My last Americaot job: 2008 Buick Enclave

[richy]

This customer took advantage of my clearance sale for my Americoat coating. The vehicle was in for that and for me to try to attempt to fix a key scratch in the RR door. Here it is as it arrived:

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4456.jpg (http://s156.photobucket.com/user/rhowitt/media/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4456.jpg.html)


http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4458.jpg (http://s156.photobucket.com/user/rhowitt/media/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4458.jpg.html)


http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4459.jpg (http://s156.photobucket.com/user/rhowitt/media/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4459.jpg.html)


http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4460.jpg (http://s156.photobucket.com/user/rhowitt/media/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4460.jpg.html)


http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4461.jpg (http://s156.photobucket.com/user/rhowitt/media/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4461.jpg.html)


http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4465.jpg (http://s156.photobucket.com/user/rhowitt/media/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4465.jpg.html)


There were a few other marks along that side too and not just the key scratch:



http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4462.jpg (http://s156.photobucket.com/user/rhowitt/media/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4462.jpg.html)


http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4463.jpg (http://s156.photobucket.com/user/rhowitt/media/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4463.jpg.html)


http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4464.jpg (http://s156.photobucket.com/user/rhowitt/media/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4464.jpg.html)


The vehicle's wheels were done first. The barrels were first cleaned with Tarminator, followed by Zep Citrus. The faces were done with ZC and the tires with Zep 505. The wells were cleaned with LATA. After rinsing, the barrels were then shot with Aquabead, a Hydro copy.

The vehicle was then washed with Megs HW followed by a wash using IronX paste. It was then brought inside and clayed with a clay towel. Here's what the paint looked like inside:


http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4466.jpg (http://s156.photobucket.com/user/rhowitt/media/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4466.jpg.html)


http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4467.jpg (http://s156.photobucket.com/user/rhowitt/media/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4467.jpg.html)


http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4468.jpg (http://s156.photobucket.com/user/rhowitt/media/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4468.jpg.html)


After claying, the touch up was applied to the key scratch to let it dry as long as possible. It ended up drying for about 24 hours...not enough as it turned out.


Here it is after being filled:


http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4469.jpg (http://s156.photobucket.com/user/rhowitt/media/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4469.jpg.html)


I left that panel to the very last to give it as much time as possible. The car was treated to a double step of M100 + TB black wool + 3401 followed by B/S yellow pad + Essence with a wee bit of Duragloss Squeaky Clean dribbled onto the pad as well...probably about 3-4 drops. I had never done this before with Essence although I have with M205 with good results. It changes how the product works (makes it a bit more runny) but it looked amazing.

The scratch repair was hand sanded along the scratch with 1500 grit followed by my 3" DA using Megs 3k grit discs. That was easily corrected by the above 2 steps. The paint (top portion) and head and tail lights were given that 2 step process. After correcting, some of the paint was pulled out of the scratch (which happens sometimes) so I had to re-touch up those areas. Rather than have the leveled scratch showing black, I applied more paint very sparingly to try to make the colour match better and look less noticeable. From some angles you can't see it, from others you can. Improved, yes, but not perfect unfortunately.

The bottom part, since it was matte in finish, was hand cleaned with DG Squeaky Clean with a foam applicator prior to being coated.

The paint, head and tail lights, wheels and side and rear glass were all double coated with Americoat. I then topped that with Opti Seal the following day prior to delivery. The tires were shot with Opti Bond via my air gun and leveled. Here it is all done:


http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4470.jpg (http://s156.photobucket.com/user/rhowitt/media/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4470.jpg.html)


http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4471.jpg (http://s156.photobucket.com/user/rhowitt/media/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4471.jpg.html)


http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4472.jpg (http://s156.photobucket.com/user/rhowitt/media/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4472.jpg.html)


http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4473.jpg (http://s156.photobucket.com/user/rhowitt/media/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4473.jpg.html)


http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4474.jpg (http://s156.photobucket.com/user/rhowitt/media/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4474.jpg.html)


http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4475.jpg (http://s156.photobucket.com/user/rhowitt/media/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4475.jpg.html)


http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4476.jpg (http://s156.photobucket.com/user/rhowitt/media/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4476.jpg.html)


Better, but not perfect:


http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4477.jpg (http://s156.photobucket.com/user/rhowitt/media/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4477.jpg.html)


http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4478.jpg (http://s156.photobucket.com/user/rhowitt/media/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4478.jpg.html)


http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4479.jpg (http://s156.photobucket.com/user/rhowitt/media/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4479.jpg.html)


http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4480.jpg (http://s156.photobucket.com/user/rhowitt/media/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4480.jpg.html)


http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4481.jpg (http://s156.photobucket.com/user/rhowitt/media/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4481.jpg.html)




I used UTTG on the trim and chrome running boards. I didn't like the look of it on the chrome, so I went over it with Collinite Metal Wax. That did the trick!




http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4482.jpg (http://s156.photobucket.com/user/rhowitt/media/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4482.jpg.html)


http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4483.jpg (http://s156.photobucket.com/user/rhowitt/media/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4483.jpg.html)


http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4484.jpg (http://s156.photobucket.com/user/rhowitt/media/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4484.jpg.html)


http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4486.jpg (http://s156.photobucket.com/user/rhowitt/media/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4486.jpg.html)


http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4490.jpg (http://s156.photobucket.com/user/rhowitt/media/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4490.jpg.html)


http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4491.jpg (http://s156.photobucket.com/user/rhowitt/media/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4491.jpg.html)


http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4485.jpg (http://s156.photobucket.com/user/rhowitt/media/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4485.jpg.html)


http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4488.jpg (http://s156.photobucket.com/user/rhowitt/media/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4488.jpg.html)


http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4489.jpg (http://s156.photobucket.com/user/rhowitt/media/Detailing%20Shots/DSC_4489.jpg.html)


Thanks for looking! Comments as always are appreciated.

[Setec Astronomy]

Wait, what? Why are you clearing out your AmeriCoat?

[richy]

Wait, what? Why are you clearing out your AmeriCoat?

Barry no longer sells it. Ceramic Pro bought into his company so Americoat ceased to exist. I was using up the last of my supply.

[Setec Astronomy]

Oh. I did not know that.

[Eric@CherryOnTop]

Looks awesome! Shame about Americoat, it was a pretty nice coating. I still have a bottle and a half left.

[Sicoupe]

Outstanding as always my friend!

Kyle

[AdamC95]

Awesome work plenty of paint sparkle in therr


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[richy]

Looks awesome! Shame about Americoat, it was a pretty nice coating. I still have a bottle and a half left.
You're right, it is a shame. I enjoyed using it.


Outstanding as always my friend!

Kyle
Thanks kindly Kyle!


Awesome work plenty of paint sparkle in therr


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Thanks Adam; I appreciate you taking the time to comment.

[fly07sti]

That's probably the shiniest Buick on the planet! How many cigars did it take you?

[Gav'sPurpleZ]

looks great

[mdbenge]

Nice job! Agree with others that is a shame about Americoat ceasing to exist.

[richy]

That's probably the shiniest Buick on the planet! How many cigars did it take you?
Thanks Don! About 4 I think. It's against the law to work on a car without one in Canada, LOL. (According to Richy's law, LOL)


looks great
Thanks very much Gav!


Nice job! Agree with others that is a shame about Americoat ceasing to exist.
Thanks and I agree with you. Stupid easy to use and one of the slickest out there.

[Jowillie]

Great job. Customer has to be happy.
What will be your go-to coating to replace the Americoat?

[richy]

Great job. Customer has to be happy.
What will be your go-to coating to replace the Americoat?

I'm using Optimum Gloss Coat to replace it with a choice of one coat or two.