2006 Lexus GX470

[Nica]

This is my first official detail and I actually used the PC on the vehicle. The car is a silver SUV, brand spanking new so it didn’t require so much work. This is a good thing because the vehicle is massive and there is no way I would be able to get it done in one day. Some of the pictures you are about to see did not turn out as good because they were all taken in side the garage and not so good lighting in there so bare with me. In addition, I could not get any pictures out side as it was too cold out side and I ran out of sun light. So I will have to post pictures outside at a later date.



Washing



Used Meguiar’s Gold Class car wash. This stuff is actually good, it was a gift and I’ve used it a few times and it works good, good suds and nise and slick.



Claying


Used Pinnacle Ultra Poly Clay with Pinnacle lubricant. I enjoy claying, every time I clay I’m amazed as how much contamination it removes from the paint. Like I mentioned the vehicle is a brand new car and has hardly been exposed to the elements yet the clay managed to remove lots of contaminants.


Polish


Not much to the polishing, I used XMT #1 with white pad (original pad that the PC came with as I’m having issues with the Edge pads) and PC. By the way this stuff smells really good. I’ve never really used a PC to detail a car so I was really nervous and I was very careful with the PC. The XMT #1 is really good stuff, I just wanted to remove some minor swirls that were on the vehicle, very minor I could have left them but I wanted to try the PC and I wanted to get over my fear of the PC and what better way to get over fear then by confrunting it or in this case by using the PC.


Glaze


I used XMT Carnauba Finishing Glaze which, really smells good so good it made me hungry and I had to go get a bite to eat I kid you not. I really enjoyed this Glaze, went on really slick. I did the entire car and let it sit for a few minuets and then I removed using the MF towels…I don’t know the name of the towel but it’s the blue one…I think it’s called miracle towel (the blue one’s that are really good to remove wax).


Wax


Used Pinnacle Liquid Souveran. This stuff is really nice, it goes on really easy and it removes even better. I started at the hood made my way all the way around the vehicle and by the time I made my way around the entire car I started removing using the blue MF towels (can’t remember the name I think it’s Miracle towels but not sure) and this stuff is really easy to remove. It’s funny though, at first I felt as though I wasn’t putting enough but you don’t need a lot of this product just a nice thin coat. I only applied one coat, I wanted to let it sit and later I’ll apply a second coat of Liquid Souveran.


Engine bay/Wheel well


The engine bay was nice and clean just a little dusty so I washed and then applied some Pinnacle Vinyl & Rubber Protectant. Never used this stuff, works really well, smells good too. It doesn’t give a big shine, I would say it gives more of a natural look. I only applied once because I didn’t really want the engine area to be all shiny. I also applied on the wheel well area, on the plastic peaces that is. Looks good, I’m pleased with this product.





Before Pictures (not to many pictures)









http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q122/Nica03151979/Lexus%20pictures/PICT2349.jpg




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http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q122/Nica03151979/Lexus%20pictures/PICT2357.jpg








After pictures




http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q122/Nica03151979/Lexus%20pictures/PICT2369.jpg




http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q122/Nica03151979/Lexus%20pictures/PICT2371.jpg




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http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q122/Nica03151979/Lexus%20pictures/PICT2376.jpg




http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q122/Nica03151979/Lexus%20pictures/PICT2377.jpg




http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q122/Nica03151979/Lexus%20pictures/PICT2378.jpg




http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q122/Nica03151979/Lexus%20pictures/PICT2379.jpg




http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q122/Nica03151979/Lexus%20pictures/PICT2380.jpg




http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q122/Nica03151979/Lexus%20pictures/PICT2381.jpg




http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q122/Nica03151979/Lexus%20pictures/PICT2382.jpg

[CalgaryDetail]

Looks really good, im glad you could find the weather and time to work on it.

[Nica]

Looks really good, im glad you could find the weather and time to work on it.

Well I looked like a marshmallow in the garage, all bundled up with a bunch of sweaters and a toque :D

Speaking of time to detail this think took me 8hrs...oh and this is only doing the exterior...got way to cold to even think of doing the inside.

Oh yea, clay bar + cold temperatures = tough claying :rolleyes: :D

[abrcrombe]

Wow it looks great though! This is YOUR car or is it your first PAID detail?

[Nica]

Wow it looks great though! This is YOUR car or is it your first PAID detail?

Yup, this is my own car.

[ltoman]

great job, nica! congrats!!! see, told ya you wouldn't ruin it!
she rocks!

[Sevenrd]

Nice job, Nica!

Detailing in the cold is tough work. I wimp out when it's only a fraction of the temps you must experience.

[Gary Sword]

Looks very nice Nica, except for the snow. I'm still waiting to see the Volvo.

[ltoman]

Nice job, Nica!

Detailing in the cold is tough work. I wimp out when it's only a fraction of the temps you must experience.

so do I!!!
hee hee

yah, i wanna see the volvo before and after. come on, dude!!!!:awesome:

[Jimmie]

Looks great Nica.

Even looks cold. One of your pictures you could see the snow outside.

[Nica]

Thanks guys and gals, yup it gets cold over here but when I detailed the Lexus it was only -1. During the day it's okay but as the day goes on it gets colder, specially at night hands go numb and hard to work....now imagine the claying, gets really hard to clay in the cold.

The Volvo, well I'm just about done. I can only work on it when the weather is nice enough to work inside the garage...right now it's not so bad and I'm just heading to the garage but wife is making me go with her to purchase some things. In addition, I'm having some concerns with the way the Edge pads are performing. I don't know how they are supposed to work, I assume that they supposed to spin/orbit but they just stop....well then a gain what do I know....I'm still getting good results...at least that's what I think. The Volvo is looking good, just "jewelling" the paint and should be done shortly. I'm thinking of purchasing the Lake Country pads oh and the 6 inch counter weight. I was looking at the counter weight that the PC comes with and it says to be used ONLY with 5 inch pads and the 6 inch counter weight says to be used ONLY with 6 inch pads...so I'm all confused.

[ltoman]

Thanks guys and gals, yup it gets cold over here but when I detailed the Lexus it was only -1. During the day it's okay but as the day goes on it gets colder, specially at night hands go numb and hard to work....now imagine the claying, gets really hard to clay in the cold.

The Volvo, well I'm just about done. I can only work on it when the weather is nice enough to work inside the garage...right now it's not so bad and I'm just heading to the garage but wife is making me go with her to purchase some things. In addition, I'm having some concerns with the way the Edge pads are performing. I don't know how they are supposed to work, I assume that they supposed to spin/orbit but they just stop....well then a gain what do I know....I'm still getting good results...at least that's what I think. The Volvo is looking good, just "jewelling" the paint and should be done shortly. I'm thinking of purchasing the Lake Country pads oh and the 6 inch counter weight. I was looking at the counter weight that the PC comes with and it says to be used ONLY with 5 inch pads and the 6 inch counter weight says to be used ONLY with 6 inch pads...so I'm all confused.


Nica,
In your next AG order, try a couple of the LC pads in 6.5 inch - an orange, a white, and a blue. Not that much money. And you decide what works best for you. Maybe you will like them, and maybe not. How are you going to know otherwise?
They are quality products too, and I can vouch for them. I am not saying anything about Edge as I am yet to try them, but want to try both over the summer for sure.
Just a thought. What do you think?
Ok, we all want some really good ones of the Volvo!! Lots of body shots, not just engine, ok? So pull the Lexus out when it is ready to be shot. You worked SOOOOOOOO long and hard on it, let's give it its due, dude!!:righton:

Once you calm down from seeing the Playboy models that is. You know you can get a subscription cheap on the eBay!! ROFL... HEE HEE Sorry,, you know I MUST tease you, Nica!!!
POST!!
Blessings,
Your bud,
Lauren
Hey -did you ever get the chair?:)

[sparkie]

Hey bro, nice job. Paint looks awesome, I do love what Liquid Souveran dose to lite color paints, gives it a wet high gloss. Outstanding work. Now, when are we going to see the Volvo?

[Surfer]

Nice, we have your big brother that needs a wash bad:D

[Nica]

Nice, we have your big brother that needs a wash bad:D

Oh man the LX is supposed to be bigger then the GX...man the GX took me a long time to simply do the outside I can only pictures the LX :D .

Thank you guys for the complements, I took it outside and I'll be leading new pictures in a second. It wasn’t to sunny though so not sure how the pictures will come out.

The Volvo, almost done and lots of pictures...and I'm not kidding I took lots of pictures of before and after looking good.

Hey Lauren, I am going to order the Lake Country pads and I'll replace the blue Edge pad that I trashed...there is nothing wrong with the Edge pads I probably just need to understand them and apply them properly...who knows but I'll continue to use them. I agree with you Lauren, if you don't try you never know...thank you for the advise baby. Oh yea the chair, yup I got it. I had to return it because it went on sale again...from $27 to $19.99 so I returned it to get some money back....sweet. I'll ship it over to you tomorrow. I'll e-mail you or PM you the tracking number.