BLACK 350z Gets some Menzerna Lovin'

[Lumadar]

Hi guys and gals.

Here is the first before and after I managed to get some half decent pics of. Sadly, my picture taking abilities aren't anywhere near my detailing abilities (Well, I guess that only sucks for you guys, but the customers prefer it that way lol)

On to the situation: started with a 2006 Nissan 350z, Black, that is garaged, bought used, but taken care of lovingly...but very incorrectly. Owner likes to rinse with water only and then dry with a chamois, puts car cover on the car when dirty, etc.

I started with a wash using a combo of Meg's gold Class, NXT, and Super Soap in my Gilmour FOAM gun. After the soak I used SM Arnold Lambswool mitts, two bucket method, and grit guards. I used Meg's Multi-Piece Wheel cleaner for the wheels.

Dried with Meg's water magnets, followed by a Meg's blue mild clay bar lubricated via a 1:1 ratio of Last Touch and water.

After clay I proceeded to analyze the paint and found the following damage:

Also visible in the shaded portion (bottom) of the next pic:


I decided to tackle detailing the interior with a combo of Meg's APC+, a vacuum, and some Meg's Quick Detailer for the interior. It was all very clean so took very little effort.

I went over the engine bay with some diluted Simple Green and then Meg's 4:1 Hyper Dressing on the plastics/rubbers/hoses. (Sorry, no pics here...MY BAD!)

Then came the two piece painted wheels with Meg's all metal polish for the chrome lips, followed by Quik Wheel Detailer for the rest. I treated the tires with 2 rounds of a thin coating of 4:1 Hyper Dressing applied via microfiber finger mitt.

ON TO THE PAINT CORRECTION!

I actually started with some Menzerna 106ff and found the Lake Country Purple Foamed Wool pad to be AWESOME. After one pass there was noticable improvement and ZERO marring/haze. The car took an average of 3 passes, but 6-7 passes (ugh) in really bad areas. (For that reason I have a gallon of Po83 coming in the mail now from AG)

Believe it or not, but I was able to "finish" with 106ff on the foamed wool...it made me pinch myself and grin all at the same time.

After pics:


and...


and...


Here is also a pic of half and half before and after. The top is the damaged section, bottom is "after" 106ff


Lighting sucked, but you can kind of see what I was able to do in that side by side.

After the 106ff I finished with some Meg's #21 2.0 in a thin coat applied by the FLEX with a LC grey pad, and removed by FLEX + microfiber bonnet and followed up by microfiber by hand.


I would love to hear thoughts, criticisms, etc.

[killrwheels@autogeek]

Menzerna is still the go-to polish for a reason, quite versatile too.

[Lumadar]

Man...75 views and only 1 reply? Were the results that unimpressive?

Back to the drawing board I guess...

[ZoranC]

Originally Posted by Lumadar

I went over the engine bay with some diluted Simple Green ...

I would love to hear thoughts, criticisms, etc.

You were not concerned that Simple Green lots of times leads to discoloration/staining?

[Lumadar]

Originally Posted by ZoranC

You were not concerned that Simple Green lots of times leads to discoloration/staining?

Sure wasn't, but I appreciate the feedback

I have been using PROPERLY diluted Simple Green in combination with APC/APC+ and Hyper Dressing for engine bay details for a LONG time and NEVER had any issues. I use it on my own vehicles that I can check over YEARS of use with NO issues.

Care to expand on the issues you ran across? Have any pics?
*To clarify, I use the Simple Green as a pre-soak, and rinse or wipe it away. I find it actually ADDS lasting shine and glistening to the plastic.

[ZoranC]

Originally Posted by Lumadar

Sure wasn't, but I appreciate the feedback

I have been using PROPERLY diluted Simple Green in combination with APC/APC+ and Hyper Dressing for engine bay details for a LONG time and NEVER had any issues. I use it on my own vehicles that I can check over YEARS of use with NO issues.

Care to expand on the issues you ran across? Have any pics?
*To clarify, I use the Simple Green as a pre-soak, and rinse or wipe it away. I find it actually ADDS lasting shine and glistening to the plastic.

Interesting as many others have completely different experience, including drying out and staining of the plastics. You can find references if you search on all major detailing boards.

[Lumadar]

Originally Posted by ZoranC

Interesting as many others have completely different experience, including drying out and staining of the plastics. You can find references if you search on all major detailing boards.

Interesting...the only thing I have ever heard negative about the SG was that it was dangerous on aluminum. I didn't have any in the engine bay...

Also, FYI for future searchers, Simple Green Ultimate is supposed to be safe for aluminum as it is intended for the aircraft industry

[ZoranC]

Originally Posted by Lumadar

Interesting...the only thing I have ever heard negative about the SG was that it was dangerous on aluminum.

I am sure if you go back and search you will find references of same result on other materials too.

Considering you are refusing to do so let me do it for you. Here is a quote from MOL (I thought it would be appropriate because you refrenced them elsewhere as QA of your skillset):

Originally Posted by Murr1525

Well, I am pretty sure using Simple Green in my wheelwells turned the plastic from a nice black to a chalky gray. No more Simple Green anywhere near my car.

[Lumadar]

Originally Posted by ZoranC

I am sure if you go back and search you will find references of same result on other materials too.

Considering you are refusing to do so let me do it for you. Here is a quote from MOL (I thought it would be appropriate because you refrenced them elsewhere as QA of your skillset):

You're a piece of work buddy, seriously.

I refused to do so? And you are basing that off of what? I actually searched for Simple Green about 6 different ways, and perused countless topics without finding a single thing about it. Never did I say it wasn't possible- ANYWHERE, did I?

I also find it hilarious that you somehow find yourself "above" Meguair's products...haha, you really are ALL about ego, aren't you? Get a life Napolean...

[ZoranC]

Originally Posted by Lumadar

I actually searched for Simple Green about 6 different ways, and perused countless topics without finding a single thing about it.

Did you try using "simple green plastic" in search? Took me under a minute (obviously).

Originally Posted by Lumadar

I also find it hilarious that you somehow find yourself "above" Meguair's products...

Simple Green is not Meguiar's product

Originally Posted by Lumadar

Get a life Napolean...

Hey, mods, what are the forum rules about name calling? And can Napolean be considered name calling when name is mispelled? And even if it was spelled right (Napoleon) can that be considered name calling or should it be considered a compliment considering who Napoleon was?