John Henry's '93 El Dorado detail [Archive] - Auto Geek Online Auto Detailing Forum

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JohnHenry

11-14-2009, 07:46 AM

1993 Cadillac El Dorado

A car show guy brought me his recently acquired daily driver. The owner knows paint and appreciates proper correction. I estimated that the car had been repainted within the past five years or so... clearcoat over base.

Really nice paint, but I detected some adhesion issues that made me a little timid with the rotary. For example, simply running my finger over the inside hood edge caused paint chips to flake off. Exposed panels looked and felt fine, but I worried about heating the paint too much. As I am always looking for (and finding) trouble, I jumped in. As it turned out, no twisting or burning problems arose.

Process and Products

Wash:
- two bucket method with Grit Guards and sheepskin mitt
- pre-treat leading surfaces with PoorBoy's World Bug Stuff
- Eimann Fabrik Auto Spa wash

Clay:
- Four Star Ultimate Detailing Clay fine grade
- lubed with soapy water

Wheels:
- Meguiar's All Purpose Cleaner+, 4:1
- car wash water
- Meguiar's long handled tire/wheel brush
- EZ Detail brush

Tires/
Wheelwells:
- Meguiar's APC+, 4:1
- Meguiar's Hyper Dressing,10:1
- tires wiped to matte finish

Rubber Seals:
- Meguiar's #40, Vinyl & Rubber

Glass:
- Glass Science Glass Scrub
- applied with water & PC, w/LC Red 4" pad
- Griot's Glass Polish on wiper tracks
- Stoner Invisible Glass Spray

Paint
Correction:
- 3M Automotive Tape
- Makita rotary
- tried Menzerna Intensive Polish w/CCS Orange
- had to go to Menzerna Power Gloss w/CCS Orange
- Menzerna Final Polish II w/CCS White
- Menzerna Final Polish II w/Kompressor Black
- Meguiar's #34 Final Inspection

LSP:
- Menzerna Full Molecular Jacket sealant X2
- PoorBoy's World Natty's Red X2 (what else?)

Exterior Black Trim:
Meguiar's Hyper Dressing, 10:1

The most interesting thing to me about this job was the noticable improvement after claying. Very good paint, I guess.

Befores:

http://i332.photobucket.com/albums/m358/JayStenger/DSCN0448_291.jpg http://i332.photobucket.com/albums/m358/JayStenger/DSCN0445_288.jpg

http://i332.photobucket.com/albums/m358/JayStenger/DSCN0446_289.jpghttp://i332.photobucket.com/albums/m358/JayStenger/DSCN0444_287.jpg

Afters:

http://i332.photobucket.com/albums/m358/JayStenger/DSCN0459_302.jpg http://i332.photobucket.com/albums/m358/JayStenger/DSCN0472_315.jpg

http://i332.photobucket.com/albums/m358/JayStenger/DSCN0470_313.jpg http://i332.photobucket.com/albums/m358/JayStenger/DSCN0468_311.jpg

As usual, I wish that I had better photography skills. I'm using a Nikon Coolpix 10mp, point and shoot. That should do the job, but I'm disappointed in the contrast in the "Before" shots.

Feed back please

Thanks!

John Henry

trhland

11-14-2009, 07:58 AM

greaT JOB!!! how do youlike useing fmj? someone mentioned i should use that as a winter lsp then top with a nice carnuaba wax.. thanks for sharing ..

JohnHenry

11-14-2009, 08:07 AM

greaT JOB!!! how do youlike useing fmj? someone mentioned i should use that as a winter lsp then top with a nice carnuaba wax.. thanks for sharing ..

Thanks, Tom.

Several good sealants available these days. I'm using the Menz line right now and it's working well for me. FMJ looks great alone, but us old school guys gotta have the carnauba too, know what I mean?

I don't have a lot of experience, but I don't think you can find anything better than PoorBoy's stuff. Exceptional value too.

JH

tuscarora dave

11-14-2009, 08:53 AM

+1 on the Poorboys World. Very nice looking job John Henry. That sure is a nice bright color.

Meghan

11-14-2009, 09:31 AM

Nice job, that red paint looks nice and shiny now!

Gary Sword

11-14-2009, 10:07 AM

Very Nice! Try loading some larger pics next time.

Bobby B.

11-14-2009, 10:25 AM

Looks great John. Keep up the great work.

JohnHenry

11-14-2009, 11:32 AM

+1 on the Poorboys World. Very nice looking job John Henry. That sure is a nice bright color.

Hey, good to hear from you, Dave!

Nice job, that red paint looks nice and shiny now!

Thanks, Meghan. Why aren't you at the beach?! It's an absolutely beautiful Saturday morning!

Very Nice! Try loading some larger pics next time.

Thanks, Gary. I hear you about the pics.

Looks great John. Keep up the great work.

Thank you, Bobby. Welcome to the forum.

trhland

11-14-2009, 12:35 PM

Thanks, Tom.

Several good sealants available these days. I'm using the Menz line right now and it's working well for me. FMJ looks great alone, but us old school guys gotta have the carnauba too, know what I mean?

I don't have a lot of experience, but I don't think you can find anything better than PoorBoy's stuff. Exceptional value too.

JH
thanks !!

sparkie

11-14-2009, 10:39 PM

Very nice...:dblthumb2: Old school I love it....That red looks sweet....:applause:

Harleyguy

11-14-2009, 10:47 PM

Looks great John.How do you like the black kompressor pad ?

JohnHenry

11-14-2009, 10:56 PM

Very nice...:dblthumb2: Old school I love it....That red looks sweet....:applause:

Looks great John.How do you like the black kompressor pad ?

Thanks, guys. I like the Kompressors a lot. They seem softer than the same colors in flat or CCS pads. They finish really nicely.

cnfowler

11-16-2009, 05:47 PM

'93? Whatever, that thing is new. That's Cadillac's answer to all the classics coming back in modern form. Very nice job. Are you the original owner?

Colin

JohnHenry

11-16-2009, 06:51 PM

cnfowler

11-16-2009, 10:59 PM

Thanks, Colin.

The Caddy belongs to a customer. I think you guys will enjoy seeing some others in his collection. Here's one teaser... a pearl white '55 Chrysler 300 formerly owned by legendary NY Yankees manager Casey Stengel. And the trunk is full of baseball stuff!

Hey... Del Norte!!! One of my favorite places on Earth! I've ridden my LeMond through there more than once with Ride the Rockies. Also been known to take a few of your pesky elk with my Mathews bow. Lots of great hut trips in the San Juans! why am i living in florida again???

Stay in touch, man. Maybe I'll see you at Crested Butte.

I certainly look forward to seeing more of the collection.

Kinda funny you know where Del Norte is. Most people don't even know where the San Luis Valley is! I laughed at your 'living in Florida again' comment. I moved out here from Florida after living there for 18 years. I grew up in NW Florida and spent a couple years in South Florida. I don't regret making the move out here.

Colin