EngineerNate
08-30-2017, 01:46 PM
Hi Guys!
These are the first two cars I've done as a "detailer" and not just a hobbyist. By that I mean, I was paid to do the work. I'm still very much a novice and learning as I go. These cars belong to friends that trusted my hobbyist experience and didn't have the cash or desire to hire a more established detailer. I'm trying to get both my skills up and get some good pictures in the hopes that I can turn this into a little part-time job while I finish grad school.
Enjoy the pics, and I welcome any feedback!
E36 M3:
Before: https://imgur.com/a/0R4HU
After: https://imgur.com/a/ymX3s
This was my first car. I used a bunch of products I had on hand for this. Primarily Meg's Ultimate Interior Detailer and the Lexol twins on the inside. After washing/claying, the outside got a 2-step with Ultimate Compound/Polish with LC flat and CCS orange and white pads respetively. I used an inexpensive clothing steamer on the seats. LSP was Meg's Ultimate Paste Wax.
I added up my time and this car took 32 hours to finish.
2006 330i
I took what I learned from the M3 and applied it to this car. I ended up being able to work a bit faster, but not as fast as I'd like! Still around 3 days total for interior/exterior washing + the paint correction. This got a one step with Griots BOSS orange pads and Ultimate compound due to budget constraints. I spot corrected various defects with UC and the white BOSS pad as well. This was also my first experience with bulk products, and what an improvement! I used N-914, the McKee's 37 Hi-Intensity APC+, and Meg's D156 extensively for this detail and having them in bulk saved me a bundle.
Claying and decontaminating the car went quick aside from the rear RHS quarter and rear door. The overspray shown in the photos was incredibly stubborn. I settled on a process of softening the overspray with lacquer remover followed by claying, then repeating that process until the spots released from the paint. After completing this, I kept a small bit of clay and the N-914 with me during the entire polishing process as I kept finding tiny bits that I'd missed. I'd estimate I removed 100 or so individual spots, one at a time. Next time I'm faced with something like this I'd like to try one of the nanoskin products to speed things up as recommended by users on this forum.
Before: https://imgur.com/a/qwKVx
After: https://imgur.com/a/7o7UN
The regimen I used on the 330i is as follows:
Exterior:
Products (In order of application):
-Meg's Dub Color Change Wheel Cleaner
-Megs Gold Class Wash
-Chenille mitts/various brushes/3 bucket method
-Sonax Fallout Remover
-McKee's 37 Clay with N-914 at 1:128 as lubricant
-Aerospace 303 on black trim/rubber (Applied first to make removal of any sling easier)
-Griot's BOSS White Pad + Meg's Ultimate Compound
-Griot's BOSS Orange Pad + Meg's Ultimate Compound
-McKee's 37 N-914 @ 1:8 to prep for sealants
-Megs Spray Headlight Sealant/UV Protectant (Tail lights only, waiting on owner to see if he want's to proceed further with the headlights)
-Meg's Ultimate Fast Finish
-Stoner's Invisible Glass
-Meg's D156 as LSP and wheel wax
-Mothers FX Tire Shine
-Aerospace 303 again.
In general, I'd follow the UC with UP or M205 but that was out of the budget with this customer so I found a compromise that finished out to an acceptable level while maintaining decent correcting power. I REALLY like the Griot's BOSS pads. Can't wait to use them on my personal vehicles in the coming weeks.
Interior
Interior:
Products used:
-Folex Carpet Stain Lifter
-McKee's 37 Hi-Intensity APC+ 10:1
-Megs Ultimate Quick Interior Detailer
-Lexol Leather Cleaner and Conditioner
-Steam!
-Aerospace 303 Protectant
-Plenty of microfibers
-Solo Horton Brushes
Thanks for looking!
These are the first two cars I've done as a "detailer" and not just a hobbyist. By that I mean, I was paid to do the work. I'm still very much a novice and learning as I go. These cars belong to friends that trusted my hobbyist experience and didn't have the cash or desire to hire a more established detailer. I'm trying to get both my skills up and get some good pictures in the hopes that I can turn this into a little part-time job while I finish grad school.
Enjoy the pics, and I welcome any feedback!
E36 M3:
Before: https://imgur.com/a/0R4HU
After: https://imgur.com/a/ymX3s
This was my first car. I used a bunch of products I had on hand for this. Primarily Meg's Ultimate Interior Detailer and the Lexol twins on the inside. After washing/claying, the outside got a 2-step with Ultimate Compound/Polish with LC flat and CCS orange and white pads respetively. I used an inexpensive clothing steamer on the seats. LSP was Meg's Ultimate Paste Wax.
I added up my time and this car took 32 hours to finish.
2006 330i
I took what I learned from the M3 and applied it to this car. I ended up being able to work a bit faster, but not as fast as I'd like! Still around 3 days total for interior/exterior washing + the paint correction. This got a one step with Griots BOSS orange pads and Ultimate compound due to budget constraints. I spot corrected various defects with UC and the white BOSS pad as well. This was also my first experience with bulk products, and what an improvement! I used N-914, the McKee's 37 Hi-Intensity APC+, and Meg's D156 extensively for this detail and having them in bulk saved me a bundle.
Claying and decontaminating the car went quick aside from the rear RHS quarter and rear door. The overspray shown in the photos was incredibly stubborn. I settled on a process of softening the overspray with lacquer remover followed by claying, then repeating that process until the spots released from the paint. After completing this, I kept a small bit of clay and the N-914 with me during the entire polishing process as I kept finding tiny bits that I'd missed. I'd estimate I removed 100 or so individual spots, one at a time. Next time I'm faced with something like this I'd like to try one of the nanoskin products to speed things up as recommended by users on this forum.
Before: https://imgur.com/a/qwKVx
After: https://imgur.com/a/7o7UN
The regimen I used on the 330i is as follows:
Exterior:
Products (In order of application):
-Meg's Dub Color Change Wheel Cleaner
-Megs Gold Class Wash
-Chenille mitts/various brushes/3 bucket method
-Sonax Fallout Remover
-McKee's 37 Clay with N-914 at 1:128 as lubricant
-Aerospace 303 on black trim/rubber (Applied first to make removal of any sling easier)
-Griot's BOSS White Pad + Meg's Ultimate Compound
-Griot's BOSS Orange Pad + Meg's Ultimate Compound
-McKee's 37 N-914 @ 1:8 to prep for sealants
-Megs Spray Headlight Sealant/UV Protectant (Tail lights only, waiting on owner to see if he want's to proceed further with the headlights)
-Meg's Ultimate Fast Finish
-Stoner's Invisible Glass
-Meg's D156 as LSP and wheel wax
-Mothers FX Tire Shine
-Aerospace 303 again.
In general, I'd follow the UC with UP or M205 but that was out of the budget with this customer so I found a compromise that finished out to an acceptable level while maintaining decent correcting power. I REALLY like the Griot's BOSS pads. Can't wait to use them on my personal vehicles in the coming weeks.
Interior
Interior:
Products used:
-Folex Carpet Stain Lifter
-McKee's 37 Hi-Intensity APC+ 10:1
-Megs Ultimate Quick Interior Detailer
-Lexol Leather Cleaner and Conditioner
-Steam!
-Aerospace 303 Protectant
-Plenty of microfibers
-Solo Horton Brushes
Thanks for looking!