2015 Impala LTZ Corrected with Rupes UHS and Coated with Optimum Gloss Coat

[The Guz]

This is my dad's new car. It replaced his 2002 Camaro Z28 that was stolen a few months ago. The Impala was a former Enterprise rental car. It was purchased through Enterprise car sales. It has 30K miles on it. The interior is in very good shape. The exterior has minor scratches and chips from it's abuse as a former rental car. The color is champagne silver metallic.

I was doing small things during the free time I had during the 4th of July Weekend and hit hard for 3 days during the week with day 2 being a majority of the work.

The goal of this task was not a show car finish but a finish worthy of a daily driver.

Products and tools used. Clickable links provided for ease of use.

Wash/Decon:

Meguiar's Microfiber Wash Mitt (http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-microfiber-wash-mitt.html)
Grit Guard (http://www.autogeek.net/gg1010.html)
Grit Guard Washboard (http://www.autogeek.net/grit-guard-washboard.html)
Optimum Car Wash (http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-car-wash.html)
Griot's Garage Fast Surface Prep Mitt (http://www.autogeek.net/griots-garage-fast-prep-mitt.html)
CarPro IronX (http://www.autogeek.net/carpro-iron-x-lemon-scent.html)
Adam's Foam Gun

Paint Correction:

Rupes UHS Polishing Compound (http://www.autogeek.net/rupes-uhs-compound.html)
Rupes UHS 6" pads (http://www.autogeek.net/rupes-uhs-6-inch-pad.html)
Rupes UHS 4" pads (http://www.autogeek.net/rupes-uhs-4-inch-foam-pad.html)
Rupes Nano UHS 1.5" pads
(http://www.autogeek.net/rupes-40u-pad.html)Rupes Diamond Ultra Fine Gel (http://www.autogeek.net/rupes-diamond-ultra-fine-polish1.html)
Rupes 6" White Finishing Foam Pad (http://www.autogeek.net/ru150mm6inwh.html)
Rupes 4" White Finishing Foam Pad (http://www.autogeek.net/rupes-4-inch-foam-pads.html)

Paint Prep/Protection:

Optimum Gloss Coat (http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-opti-coat.html)
Optimum Paint Prep (http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-paint-prep.html)
Optimum Opti-Seal (http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-opti-seal.html)

Wheels:

Griot's Garage Heavy Duty Wheel Cleaner (http://www.autogeek.net/griots-heavy-duty-wheel-cleaner.html)
Clay Magic clay bar
Ameridepth Polish by hand on the face only
CarPro Eraser (http://www.autogeek.net/carpro-eraser-ipa.html)
CarPro DLUX (http://www.autogeek.net/cquartz-dlux.html)
Wheel Woolies (http://www.autogeek.net/wheel-woolies-detailing-tools.html)
Boar's Hair Wheel Brush (http://www.autogeek.net/8inmoorbohaw.html)
Lug Nut Brush (http://www.autogeek.net/lug-nut-brush.html)


Tires:

Meguiar's D108 Super Degreaser (http://www.autogeek.net/mg10801.html) at 4:1
Detailer's Pro Tire & Rubber Rejuvenator (http://www.autogeek.net/dp-tire-cleaner.html)
Detailer's Pro Tire Coating (http://www.autogeek.net/dp-tire-coating.html)
Tuf Shine Tire Brush (http://www.autogeek.net/tuf-shine-tire-brush.html)
Metro Blaster SideKick (http://www.autogeek.net/metro-blaster-sidekick.html)


Glass:

Clay Magic Clay Bar
Optimum Paint Prep (http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-paint-prep.html)
Optimum Opti-Glass Coating (http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-opti-glass-coating.html)
Optimum Opti-Glass Clean & Protect (http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-glass-cleaner.html)

Trim:

Meguiar's D103 APC+ (Discontinued)
Mothers Detailing Brush (http://www.autogeek.net/mothers-detail-brush-set.html)
IPA
Soultion Finish (http://www.autogeek.net/best-plastic-restorer.html)
Optimum Gloss Coat (http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-opti-coat.html)

Headlights:

Rupes Keramik (http://www.autogeek.net/rupes-keramik-150ml.html)
Rupes Nano 1.5" yellow pads (http://www.autogeek.net/rupes-40m-pad.html)
Optimum Paint Prep (http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-paint-prep.html)
Optimum Opti-Lens (http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-opti-lens-headlight-coating.html)

Tailights:

Rupes UHS 4" pads (http://www.autogeek.net/rupes-uhs-4-inch-foam-pad.html)
Optimum Opti-Lens (http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-opti-lens-headlight-coating.html)

Chrome Trim:

Meguiar's Fine Cut Metal Polish (http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-fine-cut-metal-polish.html)
Optimum Paint Prep (http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-paint-prep.html)
Optimum Opti-Seal (http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-opti-seal.html)


Tools:

Rupes LHR15 Mark II (http://www.autogeek.net/rupes-bigfoot-lhr15-markii.html)
Rupes LHR75e (Mini) (http://www.autogeek.net/rupes-75-hd.html)
Rupes Nano Long Neck
(http://www.autogeek.net/rupes-ibrid-nano-long-neck.html)
Interior:

Adams Leather Brush
Meguiar's Quik Interior Detailer
Meguiar's D181 Leather Cleaner (http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-d181-leather-cleaner.html)
Meguiar's Leather Sealer Treatment (http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-leather-sealer-system.html)
Meguiar's D120 Glass Cleaner (http://www.autogeek.net/mg12001.html)

First thing that was done was washing the wheels. The next thing was to wash the car. This was done using the Mike Phillips Aggressive Wash Method.

(http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/86146-aggressive-approach-washing-car.html)Ironx was sprayed onto the paint. It started doing it's thing after a couple minutes

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=106845

This was followed up with a rinse and wash with a foam gun and wash mitt. Once that was complete the paint was foamed again section by section and clayed with the Griot's mitt. I had gone back to clay as I was not impressed with the nanoskin fine grade sponge due to it not removing surface contaminants compared to clay. This Griot's clay mitt did a great job removing the surface contaminants. I checked one area that was completed with the clay mitt with a clay bar and it did not pick up any additional contaminants. I was satisfied with the Griot's clay mitt. This car has never been clayed since it was a rental car and thus I went with the more aggressive red mitt. The surface was very rough.

Mike's aggressive wash method is a time saver.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=106846

After this was completed I was able to get an idea of the paint defects. This was on the hood. The hood, roof and trunk showed the most defects compared to the doors.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=106847

I pulled the car into the garage. This was a wheels off detail. So I worked on the wheels and tires first. The wheels were not to dirty considering I had washed them initially prior to washing the car. I coated the wheels with CarPro DLUX and the tires with 2 coats of DP Tire Coating. Just an idea of how the wheels and tires came out.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=106866

In full sun

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3143/IMG_6239a.jpg

I ended up restoring the trim on some spare time over the 4th of July prior to going to see some family. It was cleaned with APC, prepped with an IPA wipe and restored with Solution Finish. I ended up doing the same thing to the trim on the lower rear bumper and on the mirrors. I coated over both areas with Gloss Coat. The photos are further down below.

I also coated the remaining glass with Optimum Opti-Glass Coating during the 4th of July. The windshield was done 2 weeks prior as that was my test spot. The remaining glass was clayed and protected.

Before

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=106873

After. Much needed considering the car is only 1 year old

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=106875

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=106874

I began the paint correction part. I broke out the nano to correct the pillars using the 1.5" UHS pads and Rupes UHS polishing compound. The speed was set to 3.5.

Before

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=106914

After. Not bad for the nano. There was some RIDS left in the paint.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=106915

Prior to me working on the paint, I did a test spot. I used the Rupes UHS combo on the LHR15 mark II one one side and I had received an order of the Griot's Boss pads. I used Meguiar's D300 on the Boss microfiber pads. Side by side the Rupes UHS removed more defects with less passes. I would have had to go over the areas with D300 and the boss microfiber pads another few passes. It was a bit hot here (about 80 degrees) and I had virtually no dust with the Rupes UHS. I did get some with D300. I opted to go with the Rupes UHS for this one as I wanted to not deal with to much dust and a one step was accomplishing what I was looking for.

There was some deep RIDS that remained. I was not planning to chase them down. In the end it is a daily driver and not a show car. Overall I would say the paint is 95-98% defect free.

Here is the passenger side door.

Before

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=106990

After

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=106991


A various shot of the nano on the shark fin antenna

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=106916

Once I was done polishing the paint, I followed up with a couple of wipedowns using Optimum Paint Prep. One that was done I moved to applying 2 coats of Optimum Gloss Coat. I waited 1 hour between coats. I let that sit for aonther hour and applied 1 coat of Optimum Opti-Seal. This was recommended by Yvan Lacroix as it protects Gloss Coat from abrasion. chemical and water spots during the cure time of a week. After a couple weeks, Gloss Coat will shed opti-seal.

Here are the final results


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=106917

In the garage looking glossy

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=106992

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=106993

Pulled outside to check out the paint. Paint defects are gone other than some deep RIDS.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=107031



http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=107028

Excuse the mess. I was also packing up old clothing to donate to charity.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=107029

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=107030


The chrome had some water spotting that was removed. The shine was restored and protected with Gloss Coat as well

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=107033

The tips were also cleaned, polished and protected with Gloss Coat. The trim pieces that were restored with Solution Finish were topped with Gloss Coat to add some additional protection.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=107034

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=107035

I had cleaned up the interior a couple weeks prior to working on the paint. So it received a minor wipedown with Meguiar's Quik Interior Detailer. The seats were cleaned with Meguiar's D18! Leather Cleaner and sealed with the sealer from the Gold Class Leather Sealer Treatment kit. It was also vacuumed.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=107036+


Comments and questions are welcomed. Thanks for looking.


-Mike

[Marc08EX]

Great job Mike!!! Impala is looking sweet!

[Eldorado2k]

I just finished reading.. Great job man! That car looks way better than new.
So that Meguiars Fine Cut Metal Polish is safe to use on plastic chrome eh? What did you apply it with?
I picked up some Mothers All Chrome today at Oreillys since it was on sale for $5.99

50249

It worked well on the Kias chome pieces, but did nothing for the plastic chrome trim on my Cadillac since it's pretty swirled up..

Did you apply anything to the black plastic trim on the grill? Is it honeycomb? Or vented fins?

What's your fathers reaction when you do all this to his car? Lol.

[mcate]

Beautiful work. Those Impalas are sharp looking cars!

[Justin at Final Inspection]

Great job. Really like the new impala

[Jeremy1976]

Looks great! Nice thorough job bud!

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

[ronkh57]

Really nice work!

[The Guz]

Great job Mike!!! Impala is looking sweet!

Thanks Marc.


I just finished reading.. Great job man! That car looks way better than new.
So that Meguiars Fine Cut Metal Polish is safe to use on plastic chrome eh? What did you apply it with?
I picked up some Mothers All Chrome today at Oreillys since it was on sale for $5.99

50249

It worked well on the Kias chome pieces, but did nothing for the plastic chrome trim on my Cadillac since it's pretty swirled up..

Did you apply anything to the black plastic trim on the grill? Is it honeycomb? Or vented fins?

What's your fathers reaction when you do all this to his car? Lol.

Thanks. I used a foam applicator with it and not a lot of pressure. It was heavily water spotted.

The black grille is vented plastic. No honeycomb. I used plastx on it. Prepped it with optimum paint prep and used gloss coat on it.

He was ecstatic. He liked how glossy it looked. He liked the look of the trim (front cowl) and chrome as those were in rough shape.


Beautiful work. Those Impalas are sharp looking cars!

Thanks.


Great job. Really like the new impala

Thanks. They do have a great look compared to the previous generation.


Looks great! Nice thorough job bud!

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

Thanks.


Really nice work!

Thanks Ron.

[WT Taggart]

Mike, the vehicle looks fantastic, great transformation.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[The Guz]

Mike, the vehicle looks fantastic, great transformation.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Thanks.

[Eldorado2k]

So you prefer using D103 APC over the Mothers Heavy Duty Trim Cleaner to prep trim? It works better?

And I noticed you polished the headlights, were they beginning to haze? Or you just wanted to get the most out of them?

[runrun411]

Fantastic work, fantastic write up. What are you're thoughts about the Rupes Nano? How Long did it take you to do that detail?

[The Guz]

So you prefer using D103 APC over the Mothers Heavy Duty Trim Cleaner to prep trim? It works better?

And I noticed you polished the headlights, were they beginning to haze? Or you just wanted to get the most out of them?

D103 worked good enough to clean the trim. The thing with Mothers, is that it does leave something behind. At least that is what I noticed. It's easier to do an IPA wipedown on trim cleaned with APC than Mothers trim cleaner. I don't want anything to interfere with the bonding of solution finish.

The headlights had some sort of etched crud. So a light polish was able to remove it. They were not beginning to haze. It was part of the prep work to make them pop a bit more prior to coating them.


Fantastic work, fantastic write up. What are you're thoughts about the Rupes Nano? How Long did it take you to do that detail?

Thanks. I like the nano. It's a great tool. Really gets into the nooks and crannies. I did not do much if anything at all by hand in terms of polishing other than under the door handles. When I really got into it, 3 days and I was officially done. With me putting in about 10 hours on the second day. The final day was 3 hours as most of the time was waiting for time between applying coats. I think on the first day I may have put in around 4-5 hours.

The free time I had during the holiday weekend was like an hour or two here and there hitting small areas like the trim, wheels and glass.

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Wow Mike! Outstanding Show 'N Shine.

Talk about a total transformation. That came out extremely well.

Thanks for sharing.

[rwisejr]

Great job . It looks awesome. I know your dad was very happy with the outcome.