Mk4 R32

[JCruiza120]

Hey guys:

I did a detail on this R32 Tuesday. To keep prices down I've been using UC as a one-step compound/polish and completing with NXT 2.0 as my LSP. When my business gets enough recognition I'll step up my techniques, products used, and prices. Right now I'm doing what I can to keep prices low to build business.

So, back to the reason for the thread... I posted these images on a forum where the members were talking about UC, and I was flamed for the lack of beauty in the finish when I was completed. The owner of the car, himself, was ecstatic with the work. I know that's all that really matters but I'd like to get your opinions on the work nevertheless. The shots were taken at about 7pm. Please be honest.


http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq66/jcruiza120/9-1-09%20detail/CIMG1466.jpg

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq66/jcruiza120/9-1-09%20detail/CIMG1463.jpg

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq66/jcruiza120/9-1-09%20detail/CIMG1464.jpg

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq66/jcruiza120/9-1-09%20detail/CIMG1468.jpg

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq66/jcruiza120/9-1-09%20detail/CIMG1467.jpg

James

[ryandamartini]

awesome car... those vr6/r32's have the sexiest exhaust note I have ever heard. I am jealous.

[alowe]

I think it looks VERY nice. Why were you flamed for those pics?

[JCruiza120]

The OP was asking if UC was good as a one-step then LSP, and I was saying that UC is great as a one step and showed these pics as evidence, and the posters complained that it looks dull and that I should have used a polish after the UC, even an OTC like Swirl-X to make the finish shinier.

[JCruiza120]

awesome car... those vr6/r32's have the sexiest exhaust note I have ever heard. I am jealous.

I agree! I've spent quite a bit on my exhaust for my MX-5 and I wish it sounded half as good as his R32!

[JCruiza120]

By the way, I applied APC+ to the engine bay plastics after that picture to smooth out the streaks (that you can see in the picture) that popped up when I used Supreme Shine Protectant.

[Lasthope05]

You can kind of get away with using UC as a one step for lighter color cars as they dont show marring much but do it to a darker color car and your asking for trouble, the same goes for soft paint.

I do see what they are saying though as it does seem a bit flat but it could be due to the color or lighting. I for one would never use a compound as a one step. It does leave noticeable marring/haze behind that dulls the paint slightly. To the average joe it'll look good because all they're truly looking for is their car to be "shiny."

[tWiStEd-tORqUe]

awesome car... those vr6/r32's have the sexiest exhaust note I have ever heard. I am jealous.

:iagree:

Mk5 Owner Myself

[02nissanISR]

I think your issue has less to do with the process and more to do with 1. color of the car
2. angle of pics
light cars are tough when it comes to showing those good reflections especially on flaked pain which this looks like (correct me if im wrong) straight on shots will usually be less than spectacular next time try to get some angle shots where you can see some reflection might come out better specifically the last pic you posted the sun completely washed out what im sure in person is a mirror like finish. i just did a honda accord with uc and i think if you take your time it could be a one stepper. Like Mike P. said in a post it depends on how the car is going to be used and what the customer wants determines how much effort you put into your process. These pic are after uc. I did however finish the car with m205 mainly because I just got my order from ag that day and wanted to try it. The stuff is nice. But any way this is just uc as you can see the car is very swirly the whole car looked like this.

Its hard to tell from the pics but between pic 2 & 3 i went to the cutting pad the polishing pad got the swirls, which by the way the customer would have been happy,(not me) but didnt get some of the deeper scratches. If you take your time uc can finish nicely even with a cutting pad, you just have to wait for the compound to break down into a polish. When you go to fast or dont work it long enough is when it will mar or leave that haze this tends to happen when you start getting tired and you just want to be done, you start to rush the process. In the end making more work for yourself. I know this cuz I've done it :o:D

[BlackSunshine01]

wow that last pic of the 1/4 tells the whole story. great results!

[ryandamartini]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxPeseYa-FA]YouTube - 2003 Volkswagen GTI VR6 24v Magnaflow Catback[/video]

For those that have not heard a VR6 :D