Volvo XC60 major paint correction

Often at Rhys details, we prepare cars prior to sale, or end of lease, but very rarely do we carry out a full detail on a vehicle that's being passed to another family member. That's exactly what we were tasked with when this Volvo XC60 was dropped off for a full main paint correction, engine bay steam clean, interior treatments, glass treatments, and ceramic coat. 

We have worked on a few xc60's now and I'm fast becoming impressed with their build quality. The fit and finish of the dashboard components are excellent. Volvo are by no means paying me to say any of this, it's just my opinion. 

 

The black suv had a full safe wash procedure carried out, with bug remover & tar remover applied, after rinsing, this was followed with iron fallout remover https://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/gyeon-q2m-iron. You may have seen pictures of iron fallout in action, it actually looks as though the bodywork is "bleeding out". What in fact is happening, is that the product is safely lifting iron deposits that have become ingrained in the vehicles clear coat. Application of iron fallout remover does not harm you vehicles paintwork, and it can be applied to alloy wheels to great effect without risk. The final process, as always is to clay bar the entire vehicle. You can actually feel when the clay bar has removed any remaining surface contaminates, the paint work with go from feeling slightly stippled to completely smooth. You could run you hand over the paint work with your eyes closed and know by feel alone which panels had been clayed and which had not. 

 

The engine bay was steam cleaned as the client wanted the bay to look a close to showroom condition as possible. Did you know that if you do not have access to any all purpose cleaner, of specific engine de greasers, steam cleaning is one of the safest ways in which to clean. It also effectively kills bacteria - random fact, but there you go! https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dupray-One-Plus-Steam-Cleaner/dp/B017KPKZEI/ref=asc_df_B017KPKZEI/?tag=bingshoppinga-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid={creative}&hvpos={adposition}&hvnetw=o&hvrand={random}&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl={devicemodel}&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583589102929246&psc=1 

The car was dried and brought inside and inspected under the studio lights, and .in depth with a swirl finder light from carbon collective https://www.carboncollective.com/product/carbon-collective-led-pen-light/ A small test panel was machine polished to check that the pad and compound selected were fit for the task. 

 

As the Volvo was booked for a full main correction, we knew we would have some serious defects to correct with the first pass from the da polisher (insert rupes web link). To remove the heavier scratches, a cutting pad, and heavier cut compound were selected. When we say cutting pad, at no time do we mean we actually cut the paintwork, merely that the pad is capable of either removing or significantly reducing the heavy scratches. As you would expect, a main correction takes a lot more time than say a new car prep, or minor paint correction. We were fortunate in that the owner was in a position to leave the vehicle with us for a few weeks. (Which doesn't often happen!) 

 

The marring from bird droppings had put a nasty stain on the front edge of the bonnet, which could be seen in normal daylight. This proved no problem after some deft machine work. I would like to clarify, it's not just the choice of the pad and compound that magically remove all blemishes, there also the speed at which you work, the rotational speed of the da polisher, and the amount of heat generated by the polisher onto the clear coat. All these things become a factor in trying to achieve as near perfect finish as possible. 

 

The vehicle was given a second stage machine polish, only this time with a softer polishing pad, and finishing compound (insert urls for sonax and Chemical guys). The refining stage removes any hazing left from the heavier cut compound, and really brings the paint work to life. 

 

Turning to the interior, we have lovely full black leather interior, dark tight weave carpets and mats, aluminium dash accents, all to be focused on. 

 

We Hoover multiple times when detailing the interior, the first Hoover removes all the large particles, seats are moved from standard positions so all areas are accessible, when then apply an air line and blow difficult to reach dirt out of its hiding places. We then Hoover again to further refine the interior. It's not uncommon for 3 to 4 separate hovering stages to take place before we are happy with the results. 

 

The leather seats, like so many others, had become shiny purely through general usage. With the correct products, and knowledge, these were transformed back, and a lovely matt finish was achieved. The same went for the steering wheel. We often see the biggest transformations here for obvious reasons. 

 

Indicator stalks and steering wheel switch gear was carefully and meticulously detailed, with all staining removed, leaving fresh easy to read symbols again. A small part of a full detail, but an extremely important one none the less. 

Britemax igneous quartz ceramic coat was applied to all paintwork https://www.britemax-direct.co.uk/britemax-igneous-quartz-ceramic-coating-50ml-c2x23172223 , plastic trim and chrome work. With a 4 year lifespan, this is one ceramic coating that really delivers. 

 

Glass was cleaned and polished using ceri glass https://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/carpro-ceriglass-polish , before having Gtechniq G1 protection applied https://gtechniq.com/products/auto/perfect/exterior/paint/g1-clearvision-smart-glass 

 

I was reversing the Volvo out of the studio when my clients arrived to collect it. The black paint looked wet in the later afternoon sun, and as I hoped, they were very pleased with how it looked. Client handover is always the most nerve wrecking, and enjoyable part of any detail. 

 

With approx 80 hours invested in this detail, I was sad to see it go. 

 

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Regards 

Jon 

Rhys Details 

Car detailing in Kent 

The above picture was prior to any heavy rectification work commencing