KirkH
04-26-2017, 12:53 PM
2004 Infinity SUV
Customer contacted me about a 2004 Infinity SUV that he had just bought with severely neglected paint. He asked if I could "clean it up" until he could afford to get it painted. It was really bad. I did a test spot to see what was possible. The customer was blown away and decided to leave it with me for a day. Here's the hood with the test spot area. Textbook severely neglected paint. Oxidation, etchings, water spots, its got it all.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2872/34210072466_3c4b630bcb_c.jpg[/url]
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2811/34094186982_e1c7f1c2d9_c.jpg
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4161/33867403530_937c80020b_c.jpg
I’m sorry that I didn’t take more “before” pics. I think you can tell what the paint was like. It was bad. I put this on the How to Make Money forum and someone over there told me I should post this here. So this is a step by step in case anyone ever finds themselves with a similarly neglected vehicle, to give them hope LOL!
I started out with a foaming with Autogeek Quart Foamaster Foam Gun FREE BONUS (http://www.autogeek.net/auqufofogun.html) and then a two bucket wash using Chemical Guys Citrus Wash & Gloss 16 oz. (http://www.autogeek.net/chemical-guys-citra-wash-gloss.html) at a high concentration to really decontaminate. I used two of the Super Plush Micro-Chenille Wash Mitt, microfiber wash mitt, car wash mitt (http://www.autogeek.net/super-plush-wash-mitt.html). For claying, I used a heavy clay from England with Chemical Guys Luber Clay Lubricant 16 oz. (http://www.autogeek.net/chemical-guys-clay-lubricant.html) . There were a lot of contaminants and I used 2 clay patties.
Wheels were cleaned with BLACKFIRE Total Eclipse Tire & Wheel Cleaner, all wheel cleaner, chrome wheel cleaner, aluminum wheel cleaner, factory wheel cleaner (that I got in a Mystery Box!) and a DeWalt cordless drill with Wheel Woolies Power Woolie 12X and a Soft-Grip 20 inch Wheel & Body Brush . Tires scrubbed with Deluxe Contour Tire Brush
I only did a two step polish on the hood and the roof area forward of the sunroof, a strip about 6” wide. For the rest of the car, I just used an all in one polish.
For polishing the hood, I used the Cyclo Orbital Polisher Model 5-Pro with ProGuard Backing Plates, Cyclo Pro-5 Polisher, Cyclo buffer (http://www.autogeek.net/cyclo-5-pro-polisher.html) with Lake Country 4 Inch Flat Pads 6 Pack - Your Choice! (http://www.autogeek.net/4-inch-flat-pad-6-pack.html), and the Porter cable 7424xp, 7424xp, Porter Cable 7424XP Dual Action Polisher, Porter Cable polisher, car polisher, buffer, sander-polisher (http://www.autogeek.net/porter-cable-7424xp.html) with Meguiars Soft Buff DBP6 DA Polisher 6 inch Backing Plate (http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-dbp6-backing-plate.html) for the roof and Flex-Foam HD Rotary Backing Plate, spot buff backing plate, 3" backing plate, circular polisher backing plate (http://www.autogeek.net/rotary-3inch-backing-plate.html) for pillars.
First, I used Optimum Polish is a swirl remover, finishing polish & paint cleaner in one for the optimum shine! swirl remover polish, fine grade polish, final (http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-polish.html) with orange pads. 2’x2’ areas with 4-8 slow passes, using the pressure of the weight of the machine. Next I used Pinnacle Advanced Finishing Polish (http://www.autogeek.net/best-car-finishing-polish.html) with white pads. 4-6 passes. Followed by a wipedown of the hood with Chemical Guys Wipeout surface cleaner.
I was really trying to pull out all the stops to make this hood look better so I applied Chemical Guys Glossworkz Glaze (http://www.autogeek.net/chemical-guys-glossworkz-glaze.html) with a blue pad. 4-6 passes on speed setting 4, according to the instructions. After that, I applied Chemical Guys JetSeal 109 Super Acrylic Sealant Formula 16 oz. (http://www.autogeek.net/chemical-guys-jetseal-109.html) with the Porter cable 7424xp, 7424xp, Porter Cable 7424XP Dual Action Polisher, Porter Cable polisher, car polisher, buffer, sander-polisher (http://www.autogeek.net/porter-cable-7424xp.html) with Lake Country 6.5 Inch CCS Pads 6 Pack - Your Choice! (http://www.autogeek.net/lake-country-ccs-6pack.html) and waited 20 minutes to remove with a top microfiber towel. I let the sealant cure for two hours, then applied Collinite Liquid Insulator Wax #845, liquid wax, heat-resistant wax, car wax (http://www.autogeek.net/collinite-insulator-wax-845.html). I let it dry to a haze and removed with my best towel.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4155/34269136215_94c41d1510.jpg
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2941/34228850006_7056af520d.jpg
On the roof, there was clear coat failure.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4182/34269127325_6ae94e79b9.jpg
It was already gone on the 6" strip in front of the sunroof. I decided to see what I could do. First, I thought I remembered reading Mike Phillips had used some Meguiars #7 Show Car Glaze is a final step auto glaze to enhanced the gloss prior to wax application. Get a show car shine with Meguiars #7 Show Car (http://www.autogeek.net/meg7showcarg.html) to “moisturize” some single stage paint before polishing. I figured “Why not?” So I applied the Show Car Glaze and let it sit on the paint overnight. Today I used Optimum Polish is a swirl remover, finishing polish & paint cleaner in one for the optimum shine! swirl remover polish, fine grade polish, final (http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-polish.html) with an orange pad. Next I used Pinnacle Advanced Finishing Polish (http://www.autogeek.net/best-car-finishing-polish.html) with a white pad. 4-6 passes. I used the sealant and wax again on the strip.
It didn’t look great but it was better than it was.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4158/34269131435_eef71a9c3d.jpg
For the rest of the vehicle I used a green pad and Wolfgang Uber All In One, cleaner wax, all in one polish wax (http://www.autogeek.net/wolfgang-uber-all-in-one.html). 4-6 passes and wipe with my best mf towel.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2859/34138352911_46ffe3fa51.jpg
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4180/33427486954_9f5df98c75.jpg
Other than the front, hood and roof, this truck looks great! LOL!
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2829/34111960352_6dc8773694.jpg
Paging Dr. Colorchip, Dr. Colorchip to the Emergency Room STAT!
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2890/34210721476_39762ca298.jpg
While I was waiting for the hood and roof sealant to cure, I clayed and sealed the windshield, just because I had nothing to do and it cost me maybe, say, a nickel? Griot's Garage Glass Sealant, glass protectant, windshield sealant (http://www.autogeek.net/griots-garage-glass-sealant.html). I also cleaned one leather passenger seat with Vinyl & Leather Scrub Brush (http://www.autogeek.net/vilescbr.html) and Chemical Guys Sprayable Leather Cleaner & Conditioner 16 oz. (http://www.autogeek.net/chemical-guys-liquid-leather-cleaner-conditioner.html) to show him what I can do for the interior. I also treated the airbag cover on the steering wheel with Chemical Guys G6 HyperCoat protectant dressing to demonstrate how I can moisturize and revitalize the dash and trim.
Before the customer came to pickup, I did a quick dust wipe with Chemical Guys P40 Pro-Detailer with Carnauba 16 oz. (http://www.autogeek.net/chemical-guys-pro-detailer-carnauba.html) and I sprayed the tires with Chemical Guys Blue Guard.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2948/33427487314_1d4174c1a0.jpg
And when he picked up the truck, I gave him the choice of car scents and he chose Chemical Guys New Car Scent, air freshener, new car smell, car deodorizer (http://www.autogeek.net/chemical-guys-new-car-scent.html)
Final photo:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2806/33459389833_6021acdc00_c.jpg
I’m sure I have forgotten things so I will update this thread if I think of it. Thanks for hanging out with me on this job!
Customer contacted me about a 2004 Infinity SUV that he had just bought with severely neglected paint. He asked if I could "clean it up" until he could afford to get it painted. It was really bad. I did a test spot to see what was possible. The customer was blown away and decided to leave it with me for a day. Here's the hood with the test spot area. Textbook severely neglected paint. Oxidation, etchings, water spots, its got it all.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2872/34210072466_3c4b630bcb_c.jpg[/url]
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2811/34094186982_e1c7f1c2d9_c.jpg
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4161/33867403530_937c80020b_c.jpg
I’m sorry that I didn’t take more “before” pics. I think you can tell what the paint was like. It was bad. I put this on the How to Make Money forum and someone over there told me I should post this here. So this is a step by step in case anyone ever finds themselves with a similarly neglected vehicle, to give them hope LOL!
I started out with a foaming with Autogeek Quart Foamaster Foam Gun FREE BONUS (http://www.autogeek.net/auqufofogun.html) and then a two bucket wash using Chemical Guys Citrus Wash & Gloss 16 oz. (http://www.autogeek.net/chemical-guys-citra-wash-gloss.html) at a high concentration to really decontaminate. I used two of the Super Plush Micro-Chenille Wash Mitt, microfiber wash mitt, car wash mitt (http://www.autogeek.net/super-plush-wash-mitt.html). For claying, I used a heavy clay from England with Chemical Guys Luber Clay Lubricant 16 oz. (http://www.autogeek.net/chemical-guys-clay-lubricant.html) . There were a lot of contaminants and I used 2 clay patties.
Wheels were cleaned with BLACKFIRE Total Eclipse Tire & Wheel Cleaner, all wheel cleaner, chrome wheel cleaner, aluminum wheel cleaner, factory wheel cleaner (that I got in a Mystery Box!) and a DeWalt cordless drill with Wheel Woolies Power Woolie 12X and a Soft-Grip 20 inch Wheel & Body Brush . Tires scrubbed with Deluxe Contour Tire Brush
I only did a two step polish on the hood and the roof area forward of the sunroof, a strip about 6” wide. For the rest of the car, I just used an all in one polish.
For polishing the hood, I used the Cyclo Orbital Polisher Model 5-Pro with ProGuard Backing Plates, Cyclo Pro-5 Polisher, Cyclo buffer (http://www.autogeek.net/cyclo-5-pro-polisher.html) with Lake Country 4 Inch Flat Pads 6 Pack - Your Choice! (http://www.autogeek.net/4-inch-flat-pad-6-pack.html), and the Porter cable 7424xp, 7424xp, Porter Cable 7424XP Dual Action Polisher, Porter Cable polisher, car polisher, buffer, sander-polisher (http://www.autogeek.net/porter-cable-7424xp.html) with Meguiars Soft Buff DBP6 DA Polisher 6 inch Backing Plate (http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-dbp6-backing-plate.html) for the roof and Flex-Foam HD Rotary Backing Plate, spot buff backing plate, 3" backing plate, circular polisher backing plate (http://www.autogeek.net/rotary-3inch-backing-plate.html) for pillars.
First, I used Optimum Polish is a swirl remover, finishing polish & paint cleaner in one for the optimum shine! swirl remover polish, fine grade polish, final (http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-polish.html) with orange pads. 2’x2’ areas with 4-8 slow passes, using the pressure of the weight of the machine. Next I used Pinnacle Advanced Finishing Polish (http://www.autogeek.net/best-car-finishing-polish.html) with white pads. 4-6 passes. Followed by a wipedown of the hood with Chemical Guys Wipeout surface cleaner.
I was really trying to pull out all the stops to make this hood look better so I applied Chemical Guys Glossworkz Glaze (http://www.autogeek.net/chemical-guys-glossworkz-glaze.html) with a blue pad. 4-6 passes on speed setting 4, according to the instructions. After that, I applied Chemical Guys JetSeal 109 Super Acrylic Sealant Formula 16 oz. (http://www.autogeek.net/chemical-guys-jetseal-109.html) with the Porter cable 7424xp, 7424xp, Porter Cable 7424XP Dual Action Polisher, Porter Cable polisher, car polisher, buffer, sander-polisher (http://www.autogeek.net/porter-cable-7424xp.html) with Lake Country 6.5 Inch CCS Pads 6 Pack - Your Choice! (http://www.autogeek.net/lake-country-ccs-6pack.html) and waited 20 minutes to remove with a top microfiber towel. I let the sealant cure for two hours, then applied Collinite Liquid Insulator Wax #845, liquid wax, heat-resistant wax, car wax (http://www.autogeek.net/collinite-insulator-wax-845.html). I let it dry to a haze and removed with my best towel.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4155/34269136215_94c41d1510.jpg
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2941/34228850006_7056af520d.jpg
On the roof, there was clear coat failure.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4182/34269127325_6ae94e79b9.jpg
It was already gone on the 6" strip in front of the sunroof. I decided to see what I could do. First, I thought I remembered reading Mike Phillips had used some Meguiars #7 Show Car Glaze is a final step auto glaze to enhanced the gloss prior to wax application. Get a show car shine with Meguiars #7 Show Car (http://www.autogeek.net/meg7showcarg.html) to “moisturize” some single stage paint before polishing. I figured “Why not?” So I applied the Show Car Glaze and let it sit on the paint overnight. Today I used Optimum Polish is a swirl remover, finishing polish & paint cleaner in one for the optimum shine! swirl remover polish, fine grade polish, final (http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-polish.html) with an orange pad. Next I used Pinnacle Advanced Finishing Polish (http://www.autogeek.net/best-car-finishing-polish.html) with a white pad. 4-6 passes. I used the sealant and wax again on the strip.
It didn’t look great but it was better than it was.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4158/34269131435_eef71a9c3d.jpg
For the rest of the vehicle I used a green pad and Wolfgang Uber All In One, cleaner wax, all in one polish wax (http://www.autogeek.net/wolfgang-uber-all-in-one.html). 4-6 passes and wipe with my best mf towel.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2859/34138352911_46ffe3fa51.jpg
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4180/33427486954_9f5df98c75.jpg
Other than the front, hood and roof, this truck looks great! LOL!
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2829/34111960352_6dc8773694.jpg
Paging Dr. Colorchip, Dr. Colorchip to the Emergency Room STAT!
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2890/34210721476_39762ca298.jpg
While I was waiting for the hood and roof sealant to cure, I clayed and sealed the windshield, just because I had nothing to do and it cost me maybe, say, a nickel? Griot's Garage Glass Sealant, glass protectant, windshield sealant (http://www.autogeek.net/griots-garage-glass-sealant.html). I also cleaned one leather passenger seat with Vinyl & Leather Scrub Brush (http://www.autogeek.net/vilescbr.html) and Chemical Guys Sprayable Leather Cleaner & Conditioner 16 oz. (http://www.autogeek.net/chemical-guys-liquid-leather-cleaner-conditioner.html) to show him what I can do for the interior. I also treated the airbag cover on the steering wheel with Chemical Guys G6 HyperCoat protectant dressing to demonstrate how I can moisturize and revitalize the dash and trim.
Before the customer came to pickup, I did a quick dust wipe with Chemical Guys P40 Pro-Detailer with Carnauba 16 oz. (http://www.autogeek.net/chemical-guys-pro-detailer-carnauba.html) and I sprayed the tires with Chemical Guys Blue Guard.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2948/33427487314_1d4174c1a0.jpg
And when he picked up the truck, I gave him the choice of car scents and he chose Chemical Guys New Car Scent, air freshener, new car smell, car deodorizer (http://www.autogeek.net/chemical-guys-new-car-scent.html)
Final photo:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2806/33459389833_6021acdc00_c.jpg
I’m sure I have forgotten things so I will update this thread if I think of it. Thanks for hanging out with me on this job!