Second Detail: 2013 Tesla Model S

[kevincwelch]

So, I learned a lot by detailing my wife's Subaru Outback (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/67235-first-correction-detail-2007-subaru.html) last weekend.

What I primarily learned is probably what a lot of beginners experience:


They use too much product
They move the DA polisher too fast
They burn through pads
They take shortcuts.


I will say that for the Model S, I think I improved on those points. Still, looking at my finished product and the finished products of a lot of the cars here, I have a lot to learn!

Anyway, my Model S wasn't that dirty, so I don't have a great deal of "before" shots to show you. I keep it pretty clean, but I was frustrated with all the swirls and some scratches that I have seen over the past 6 months. Some were dealer inflicted, some were inflicted by a hand wash company, and some were inflicted by me when I was careless.

Here's what I used for the project.

Interior
A good vacuum was needed. Lot's of crumbs and Mum-Mum (http://www.mummums.com/) dust.
All surfaces: DP Total Interior Cleaner
Leather: Lexol 3-in-1 Leather Care (got this on BOGO)
Vinyl: Poorboy's Natural Look Dressing
Glass: Meguiar's glass cleaner

Exterior
Used spray gun to lube up car with Ultima Waterless Wash
Foam: DP Xtreme Foam
Wash: Dawn
Wheels: GG rubber cleaner + GG Heavy Duty Wheel Cleaner
Decontamination: Nanoskin followed by Iron X
Compound: m105 (a few areas needed it)
Polish: Menzerna IP2000 -> FF3000 -> SF4000
17.5% IPA wipe down
Sealant: Menzerna PL
Wax: Collinite 845
Exterior Trim: Poorboy's Trim Restorer
Windows: Pinnacle water spot remover + sealant
Tires: Pinnacle Onyx gel

Some before shots

Iron X wash-off even after using GG Heavy Duty Cleaner!

http://i1332.photobucket.com/albums/w610/kwelchmail/2013-07-13112848_zps4479e1c4.jpg

Shot of the swirling that was representative of the whole car.

http://i1332.photobucket.com/albums/w610/kwelchmail/2013-07-13110323_zps1f9589b7.jpg

Swirling on the nose cone.

http://i1332.photobucket.com/albums/w610/kwelchmail/2013-07-13141307_zps949785ba.jpg

Not a good picture, but this is where the scratch (caused by my pager) was (to the right and above my finger)

http://i1332.photobucket.com/albums/w610/kwelchmail/2013-07-13110354_zps83eb8306.jpg

Workin' it!

http://i1332.photobucket.com/albums/w610/kwelchmail/2013-07-13115152_zpsea876818.jpg

The only place I wasn't going to washout the compound/polish dust!

http://i1332.photobucket.com/albums/w610/kwelchmail/DSC_6828_zpsc5b7c3e3.jpg

Some pictures of the paint afterwards...

http://i1332.photobucket.com/albums/w610/kwelchmail/2013-07-13202956_zps676f4ae8.jpg
http://i1332.photobucket.com/albums/w610/kwelchmail/2013-07-13202816_zpsface9468.jpg

Corrected nose cone

http://i1332.photobucket.com/albums/w610/kwelchmail/2013-07-13203337_zpsb409f664.jpg

Take her out, Mr. Sulu.

http://i1332.photobucket.com/albums/w610/kwelchmail/_DSC6830_zpsf7ef10b9.jpg
http://i1332.photobucket.com/albums/w610/kwelchmail/_DSC6831_zpsbcd10ac6.jpg
http://i1332.photobucket.com/albums/w610/kwelchmail/_DSC6832_zps3cd4d2e0.jpg
http://i1332.photobucket.com/albums/w610/kwelchmail/_DSC6833_zps54ffdd40.jpg
http://i1332.photobucket.com/albums/w610/kwelchmail/_DSC6834_zps73ef8026.jpg

Exterior Shots.
http://i1332.photobucket.com/albums/w610/kwelchmail/_DSC6836_zps00ab73b0.jpg
http://i1332.photobucket.com/albums/w610/kwelchmail/_DSC6838_zps08b7ec61.jpg
http://i1332.photobucket.com/albums/w610/kwelchmail/_DSC6839_zps4088a3ca.jpg
http://i1332.photobucket.com/albums/w610/kwelchmail/_DSC6840_zps7825542f.jpg
http://i1332.photobucket.com/albums/w610/kwelchmail/_DSC6842_zps3c369660.jpg
http://i1332.photobucket.com/albums/w610/kwelchmail/_DSC6844_zpsccb614b3.jpg
http://i1332.photobucket.com/albums/w610/kwelchmail/_DSC6845_zpsf6101040.jpg
http://i1332.photobucket.com/albums/w610/kwelchmail/_DSC6846_zps3f604026.jpg
http://i1332.photobucket.com/albums/w610/kwelchmail/_DSC6848_zps1f4137f0.jpg
http://i1332.photobucket.com/albums/w610/kwelchmail/_DSC6849_zps37f953b7.jpg
http://i1332.photobucket.com/albums/w610/kwelchmail/_DSC6850_zps08a97c58.jpg
http://i1332.photobucket.com/albums/w610/kwelchmail/_DSC6852_zps2d93bc28.jpg
http://i1332.photobucket.com/albums/w610/kwelchmail/_DSC6856_zpsd041f6c0.jpg
http://i1332.photobucket.com/albums/w610/kwelchmail/_DSC6857_zps10b93e51.jpg
http://i1332.photobucket.com/albums/w610/kwelchmail/_DSC6859_zps70c89097.jpg

Hope you enjoyed that.

I'd say that if I were lucky, I probably got out 75% of what I wanted to eliminate from the car. I'm good with this since it is my DD and it's a start.

Working on these two cars over the past two weekends gives me a better understanding of what you guys do every day -- it's hard work!

http://i1332.photobucket.com/albums/w610/kwelchmail/menzerna_zpsde9b8c16.jpg

[SonOfOC]

Good job! 3 step polish is a lot of work. I have worked on a Tesla before and got really good results going from SIP straight to SF4000.

[kevincwelch]

Good job! 3 step polish is a lot of work. I have worked on a Tesla before and got really good results going from SIP straight to SF4000.

I considered getting that one instead of the IP 2000, but I was nervous about the cutting strength and my experience. But, Menzerna states it has a higher gloss finish, so I could see that step you mention. I see it's an art form as well...