Gloss starts first with a smooth surface...

[Mike Phillips]

Gloss starts first with a smooth surface... (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/43190-gloss-starts-first-smooth-surface.html)



This is the definition of a high gloss finish!
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1290/54Ford50.jpg



Question: Where else do you get a chance to work on a show car?

Answer: At Autogeek.net in sunny Stuart, Florida!


Learning the basics...
3-4 people that attended Autogeek's Car of the Week had never used detailing clay before and for their first time they got to learn on a numbers matching 1969 Camaro Pace car!


Remember, gloss comes from a smooth surface
One of the most important things you can do to create a high gloss finish is to inspect for above surface bonded contaminants and if discovered remove them using detailing clay.



Next up we wiped the car clean using Detailer's Pro Series Waterless Auto Wash (http://www.autogeek.net/waterless-auto-wash.html) and Pinnacle Clay Lubricant (http://www.autogeek.net/pinclaylub.html), which can be used to remove light dust, smudges and fingerprints.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1315/1969CamaroIndyPC012.jpg


In this shot, Rene is sharing some tips and techniques on how to carefully wipe a car down... (Thanks Rene!)
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1315/1969CamaroIndyPC031.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1315/1969CamaroIndyPC013.jpg

It doesn't take long to wipe a car clean with 7 guys...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1315/1969CamaroIndyPC032.jpg


After wiping the car clean, we felt the paint with our bare hands and also using the baggie test (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/27967-baggie-test-how-inspect-above-surface-bonded-contaminants.html) and the paint felt pretty rough so we went ahead and clayed each panel using Pinnacle Clay Lubricant (http://www.autogeek.net/pinclaylub.html) and Pinnacle Ultra Poly Clay (http://www.autogeek.net/ultra-fine-poly-clay.html).



Same thing... it doesn't take long to clay an entire car with 8 guys claying the paint...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1315/1969CamaroIndyPC033.jpg


In this picture, Robert from Impressions Fine Auto Detailing and a regular here at our weekly projects shares with Ron, (in the blue shirt), how to use detailing clay the right way. These projects are a great way to learn about products and techniques by guys that have been doing this for years...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1315/1969CamaroIndyPC034.jpg


Here's Hector and Glen claying the rear clip of the Camaro... Hector is going to be one heck of a Pro Detailer if he keeps attending our weekly projects plus he's going to get to work on a lot of really cool cars. Glen is to the right helping with the claying step.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1315/1969CamaroIndyPC035.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1315/1969CamaroIndyPC036.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1315/1969CamaroIndyPC037.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1315/1969CamaroIndyPC038.jpg


Pictured with the green microfiber towel over his shoulder is Steve the owner. I want to thank Steve for trusting Autogeek with his precious car... you're in good hands at Autogeek...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1315/1969CamaroIndyPC039.jpg


Every step we performed in the above pictures is explained in The Art of Detailing (http://www.autogeek.net/art-of-detailing-paperback-book.html), which shares not only how-to but also why-to...


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/715/medium/paperbackDetailingBook01.jpg



See the end-results from this project here,

1969 Camaro Pace Car - Show Car Makeover - Modeled by Michelle (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-autogeek-s-car-week/43165-1969-camaro-pace-car-show-car-makeover-modeled-michelle.html)


Gloss starts first with a smooth surface...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1315/1969CamaroIndyPC019.jpg



Products
Detailer's Pro Series Waterless Auto Wash (http://www.autogeek.net/waterless-auto-wash.html)
Pinnacle Ultra Poly Clay And Clay Lube (http://www.autogeek.net/piulpoclkit.html)


Microfiber Towels
Cobra Gold Plush Jr. Microfiber Towel, 16 x 16 inches (http://www.autogeek.net/gold-plush-jr-towel.html)
Super Soft Deluxe Blue Microfiber Towels with Rolled Edges (http://www.autogeek.net/super-soft-microfiber-towels.html)
Super Soft Deluxe Green Microfiber Towels with Rolled Edges (http://www.autogeek.net/green-rolled-edge-towels-3.html)



:)

[Mike Phillips]

Using Detailing Clay

The Baggie Test - How to inspect for above surface bonded contaminants (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/27967-baggie-test-how-inspect-above-surface-bonded-contaminants.html)

The 3 primary benefits of using detailing clay to clay paint (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/27969-3-primary-benefits-using-detailing-clay-clay-paint.html)

Tips and Tricks for using detailing clay (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/20259-tips-techniques-using-detailing-clay.html)

Do I need to wash my car after I use detailing clay to clay the paint? (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/hot-topics-frequently-asked-questions/22721-do-i-need-wash-my-car-after-i-use-detailing-clay-clay-paint.html)

How often do I need to clay my car? (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/hot-topics-frequently-asked-questions/22015-how-often-do-i-need-clay-my-car.html)

Video: How detailing clay works and how to use detailing clay to remove above surface bonded contaminants (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-videos/24319-show-car-garage-video-how-detailing-clay-works-how-use-detailing-clay-remove-above-surface-bonded-contaminants.html)



:)

[Mike Phillips]

To see how we created the high gloss finish on Glen's 1954 Ford F100 or to see more pictures of the end-results, check out these two threads,


1954 Ford F-100 - Extreme Makeover - Process and products used (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-autogeek-s-car-week/42270-1954-ford-f-100-extreme-makeover-process-products-used.html)

Robert using the PC and Glenn using the Meguiar's G110v2
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1290/54Ford83.jpg



1954 Ford F-100 - Modeled by Janna (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-autogeek-s-car-week/42302-1954-ford-f-100-modeled-janna.html)

Janna wiping some polish splatter off the passenger side mirror...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1290/54Ford117.jpg



:)

[Mike Phillips]

Here's a recent article on the topic of creating a high gloss finish...


How to create a high gloss finish (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/85163-how-create-high-gloss-finish.html)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=81739



I did a test on the scoop using clay but to do the actual car I used a Nanoskin pad on the Flex 3401 as to me this is the best way to get the paint as flat and smooth as possible.

I share and recommend this in my new book for anyone that really wants to create show car gloss on their car.

A quality show car wax, sealant or coating is important too....

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=81771

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=81772



The end-results start however with a great foundation and that means getting the paint completely smooth by mechanically decontaminating it.


:dblthumb2:

[Mike Phillips]

:updated:

Shared here,

How to make a White BMW X3 Pop? (https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101-a/123599-how-make-white-bmw-x3-pop.html)


:)

[mbkite]

As one progress in this hobby one learns the value of high quality products.

Sad to say it took a long time for me to see the light..

[Mike Phillips]

As one progress in this hobby one learns the value of high quality products.

Sad to say it took a long time for me to see the light..




I've learned the hard way too...


:)