250K Sh*tbox Detail

In an effort to give back to one of our loyal customers, we proposed a complete overhaul of his 250,000-mile Volkswagen Golf Estate—if he could match that mileage with the number of likes he received on Facebook.

As expected, our customer’s post hit the impressive target of 250,000 likes, and we agreed to detail his 14-year-old vehicle. We promised to complete the job in just two days, so we enlisted the help of some trusted detailers from the Auto Finesse Detailer Network (ADN): Liam from Urban Valets and H from Car Genie.

Once the car was delivered, we kicked off the preparation process.

The first step was to tackle the engine bay, which likely had never been cleaned in its entire life. We used our Eradicate Engine Cleaner & Degreaser along with detailing brushes and barrel brushes to reach all the hard-to-access areas. After the engine bay was clean, the car was jacked up to remove the wheels for better access to the undercarriage. Two of our team members detailed these sections using Verso all-purpose cleaner and ObliTARate, our tar and glue remover, while two others focused on the wheels with Iron Out fallout remover. We then thoroughly cleaned the door shuts with Hog Hair detailing brushes and Verso. Once the intricate areas were addressed, we proceeded with a comprehensive rinse of the vehicle to eliminate as much grime and grit as possible before saturating all surfaces with Citrus Power Bug and Grime Remover and Avalanche Snow Foam. Although Avalanche contains Citrus Power, the level of grime on this car required extra targeting for bugs and grime.

While the snow foam was allowed to dwell on the car, hog hair brushes were used alongside it to clean the windows and any rubber crevices that needed extra attention. After rinsing off the snow foam, we prepared for the contact wash using the two-bucket method. One bucket contained Lather diluted in warm, fresh water, while the other held plain water. The detailers used our lambswool mitts on the upper surfaces and noodle mitts on the lower surfaces to ensure a thorough wash of the entire vehicle. Once the contact wash was complete, the car was rinsed in preparation for the decontamination stages.

The decontamination process began with Iron Out fallout remover to eliminate any fallout, followed by ObliTARate tar and glue remover applied to the lower panels before using a clay pad. We then applied a second layer of snow foam to help lift any remaining surface contaminants. After thoroughly rinsing the car, we dried it using our Aqua Deluxe and Ultra Plush microfibre drying towels.

The car was then rolled into one of the dedicated detailing bays at the Academy. Once inside, the entire team conducted a thorough inspection of both the paint and interior to develop a plan of action. Mitchell and Simon removed the interior seats to gain better access to the carpets. With the seats out, they used Verso all-purpose cleaner and a wet vacuum to clean the fabric, while Liam employed a Karcher steam cleaner and microfibre cloth to revitalize the headlining. By the time we finished, the headlining transformed from a dull winter grey to a sparkling white. Both the seats and headlining were left to dry overnight. The carpets were shampoo-extracted in the same way as the seats to eliminate stains and lingering odors. Meanwhile, head honcho James, along with Ash, H, and Joe, inspected the paintwork under specialist lighting to devise a strategy and determine which of our products would be most effective.

Certain areas received Revitalise steps 1, 2, and 3 (Restoring, Polishing, and Refining), while others were treated with our One Step single-stage car polish. However, some sections required more extensive work. The more severely damaged areas were wet sanded using 3000 Grit Trizact sandpaper and a Mirka palm sander. Wet sanding prevents heat buildup on the surface, unlike using a compound, which can generate heat. Prior to this treatment, we thoroughly inspected the paintwork to ensure it was thick enough to withstand the process. The roof, bonnet, wings, and rear quarter panels were all sanded with the 3000 grit, then revitalized with Revitalise steps 1, 2, and 3. The tailgate and rear bumper also underwent the same Revitalise treatment, while the lower door quarters were polished with One Step. Additionally, we removed the rear taillights to machine polish the plastic lenses thoroughly.

With the machine polishing complete, we applied Ultra Glaze to enhance the depth of the paintwork. The entire vehicle was then waxed with Desire as the first coat, followed by a layer of Illusion for a finishing wet look—Desire providing durability and Illusion adding that glossy shine.

For the interior, we used Verso, along with our detailer brushes and scrubby pads, to clean all the plastic surfaces, utilizing magic sponges on tougher spots. The wheel arches were treated with Dressle all-purpose trim dressing, while the engine bay received the same treatment, and the remaining exterior trim was dressed with Revive trim dressing.

All glass surfaces were cleaned with our Crystal glass cleaner and a waffle cloth designed specifically for glass, followed by polishing with Vision glass polish before applying the Caramics glass protection kit. Finally, we used cotton detailing swabs to remove any product residue from finer crevices, such as the edges of door handles and taillights.

After completing all those steps, we finished the interior plastics with Dressle applied using a microfibre applicator. Given the car's age, we used Dressle to restore UV protection and bring back its original colour. Small interior screens and clocks were cleaned with Crystal to remove any residue left from the cleaning process. Finally, the seats were reinstalled and secured back into the car.

Once the detailing was complete, Rtec Auto Design delivered a set of 3SDMs (0.05) wheels, along with coilovers and spacers to enhance the car's stance. While the Rtec team installed the suspension, Ash and Mitch applied the dedicated Caramics kit to coat the new wheels. We also sourced new number plates from A&A Merctech Ltd, as the old ones were cracked and dirty, and replaced the worn indicator housings with new ones—at just £3 for replacements, it wasn’t worth attempting to save the old ones. These small touches truly make a significant difference! Additionally, we brought in The Dent Men to remove some minor dents using their paint-less dent removal technique.

Finally, to complete the job, we thoroughly cleaned the exhaust backbox with Mercury metal polish before fitting the new wheels.

All in all, this detail was a thrilling experience to be part of, starting with the initial excitement on social media, through documenting the whole process, and culminating in the final reveal.