2003 Passat (LOTS of work!)

[richy]

This car was being done for a co-worker who was paying for it as a gift to her son. She's a super lady and I wanted to do a great job on this Passat. We were working with a limited budget, so I chose to offer some CQ that I had from last year at a discount. There were many challenges with this car, both inside and out. This is definitely some very, very hard clear! Anyway, I'll let the pics do the talking:

BEFORE SHOTS:


http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20shots/DSC_0242-2.jpg



There were many chips in the car (I estimate over 1 hour filling them all) and here are a few of the worst:

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20shots/DSC_0244-3.jpg


http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20shots/DSC_0245-3.jpg


http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20shots/DSC_0246-3.jpg


Other Scratches and Marks:

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20shots/DSC_0249-2.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20shots/DSC_0250-2.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20shots/DSC_0252-2.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20shots/DSC_0260-2.jpg


All the lenses required work:


http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20shots/DSC_0243-3.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20shots/DSC_0259-2.jpg


The Wheels had seem some neglect unfortunately:

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20shots/DSC_0255-3.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20shots/DSC_0247-2.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20shots/DSC_0248-1.jpg

Swirls and General Condition:

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20shots/DSC_0256-3.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20shots/DSC_0257-3.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20shots/DSC_0258-3.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20shots/DSC_0253-2.jpg


The Interior was dirty and in need of some attention:

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20shots/DSC_0261-2.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20shots/DSC_0262-2.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20shots/DSC_0263-2.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20shots/DSC_0264-2.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20shots/DSC_0265-3.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20shots/DSC_0266-3.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20shots/DSC_0267-2.jpg


First up was the wheels. I tried two different approaches. First, I tried Wolf's Decon gel first, followed by Megs WB. I then reversed the order and found it to work better. That was followed by Zep Citrus to neutralize the acid. Wells were cleaned with LA Totally Awesome. Tires were cleaned with Zep 505.

Here's a shot with Wolf's working on it. I actually added some IronX paste and worked that in on top of it to try to give it more of a kick.


http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20shots/DSC_0268-3.jpg

After that was foaming and cleaning. The car was foamed with a strong mix of Megs Hyper Wash with some Dawn mixed in.


http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20shots/DSC_0269-3.jpg


After that, a strong mix of DG901 was used. I used my bug sponge for all the lower surfaces that had stuff that didn't want to come off. It cleaned the trim very well too. I shot the trim with LATA first and then used the bug sponge on it.

After washing, it was brought inside and clayed old school...Riccardo yellow. I wanted a more aggressive clay than the Elastofoam block I usually use. I went back to my old trick to make the clay pliable: about 30-45 seconds in the microwave periodically. That makes it pliable as can be, yet does not hinder the cut of the clay whatsoever. I have been doing this for a few years with clay; it's a great help to it.

Since I was on a tight budget, I did the interior first which would determine how much time I had left to do the coating and polishing.
The interior carpeting got steam cleaned and spot cleaned with OPC for the bad stains. I used a white terry towel over the steamer to draw out the stain into the cloth. I was turning my nice white towels into black, disgusting ones!

Here is my little helper wanting to get involved. God Bless her!

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20shots/DSC_0271-2.jpg

[richy]

The leather seats were the biggest challenge. I used OPC with the AutoGlym Interior pad. I would have never believed how beneficial this pad is to interior cleaning of leather and plastic prior to using one. I bought one on a recommendation of someone I trusted, and have never looked back. You can't buy them anymore, but there was someone on another forum selling knock-offs that were supposed to be pretty good. On the leather, you spray the pad with the cleaner, work it in until it foams up and then you can wipe it off. I don't, at that stage, I then take the steamer with a white terry towel and go over the area and then wipe it down. It literally does a miraculous job. The owner was astounded at how well it came out. Door panels got the same treatment. I was using the Optimum Power Clean at 100% for this job.

The windows were cleaned with a KD cloth using only water. No streaks. I am so impressed with these, that I'm giving away one with each car I do as a way of saying "Thanks".


Next up was the paint. So much time had been used up, that it only had time for a one step. I tried many different pads, polishes and machines and nothing was cutting through all the scratches in the paint. Having a shinuy car with scratches underneath was not an option for me so I got more aggressive with it.

First, I tried my Flex with a black TB wool pad and M100. Finally that was doing the job. I had never tried the wool with my Flex before and wanted to see how it would do. I was impressed. However, for a guy who's very comfortable using a rotary and also knows the speed at which a rotary corrects, I switched the TB pad to my Dynabrade rotary.
I needed to follow that step up with something that would take out any rotary marks but still be tough enough to make a difference. After a few combo's, I ended up with my Rupes+D300+yellow B/S. That did it very nicely. This combo was not getting all the scratches by any means, but I'd say I corrected between 80-90% of them. The car has some rust spots and whatnot, so it didn't seem prudent to take any more time with it. The colour of the paint seemed to change before my eyes as the purple tinge came out of the paint.
Oh, and touch ups...ya..a ton. The touch up paint was mixed beautifully and made it easy to fill in even the smallest of chips.

The headlights and tail lights were compounded using rotary+ wool+ M100 followed by rotary + foam +D300.

Once the whole car was corrected, I cleaned it with ONR and coated it with CQuartz (original). Paint and headlights and tail lights were done. I used my IR light to speed up the curing time as well.

The trim was done with UTTG and the tires and wells sprayed with Duragloss Wet Shine from an air gun.


Here are the final results (all shot inside due to the rain), inside and out:


http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20shots/DSC_0272-2.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20shots/DSC_0273-2.jpg

See some of the scratches still on the hood. I never try to pretend something is better than it is:

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20shots/DSC_0274-2.jpg


http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20shots/DSC_0275-2.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20shots/DSC_0276-2.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20shots/DSC_0277-2.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20shots/DSC_0278-1.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20shots/DSC_0279-1.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20shots/DSC_0280-1.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20shots/DSC_0281-1.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20shots/DSC_0282-1.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20shots/DSC_0283-1.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20shots/DSC_0284-1.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20shots/DSC_0285-1.jpg

Headlights looking better, eh??

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20shots/DSC_0286-1.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20shots/DSC_0287-1.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20shots/DSC_0288-1.jpg

A Couple of the Bigger Paint Chips Filled In:

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20shots/DSC_0289-1.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20shots/DSC_0290-1.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20shots/DSC_0291-1.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t12/rhowitt/Detailing%20shots/DSC_0292-1.jpg

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Wow Richy, that almost looks like a brand new Passat. How many hours were in this job?

Beautiful work BTW.

[Bigbull2984]

Richy as always great job sir. Also it takes time and talent to make a 10 year old car look new, amazing job.

[KillaCam]

Awesome job on that one. Is that KD cloth similar to the carpro glass towels? It looks the same and both just say to use water with them.

[Marc08EX]

Fantastic work as always, Richy!! The Passat looked tired and aged but your process made it look like it was new! The reflections are deep and the paint looks extremely glossy.

[ihaveacamaro]

Great job buddy!!

[parkerslade]

Excellent job. Great write up as well!

[davey g-force]

Nice job Richy! :xyxthumbs:

That thing was pretty hammered..

[Dr Oldz]

Awesome work Richy. I am suprised u posted/(are allowed to) post here! ;)

[psynx]

Awesome work Richy. I am suprised u posted/(are allowed to) post here! ;)

Lmao hahahaha

Sent from my SCH-I605 using AG Online

[Cooter]

Heckuva job Richy!! That poor Passat had been through the ringer!!

[zmcgovern45]

Looks great! That is a very nice color when it is all cleaned up!

[richy]

Wow Richy, that almost looks like a brand new Passat. How many hours were in this job?

Beautiful work BTW.
Thank you. 14-15 hours roughly.


Richy as always great job sir. Also it takes time and talent to make a 10 year old car look new, amazing job.
Thanks for the kind words.


Awesome job on that one. Is that KD cloth similar to the carpro glass towels? It looks the same and both just say to use water with them.
Yes, it is. Corey started carrying them after I brought them to his attention. The KD is from a Canadian supplier.


Fantastic work as always, Richy!! The Passat looked tired and aged but your process made it look like it was new! The reflections are deep and the paint looks extremely glossy.
Thank you very much!


Great job buddy!!
Thanks Roshan!


Excellent job. Great write up as well!
Thanks. I wanted to write about the Flex being used with wool too. I need to weigh in on the debate of Flex vs Rupes.


Nice job Richy! :xyxthumbs:

That thing was pretty hammered..
They've spent a lot on it mechanically, now it was time to make the rest of it as good.


Awesome work Richy. I am suprised u posted/(are allowed to) post here! ;)
Jim, thanks! You know, after getting blamed for intentionally putting in links on the CanAm, I almost didn't. The links were there, even if I didn't put them. I still don't understand why. For this writeup, I did it in notebook and when I posted it on L2D, there were links showing up again. (I had run several different Anti-Malware, etc programs too). Anyway, what worked was to highlight the whole thing and use the link-breaker button. That got rid of them. I just figured that out on this writeup. If I had known, maybe my CanAm thread could have been rejuvinated?
Now that there are no links, if this one gets deleted, I'm outta here for good.


Lmao hahahaha

Sent from my SCH-I605 using AG Online
I saw no humour in it. That really upset me to be accused of something I didn't intentionally do.


Heckuva job Richy!! That poor Passat had been through the ringer!!
Thanks Heath...yes, it was time to "unring" it, LOL.

[vet]

Outstanding job, as usual, Richy! Your friend had to be amazed at the way it looks now.