A Small Update
Hello Everyone! Thought I ought to throw a bit of shape back into the thread haha
In the last few weeks, within a week of each other, I bought two sets of alloys £££!
I found a set of Cavalier Slabs for decent money locally, which were in decent condition, needing tyres. So a short drive and shake of the hand, seen my bringing them home.
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Now, although I do really like a set of slabs on a corsa, the set of alloys that I really wanted was a set of Cavalier Fanblades! They too are in good condition as can be seen below, however due to the corrosion on the barrel and the general scoring of the face, I am in the middle of refurbing them.
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Overall, they are in great condition for an alloy which is probably around about 20 years old. I do like OEM style, often I find standard manufacturer alloys are the best fit as well as look for the car, but that’s just me.
So this is where the clean-up operation begins. I started with a snow foam but had to much on to a more dedicated wheel cleaning product. I have used some of this thread for a review on a another forum so it may be a bit too detailed but as long as it’s corsa related, I’m sure yous will all be happy enough lol
Light layer of dirt on the face of the alloy. There’s no buckling or any major kerbing so that’s a definite plus. These alloys are as rare as hen’s teeth in NI, and it’s probably the same in ROI, as well as Britain, so to come across a clean set locally for decent money.
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This was the level of grime and dirt found on all four rims. The previous owner mustn’t have cared to much for the barrels, which I suppose is understandable, of course it wouldn’t do for me lol
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Foamed with Valet Pro Advanced Neutral Snow Foam, which I must say is very good. Thick enough foam is created, it does help to soften dirt, It smells nice, is economical and doesn’t deteriorate any protection on the surface in hand. I will do a proper review of this in time, just at them minute, it’s so cold and dull outside to get a proper look at the results, but from what of it I’ve used, I’ve been very pleased!
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Left to dwell for a while, about 5 minutes
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And then power washed off to leave a clean finish
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For some reason, this is the only part of the wheels to bead water! I can’t understand why but there you go!
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And now the barrel
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And foamed
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Agitated with a taped paintbrush from Poundland, which to be fair, did the job
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Power washed off leaving a respectable finish for a ph neutral solution. The alloy is corroded badly so any ‘dirt’ seen may just be ingrained.
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So tried Valet Pro ANSF on an second wheel
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But as you can see, it didn’t shift it all. This dirt was really ground on, it wasn’t moving too easy so I had to bring out the big guns
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Valet Pro Dragon’s Breath!
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Sprayed on, Dragon’s Breath goes on like a gel and sits on the surface well. The bottle produces quite a fine, concentrated spray, so I found it best to ‘spread the spray’ of the bottle, where you pull the trigger and move the bottle across the surface. No doubt you all know this by now, but it’s just an observation I made as a :newbie:.
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Being totally new in using fallout remover, it was quite exciting seeing the colour change. I was expecting a really bad smell, and right enough, it wasn’t great, however it wasn’t totally unbearable. There wasn’t much of a wind outside, but I didn’t smell it too strong unless right beside it.
Leaving for approximately 5 mins, it started bleeding quite quickly, near enough as soon as I sprayed it on.
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Power washed off, leaving a spotless finish! I was really amazed at how well VP DB worked. It didn’t require any mad scrubbing, just a going over with a paintbrush was enough to agitate the product into the surface, dissolving any further brake dust.
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As you can see above, Valet Pro's Dragon's Breath has done an unreal job of the neglected alloys, an in all fairness, the ANSF was quite able of removing some of the brake dust as well.
Conclusion
VP DB is a brilliant fallout remover, and although I have never used any other form of fallout remover, I don't really know how much greater it could get.
You don't use a great deal of product, however, you do have to use that 'sweeping' method, otherwise you could end up consuming more than you really need to.
I tried using DB on an equally dirty alloy without agitation, and although it removed some of the brake dust, further agitation was needed. However, this brake dust was really caked on, so I didn't expect anything else.
This is only one of many products that I have the pleasure of reviewing, and so I'm trying my best to get through them. However, as you can probably tell by the above review, I like to be thorough in my reviewing, I think it's only fair to the manufacturer.
So this brings me now to the sanding phase, as helped by the knowledge of Nath! It’s by no means a quick process, It took me a full day to sand the inside of one barrel and there’s still a kind of ridge so I may have to try nitromors.
Anyway I’ll update with photos of that in a while,
Thanks,
Rían P
she did look class that day if I do say so myself. I love these wee cars, just think they're absolutely brilliant. Someday I hope to own an Arden blue like yours!
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