Thought I'd just post up some pictures of a friends' MK3 Golf that I spent most of the day cleaning.

This car has not been physically cleaned in well over 4 years (owners own calculation, but it could be longer :doublesho:doublesho ).

Well, to say that it was in a "slight" state would be an understatement. The pictures really do not do the quality of the paint justice. Sorry about the quality of the pictures, but they were taken on my iPhone, so only 2MP quality.

The paint is mostly original VAG but there is no lacquer, just pure gloss basecoat.

Some before shots...
Door shuts






Bonnet






Doors


Overview




Bumper


Exhaust


Engine bay












Engine bay was done first, a rather concentrated mix of AutoSmart Triple (about 40% mix). Two doses of that later and a wash down, it was onto the bodywork.

The bodywork was treated to the same Triple, but in a more diluted mix, around 20-30%.









I did not bother to clay the car before this as I would just have used clay bar after clay bar, so decided that the more "extreme" method would work just as well.

The Triple was allowed to soak for a few seconds (no more due to the concentration) before washing off with a pressure washer.

Then, the car was dried off and washed with a healthy dose of AG Shampoo and washmitt.

Dried once again, the real work began. Out came the rotary and on went the pads. First off was 3M FastCut + on a 3M orange compound pad. A few passes later and the residue was removed and was followed by 3M UltraFine SE on a 3M black polishing pad. 3M Finesse was the final layer. This process was repeated on each panel, one at a time.

The door shuts were sprayed in some AutoSmart Brisk and left to foam.

After this, the car was then rewashed and dried.

Interim shots...










(note owner in picture being useful and getting the tea in)








After this (and a nice cup of tea), it was out with the AG SRP for 2 coats, followed by AG EGP and some AutoSmart Wax.

The windows were treated to some AG Glass Polish inside and out, and all the side windows and rear window were then coated in some more AutoSmart Wax.

Bumpers and all plastics gained some AG Bumper Care and the exhaust got some AG Metal Polish.

Wheels were treated to some Turtle Wax Alloy Wheel Cleaner and the tyres AG Instant Tyre Shine.

Some afters...


























The paint is not perfect, but neglect has taken its toll in some places.