in the rinse bucket.

DSC04980_zpsxqhzaqub.jpg


Wheels were given another once over with the Dooka wheel mitt and left over wash shampoo.

DSC04986_zps0sjfysek.jpg


Car was then rinsed off with the power washer and then open-ended hose rinsed. Zymol seems to be doing its job with decent water hydrophobic sheeting...

DSC04989_zpseasnl8ap.jpg


DSC04990_zpskuovgfso.jpg


Car was then dried with Cleanyourcar Fluffy drying towels...

DSC04995_zpsrseycp24.jpg


DSC04999_zpsigsaegvu.jpg


Glass was then cleaned with Zaino Z12 Glass Polish and buffed with a Eurow Towel...

DSC05005_zpszflnjzjh.jpg


DSC05006_zps0zgcrg1u.jpg


DSC05007_zpsambhr5yy.jpg


Time to add some more protection so I hit the Zymol Sampler Holiday pack...

DSC05008_zpspw63e9tz.jpg


Went for Zymol Concours, applied via a Zymol foam applicator...

DSC05009_zpsur2lemlf.jpg


DSC05010_zpszrcrsbyp.jpg


DSC05013_zpsegbik6bs.jpg


Buffed off using Cleanyourcar Ultra Plush buffing cloths...

DSC05016_zps3ux9ylut.jpg


Leaving this...

DSC05019_zps3oinq0zz.jpg


DSC05020_zpswbwyc2ct.jpg


DSC05022_zpsnf4pfq80.jpg


DSC05026_zps7mgn99xn.jpg


For speed and ease, I went for some Chemical Guys Hybrid V7 sealant for the wheels. I've got a dedicated wheel protector on order, until that arrives this will do.

DSC05033_zpswo5ze1ow.jpg


Tyres were dressed using some Zaino Z16, love this stuff, applied via a seasoned thick sponge.

DSC05035_zps19lhu0ma.jpg


Next, time for the interior, nothing too bad in here, just some dust and remnants of children...

DSC05038_zpsnrznsu2x.jpg


DSC05039_zpsatnvpro4.jpg


DSC05041_zpstrgk1flq.jpg


DSC05042_zps7qtnceap.jpg


DSC05044_zpsqppo2ccx.jpg


DSC05045_zpsselkrra2.jpg


DSC05047_zpsulxelwod.jpg


Carpets and seats tackled with a Dyson V6, absolute love this gadget both around the house and also in the car. If you're thinking of getting one, just do it.

DSC05049_zpsfg9rfqhi.jpg


All leather wiped down with some Dr Leather cleaner, again another superb product. So easy to use and leaves a lovely finish.

DSC05050_zpsrbagfa5o.jpg


Finished and looking much better...

DSC05051_zpsd4qoadkx.jpg


DSC05057_zpsivihuiky.jpg


Pedals wiped down...

DSC05058_zpst8ixwci9.jpg


DSC05059_zpsm9q8vbys.jpg


Car was then wiped down with some Zaino Z8. Engine is running in these pictures hence the condensation in some of the pictures...

DSC05061_zpsyzpy1qxv.jpg


DSC05065_zps9o3zirom.jpg


DSC05069_zpsrtqwbdzx.jpg


DSC05072_zpsoduexxsc.jpg


DSC05075_zpsvjaxiu1c.jpg


DSC05076_zpsexx9oep7.jpg


DSC05077_zpsbttus1hw.jpg


DSC05079_zpsefrwfxmh.jpg


DSC05081_zpsfsxe9apt.jpg


Engine plastics were given a wipe down...

DSC05084_zps1uk33hw2.jpg


DSC05085_zps6e2l4cjx.jpg


All done...

DSC05087_zpsgudfyxsm.jpg


Thanks for reading.
 

JonW

Member
Messages
3,259
Wow - I clearly have lots and lots to learn... can I ask how long did that all take?
 

Serkie

Junior Member
Messages
94
Wow - I clearly have lots and lots to learn... can I ask how long did that all take?

Hi Jon,

The above took about 3 hours but I wasn't rushing and it was only a wash and wax. When you start machine polishing paintwork you soon get into days e.g. 20+ hours spent on a car. I'm planning on machine polishing the car in the spring over a few days as I'm pretty sure the gloss and finish can be improved.

Take a look at this thread, you may need to sign-up to view the pictures though. It will give you an idea of the improvement that can be made...

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=385350
 

redsonnylee

Member
Messages
1,538
You never know, your numbers may come up tonight. I find washing the cars very relaxing, always have my dads old Roberts radio on.
 

StuartW

Member
Messages
9,306
Well done, your attention to detail looks very impressive & you get your just rewards too
 

FIFTY

Member
Messages
3,100
Very nice! I'm a bit of a detailing geek too but I haven't taken the plunge yet with buying a DA Polisher. Might get one next year when we move hopefully our new pace will have a garage and then the misses will not see me much lol.

I don't think you need it but I find AMMO NYC a very useful resource on YouTube and Larry somehow makes even the dullest topic on polishing compound quite interesting probably besause he is borderline ocd and works on some beauts!
 

Serkie

Junior Member
Messages
94
Very nice! I'm a bit of a detailing geek too but I haven't taken the plunge yet with buying a DA Polisher. Might get one next year when we move hopefully our new pace will have a garage and then the misses will not see me much lol.

I don't think you need it but I find AMMO NYC a very useful resource on YouTube and Larry somehow makes even the dullest topic on polishing compound quite interesting probably besause he is borderline ocd and works on some beauts!

Thanks for info, I'll look them both up. Nothing gets the juices flowing like a good polishing video. ;)
 

mjheathcote

Centenary Club
Messages
9,033
Very nice! I'm a bit of a detailing geek too but I haven't taken the plunge yet with buying a DA Polisher. Might get one next year when we move hopefully our new pace will have a garage and then the misses will not see me much lol.

I don't think you need it but I find AMMO NYC a very useful resource on YouTube and Larry somehow makes even the dullest topic on polishing compound quite interesting probably besause he is borderline ocd and works on some beauts!

Borderline OCD...he is!
I'm also near the stage of buying a DA polisher, oh no!!
 

iainw

Member
Messages
3,386
Wow thats looks a great job and a lovely car.

When I bought mine, I did the old Halfords thing, 3 for 2 etc, bought loads of cool stuff. Gave it one wash and valet, it looked great. It got dirty again and I thought f*** it, its cold outside.

Now I pay a professional valeted 20 pounds....he spends 3-4 hours on it, erects a gazebo over it if its raining, and gives the inside a clean too.
My wife thinks I am bonkers - but I think its worth every penny.

I wish I had the patience and time to do it.