First Attempt Removing Swirls from '08 Lade! Miami Beach!

[Vellie]

So when I got this car last year in March I was YFF (Young Fly and Flashy) and wanted a car to have my same personality (Actually just needed something to lug the kids around in and was totally opposed to driving a minivan). So I decided to get a black Escalade off eBay. I mean this thing was loaded with bose surround system and all the bells and whistles included and they even thru in an extra DISO (Dealer Installed Swirl Option) option at no cost! I was too excited. As soon as it got to me I took it to the car wash and carefully washed the dirty car as it had been on a truck from Texas. And to my surprise thats when I noticed it like laser etched streaks of love all down the sides and front of my car, "Oh f^c% they game me that DISO option for free!!!" Well come to find out down here in Miami, unlike Houston apparently, noone really likes DISO on their cars so I decided to take matters into my own hands instead of paying someone 300 to do it I may as well do it myself. So here is my first ever swirl removal attempt.

Used PC7424 w/ Orange CCS Pad w/ Ultimate Compound


Before
http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/2807/img0578uni.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/687/img0578uni.jpg/)
http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/4154/img0576hf.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/845/img0576hf.jpg/)
http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/6735/img0557eb.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/12/img0557eb.jpg/)
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http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/1145/img0551a.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/515/img0551a.jpg/)
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http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/1258/img0547sesdt.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/692/img0547sesdt.jpg/)
http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/9092/img0545cm.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/534/img0545cm.jpg/)
http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/4516/img0541ht.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/824/img0541ht.jpg/)
http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/1166/img0539xy.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/830/img0539xy.jpg/)
After

http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/9848/img0580da.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/190/img0580da.jpg/)
http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/9041/img0582jz.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/85/img0582jz.jpg/)
http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/6959/img0584si.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/835/img0584si.jpg/)
http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/5039/img0586wg.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/718/img0586wg.jpg/)
http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/1240/img0588hr.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/651/img0588hr.jpg/)
http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/4679/img0574gz.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/651/img0574gz.jpg/)
http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/9450/img0572pu.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/43/img0572pu.jpg/)
http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/1552/img0570vo.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/839/img0570vo.jpg/)
http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/5909/img0569ga.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/838/img0569ga.jpg/)
http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/7586/img0566oo.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/26/img0566oo.jpg/)
http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/7146/img0564dw.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/710/img0564dw.jpg/)
http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/1/img0562sfx.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/692/img0562sfx.jpg/)

[SkateForGirl]

You did a very nice job. The paint looks so glossy.

I would never pay extra for dealerships swirl removal or scratch removal plans. They are pointless.

[kelley386]

Looks great! my mom just got rid of her 09 escalade, it had the 6.2l and man would it haul!! Her paint looked like this as well, she took it through the swirl o matic weekly when her son is a detailer!

Still dont understand why these eskies are 70k and they have no metallic flake, blows my mind. Boring black!

[Vellie]

Sorry guys. I didnt mean to post like 6 times. Was trying to edit to get pictures to show up. I promise Im not an a$$! I will get it right. This si the real post

[CaneCharger]

NICE! Plus I live Miami

[Vellie]

Looks great! my mom just got rid of her 09 escalade, it had the 6.2l and man would it haul!! Her paint looked like this as well, she took it through the swirl o matic weekly when her son is a detailer!

Still dont understand why these eskies are 70k and they have no metallic flake, blows my mind. Boring black!

Yeah escalades are quick as crap if I use the correct gas. Its superfast for a truck. Hell even a car! What did your mom get when she got rid of her truck?

[02accordSE]

That ultimate compound is great stuff. I apply it the same way you do. Wonderful results.

[TLMitchell]

Nice 1st time results!

I generally wipe CD2 while it's still wet for a more matte finish. I then use the moist rag on plastic wheel well liners, it lasts longer than dressings. Giving things under the hood a quick wipe with a moist towel after drying the vehicle will keep things from crudding up again.

FWIW, once you get the underhood pad cleaned of gunk Armor All Tire Foam will darken it up and keep it looking good with an occasional wipe.

TL <---- can't recall ever seeing the word "fly" used on AGO before unless it involved an airplane

[kelley386]

Yeah escalades are quick as crap if I use the correct gas. Its superfast for a truck. Hell even a car! What did your mom get when she got rid of her truck?

She got a 2011 Cadillac SRX4, its got a little v6 but its AWD, sitting on 20's. Its a sweet ride for sure, my favorite thing is that the whole entire dash is wrapped in buckskin leather with black stitching and when you crank it up a 8" Nav screen pops out of the dash! Its like a champagne color(Cadillac name for pewter silverish). She just got it 4 days ago but i cant wait to lay a coat of 845 down on it!

[lokichaos]

That turned out very nice!! Love Ult compound. :props:

Saw that you did an engine detail. Any tips for another beginner in engine detailing? Plan on getting it done tomorrow, but still a bit cautious and hesitant on it.

[Vellie]

Nice 1st time results!

I generally wipe CD2 while it's still wet for a more matte finish. I then use the moist rag on plastic wheel well liners, it lasts longer than dressings. Giving things under the hood a quick wipe with a moist towel after drying the vehicle will keep things from crudding up again.

FWIW, once you get the underhood pad cleaned of gunk Armor All Tire Foam will darken it up and keep it looking good with an occasional wipe.

TL <---- can't recall ever seeing the word "fly" used on AGO before unless it involved an airplane

So you use the CD-2 on wheel well liners? Cool! I was gonna do the hood liner but didnt have time yet. Will get to it another day for sure. What do you use to clean it with? Household cleaner? Didnt want to spray engine degreaser in it since it may hold the scent.


She got a 2011 Cadillac SRX4, its got a little v6 but its AWD, sitting on 20's. Its a sweet ride for sure, my favorite thing is that the whole entire dash is wrapped in buckskin leather with black stitching and when you crank it up a 8" Nav screen pops out of the dash! Its like a champagne color(Cadillac name for pewter silverish). She just got it 4 days ago but i cant wait to lay a coat of 845 down on it!

LOL. Im gonna do this Mercedes on Friday for a neighbor and my wifes car next week... Gone buffing crazy

[TLMitchell]

So you use the CD-2 on wheel well liners? Cool! I was gonna do the hood liner but didnt have time yet. Will get to it another day for sure. What do you use to clean it with? Household cleaner? Didnt want to spray engine degreaser in it since it may hold the scent.

By not doing the hood liner first you're going to mess up that clean engine bay. Another learning experience...

Armor All Tire Foam has some pretty good cleaning agents, I think you're going to need something decidely stouter. An APC with a wheel brush is what I've used. Then the AATF.

I've never sprayed CD2 directly on wheel well liners, seems like a waste of product to me. I always used the damp rag after wiping CD2 off the engine bay. A little residue goes a long way on clean liners.


LOL. Im gonna do this Mercedes on Friday for a neighbor and my wifes car next week... Gone buffing crazy

Getting great results on a first attempt will do that to you. Be prepared to expand your education to include possible frustration when you find different paints can react quite differently with previously used products, pads and techniques. Ultimate Compound/orange that cleared up a GM finish may not make the grade on hard Mercedes clear, depending on how bad the swirls/RIDS are, or it may not finish as well on your wife's car. Then you can join the rest of us broke saps that own just about one of everything. :eek:

TL

[donb]

Very impressive for the first time. I know it took me a lot of practice to get just decent. Nice job!