Toyota Tercell (small car = big job)

[Nica]

This vehicle belongs to a co-worker of mine, really nice guy. When I brought the Cyclo to work and he saw it he was started asking some questions about what I do to the paint and how it would look and well he was interested. I told him that I would detail the exterior of his vehicle at no charge. Well he jumped all over it, and I can see why now. It’s a silver Toyota Tercell, I’m not sure what year though. Has about 55,000KM and it has seen better days. The exterior needed some hard work and I found out after washing it. I didn’t mind detailing working on the paint, I really enjoyed the challenge and did things that I had never done and well gaining experience and that I did. The vehicle has never seen a polish surprising enough it actually didn’t there were only some spots that were bad but then again I found out that it’s hard to see scratches on silver. I had to play around with the light’s. This vehicle doesn’t even compare to my Lexus, my Lexus was a walk in the park compared to this Tercell. Mind you my Lexus is brand new and this Tercell is not. Any who, I started this vehicle on Sunday at 2PM and finished it at 12:30AM. Yup, I had fun. Surprisingly enough I’m holding up okay with about 3hrs of sleep. I usually get up early to go to work 4:30AM.

Oh sorry for the long winded write up but I hope some of you enjoy it, if it’s too much let me know. I’ll try to keep it down on the next one.


Washed (black shmitt)

I first washed the car using Meguiars Gold Class Shampoo, this stuff works well. No complaints here. The reason I used the black shmitt is because the paint really needed that extra aggressiveness. Surprising it didn’t cause any micro marring, found this interesting. I’m still not using the black shmitt on my Lexus. I like the white one. Oh yea, I didn’t even bother with the two bucket method lol.




Clay

I had the Meguiars clay bar (white one) and so I didn’t want to use my Pinnacle clay I thought I’d use the Meg’s. The Meguiars clay bar doesn’t have much bite but I’m glad I used it because when I was done claying this vehicle I had to throw it out. The clay felt as though I dropped it on the floor and it looked like I had dropped it on the floor. So to the garbage it went. The clay bar felt like sand paper.

Polish (Orange Edge 2K pads with XMT #3 and the Linda (Cyclo))




As all of you have seen I just received my Cyclo and I put it to work. Okay, first things first THE CYCLO IS WICKED!!! No vibration, no num feeling and gives good results. The results I would say are no better then the Porter Cable 7424. After all the Cyclo and the PC do the exact same thing minus the vibration. Money well spent if you ask me. Now as for the size of the machine, that was something I wanted to test out and well first the obvious. On flat surfaces like the hood, roof, fenders and back panels it works great. Then came the door panels, it can be done but you just have to be careful. When it came to underneath the side view mirror’s now that was tricky, I only tried it in one side and in the other side I used my rotary and yes it’s much easier and faster to use the PC or a rotary underneath the mirrors and the door panels too. But if you only had a Cyclo it can be done just take extra care. Another spot to watch out for was the door handles, I guess it depends on the type of door handles but if you got like the ones you will see in the pictures it’s actually easy to do the door handles. I have to admit I like the dual 4inch pads, I felt I had better control but I think this is due to the design of the Cyclo. Oh on the horizontal parts I didn’t find it to awkward, surprisingly my arms didn’t hurt either. I don’t know, I felt it better to hold because of the handle but yes you can not maneuver the Cyclo with just one hand like the PC. I tried using it with just one hand and it didn’t feel comfortable so two hands all the way. Okay hope this info helps those who have questions about the Cyclo, if you have more questions I’ll try to help…keep in mind I just got it and first time using it and by no means I’m not an expert on the Cyclo.

I tried using the Cyclo as much as possible but this vehicle had some mean scratches and the Cyclo was hardly putting a dent on them, I can’t wait to get my Optimum compound and the Menzerna I could have used it on this vehicle. So I would say half the vehicle was done with the Cyclo and the other have was done with Lola (Metabo rotary).

[Nica]

Polish (Orange Edge 2K pads with XMT #3 and the Lola (Metabo rotary) at 1500rpm)

Since I’m trying to master the rotary I figured that since the situation called for it I wouldn’t shy away from it. I tried one Pass with this combo and it worked okay but not strong enough, so I tried another pass and the were still there so I went up in aggressiveness level.

Polish (Orange Edge 2K pads with XMT #4 and the Lola (Metabo rotary) at 1500rpm)

Please note that this was just in a few spots not the entire vehicle. So one pass with XMT #4 and it helped but not enough so that’s when I ran my finger nail on it and the scratches were quite deep. So I phoned the owner and asked for permition to wetsand. Owner sayd “what’s that?” So I started explaining and long story short customer gave me the okay and off to wetsanding I went. Owner told me that the deep scratches on the door were his and the other scratches on the bumper was his wife hahaha. Owner tried to touch up the paint on the door and well you’ll see the before.

Wetsanding (2000grit 3M sand paper)

Now I’ve never done this, this is my first time ever wetsanding and I went back through my e-mails and found a wetsanding videos that were posted at AutoGeek a wile back and man that video is really good. I can’t remember who it was that posted it but they were working on a black Porche and the front bumper had severe water edging. Well that’s where I got some tips and my from Mr. Toto. Toto has done it all and I read lots of his write ups and well I had a video and guidance from Toto…well write ups to me are guidelines.

Now this wetsanding is very nice, I like it…I just wished I had a paint gauge. I would wetsand a bit then whipe and check and then wetsand some more and wipe and check and all the time I was paranoid that I would go to far lol…but luckily I think what helped me was that I would maybe give it two or three passes and check and after a few passes I could no longer feel it with my finger nail and said that was enough. I was pumped to try the wetsand and I’m glad I it worked out for me. Wetsanding rocks!!! I had to wetsand three really bad spots.

Polish (Orange Edge 2K pads with XMT #3 and the Lola (Metabo rotary) at 1500rpm)

After wetsanding I went over the area with this combo and got rid of all scratches that were left over by the wetsanding and restored the shine and gloss to the paint. Looking forward on getting my paint gauge and doing some more wetsanding. I can see why a paint gauge is a must for wetsanding. Overall really good experience with wetsanding.

Glaze (XMT finishing Glaze applied by hand)

I wanted to try the a sealent the Wolfgang sealent but I had to retun the vehicle on Monday so no time to let the vehicle cure so I had to use the glaze. Not that I mind, I really like the glaze goes on easy and removes easy. Just one coat of glaze.

Wax (Liquid Souveran applied and removed by hand)

I like Liquid Souveran, goes on super easy and wipes off great. I like how it makes the flakes on the paint pop and it gets noticed. I was debating weather to use Signature II or Liquid Souveran and well Liquid Souveran won. I used cobra indigo microfiber polishing cloth to remove the wax. I’m starting to develop a collection of microfiber towels….sweet!!! Oh and I love maintaining my microfiber towels…maybe I’m weird but I just like washing my microfiber towels. I probably take better care of my mycrofiber towels then my own clothes. Well at least that’s what my wife tells me lol.

Tires (Meguiers Gold Class Endurance)

I’ve used this product for years now and I don’t like the tires to glossy so I only use small amounts. I like it because the amount that I put on the tires, it doesn’t make a mess after. Quite pleased with it.

Winshield and glass (Stoner Invisible Glass Pump Spray with Cobra waffle weave microfiber glass towel)

I remember ordering this stuff and I’ve never used it so thought I would give it a shot. I like the towel and the stoner’s is nice too. Can’t complain. I never really paid much attention to what I used to clean the glass but stoners is slick and I like the microfiber towel….my wife took two already. I had five of them, I need to get a better hiding place for my microfiber towels.

[ltoman]

Okay, I can't see the pictures from this computer, but I can't wait to check this one out later!!!
How on earth though could you expect an old, bottom of the line Tercel, to compare to your brand new Lexus? Don't you think there are multiple reasons for the HUGE price gap you silly boy you? Plus it has long since been discontinued.
Anyway, I like someone as dumb as me - I am doing that red Neon for free and I don't have any rotary or cyclo so I will have to learn what I can from what you did. ANd Nica, I had no idea that you were working your way to wetsanding ...lol...and I remember when you wouldn't put the pc by the Lexus and I had to try to convince you. That seems funny now that you are the master. (Hey, wanna do the Neon for me?) It was very nice of you to do it for him for free. Hope you are hanging in there later with no sleep. You will need a nap, Lola free. Leave her out in the cold...hee hee hee....

What are you washing your beloved microfibers in?

Awfully nice of you to use your Pinnacle high end waxes on it too. You are a very good friend. I hope he appreciates it!

[Nica]

Now for pictures (sorry hardly any before shots)

Before:


Tuch up paint done by owner


No tuch up paint so rust started


I just gigled when I saw this picked up the cell phone and made the call


Not sure if you will be able to see the scratches but the truck was nasty.


Hope you can see it





Now for the after:


I enjoyed wetsanding very much


The shadows you see are a bunch of co-workers taking a look at the results.


Onwer taking a look at the resutls very pleased...I got a lunch out of it...better then nothing.






Oh yea, pictures were taking at the parking lot at work. Hense the bike




I like this one, nice reflection of the sign







Overall, woner was happy. I was happy with the challenge and satisfied with the results...oh and I just love wetsanding

Okay Toto give me a BMW now...but just watch me very closely please

hahahaha wait till I burn paint then watch what I'll be saying hahahahaha

[Bigfoot]

Hey loco, nice job, hermano! But, it's a Corolla, and you said Tercel...

[Nica]

Originally Posted by ltoman

Okay, I can't see the pictures from this computer, but I can't wait to check this one out later!!!
How on earth though could you expect an old, bottom of the line Tercel, to compare to your brand new Lexus? Don't you think there are multiple reasons for the HUGE price gap you silly boy you? Plus it has long since been discontinued.
Anyway, I like someone as dumb as me - I am doing that red Neon for free and I don't have any rotary or cyclo so I will have to learn what I can from what you did. ANd Nica, I had no idea that you were working your way to wetsanding ...lol...and I remember when you wouldn't put the pc by the Lexus and I had to try to convince you. That seems funny now that you are the master. (Hey, wanna do the Neon for me?) It was very nice of you to do it for him for free. Hope you are hanging in there later with no sleep. You will need a nap, Lola free. Leave her out in the cold...hee hee hee....

What are you washing your beloved microfibers in?

Awfully nice of you to use your Pinnacle high end waxes on it too. You are a very good friend. I hope he appreciates it!

I know silly me comparing a Tercell to my Lexus...well Toyota, Lexus same thing but yes I agree different quality..lol.

Yea I remember when I would fold my arms and say machine to my vehicle never. hahahaha funny how things change huh, moral of the story is never say never

Hey Lauren, wetsanding it fun...you should give it a try...oh yea I got to post that link to the video. If you hear and see what he says it's a really good video I watched a few times. I would love to do the Neon...I'm hooked what can I say. To bad we don't live close. Me master...no way..not even close. Give me a few years and maybe then I'll be as good as some of the members here...still lots to learn but I'm yung and full of energy .

Microfiber...Pinnacle Microfiber rejuvenator...I think that's what it's called. Cleans it really good, wash my microfiber by hand.

Yup, I showed him how much the stuff was that I used becuase he asked and he was going to pay me but I wouldn't accept his money. Besides it was a wicked challenge for me and that's all I wanted. He's a really cool guy, helps me out here and there and well I'm returning the favor. Besides...wetsanding... just wicked...man I can't get over it. Makes such a huge difference oh and saves time too. Oh he appretiates it alright. He was blown away from the results.

Oh yea anothe co-worder/neighbor has a Mercedes SLK (nice car) that I get to play with starting Friday night...can't wait I'll probably won't charge him either. He's always doing favors for me oh and the color is red...oh and I've been getting my products in...can't wait to try the new products...I'll post pictures of the new stuff I've got.

Glad you like it Lauren, so now you need to show me some good stuff on that Neon babe. Trust me you can do it, it's really easy just takes time and patiance that's all.

[Nica]

Originally Posted by Bigfoot

Hey loco, nice job, hermano! But, it's a Corolla, and you said Tercel...

Oops my bad..sorry.

[Nica]

oh yea, sorry for the funny looking text...I was fooling around to much and didn't notice the text. I did it in word first because I really don't pay attention to my spelling and then when I transferred it over it went all wild on me.

Sorry

[orngez]

awesome job....glad you enjoyed wetsanding...its fun and gives results very quickly...i like the reflection pic of the sign

[FloridaNative]

Awesome work Nica!! Esa corolla salio muy bueno compadre. Te felicito!