Mini-meet and safe-wash demo at MJ's, June 18th.
 

Hi all,

We're having a mini-meet at mine on June the 18th which will include a demonstration of how look after ceramic-coated cars for those who are new to these things. Nicola from FiftyFive Details will be doing the training, I'll be holding buckets, Bert will be in attendance to cover the event for Pro Detailer magazine, and Mike will be supplying the banter :D

Currently we'll have five or six D2s, with room for plenty more if anyone fancies a day out :)

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1655123122

Who is doing the BBQ?:)

Sorry, as much as I'd like to, I have no chance. Work has suddenly gone manic.

I haven't got any banter ATM. I'll get some. I can bring the BBQ.

Tempting. Would be very tempting if I could leave Herman with you for some fine fettling...;)

I really should come along to these events, I get so much help and support from A8 parts and the people here but never met anyone!

I may be around on Saturday, I will check.

This is down in sunny Devon if memory serves me right?

Yes, Copplestone in Devon, EX17 5NF

No time for Hermaning at the moment I'm afraid :(

We'll be there, though the weather forecast is decidedly vague at the moment. Friday does look really hot and sunny, but...
Earlier today the BBC was showing a nice warm (23c) sunny day on Saturday but now it's still warm but potentially raining all morning!

No worries, I understand - I'm still enjoying your other handiwork +++

If you can, you should really get along to one of these meets, if only to meet the people. I joined the forum in June 2013 and have attended the annual meets since 2014 (except 2016, but that was because of the ExplorA8tion Ireland! tour that followed immediately after) and every one has been a joy. Great people, great cars, great events and great scenery.

I'd love to go as I'm thinking of booking into FiftyFive prior to putting mine up for sale soon, I'm just too busy this weekend and won't be able to make it.

I would, but can't drive (doctor's orders) for another 7ish weeks, so I'm out, sorry

I shall be there, it will be good to get the S8 out for a run and give it some miles in its old age.

Whats a good time to arrive?

Yay :) We're aiming for a 10am start, do the safe wash demo etc and some photos, then BBQ for lunch +++ I'll be around from 9am.

Slightly vexing that tomorrow is going to be scorching and we have showers predicted for Saturday, but hopefully they will just blow over.

Where are you coming from - no clues in your forum profile..... ;)

I shall be popping down from a currently sunny Gloucestershire near Cheltenham +++

Why can't my calendar fit in with yours?
Looks like 3rd July I'm down to Best Western Tiverton for five days.

It was a good day today :) A few showers which brought lots of dust with them, but Nicola and Bert managed to get in the safe wash demo and hopefully lots of knowledge transfer during the breaks in the weather +++

Big thanks to Mike for doing the bbq, and to all that attended :) Bert took loads of pictures for the magazine article - hopefully he can share a couple of those in due course. I only got a couple but 7 D2s is a pretty good turnout, even if two of them are mine :D The murple lurking on the left doesn't count as it doesn't work.

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1655574358

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1655574358

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1655574358

Biggest D2 turnout for at least three years - and not exactly central either. Nice one +++

Great day and a pleasure to meet you all, was also good to get the S8 out for a longer drive for a change.

Excellent cars, food and company +++


http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/picture.p...pictureid=1436

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/picture.p...pictureid=1437

Hope a wonderful time was had by all. Don't suppose there's any footage of Nicola's demonstrations for us Northerners?

There was a lot of chit-chat so it was rather strung out and no videos, though Bert took LOADS of photos some of which will presumably appear in his magazine (PRO DETAILER) and maybe online somewhere. https://prodetailermagazine.com/

He'll obviously suggest that you buy his book (£12.95) of which I have a copy as part of my post-WITW "Maintenance kit". :cool:
Read parts of it today to remind me before doing my first "solo" wash!

There's a post WITW maintenance kit?...oh yeah, that's definitely happening then.

Did you get your book signed? :D

Where are you anyway? (nowt in your signature/profile :rolleyes:...)

East Yorkshire, which is proving pretty barren for D2s...& 300 odd miles from the bright lights of MJ World.

I put a basic safe wash kit together with products that can get the best from ceramic coatings, as they do require a different type of care than uncoated or waxed paintwork. If your WITW also includes a visit to Nicola then I'm happy to do the same, and also a demo of the safe wash procedure +++

The timing of having just finished two ceramic coated D2s for owners who haven't experienced such things before was somewhat serendipitous with the release of Bert's book, hence why he was keen to cover the event for the magazine :)

The book is available on Amazon, or direct from here: https://prodetailermagazine.com/prod...ash-only-book/

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1655708605

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1655708793


Its worth noting that the UK Detailing Academy in Cirencester would be happy to host another one of these events if there is an appetite for another one in a slightly more accessible location. We could hold one later in the year if people are interested?

I would certainly be interested in that. Maybe an introduction also to the rubber care (no sniggering :tuttut:) and covering interior care as well?

Bert's book mentions APC (All Purpose Cleaner) quite a bit, not least for removing bird droppings; we get lots of those!
There's not one in the kit, but is there one that Nicola thinks is particularly suitable for Ceramic coatings?
e.g. I looked at the Garage Therapy range and one product says "a unique blend of car shampoo and nano sealant" which I would assume is a definite no-no.

(I also might use APC after light rain as drops tend to sit on the roof and boot leaving dull spots when they dry)

For rain spots I'm tempted to use the supplied shampoo, very dilute and applied in small areas with a damp mitt, rinse the same way and dry with the towel.

This is rain running off the bonnet after a shower yesterday; I did blow all that off:
http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...0&d=1655718054

Gtechniq W5 is an excellent coating-safe APC, which we discussed briefly on Saturday:

https://www.gtechniq.co.uk/shop/auto...rpose-cleaner/

I use it diluted 10:1 in most cases, decanted in to a separate spray bottle:

https://www.gtechniq.co.uk/shop/auto...gspray-bottle/

Interested if it September onwards (boot not coming off foot till August, then I am holidaying).

I'm happy with my wash process having spent the past 11-12 years learning and investing, but always something new to learn on one of these days.

I'd highly recommend YumCars' ceramic for a post-wash top-up for ceramic coated cars, and their snow foam is still the best I've found (though I am going to give BiltHamber a try soon).

I also use GTechniq W5, have a 5 litre tub of it in the garage.

I also highly recommend investing in a water filter for the final rinse, if you have had a ceramic coat, as it makes the final process so much easier.

If just a maintenance wash, I just leave it out in the sun to dry.

If going on to a final coat, then I combine a drying towel with my BigBoi blower before the final fettling.

Even simpler, for yesterdays rain spots on the roof I waited for the car to be in the shade, went over it very gently with the mitt dampened only with softened water (no shampoo) then mopped up remaining water with the towel.
Worked a treat. +++

It needs to look immaculate as SWMBO has a "significant" birthday tomorrow and we will be travelling in style to a suitably splendid venue to celebrate. :cool:

I'm cleaning the golden barge ready for an outing to Dudley on Wednesday.
It's Gwen's 4th Anniversary and though rather sad my German daughter is coming over to join me for the day.
Happy 21st to SWMBO (Mrs HP)