2K7MS6
06-29-2011, 11:27 PM
Hello AutoGeek! I lurk a lot and read a lot, but I don't post much. I finally mustered up the cash and got myself a proper detailing kit. It still has some stuff to be added, but it's a good start.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6035/5886757708_a226c87716_b.jpg
PC 7424XP, LC orange, white, gray and red pads, PBW SSR 2.5 & 1, Menzerna Power Lock, XMT pad cleaner and conditioner, Natty's Blue, Cobra Indigo MF's (which were cut wrong and replaced free of charge with two Cobra Miracle Towels) and some grit guards. HUGE thanks goes out to AG for the hook up with the free pads and the bundle set-ups along with the replacement of the MF towels!!
I'm not really new to car detailing when it comes to wash, clay, wax, etc... but this polishing stuff was new to me. I learned quick and read a lot here, so a lot of thanks goes out to everyone who posted great how-to's and reviews of products!
The car wasn't in terrible condition before. Some minor swirls, scratches, RIDS, etc.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4087/5055138642_77a3cf802a_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4087/5055137794_b96f454dc4_b.jpg
More before pictures in my intro thread, if anyone cares
I tried to get 50/50 shots, but apparently I suck at photographing these things, as none of them turned out. So all I'm left with is the afters. Overall I am happy, however I think I underestimated the ability of SSR 2.5, as I still have some minor scratches and very light swirls. It could also be because it's my first experience with the polisher and I have some learning and technique to perfect.
On with the pics: all taped up with failed 50/50 tape on the hood... :(
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5306/5886165137_a945151a5e_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5159/5886170661_463a2340c4_b.jpg
Day of completion. It was cloudy, so the reflections didn't come out very well... and of course, it rained not 2 hours after...
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5278/5886173449_66b9e8d07c_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5069/5886176883_ce17aeda53_b.jpg
This all happened last week, and I didn't get a chance to finish (wheels, tires, trim, etc). So here's the finished product with some progress on the wheels and such.
Wheels before (I know, I'm a dirty dirty person...)
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5277/5886767048_2f0a918cd4_b.jpg
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6007/5886769402_d32158c810_b.jpg
Wheels after
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5151/5886192703_ba59a70637_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5070/5886195533_6db565ffae_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5226/5886765186_10381765b5_b.jpg
And finally, the car.
Obligatory thumbs up shot:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5024/5886774208_42c3fe3fce_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5079/5886771934_ca975c5ed5_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5108/5886210067_6b85538c39_b.jpg
Probably one of my best reflection shots...
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6023/5886218711_541a8d747c_b.jpg
Nevermind the dirty exhaust surrounds... I've yet to get to them as they're a huge pain in the ass...
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5267/5886788504_7971b092fb_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5236/5886227077_48aca22855_b.jpg
And one of the wheels mounted...
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5154/5886224929_596237072e_b.jpg
Processes used:
Two bucket washed with dawn and Meguiar's gold class wash
Clayed with Meguiar's clay and quick detailer
Polished with PBW SSR 2.5 and Orange LC CCS pad
Polished with PBW SSR 1 and White LC CCS pad
Two bucket washed with dawn and Meguiar's gold class wash
Sealed with Menzerna Power Lock Sealant and a Red CCS Euro pad by hand
Waxed with PBW Natty's Paste Wax Blue and a Red LC flat pad by hand
Wheels:
Washed with Mother's wheel and tire cleaner and a MF mitt
Trouble spots clayed with Griot's clay and Meg's QD
Sealed with Menzerna Power Lock
Tires dressed with Black Magic gel dressing
Overall, I'm pretty happy with the results, considering it's my first real detail/correction. I would've liked some more of the swirls and scratches gone, but I can't be too upset as this is my daily and I don't expect it to be perfect. Again, I've got to give a huge thanks to the AutoGeek community here for the great write-ups and reviews. You all helped me muster the courage to tackle this project!
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6035/5886757708_a226c87716_b.jpg
PC 7424XP, LC orange, white, gray and red pads, PBW SSR 2.5 & 1, Menzerna Power Lock, XMT pad cleaner and conditioner, Natty's Blue, Cobra Indigo MF's (which were cut wrong and replaced free of charge with two Cobra Miracle Towels) and some grit guards. HUGE thanks goes out to AG for the hook up with the free pads and the bundle set-ups along with the replacement of the MF towels!!
I'm not really new to car detailing when it comes to wash, clay, wax, etc... but this polishing stuff was new to me. I learned quick and read a lot here, so a lot of thanks goes out to everyone who posted great how-to's and reviews of products!
The car wasn't in terrible condition before. Some minor swirls, scratches, RIDS, etc.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4087/5055138642_77a3cf802a_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4087/5055137794_b96f454dc4_b.jpg
More before pictures in my intro thread, if anyone cares
I tried to get 50/50 shots, but apparently I suck at photographing these things, as none of them turned out. So all I'm left with is the afters. Overall I am happy, however I think I underestimated the ability of SSR 2.5, as I still have some minor scratches and very light swirls. It could also be because it's my first experience with the polisher and I have some learning and technique to perfect.
On with the pics: all taped up with failed 50/50 tape on the hood... :(
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5306/5886165137_a945151a5e_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5159/5886170661_463a2340c4_b.jpg
Day of completion. It was cloudy, so the reflections didn't come out very well... and of course, it rained not 2 hours after...
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5278/5886173449_66b9e8d07c_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5069/5886176883_ce17aeda53_b.jpg
This all happened last week, and I didn't get a chance to finish (wheels, tires, trim, etc). So here's the finished product with some progress on the wheels and such.
Wheels before (I know, I'm a dirty dirty person...)
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5277/5886767048_2f0a918cd4_b.jpg
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6007/5886769402_d32158c810_b.jpg
Wheels after
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5151/5886192703_ba59a70637_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5070/5886195533_6db565ffae_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5226/5886765186_10381765b5_b.jpg
And finally, the car.
Obligatory thumbs up shot:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5024/5886774208_42c3fe3fce_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5079/5886771934_ca975c5ed5_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5108/5886210067_6b85538c39_b.jpg
Probably one of my best reflection shots...
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6023/5886218711_541a8d747c_b.jpg
Nevermind the dirty exhaust surrounds... I've yet to get to them as they're a huge pain in the ass...
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5267/5886788504_7971b092fb_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5236/5886227077_48aca22855_b.jpg
And one of the wheels mounted...
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5154/5886224929_596237072e_b.jpg
Processes used:
Two bucket washed with dawn and Meguiar's gold class wash
Clayed with Meguiar's clay and quick detailer
Polished with PBW SSR 2.5 and Orange LC CCS pad
Polished with PBW SSR 1 and White LC CCS pad
Two bucket washed with dawn and Meguiar's gold class wash
Sealed with Menzerna Power Lock Sealant and a Red CCS Euro pad by hand
Waxed with PBW Natty's Paste Wax Blue and a Red LC flat pad by hand
Wheels:
Washed with Mother's wheel and tire cleaner and a MF mitt
Trouble spots clayed with Griot's clay and Meg's QD
Sealed with Menzerna Power Lock
Tires dressed with Black Magic gel dressing
Overall, I'm pretty happy with the results, considering it's my first real detail/correction. I would've liked some more of the swirls and scratches gone, but I can't be too upset as this is my daily and I don't expect it to be perfect. Again, I've got to give a huge thanks to the AutoGeek community here for the great write-ups and reviews. You all helped me muster the courage to tackle this project!