Detailed: 2005 Lexus SC430 Coupe

[justin30513]

The owner of this car had recently moved to Georgia and had left this car behind at her other home. It basically sat, dirty in a garage, for the last 3-4 months. She told me what color it was and this got me a little excited. I knew there was a lot of pearl in it and that it had a pretty good shell of clear on it as well. To me, knowing the paint is just as important as knowing the polishes and waxes. With all of this in mind, I put together a plan.

Here's the details.........

Befores........


Simply no depth or pop to the paint.




Some of the damage and swirls.






The interior needed some attention as well.




Tires and rims....


Wash Cycle:
(Foamed with NXT/Purple Power Mix)
I degreased the tires, wells, and wheels and let them sit. I then foamed the entire car and let it sit. I then pressure washed it and foamed it again. I now washed it with my Ulti-Mitt. Since the car was small, I also clayed while washing using the soap as lubricant. This was a fast way to clean a dirty car.

Paint Correction:
(Menzerna's Intensive Polish via UDM & LC Orange Polishing Pad)
This clear coat was pretty darn hard. The hood, roof, and deck lid took two passes. I just took my time and let the polish break down and go clear. There was a little dusting but I was in full sun and the results compensated for it.

Paint Polishing:
(Menzerna's 106ff/CK VMG mix via CYCLO & EDGE2K Green Pads)
Yep. That's right. Two stages. I believe this where the ultimate depth and wetness comes from. I know of many other pro detailers that use this mix of 106. There is no dusting and I can see more depth than just 106 alone. The pearls really come out too.

Here is a shot with no wax/sealant at all........


Paint Protection:
(Poorboy's PwS/ Menzerna's APO60 50-50 mix via CYCLO & EDGE2K Green Pads)
I've wanted to try this mix for a while now. Both of these products have their pluses. I've very good durability of both and both clean very well. They also leave the surface slick and add depth to the polished clear.

Interior:
The interior was cleaned with Meguiar's Detailer Line APC 4:1. I actually found my bottle of this and now I realize why I loved it so much. It cleans really good and feels gentle on the leather and plastics. I used FOLEX on all the carpets and mats. The leather was treated with Pinnacle's Leather Condtioner. All vinyl and plastics received a coating of Pinnacles Rubber & Vinyl Protectant. Glass was cleaned with my Windex/Distilled water (50/50) mix with 1oz. of IPA per 31oz. It really works. I mean it. Try and tell me what you think. Tires got Pinnacle's Black Onyx Tire Gel and the wheel got a coating of the PwS/APO60 mix.

[justin30513]

Afters.......














The damage is 95% gone.

[Jimmie]

Just another beautiful job. Got to admit though that I was a little surprised with the glass. No fear with your solution on the window tint?

[klumzypinoy]

That pearl white just looks awesome! I wish all white paints were like that

[supercharged]

Beautiful job, Justin! I see depth in the paint and a flake pop. PwS/Menzerna wax huh? That's something new to me. What's you expected durability on this combo???

By the way, leather didn't seem to be too dirty. Isn't 4:1 mix too harsh for leather??? I'd use 10:1 on leather and vinyl instead...

[mixxer]

nice work what was the ratio of 106 and vmg mix?

[zaxjax]

Looks good. I love the Lexus metal flake. I did the smaller SUV and had no idea it even had flake when I started. You made it "POP"

[killrflake]

Absolutely beautiful results. That white pearl could not look better. You mention a combination of products namely Menzerna 106ff and CKVMG. Pardon my ignorence but can you explain what the CK VMG is? I have a white pearl G35 cpe. that I would loveto reach near the results you have with the Lexus. From what I understand Infiniti's have a soft clearcoat and of course I will have to keep that in mind when it comes to using an aggressive technique. Thanks for taking the time to respond.