2007 Acura TL: In and Out of Intensive Care Unit

[jlb85]

The owner of this vehicle is always busy working as a medical doctor at two different hospitals, and when he's not busy with that, he's busy with his Grandkids at home. He left it up to AutoLavish when it was time to resuscitate his dependable daily driver. Given the style of the new Acuras, the owner desired to keep this one, and we can't blame him. And after some TLC from AutoLavish, why would he not?

The goal was to clean up the interior as thorough as possible, and prep for the coming Winter with a Acrylic Sealant on the exterior. If we could make it look better, then great. Of course we could! We planned on trying out a product we had not used yet: Meg's D151 Reconditioning creme, which would provide some correction on the soft Honda paint, and leave the surface sealed in one step, saving time for the customer (we charge by the hour).

The interior would need lots of work. The carpets showed severe staining around the foot controls, and the interior panels had seen some hyper-grandkid-fun-and-games-gunk. The leather needed reconditioning. Mild extraction would be required. The Glass needed cleaning as well... badly.


Befores:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05532.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05540.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05544.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05545.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05546.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05548.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05550.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05554.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05558.jpg


Swirls:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05559.jpg


TOGW:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05572.jpg


Since the main focus was the interior, we decided to attack it first. There was significant staining and the leather needed rejuvenation. At the same time, we attacked the door jambs.

Interior before:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05573.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05574.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05575.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05578.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05579.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05581.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05582.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05584.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05585.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05587.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05588.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05599.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05601.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05611.jpg

[jlb85]

(...continued)

Starting to clean the interior: Used Woolite at 10:1 for the first wipe, followed by 1Z Cockpit Premium. Right before finishing up the interior, Leatherique Penetrating Oil was applied to the leather seats and left to dwell while we worked on the exterior.


50/50 on the door sill:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05605.jpg


50/50 on the lower plastic seat molding / seat controls:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05607.jpg

Coming along...

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05610.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05612.jpg


Jacob using the LGM to help clean the carpets:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05613.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05615.jpg



Interior done:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05661.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05662.jpg


some of the boot kick was not coming out :(

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05664.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05674.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05676.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05677.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05682.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05683.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05685.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05686.jpg


Door jambs:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05591.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05592.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05595.jpg


After cleaning with Finish Kare 1119:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05687.jpg


Door jams came back nicely

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05609.jpg



Second thing was to clean the wheels. We used Meg's Wheel Brightener at 4:1 with various brushes to scrub years of grime off the wheels, bringing them back to former glory

Wheel Brightener applied:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05625.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05626.jpg


and rinsed off:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05620.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05622.jpg

[jlb85]

(...continued)


Next was to clean the paint. Using a mix of Chemical Guys Citrus Wash and Clear with some APC to help cut through the years of grime:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05628.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05630.jpg


me like foam!

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05631.jpg


fall colors - it was a little chilly (45F) but an otherwise beautiful day

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05637.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05634.jpg



Once foamed and rinsed, we proceeded to clay. And yep, here is the obliged dirty clay shot

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05640.jpg


this was after just the top portion of half the rear bumper:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05641.jpg


We had to Work on getting TOGW (The Other Guy's Wax) out of the crevices before we could start to polish:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05642.jpg


Mud flaps before:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05655.jpg


Mud flap after:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05654.jpg


Fender well after:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05679.jpg



We polished quickly with Meg's Reconditioning Creme D151 via the PC and a green polishing pad. The D151 is similar to an All In One product in that it leaves a layer of protection similar to Klasse AIO, but has slightly more cut to it, similar in cut to M205:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05647.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05652.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05657.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05658.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05665.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05668.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05673.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05680.jpg


Glass polished as well, then treated with Aquapel:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05681.jpg


Trim was dressed with Meg's Trim Detailer in Spray form. Here is a 50/50 on the cowl. Right is undressed:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05649.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05648.jpg


Total time to complete was just over 4 hours. Thanks for looking!


http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2007%20Acura%20RL%20Oct%202009/DSC05666.jpg

[SouthernStyles]

Please post after's asap :)

That was i tease i cant wait to see it finished!

Edit: Sorry posted that too soon!

But great job guys that was a awesome write up aswell:dblthumb2:

[oldmodman]

Wow!
For a job with only four hours into it you turned a tired old car into a show stopper!

Very nice work.

[SouthernStyles]

What did you use to dress the tires?

[jlb85]

Thanks guys!



What did you use to dress the tires?

I'm not 100% sure on the brand, Marc likes it alot. It is a spray-on-and-walk-away type product that supposedly "cleans and shines". Although we have not tested it's "cleaning" abilities, it goes on easy and results in a nice blotch-free coat. It goes on like a foam, and dries like you see in the pics. Any overspray hitting the wheels disappears (although I would follow-wipe for polished or chrome wheels). I really like the matte-shine version. We used the high-shine on this Acura though.

OK, didn't find it, but it is the same thing as this:
http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/autogeek_2078_103950523

[sparkie]

I call that a Extreme Makeover! Nice job!:applause:

[Matt]

four hours......FOUR HOURS!?!?!?!?!

How did you manage that in only four hours! That's amazing!

If I even thought about tackling that it would take four hours just to get the thought process going!

[jlb85]

Thanks!



four hours......FOUR HOURS!?!?!?!?!

How did you manage that in only four hours! That's amazing!

If I even thought about tackling that it would take four hours just to get the thought process going!


Remember it is two of us working at the same time, and we work really well together (the client made that comment when we were buttoning up to leave). And some days things just work out better, faster. We just did an older Jetta Wagon that should have taken 4 hours tops and it took more like 6. Not that we are trying to finish up as fast as possible, but we charge by the hour and set a goal to achieve within the time. Especially for clients who are not detailing connoisseurs, their value lays in us doing the job without haste. So they feel better and more satisfied with the decision to do this. This was the case here. The owner had never even considered a true detail, much less spend various hundred dollars to clean the car. I think he was quite satisfied and maybe even "converted" ;)

The exterior was done super quick with D151, took hardly one pass to clean up the paint. So I would say it took about 2 hours for the interior, 1 for the wash and 1 more for the correction/sealing.

[SRHTX]

The two of you guys always do incredible work. :dblthumb2: I'm always looking to see the work you guys do. :props: