My black S70R

[S1mon]

I started my big cleaning mission on Saturday! Unfortunately, I don't have a garage so have been looking around for one I can rent while I detailed the car but to no avail! So, I bit the bullet and went for it!

The cars paintwork was in very poor condition before I started. It was riddled with swirls and marring and was also somewhat oxidized. I'm pretty sure it hadn't seen a hint of polish for quite sometime and looked like it had been washed with Brillo pad! (Sorry Richy!)

Here are a few photos of the car before I started, they're not the best and really don't show the extent of issues but you'll get the idea!

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u164/sipowell85/DSC02076.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u164/sipowell85/DSC02079-1.jpg

So, 1st up was a wash with fairy liquid to fully degrease and remove any traces of any polish / wax that may have been present. Then masked up all the rubbers and black trim to prevent damage from the DA polisher when that comes into play. Then I clayed the whole car top to bottom. I've only ever done this on 2 other cars and this was by far the worst one! At 1st it sounded like I was rubbing sand paper over the paint, but it's very satisfying when after 10secs or so it goes silent and smooth as glass!

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u164/sipowell85/DSC02072.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u164/sipowell85/DSC02082.jpg

After claying the entire car, I was loosing light fast (it took 6.5hrs!!) But, I decided to mask a line down the bonnet and get the machine on it to see what a difference there would be!!

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u164/sipowell85/DSC02083.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u164/sipowell85/DSC02089-1.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u164/sipowell85/DSC02088-1.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u164/sipowell85/DSC02086.jpg

Called it a day there, and in the morning went out armed with my CYC DA polisher, many various pads and Menzerna compounds and off I went. I'm afraid I got a bit engrossed and forgot to take photos at this point! However, I did have a very scary moment when a Menzerna pad let go on me...luckily I managed to keep the machine away from the car!

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u164/sipowell85/DSC02096.jpg

After 2 compounding passes, I moved onto AG SRP on a polishing head. This is where the hard work STARTS to pay off and shine starts to come through!

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u164/sipowell85/DSC02095.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u164/sipowell85/DSC02098.jpg

Next step, Poorboys Black Hole glaze applied by hand. This stuff is AMAZING! One of the best products I've come across! Really adds depth and gloss while filling any small swirls still left!

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u164/sipowell85/DSC02109.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u164/sipowell85/DSC02106.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u164/sipowell85/DSC02107.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u164/sipowell85/DSC02100.jpg

[S1mon]

After the glaze was Car Lack 68 sealant, again amazing stuff...but no photos, sorry! To finish it all off...Collonite 476S wax. Really happy with the end finish...for now! I feel I could have done better with the swirl removal stage by using a product I've used many times before, 3M Finesse-it Finishing material. I may have the use of a garage in a few weeks so might start again then, but having the excellent base this time it won't be anywhere near so hard! Here are a few pics I took this evening. Note: the car is very dusty in them. The camera doesn't pick this up but seems to have killed off the shine a bit!

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u164/sipowell85/DSC02111-1.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u164/sipowell85/DSC02114.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u164/sipowell85/DSC02119.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u164/sipowell85/DSC02117.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u164/sipowell85/DSC02120.jpg

Hope you like!! Any comments good / bad welcomed!

[stu_850t5]

That is one hell of a car! looks spot on. hats off to ya for the huge effort involved!

[kee1173]

That looks great..also helps me out alot as i have a black V70R and is very similar to what yours was tho not as bad...my prob with mine is when i cleaned her up looked good for a week but now back to as before so does need a thorough going over, but i also have to refurb the wheels as really bad, got paint peeling and 2 are different shades, but very useful post...Cheers mate shows what can be acheived...

[S1mon]

No probs. On a black car it is essential you use good quality products(I massively recommend the poorboys glaze I mentioned!)

Main thing is though, when you're done, make sure future washing techniques are right! Ie, the two bucket method, good quality shampoo that won't strip wax, a good lambswool mitt, and a good drying towel. Never a chamois or blade!

[frobes2]

Awesome Simon, looks brilliant...

I'll have to bring mine down and you can show me how to detail a car properly, or I'm going to have to get some of the 'black hole' stuff..

Hope family are well,

Scott..

[kyebosh]

SUPERB - :B_thumb:

[t5_monkey]

Your car is awesome!

If i ever get a 2nd car or change mine... S70R will be high up on the potential list.

[bsr295]

spot on looks fantastic,bl..dy hard work gone into that.

[simpT5]

WOW!! What a stunning example of a gorgeous S70R you have there, it really does look the mut's nuts in black!

Who need mirrors with a paint finish like that?

[Stedman]

Well done Simon. Get soe crystal lights next to match the grille yeah? ;) What's the paint like on the P1 cars, i.e hard or soft? Cheers :)

[MIKESC70T5]

Very nice Simon, looks lovely.

[Wobbly Dave]

Quality finish - loving the gloss and the depth. In future I might also recommend TARDIS to assist with the claying.

[Jamest5r]

That is very impressive, just shows what can be done with a bit of graft

[flyingbrick]

Fantastic mate well done................

[LiamT4]

Looks very nice, nothing looks better than a black car when they've just been washed/waxed and the rest.
Just a shame that it is the hardest color to keep that way.

[Jim S70R]

Well done Simon looks like your hard work paid off!! Car is looking awesome.

[AndysR]

Stunning work some! Top job and certainly one to be proud of looks like you bought a nice straight example :)

[S1mon]

Thanks for all the nice comments. Was hard work but worth it in the end! Will be even better after round 2!

Crystal headlights are a must. I have an O/S headlight and indicator, just need the N/S ones now. If anyone knows of them going, let me know!

[martybelfastt5]

car looks fantastic my black 854 t5r will be getting similar soon,,

[HADI]

awesome job you done there, car looks fantastic, bet your neighbours thought you were gonna paint it when you started masking bits up. ;O)

[LiamT4]

Where did you get the front grill from?

I had a mesh grill on my t4 and it really suited it, was going to get one for my s70r but not sure if it will suit it like yours would.

[S1mon]

Where did you get the front grill from?

I had a mesh grill on my t4 and it really suited it, was going to get one for my s70r but not sure if it will suit it like yours would.

Mine was actually bought by the previous owner and included in the sale of the car. Best bet is to keep an eye on breakers for 2003/4 C70s and get in quick!!

[MIKESC70T5]

Put one on my c70 when I had it, only £120 brand new from the dealers.

[S1mon]

Well done Simon. Get soe crystal lights next to match the grille yeah? ;) What's the paint like on the P1 cars, i.e hard or soft? Cheers :)

I'd say it's pretty hard mate. As mentioned, the Menzerna wasn't man enough to remove marks to my satisfaction so will be having another crack with Finesse-it at some point.

[T5frankie]

what is this "clay" you speak of?

[LiamT4]

what is this "clay" you speak of?

Its like a block of putty that you you rub over your paintwork and it gets of all the small dirt/grime that just cleaning, etc can't remove. On cars like ours though it takes bloody ages.

Basically you wash the car, strip the old wax off, then use a clay bar to get all the stuck on crap off, then wax it again.

I'v done it once on my s70r, before i went york last year, but i won't be doing the whole car ever again as it took over 10 hours, i'll just do it in areas that get very dirty like the bottom of the doore and bonnet.

I didn't think it was worth the effort either, but that was because it had obviously been well looked after by previous owners andthe paintwork was in good condition anyway. It silver as well, which hides the dirt well.

However, it really does work if your paintwork aint in the best condition and you want to bring its colour/shine back and it also works very well on dark non metallic colours.

[S1mon]

Clay'ing is one of the most satisfying parts of detailing my opinion (except of course standing back and admiring the stunning results after all other steps are complete.)

You use detailing clay and a lube to stop the clay sticking or further marring the paint. You must be committed though because it's a long task (took me over 6hrs). It removes not only contaminants ON the paint that you can feel (tar, railway filings etc) but also contaminants IN the paint that you can't see. After all the hard work clay'ing a car there are no real visual results except the paint feels smooth as silk and is covered in smeary dried on lube. However, it gives a great base to put all the other steps onto. If you're detailing a car from scratch, it's foolish not to clay it 1st.

Here's what I used.

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/detailing-clay/sonus-sfx-ultra-fine-detailing-clay-sampler/prod_83.html

[LiamT4]

Clay'ing is one of the most satisfying parts of detailing my opinion (except of course standing back and admiring the stunning results after all other steps are complete.)

You use detailing clay and a lube to stop the clay sticking or further marring the paint. You must be committed though because it's a long task (took me over 6hrs). It removes not only contaminants ON the paint that you can feel (tar, railway filings etc) but also contaminants IN the paint that you can't see. After all the hard work clay'ing a car there are no real visual results except the paint feels smooth as silk and is covered in smeary dried on lube. However, it gives a great base to put all the other steps onto. If you're detailing a car from scratch, it's foolish not to clay it 1st.

Here's what I used.

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/detailing-clay/sonus-sfx-ultra-fine-detailing-clay-sampler/prod_83.html

When its been done well, its the smoothness thats most satisfying part, for me.
It just feels clean, if you know what i mean.
I reckon mine had been done sometime before i bought it.

[Wobbly Dave]

what is this "clay" you speak of?
here is my brief guide from back in 2006. Yes I have owned her now for nearly 5 years.

http://www.bigredvolvos.co.uk/galleries/july_2006_CYC.htm

[Richy_S70R]

Very impressive mate glad you did what i should of done lol hats of to ya glad your taking care of her she was a very good car

[S1mon]

Quick note...I'm on the hunt for drivers side crystal / jewel C70 headlight and indicator if anyone knows of anything??

[S1mon]

Now for sale guys!

http://www.vpcuk.org/forums/showthread.php?p=378323#post378323