2011 GM Zafira: Extreme Makeover + Pinnacle Black Label Coatings

[Tato]

Dear Friends,

This week I had the pleasure to work on a 2011 GM Zafira. The car was on the very neglected side, but I could see it's potential during evaluation so I've accepted to execute the work.

Many moons passed, and the day finally arrived, now I kindly invite you to take a look at some pictures I got while performing this extensive work, :Picture:

Car arrived, on the dirty side
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-1.png

presenting huge amount of grime and tar
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-2.png

giving the paint a 'nice' dull aspect...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-3.png

Closer
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-3a.png

There are places in a car I'm almost certain to remain untouched until a Detailer decides to take care of it,

or, during an emergency. Imagine having to switch a wheel before a meeting, in this condition:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-4.png

Using those tools:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-5.png

Placed in here...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-6.png

Well, nothing that a good brushing and Meguiar's #39 wouldn't solve...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-7.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-8.png

Wheel cleaned with dedicated CG Wheel Cleaner, and tire scrubbed using the same Meguiar's #39
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-9.png

Tools cleaned and organized
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-10.png

Spare wheel reinstalled after complete detailing
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-11.png


Paint evaluation

The paint of this car was very swirled, scratched, contaminated, and in between tar, tree sap, bird droppings and bug residues, a very persistent overspray was present
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-12.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-13.png

Look at this hood!, severe scrubbed.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-14.png

This picture shows how contaminated the paint was:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-15.png

Close-up:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-16.png

Let's take a tour on the surroundings, using the two larger overspray dots as reference:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-17.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/zaf11-18.png (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/83469)

Nowhere to run, this paint was definitively in bad shape
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-19.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/zaf11-20.png (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/83471)

Gross...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-21.png

Preparation

The car was meticulously cleaned, washed using a mixture of Meguiar's Hyper Wash + CG Bug Tar Wash, iron-x'd, tar-x'd, and finally clayed using both nanoskin mitts and conventional 3M purple aggressive clay bar (only way I was able to remove the embedded overspray).

After that, I've dialed a test spot using a light approach, in order to meet the paint I was going to work on.

Based on test results, I've stepped up to LC Orange Hybrid Cutting pads (6.5" and 5") + Menzerna FG400 and that was an one-step answer using my best interpretation of 'Smack's Technique'.

Even this way, the car was fully re-polished after all with SF4000 and white hybrid polishing pads to guarantee an even, fine, final finish.

Cutting Setup
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-22a.png

Test-Spot Results:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-22b.png

Holograms were also present
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-22c.png

But my polishing approach was being able to cut through every section, while leaving a great finish behind.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-22d.png

More on Details

Before:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-23.png

Afters:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-24.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-25.png

Glasswork

I've worked Glass using CarPro Spotless, thoroughly clayed then polished with Pinnacle Black Label Surface Cleansing Polish. After all, it received 2 coats of PBL Glass Coating.

Before:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-26.png

After
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-27.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-28.png

Windshield visibility was severely affected:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-29a.png

Afters:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-29b.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-30.png

Rearview Mirror:

Before
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-30a.png

After:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-30b.png

Before:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-30c.png

After:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-30d.png

Engine 'Dry-Clean'
Using a combination of compressed air, brushes, waterless products, degreasers, vacuum cleaner and some other tools, polished under the hood by hand then coated. Plastics and Rubbers protected using 303 Aerospace Protectant.

Before:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-31.png

After:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-32.png

...been a bit Bugsy lately...

Before:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-33.png

Afters:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-34.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-35.png

[Tato]

Font Grille

Before(s):
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/zaf11-36.png (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/83499)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-37.png

After:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-38a.png

Before:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-39.png

After (Headlamps polished using Meguiar's PlastX and an HT Orange Polishing Pad):
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-40.png

Hood section polished using orange pads + FG400
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-41.png

Hood defect removal

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-42a.png

Although the whole car was in bad shape, the scrubbed hood section was the worst looking part.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-42b.png

To illustrate what was being possible to do with FG400 + Orange Hybrid pad,

Before:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-43a.png

After:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-43b.png

It's noticeable the increase in clarity and swirl removal, however the deeper scratches remained. Not satisfied with the results and confident I could get even more improvement, I've decided to go after them.

Here are the results after a second cut:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-43c.png

We went from this:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-44a.png

:buffing::buffing::buffing:

To this:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-44b.png

It's noticeable all scratches went away, leaving behind only the actual dropping stain - true responsible for all that scrubbing:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-45.png

Looking carefully to the above picture, you should notice I've switched the Flex 3401 and foam pads for the Rupes 21 + MF pads for this section.

After the finishing step:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-46.png

Paint was now exhibiting some shine...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-47.png

Before:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-48a.png

After:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-48b.png

Elite Side

Before:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-49.png

Afters:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-50.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-51.png

Before:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-52.png

Afters:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-53.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-54.png

Taillamp
Surely worked!, Im the MAN

Before:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-55a.png

After:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-55b.png

INTERIOR

Not enough, the car was worked from top to bottom, right to left, front to back - and sure - inside and out.

Before:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-56.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-57.png

After:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-58.png

Before:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-59a.png

Afters:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-59b.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-59c.png

Before:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-59d.png

After:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-59e.png

Before:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-60a.png

During:

Interior was worked using vacuum, compressed air, steam cleaning, APCs dilute to desired needs, dedicated carpet cleaners, leather cleaners, and protectants, quality microfiber towels and brushes.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-60b.png

Small Fixes

I can't see something detaching without asking myself: 'Can I easily fix this?' If the answer is yes, I may promptly go for it...

Before:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-61a.png

After:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-61b.png

General view, after:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-62.png

Roof Upholstery, Before:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-63b.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-64.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-64b.png

Afters:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-65.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-66.png

Ready to leave?
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-66b.png

---The end---

This is the only after picture I have showing the full car, completely detailed and coated, just before customer arriving for pick up.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/zaf11-67.png

However, if you've joined the above pieces together I'm almost sure this last one, (now), is enough!

Many other details couldn't be captured accordingly since I've worked on a true constraint and mostly alone on this one...

That said, if you could enjoy watching this piece of my work, I may consider all the effort worth it!!,


Feel free to leave a message if you have any comment, suggestions, critics, questions, I'd like to hear your opinion.

Thank you very much for watching,

Kind Regards.

[Garyhw48]

Unbelievable! You are a true professional. I have never seen better!

[jamesboyy]

Outstanding work on that Zafira you really brought life back into that paintwork

[EVOlved]

Fantastic work and write up as always Rafael!!

[Tato]

Unbelievable! You are a true professional. I have never seen better!

Thank you so much for kind words Gary, we owe everything we know and do to the AG / AGO community.


Outstanding work on that Zafira you really brought life back into that paintwork

Thank you James, glad you enjoyed!


Fantastic work and write up as always Rafael!!

Thanks, I appreciate your feedback. :dblthumb2:

Kind Regards.

[Sicoupe]

Fantastic work Rafael!

[af90]

Great work! Looks like the Flex's are working strong, did you notice much of a difference after using SF4000?

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Wow! Simply Jaw dropping work Rafael! This is the most in depth write up and transformation I have seen you post. I bet the owner couldn't believe their eyes when they say this transformation.

Top notch pro grade write up! That's my boy!

I think its time to grab a PE14 now and equip it with the Hybrid wool pads for that added cut... The "Smack Technique" works wonders on this setup as well...

[zckid]

Extreme makeover :iagree:


top job as always. your passion flows in the details Rafael. :dblthumb2: :buffing: :props:


I've got a few questions. will pm you soon

take care

Zaid

[Tato]

Fantastic work Rafael!

Thanks mate!, appreciate your thoughts.


Great work! Looks like the Flex's are working strong, did you notice much of a difference after using SF4000?

Hi! Sure, Flex tools are definitively a workhorse.

Honestly, I've noticed very little to no difference after the SF4000 because the FG400 and Orange already finished LSP ready in this case.

However, I'm adapted not letting my eyes 'fool me', and I've used the SF4000 to refine even more the remaining RIDS - also to guarantee a perfect finish under any circumstance.

When using SF4000 with this finality, few passes are needed, you can cover larger areas at once, and use slightly faster arm speed - I'm always safe than sorry, if you know what I mean... even not noticing an immense difference with a naked eye, it was worth doing, absolutely.

Thank you for comments and hope I've answered your question. If not, please, feel free to ask again.



Wow! Simply Jaw dropping work Rafael! This is the most in depth write up and transformation I have seen you post. I bet the owner couldn't believe their eyes when they say this transformation.

Top notch pro grade write up! That's my boy!

I think its time to grab a PE14 now and equip it with the Hybrid wool pads for that added cut... The "Smack Technique" works wonders on this setup as well...

Thank you very much Mike!, I'm happy hearing from you. You know how much I lean towards a PE-14, but let's say I'm waiting for SEMA week and see what the near future will offer.

I'm very grateful for all your help, count on me as well.


Extreme makeover :iagree:


top job as always. your passion flows in the details Rafael. :dblthumb2: :buffing: :props:


I've got a few questions. will pm you soon

take care

Zaid


Thanks Zaid, appreciate your comments. You can feel free to ask your questions here, but please, do not hesitate shooting me a PM whenever needed. If I can help you out, I'll be there for you.

Kind Regards.

[RottenII]

Beautiful job! Did the owner even recognize his own car?
One newb question, Why the switch from the Flex to the Rupes? As a hobbiest I'm using the Griots DA but was thinking of upgrading in the spring to something better. Undecided between the Flex and Rupes.

[Tato]

Beautiful job! Did the owner even recognize his own car?
One newb question, Why the switch from the Flex to the Rupes? As a hobbiest I'm using the Griots DA but was thinking of upgrading in the spring to something better. Undecided between the Flex and Rupes.

Thank you very much for your comment.

There's no such thing like 'Newb Question', in fact it's a very interesting question and I'll try my best to answer you properly - if not, please, let me know.

The main difference I see when correcting with Flex or Rupes is that with the Flex you may add firm, and even heavy pressure for the correction step.

When using the Rupes, pressure (if any) is just firm to maintain the pad flat, not 'heavy'.

That said, the main defects I was trying to remove on that part where located where the 'metal' would bend if too much pressure was added. Doing a lot of passes with heavy pressure where the metal tends to bending is not a way I feel comfortable working. The sum of surface heating + metal bending is not good 'in my book'.

I may do the same 'strategy' when working roofs with great tendency to bending (some cars have very thin roofs). The Rupes and MF just glides over the surface, and the heating is even lower.

Ok, if you got my reason, you should now be asking if Rupes corrected much easier with much less 'effort', why not use it for the entire car!?

Foam pads finishes better than MF pads. Forced Rotation of the Flex gets you with even tool action throughout virtually any panel design...

There's a lot of threads considering 'Rupes vs Flex', but sometime ago I've solved my dilema ordering both...

IMO, again, one tool will not substitute the other. Indeed, I may only exchange a Flex for Rupes if for a Rupes 21, a Rupes 15, a Rupes 12, and a Rupes Mini...

Got it?

Hope I could answer your question, if not, please, feel free to ask more.

Kind Regards.

[RottenII]

Thanks for the explanation. Makes perfect sense! Now if I ordered the Flex for the heavy duty parts I'm assuming I could use my Griots DA for the more delicate parts in place of the Rupes?

[Swift]

Love your work. You made it look like its just rolled out of assembly line. One question, which LSPs did you use? Sealant and wax or just sealant?