2012 Explorer (black) & E350 - Pinnacle Auto Detail - CT

[PinnacleAutoCT]

This 2012 Explorer had just been purchased and was in need of some attention to bring the paintwork up to the new owner’s standards. It had come from an Adesa auction house and between their pre-sale detailing and the wash performed by the Ford dealership during a service visit, the paint was in need of some attention. The entire body showed lots of straight-line marring from improper washed and wipe downs, one quarter panel showed holograms due to a repaint, and the wheels were in need of a polishing to remove brush-instilled scratches.
Before:
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3665/14281559871_00c4406d45_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nL1JbT)DSC00614 (https://flic.kr/p/nL1JbT) by Pinnacle Auto Detail - CT (https://www.flickr.com/people/48678828@N04/), on Flickr
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5516/14282879132_c0774a53bc_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nL8umL)DSC00613 (https://flic.kr/p/nL8umL) by Pinnacle Auto Detail - CT (https://www.flickr.com/people/48678828@N04/), on Flickr
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3810/14284904135_387e203cb7_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nLiSjB)DSC00612 (https://flic.kr/p/nLiSjB) by Pinnacle Auto Detail - CT (https://www.flickr.com/people/48678828@N04/), on Flickr
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2906/14098270148_771be4e76d_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/ntPjxf)DSC00611 (https://flic.kr/p/ntPjxf) by Pinnacle Auto Detail - CT (https://www.flickr.com/people/48678828@N04/), on Flickr
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3822/14098274788_d744f35990_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/ntPkVf)DSC00610 (https://flic.kr/p/ntPkVf) by Pinnacle Auto Detail - CT (https://www.flickr.com/people/48678828@N04/), on Flickr
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2909/14281590121_0177509f39_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nL1Tbr)DSC00608 (https://flic.kr/p/nL1Tbr) by Pinnacle Auto Detail - CT (https://www.flickr.com/people/48678828@N04/), on Flickr
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2932/14284927495_47790630b6_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nLiZgn)DSC00605 (https://flic.kr/p/nLiZgn) by Pinnacle Auto Detail - CT (https://www.flickr.com/people/48678828@N04/), on Flickr
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3736/14281521991_c4f1871104_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nL1wVM)DSC00552 (https://flic.kr/p/nL1wVM) by Pinnacle Auto Detail - CT (https://www.flickr.com/people/48678828@N04/), on Flickr


A test spot was done, where I found that the paint was very soft. Deciding to go with a one-step polish and forgo perfecting the finish since this SUV would be used to transport kids and would be a daily driver, the decision had to be made between using Menzerna SF4500 and HD Polish. The two produced a nearly identical finish, but HD Polish yielded the same amount of correction with around half the number of section passes as SF4500 would have required (while also dusting less), so I chose HD. Polishing was performed via the Rupes 21 equipped with a black LC finishing pad, and only light to moderate pressure was required given the softness of the paint. The wheels were given some refinement with a 3” Meguiar’s MF & D300 polish on a PC 7336. Protection was provided by Optiseal, all trim was dressed with 3D Thick dressing, the tires receiving 3D Thick followed by Ultra.


Afters (had to be taken in the garage due to rain, sorry):
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3722/14282842842_61c2abd0a3_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nL8iz5)DSC00631 (https://flic.kr/p/nL8iz5) by Pinnacle Auto Detail - CT (https://www.flickr.com/people/48678828@N04/), on Flickr
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3743/14284378154_0778280246_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nLgaXY)DSC00629 (https://flic.kr/p/nLgaXY) by Pinnacle Auto Detail - CT (https://www.flickr.com/people/48678828@N04/), on Flickr
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5583/14098321197_5123a591e2_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/ntPzHp)DSC00628 (https://flic.kr/p/ntPzHp) by Pinnacle Auto Detail - CT (https://www.flickr.com/people/48678828@N04/), on Flickr
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3700/14098210979_7734bcde63_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/ntP1X6)DSC00624 (https://flic.kr/p/ntP1X6) by Pinnacle Auto Detail - CT (https://www.flickr.com/people/48678828@N04/), on Flickr
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5513/14098214139_ebbe0078af_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/ntP2Tz)DSC00618 (https://flic.kr/p/ntP2Tz) by Pinnacle Auto Detail - CT (https://www.flickr.com/people/48678828@N04/), on Flickr
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2895/14261743466_e654eb805d_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nJgasJ)DSC00632 (https://flic.kr/p/nJgasJ) by Pinnacle Auto Detail - CT (https://www.flickr.com/people/48678828@N04/), on Flickr
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5594/14281531961_643457a391_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nL1zTF)DSC00633 (https://flic.kr/p/nL1zTF) by Pinnacle Auto Detail - CT (https://www.flickr.com/people/48678828@N04/), on Flickr
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3693/14284374114_699063a7bf_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nLg9Lj)DSC00630 (https://flic.kr/p/nLg9Lj) by Pinnacle Auto Detail - CT (https://www.flickr.com/people/48678828@N04/), on Flickr
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2906/14284391354_6d103ab158_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nLgeTy)DSC00617 (https://flic.kr/p/nLgeTy) by Pinnacle Auto Detail - CT (https://www.flickr.com/people/48678828@N04/), on Flickr

This 2011 E350 was in need of less work than the Explorer, the owner just wanted it cleaned up and protected going into fall/winter. The interior received a steam cleaning with the VX5000 and was dressed with 1Z CP, Leather Masters Protection Cream on the seats. The exterior received an ONR wash, OPC @ full strength was used to clean the wheels barrels (3:1 on the faces), clay via clay magic blue and a light polish via Rupes 21, LC polishing pad and HD Speed. After this everything including the wheels received Sonax Polymer Net Shield plus Chemical Guys Hybrid V7 Optical for additional gloss.


Before:
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5602/15519763726_39f627d250_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/pDqR4d)DSC05692 (https://flic.kr/p/pDqR4d) by Pinnacle Auto Detail - CT (https://www.flickr.com/people/48678828@N04/), on Flickr
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3948/15357451877_ed8294bbd1_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/pp5Xp4)DSC05693 (https://flic.kr/p/pp5Xp4) by Pinnacle Auto Detail - CT (https://www.flickr.com/people/48678828@N04/), on Flickr
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3939/14923229073_05a1a485e7_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/oJHs5Z)DSC05690 (https://flic.kr/p/oJHs5Z) by Pinnacle Auto Detail - CT (https://www.flickr.com/people/48678828@N04/), on Flickr
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3953/15356837029_0642c08c6a_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/pp2NCe)DSC05695 (https://flic.kr/p/pp2NCe) by Pinnacle Auto Detail - CT (https://www.flickr.com/people/48678828@N04/), on Flickr
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3930/14923232813_432b0d2d05_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/oJHtct)DSC05697 (https://flic.kr/p/oJHtct) by Pinnacle Auto Detail - CT (https://www.flickr.com/people/48678828@N04/), on Flickr
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3948/14922698734_b096e98dc3_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/oJEJrd)DSC05706 (https://flic.kr/p/oJEJrd) by Pinnacle Auto Detail - CT (https://www.flickr.com/people/48678828@N04/), on Flickr
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5610/15357817100_b417bc5a06_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/pp7PY1)DSC05704 (https://flic.kr/p/pp7PY1) by Pinnacle Auto Detail - CT (https://www.flickr.com/people/48678828@N04/), on Flickr


After:
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5598/15357268478_dfc752b8c5_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/pp51T1)DSC05732 (https://flic.kr/p/pp51T1) by Pinnacle Auto Detail - CT (https://www.flickr.com/people/48678828@N04/), on Flickr
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3939/15357804690_43dccd2bb7_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/pp7Lh3)DSC05734 (https://flic.kr/p/pp7Lh3) by Pinnacle Auto Detail - CT (https://www.flickr.com/people/48678828@N04/), on Flickr
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3951/15356818329_7a03fc1c3b_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/pp2H4P)DSC05736 (https://flic.kr/p/pp2H4P) by Pinnacle Auto Detail - CT (https://www.flickr.com/people/48678828@N04/), on Flickr
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3950/14923254913_01d2f89592_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/oJHzLv)DSC05755 (https://flic.kr/p/oJHzLv) by Pinnacle Auto Detail - CT (https://www.flickr.com/people/48678828@N04/), on Flickr
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3938/15519716176_6d9279b51c_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/pDqAVo)DSC05760 (https://flic.kr/p/pDqAVo) by Pinnacle Auto Detail - CT (https://www.flickr.com/people/48678828@N04/), on Flickr
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3940/15540769551_dd009eed5a_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/pFhvmB)DSC05717 (https://flic.kr/p/pFhvmB) by Pinnacle Auto Detail - CT (https://www.flickr.com/people/48678828@N04/), on Flickr
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5600/15357788540_4ecd3eb658_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/pp7FtA)DSC05763 (https://flic.kr/p/pp7FtA) by Pinnacle Auto Detail - CT (https://www.flickr.com/people/48678828@N04/), on Flickr
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5610/15357291858_5969f28c04_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/pp58Q7)DSC05747 (https://flic.kr/p/pp58Q7) by Pinnacle Auto Detail - CT (https://www.flickr.com/people/48678828@N04/), on Flickr
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3949/15357794900_77e1fe8e05_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/pp7Hnf)DSC05752 (https://flic.kr/p/pp7Hnf) by Pinnacle Auto Detail - CT (https://www.flickr.com/people/48678828@N04/), on Flickr

Thanks for looking!
Comments/questions welcome.
Mike
Pinnacle Auto Detail - CT

[jamesboyy]

Top notch work on both canvases look as if they are brand new again

[guess23959]

nice to see another person from ct here who enjoys detailing as much as i do. great work you do. :-)

[Sicoupe]

Fantastic job on both buddy:)

[VP Mark]

Well done sir! The HD paint products really are top notch.

[SYMAWD]

Great job, but I was totally thinking one of these:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/02/2008_Ford_E-Series_wagon.jpg

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Beautiful work good sir! The black Explorer looks incredible!

[Moldavite]

fantastic work, that black really pops :drool:

[PinnacleAutoCT]

Thanks everyone!

Fabiolas-Same here, seems like there aren't many of us on here from CT.

[ilian11]

Looks awesome! Thanks for sharing!

[guess23959]

Thanks everyone!

Fabiolas-Same here, seems like there aren't many of us on here from CT.


yea probably cause all the crappy weather we get or the terrible economy. i only had 2 clients this year, 4 last year.............. oh well, just taking it as a side job i guess. great job though man.

[haris300]

Good job making those cars look like new again.