Alexshimshimhae
New member
Ok SO Let me preface this with the disclaimer:
By no means am I to even remotely considered an expert; this is simply the approach I took with what limited knowledge that I retained. Any guidance and tips would greatly be appreciated as I'm still eager to learn. Also, I tried, but many of the pictures didn't come out right what with fatigue and a camera phone that I dropped one too many times, but I salvaged what I could. I suspect the paint is still not perfect...didn't help that by the time I got corrections done I didn't have a good light source either. So let us begin
Girlfriend and her mother bought a new car this year. Her mother picked up the White Lexus GX, my girlfriend bought the Black Hyundai Elantra (2013). Her sister picked up the Black (with metalic gold specs?) about a year and a half ago and her fiancee didn't want anyone to touch the car saying he would do it...she came back from deployment (air force) and it was trashed so had her come over.
This is what I ordered up. I restocked on the pads and mitts because I've been out of practice for a while and forgot how beatup my current stock was. The valu-guard I ordered seeing as I saw some good reviews by people I trust. I also ordered two opti-coat kits but only ended up using one--I suspect the White Lexus didn't get anywhere near enough opti-coat but we'll get into that later.
2013 White Lexus GX
ABC Decontamination
Spot Claybar
Opti-Coat
I didn't personally opti-coat this myself. I did the hood and had my gf do the rest while I worked on her car as forecast said rain and I figured I'd have to rush.
I was surprised at how dirty this car was--it was garage kept but when I did my initial rinse--the water turned an odd shade of brown--I actually thought the hose water was rusted...
Before ABC.
After ABC. I should note that I found myself smiling when I felt the paint after the ABC wash...even lightly running across the paint it literally squeaked (talk abuot squeaky clean)
Wheels weren't bad but still soaked them with P21s Wheel gel 4:1 water:WG
2013 Hyundai Elantra.
Though I told her not to let the dealership wash/prep/"detail" her car, they did it anyways. DISO is always good -_-;
ABC Decontamination
Spot Claybar
LC White - HT Polish
HT Tangerine - Po85RD
P21s Wheel Gel
P21s TAW
ONR
Opti-coat
Interior:
Stoner's Invisible Glass
303 aerospace
I assume that a power washer would have loosened more dirt off the paint--but with hose on blast..it seemed the dirt was there to stay
No beading..I think w.e. lsp they put on lasted I think a few days...
Blurry but dirty
Wasn't sure if this scratch was out of the dealership or if this was from the parking lot (forget what my gf said) but either way having this before you have it a week has to be infuriating.
After ABC
Took off the sunroof visor and we decided to keep it off--but it left scratches in the paint already. Compounded with HY Cyan and OPT Hyper Compound. Polished down with LC White and OPT Hyper Polish followed by HT Tangerine with PO85rd
Looked Like etching...not quite sure what it was but it was a shame that a new car would present something like this
At least the other side matched...
Spiderwebs. There was a section that I was able to see pigtails but I guess the photo didn't save
This is part of the write up where we talk special effects...just wish it wasn't on the paint..Enjoy the hologram show
.
After ABC spot claybar (I found that I usually didn't have to clay bar after abc as the paint was really clean) Taped up trip and got her ready to go!
Trying to find a combination I got frustrated (hence the panic post I made earlier: btw thanks guys) because I was left with some RIDS but the light swirls seemed to be left by the white and opt polish and just wasn't finishing down right. After getting flustered and frustrated, it dawned on me that when working with the PO85rd I wasn't letting the polish break down. I think us newbies and novices forget that point: before jumping ship remember to work in the products that need time to break down. I was hesitant to use po because I feel it's oil heavy, but in the end I'm glad I did as the final wash took off the oils anyways and the finish seemed to be the best I could get it afaict
there was a marked improvement in the finish. I think this was a failed attempt at a 50/50
Another failed attempt at a 50/50 shot
I sectioned off the bigger panels to try to remind myself to limit my work areas as the sun (for the short time it was around) made it hard for me to work the PO85rd. The Opt presented less issues in direct sun use.
so this scratch that I presented earlier:
HT Cyan - OPT Hyper Compound
LC White - OPT Hyper Polish
HT Tangerine - PO85RD
After. There was a slight recess where the scratch was but it was hardly noticeable and I didn't want to go to aggressive as I wanted to preserve as much of the clear as possible. I had a "do the least amount of damage as you can". I found that sometimes I have a tendencies to jump to the harshest method that I know will take it out, but I'm betting more times than not, it would be overkill, so this time I hope I wised up some.
The final wash I put 2 oz of Acid Neutralizer ("A" in the ABC system) 1oz of CG Citrus Wash, 2 oz of P21S TAW, and 1oz of ONR. Why you ask? because I was stupid tired and just wasn't thinking...but I WILL tell you that it got the job done
eace:
Like the A and B part of the ABC system, I let this sit on the paint for about 5-10 minutes touching up with more solution in areas that started to dry (keep all surfaces wet!)
by the time I got the car dry, it was night so I pulled the car into the garage and proceeded to opticoat the car. Following the instructions on the syringe I primed the pad and then reapplied onto the pad as needed. I am a bit concerned that the pad(not being all that soft) may have added marring to the paint but the next day I didn't notice any. I'm not sure about the "couple drops" as the syringe stated as I pretty much put on enough product so that when I wiped on I saw the product actually coat the paint. I tried to wait till i applied it to the next panel before I "knocked down" the panel I applied product to before.
The photo below is my attempt at hosing the paint the next morning. It kept sliding right off so took this picture with a hose steadily spraying onto the paint. I purposely left the few water beads to dry on and PA has hard water (I'm sure many here will cringe and *facepalm*) ONR solution and mf towel....problem solved.
Was hoping for some sun to inspect my work the following day but it was a cloudy day.
Lastly Lexus GX (Not sure what black this was--but black knights armor pearl?) as I worked on the car I noticed the sister looking on intently and asked if she wanted to give using the Flex a try--she looked like a kid on Christmas morning.She picked it up fairly quickly but for the sake of time I finished up most of it. The contaminants bonded to the paint so a full car claybar was needed even after ABC
ABC Decontamination
Claybar
Spot Compound:
HT Cyan - OPT Hyper compound
HT Tangerine - OPT Hyper Polish
P21s Wheel Gel
P21s TAW
ONR
Opti-Coat
Engine bay:
P21S TAW
Meguiar's Dressing
Interior:
Stoner's Invisible Glass
303 aerospace
The car was riddled with RIDS and scratches etc...(why her fiancee took this to his job knowing his parking lot was a disaster is beyond me)
sorry for the bad quality but many of the light scratches and RIDS were removed or greatly reduced with compound and polish
The drivers side had some bad marring from what seems to be a runaway shopping cart
I was able to clean some of it up, but the rest were through the paint.
1.5 years of driving did this
unfortunately by the time I got to her car I started running low on P21s WG and forgot to pack the gallon (her parents used it on their dd's too =/ )
Finished
I should note that in terms of form, I approached it with a modified KBM
Especially since I haven't been detailing for a long while I forgot a lot of things, and were rusty with the rest (and man my body made sure I remembered that fact) but hopefully I did the cars some justice and gave them at least a halfway decent pampering.
Special thanks to the guys on forum who took time to calm me down and talk me off the ledge--you know who guys are. I know you're all busy scrambling with your own lives but still took some time out to help =].
By no means am I to even remotely considered an expert; this is simply the approach I took with what limited knowledge that I retained. Any guidance and tips would greatly be appreciated as I'm still eager to learn. Also, I tried, but many of the pictures didn't come out right what with fatigue and a camera phone that I dropped one too many times, but I salvaged what I could. I suspect the paint is still not perfect...didn't help that by the time I got corrections done I didn't have a good light source either. So let us begin
Girlfriend and her mother bought a new car this year. Her mother picked up the White Lexus GX, my girlfriend bought the Black Hyundai Elantra (2013). Her sister picked up the Black (with metalic gold specs?) about a year and a half ago and her fiancee didn't want anyone to touch the car saying he would do it...she came back from deployment (air force) and it was trashed so had her come over.
This is what I ordered up. I restocked on the pads and mitts because I've been out of practice for a while and forgot how beatup my current stock was. The valu-guard I ordered seeing as I saw some good reviews by people I trust. I also ordered two opti-coat kits but only ended up using one--I suspect the White Lexus didn't get anywhere near enough opti-coat but we'll get into that later.
2013 White Lexus GX
ABC Decontamination
Spot Claybar
Opti-Coat
I didn't personally opti-coat this myself. I did the hood and had my gf do the rest while I worked on her car as forecast said rain and I figured I'd have to rush.
I was surprised at how dirty this car was--it was garage kept but when I did my initial rinse--the water turned an odd shade of brown--I actually thought the hose water was rusted...
Before ABC.
After ABC. I should note that I found myself smiling when I felt the paint after the ABC wash...even lightly running across the paint it literally squeaked (talk abuot squeaky clean)
Wheels weren't bad but still soaked them with P21s Wheel gel 4:1 water:WG
2013 Hyundai Elantra.
Though I told her not to let the dealership wash/prep/"detail" her car, they did it anyways. DISO is always good -_-;
ABC Decontamination
Spot Claybar
LC White - HT Polish
HT Tangerine - Po85RD
P21s Wheel Gel
P21s TAW
ONR
Opti-coat
Interior:
Stoner's Invisible Glass
303 aerospace
I assume that a power washer would have loosened more dirt off the paint--but with hose on blast..it seemed the dirt was there to stay
No beading..I think w.e. lsp they put on lasted I think a few days...
Blurry but dirty
Wasn't sure if this scratch was out of the dealership or if this was from the parking lot (forget what my gf said) but either way having this before you have it a week has to be infuriating.
After ABC
Took off the sunroof visor and we decided to keep it off--but it left scratches in the paint already. Compounded with HY Cyan and OPT Hyper Compound. Polished down with LC White and OPT Hyper Polish followed by HT Tangerine with PO85rd
Looked Like etching...not quite sure what it was but it was a shame that a new car would present something like this
At least the other side matched...
Spiderwebs. There was a section that I was able to see pigtails but I guess the photo didn't save
This is part of the write up where we talk special effects...just wish it wasn't on the paint..Enjoy the hologram show
.
After ABC spot claybar (I found that I usually didn't have to clay bar after abc as the paint was really clean) Taped up trip and got her ready to go!
Trying to find a combination I got frustrated (hence the panic post I made earlier: btw thanks guys) because I was left with some RIDS but the light swirls seemed to be left by the white and opt polish and just wasn't finishing down right. After getting flustered and frustrated, it dawned on me that when working with the PO85rd I wasn't letting the polish break down. I think us newbies and novices forget that point: before jumping ship remember to work in the products that need time to break down. I was hesitant to use po because I feel it's oil heavy, but in the end I'm glad I did as the final wash took off the oils anyways and the finish seemed to be the best I could get it afaict
there was a marked improvement in the finish. I think this was a failed attempt at a 50/50
Another failed attempt at a 50/50 shot
I sectioned off the bigger panels to try to remind myself to limit my work areas as the sun (for the short time it was around) made it hard for me to work the PO85rd. The Opt presented less issues in direct sun use.
so this scratch that I presented earlier:
HT Cyan - OPT Hyper Compound
LC White - OPT Hyper Polish
HT Tangerine - PO85RD
After. There was a slight recess where the scratch was but it was hardly noticeable and I didn't want to go to aggressive as I wanted to preserve as much of the clear as possible. I had a "do the least amount of damage as you can". I found that sometimes I have a tendencies to jump to the harshest method that I know will take it out, but I'm betting more times than not, it would be overkill, so this time I hope I wised up some.
The final wash I put 2 oz of Acid Neutralizer ("A" in the ABC system) 1oz of CG Citrus Wash, 2 oz of P21S TAW, and 1oz of ONR. Why you ask? because I was stupid tired and just wasn't thinking...but I WILL tell you that it got the job done
eace:Like the A and B part of the ABC system, I let this sit on the paint for about 5-10 minutes touching up with more solution in areas that started to dry (keep all surfaces wet!)
by the time I got the car dry, it was night so I pulled the car into the garage and proceeded to opticoat the car. Following the instructions on the syringe I primed the pad and then reapplied onto the pad as needed. I am a bit concerned that the pad(not being all that soft) may have added marring to the paint but the next day I didn't notice any. I'm not sure about the "couple drops" as the syringe stated as I pretty much put on enough product so that when I wiped on I saw the product actually coat the paint. I tried to wait till i applied it to the next panel before I "knocked down" the panel I applied product to before.
The photo below is my attempt at hosing the paint the next morning. It kept sliding right off so took this picture with a hose steadily spraying onto the paint. I purposely left the few water beads to dry on and PA has hard water (I'm sure many here will cringe and *facepalm*) ONR solution and mf towel....problem solved.
Was hoping for some sun to inspect my work the following day but it was a cloudy day.
Lastly Lexus GX (Not sure what black this was--but black knights armor pearl?) as I worked on the car I noticed the sister looking on intently and asked if she wanted to give using the Flex a try--she looked like a kid on Christmas morning.She picked it up fairly quickly but for the sake of time I finished up most of it. The contaminants bonded to the paint so a full car claybar was needed even after ABC
ABC Decontamination
Claybar
Spot Compound:
HT Cyan - OPT Hyper compound
HT Tangerine - OPT Hyper Polish
P21s Wheel Gel
P21s TAW
ONR
Opti-Coat
Engine bay:
P21S TAW
Meguiar's Dressing
Interior:
Stoner's Invisible Glass
303 aerospace
The car was riddled with RIDS and scratches etc...(why her fiancee took this to his job knowing his parking lot was a disaster is beyond me)
sorry for the bad quality but many of the light scratches and RIDS were removed or greatly reduced with compound and polish
The drivers side had some bad marring from what seems to be a runaway shopping cart
I was able to clean some of it up, but the rest were through the paint.
1.5 years of driving did this
unfortunately by the time I got to her car I started running low on P21s WG and forgot to pack the gallon (her parents used it on their dd's too =/ )
Finished
I should note that in terms of form, I approached it with a modified KBM
Especially since I haven't been detailing for a long while I forgot a lot of things, and were rusty with the rest (and man my body made sure I remembered that fact) but hopefully I did the cars some justice and gave them at least a halfway decent pampering.
Special thanks to the guys on forum who took time to calm me down and talk me off the ledge--you know who guys are. I know you're all busy scrambling with your own lives but still took some time out to help =].
