Neighbour's Caravan

**richy** · 06-04-2007, 11:29 PM

I did the third and final car for my next door neighbour. I took 10 hours to do it. The wheels alone took almost 3 hours themselves (they had never been touched..a LOT of brake dust!). The after pics are in my garage at 11:30 at night so no great reflection shots in sunlight. But nonetheless, I was pleased with the final product.
Here's my process:
1) Wash and clay with my new stretchy yellow (Canadian) clay...it was o.k. but I think I like the way clay magic works better.
2) Chrome wheels got 00 steel wool (on brake dust) with Autosol and Blue Magic (ran out of Autosol).
3) Wax wheels with Collonite.
4) Buff van with Micro Polish with my new ccs blue pad.
5) SIP with green pad where needed for nasty marks...bye bye!!
BTW Rotary usage for all buffing
6) Collonite to van.
7) Tires with Zaino.
8) 303 on outside plastic and rubber.
9) 303 (buffed right after) on interior plastic and leather.
10) Vacuum and spot treated with Folex where needed (was pretty good..you'll see the rubber mats!)
11) Cleaned rubber mats with Fantastic and blew dry with compressor.
12) Glass done with 2 stage MF's.
BONUS..Enjoyed a damn fine cigar while doing exterior work and several kick a$$ c.d.s (Rage Against the Machine makes you polish faster, I swear)
BEFORES:

AFTERS:

**guidosrx8** · 06-04-2007, 11:34 PM

very nice!!! excellent job! I didn't know a mini van could look good!

haha

**richy** · 06-04-2007, 11:37 PM

Yeah..not exactly admiring the body lines while doing it. Oh well, my next job next weekend is a 350ZX. That I will enjoy!!

**Jimmie** · 06-05-2007, 12:07 AM

What a good job. It's easy to see why the wheels took alot of time.

**01SVTvert** · 06-05-2007, 12:48 AM

wow long time, hope the neighbor appreciates it! Very nice job

**devst8** · 06-05-2007, 05:22 AM

god those wheel were aweful! good job on them! oh and I love ratm also *thumbsup*

**Gary Sword** · 06-05-2007, 05:56 AM

Looks very good Richy!

**Nica** · 06-05-2007, 09:03 AM

Looks good, very nice turn around on that van. I don't know if I would use a steel wool on any of my own vehicles though. I'm quite pleased with the P21S Gel and so far it has worked it's magic well....but I can see why you had to use a steel wool on those rims.

I like the way the interior looks, very nice.

Thanks for sharing.

**richy** · 06-05-2007, 09:23 AM

Originally Posted by Nica

Looks good, very nice turn around on that van. I don't know if I would use a steel wool on any of my own vehicles though. I'm quite pleased with the P21S Gel and so far it has worked it's magic well....but I can see why you had to use a steel wool on those rims.

I like the way the interior looks, very nice.

Thanks for sharing.

the steel wool is always a last resort but I have seen it cut through brake dust that metal polish alone would not touch. i even tried some compound with the steel wool but that was too aggresive. the neighbour was blown away when she saw the wheels..the money is great, don't get me wrong, but I really love it when you do a turnaround and the customer is as excited as you are!! it's really rewarding

**Nica** · 06-05-2007, 09:42 AM

Originally Posted by richy

the steel wool is always a last resort but I have seen it cut through brake dust that metal polish alone would not touch. i even tried some compound with the steel wool but that was too aggresive. the neighbour was blown away when she saw the wheels..the money is great, don't get me wrong, but I really love it when you do a turnaround and the customer is as excited as you are!! it's really rewarding

I totally agree my friend, that is the best part of detailing. I look forward to the customer to pick up the vehicle and you can see there facial expresion...that's what it's all about..hehehehe.

Thanks for sharing and I don't blame you for using the steel wool on those rims