Pinnacle/Wolfgang Porsche

[OCDetails]

Nothing but the best for the best, right? For this detail I broke out the top shelf products and brought in my best man on his day off. OCDetails closes for the season at the end of October, so November 22 is kind of deep into the off season for someone to ask for a detail, but I couldn't resist the backdrop of a Porsche to review some products that I don't think I've ever written about.

Here is the subject. A nicely neglected Porsche.

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What it really needed was a good washing. So I broke out the Pinnacle Bodywork Shampoo (http://autogeek.net/pinbodsham.html) and went to work.

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I was impressed with the bubbles. More than an hour later there were still bubbles in the bucket.

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I washed the car with a microfiber wash mitt and dried it with an Ultimate Guzzler (http://autogeek.net/waffle-weave-drying-towel.html) waffle weave microfiber. I’ll be honest… I bought that towel not really buying into the idea that it was “the best” out there, but after using it and comparing it to half a dozen other waffle weave drying towels, I have to agree with the claims that it very well may be the best drying towel out there right now.

After drying I pulled the car into the garage to be clayed. I used Pinnacle Ultra Poly Clay (http://autogeek.net/ultra-fine-poly-clay.html) and Pinnacle Clay Lubricant. (http://autogeek.net/pinclaylub.html)

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Even though the car looked pretty bad, it was actually in fairly good condition. The owner has been a client for several years and we have worked together on his vehicles trying to build a knowledge of car care. He has all the tools he needs to get results, but he is still working on developing an effective process. The surface was pretty hazed, but not really that terrible. A light clay was all that was required and the Pinnacle Poly Clay was perfect for something like that.

After I got the lubricant wiped off and could get a good look at the paint, I saw that the surface was kind of hazed. The haze seems to be more from improper washing techniques or tools than anything else. It didn’t seem like anything that a light polish wouldn’t cure, so I chose Pinnacle XMT 1 (http://autogeek.net/xmt-ultra-fine-swirl.html) on a white Edge 2000 pad. I chose the white pad and this polish to keep everything as light as possible. I had considered a couple other light polishes, but they were all non abrasive and I felt that the haze needed just a little cut.

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The polishing seemed to do the trick. When I was finished the surface was clear as clear could be. I went on to the Wolfgang Paintwork Polish Enhancer (http://autogeek.net/wg2000.html) to prep the surface for the Paint Sealant.

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I’ve just always felt that Wolfgang looks better when you use the polish enhancer first. On this car with the products I was using, I wanted to be sure I got the very best results possible. The next step was the Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant. (http://autogeek.net/wg5500.html) That is a big name for what could simply be called one of the best shines I’ve ever seen come out of a bottle. I love this stuff!

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While the sealant was drying (I like to let it sit for 30 or 45 minutes before buffing it off) I worked on the wheels and tires. I already cleaned them during the wash phase with Wolfgang Wheel & Tire Cleaner (http://autogeek.net/wg4600.html), so now it was time to dress them with the Wolfgang Black Diamond Tire Gel. (http://autogeek.net/wg4700.html) It looks great! The sling problem that many tire gels seem to have doesn’t exist with the Wolfgang product. The secret is to apply it to dry tires and you have zero problems.

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Then on to the interior. I wiped down the seats with Pinnacle Leather Conditioner. (http://autogeek.net/pinleatcon.html) That stuff always gives leather such a nice feel and smell. It goes on a little glossy, but after a buff with a dry microfiber it is nice and matte.

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I also wiped down the vinyl of the interior with Pinnacle Vinyl & Rubber Protectant. (http://autogeek.net/pinvinrubpro.html) It seemed that most of the surfaces were wrapped with leather in this car, so there really wasn’t much to use this product on. The dash and other leather wrapped surfaces got the conditioner and anything else got this.

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The door jambs were next. I sprayed them down with Wolfgang Instant Detail Spritz. (http://autogeek.net/wolfgang-instant-detail-spritz.html) Again, this car is fairly well maintained so the doors weren’t that bad. They just needed a quick wipe down.

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I normally go for Invisible Glass to do the windows, but since I figured I was using the best of the best up till now anyway, I might as well keep it up. I used DP Krystal Vision Glass Cleaner (http://autogeek.net/dp-glass-cleaner.html) for both the outside and inside of all the windows. That stuff works terrific! Granted, the windows weren’t that dirty, but they cleaned up streak free with this product. I have had this product on the shelf for quite some time and haven’t given it the attention it deserves. I’ll be using it more in the future.

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After buffing the Wolfgang sealant off there wasn’t much left to do but admire the results. The car cleaned up nicely and the owner was pleased. We will be getting together this spring to review some processes and products that he can use to get these results more consistently, but I think a big part of that process is going to be some of the awesome products at Autogeek.net!

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[94LT1]

Awesome job.Do u find that pinnacles leather conditioner lasts a decent amount of time.i could be wrong but i thought i read that the leather doesnt stay soft for very long when pinnacles leather conditioner is used.

[Gary Sword]

Very Nice! You do great work especially for your age. Too bad you're not old enough to drive.
;)

[ScottB]

looks like you have the perfect helper ... hope he made a "tip" for doing all that work.

[rwisejr]

Great work and it looks like your son is well on his way to take over your business.

[Meghan]

Nice job, car came out great.

[Reddwarf]

Brilliant job on a great looking car! I would love to work on a car like that. I've used the Wolfgang Polish Enhancer too and it is great! Did you use the flex for that too?

[hayden]

Great job, Great car, and a Great write up. I shows having a fantastic helper pays off.

[OCDetails]

I've never had a problem with the Pinnacle leather conditioner. From my experience a lot of it has to do with the leather itself. For example, Honda leather is crap. My Pilot could probably have the leather conditioned every other day and it would still look like it needs it. My Subaru Legacy's leather was crap too. I kept that leather conditioned from day one and it still looked bad after only a year and a half. Some leather just isn't any good. I suspect that the leather in that Porsche is going to look good for quite some time. I sent him home with a bottle of Four Star Leather Conditioner just in case though. It's the old formula before they started Polycharging it and I cleared out a vendors stock of it so I could have something to give to people who were using store bought stuff and just needed something better for their vehicles.

I used the Flex for everything on the paint. I love that machine... :) I just kept it on a low speed for everything but the initial polish. I don't think I kicked it past 3 for the paintwork polish or the sealant.

I was an attractive kid when I was younger and got invited to a lot of parties where there were things that ended up stunting my growth. I can drive, but I need to strap blocks to my feet to do so. ;)

[Bunky]

For example, Honda leather is crap. My Pilot could probably have the leather conditioned every other day and it would still look like it needs it.

Yeah. There is a lot of top coated leather out there that looks and feels like vinyl. Of course, top coated leather does not condition per se like real leather in high end stuff. I see the same thing in many cars.

[94LT1]

So does your son have a good time helping you out??

[OCDetails]

Yup. He can't wait to get up and 'OCDetails' when he knows I've got a car coming over. He knows the process pretty well by now. I ask him "ok, what's next?" and he knows the step. Fill the bucket, wash the wheels, etc. I had him help out waxing my car last week so he could get the hang of how to apply paste wax. Hey, he is five years old nearly. It is time for him to start earning his way. ;)

[94LT1]

Yup. He can't wait to get up and 'OCDetails' when he knows I've got a car coming over. He knows the process pretty well by now. I ask him "ok, what's next?" and he knows the step. Fill the bucket, wash the wheels, etc. I had him help out waxing my car last week so he could get the hang of how to apply paste wax. Hey, he is five years old nearly. It is time for him to start earning his way. ;)
Lol.Well thats cool.Paste wax is fun IMO to apply.Unfortunetly all i was taught was how to wash cars when i started driving.My father really didnt do much else.I decided to learn how to wax on my own and i caught the bug after i saw the finished product and i havent stopped since.

[Emile]

Awesome job on the car! The Deep Gloss Paint Sealant and the prep work made the car look great. Your kid is really cute and it's nice that he helps you out. I just hope you don't leave his pocket empty at the end !!! Im the MAN

[img]

Beautiful Job!

If you really wanted to do a complete detail, you would have
removed that nasty blue sticker from the back window--ha.