I don't ever do these writeups so if it's lacking something you'll have to excuse me. The rain in CT has afforded me the opportunity- so here's what's happened at Eco Auto Detail this past week. The vehicles/jobs not included are a Highlander and Rubicon light exterior polish, a destroyed Yukon interior, an Allegro 32' RV wash and wax, BMW 7 and XC90 full details. Plus whatever else I'm forgetting.
This was just a wash including roof. Special attention needs to be applied when working on these trailers, specifically to avoid directly spraying into the seams/rivets/windows. Ultimately it comes down to the owner's maintenance and whether or not the seals are still intact and functioning properly. Usually I can use a telescoping brush; but this Airstream Excella sits under the trees and needed a once over on the roof with a soft bristled short handle similar to a wheel brush. Meguiars APC and Gold Class, used about 15-18 gallons of water total.
The owner of this 71 280SC wanted me to complete multiple vehicles in a specific time frame and instructed me to do only what it 'needs'. Washed with ONR then clayed with Clearkote Fine; it needed multiple passes with 105 on yellow / 205 on green for the hood and trunk. Bumpers/trim/wheels polished and was then layered with Collinite 476 and P21S.
Howsabout a break from the details and we switch to equipment maintenance? Cat is undoubtedly an industry leader in pressure pumps, but finding a local reputable repairer can be difficult; it's a good thing the work isn't complicated. What do you do when you've got low pressure and a chatter in your line? Tear it down. Rather than buy a new pump ($200+) or have it repaired (read: raped with unnecessary charges), you can pick up $20 worth of retainers and o-rings and do it yourself. I picked up a spare pressure washer at Home Depot while this one was down, still prefer my old $80 swap meet model to the $600 Ridgid.
In the picture above: the out of focus small black plastic cylinders (spring retainers) open and close the similarly out of focus circular metal plates (valves) on the high pressure side of the seat (not pictured). You can almost make out the entire assembly by looking inside the manifold. These are older pictures I meant to post earlier, just never got around to it.
This S550 is definitely a driver, and I couldn't bring myself to try ONR on this so it got Meguiars Gold Class wash and Mild clay. The owner said it didn't need to be perfect so I went with Meguiars 205 on green and topped with P21S 100%. Wheels/tires got P21S and Meguiars Non Silicone dressing. Interior received a full detail with Woolite on the leather and Meguiars APC for the trim.
Finally the SL63- of course there's something to be said for the thundering sound of American Muscle, but I'll take 380+ cubes of German Engineering with paddle shifting anyday. This car wasn't in rough shape besides some minor rain drop etching, and could have benefited from a single pass with Ultrafina- but to keep the cost down I just used ONR, Clearkote Fine clay and P21S 100%. Listen to your customer; if he/she doesn't need show car quality or to break the bank- work with them and not against.
I'd like to add that I generally work on some pretty nice cars so I don't get jealous seeing vehicles like these. What did produce a bit of envy was the garage in the last pic- it was something that any wrench turner would love to have. Clean, bright, and ample amounts of room- if the ceiling was blown out enough to fit a two post lift I'd probably have asked to move in. The carriage style doors were beefy and beautifully constructed as well. And yes, I purposely try to get my van and signage in as many photos as possible. :2thumbs:
This was just a wash including roof. Special attention needs to be applied when working on these trailers, specifically to avoid directly spraying into the seams/rivets/windows. Ultimately it comes down to the owner's maintenance and whether or not the seals are still intact and functioning properly. Usually I can use a telescoping brush; but this Airstream Excella sits under the trees and needed a once over on the roof with a soft bristled short handle similar to a wheel brush. Meguiars APC and Gold Class, used about 15-18 gallons of water total.
The owner of this 71 280SC wanted me to complete multiple vehicles in a specific time frame and instructed me to do only what it 'needs'. Washed with ONR then clayed with Clearkote Fine; it needed multiple passes with 105 on yellow / 205 on green for the hood and trunk. Bumpers/trim/wheels polished and was then layered with Collinite 476 and P21S.
Howsabout a break from the details and we switch to equipment maintenance? Cat is undoubtedly an industry leader in pressure pumps, but finding a local reputable repairer can be difficult; it's a good thing the work isn't complicated. What do you do when you've got low pressure and a chatter in your line? Tear it down. Rather than buy a new pump ($200+) or have it repaired (read: raped with unnecessary charges), you can pick up $20 worth of retainers and o-rings and do it yourself. I picked up a spare pressure washer at Home Depot while this one was down, still prefer my old $80 swap meet model to the $600 Ridgid.
In the picture above: the out of focus small black plastic cylinders (spring retainers) open and close the similarly out of focus circular metal plates (valves) on the high pressure side of the seat (not pictured). You can almost make out the entire assembly by looking inside the manifold. These are older pictures I meant to post earlier, just never got around to it.
This S550 is definitely a driver, and I couldn't bring myself to try ONR on this so it got Meguiars Gold Class wash and Mild clay. The owner said it didn't need to be perfect so I went with Meguiars 205 on green and topped with P21S 100%. Wheels/tires got P21S and Meguiars Non Silicone dressing. Interior received a full detail with Woolite on the leather and Meguiars APC for the trim.
Finally the SL63- of course there's something to be said for the thundering sound of American Muscle, but I'll take 380+ cubes of German Engineering with paddle shifting anyday. This car wasn't in rough shape besides some minor rain drop etching, and could have benefited from a single pass with Ultrafina- but to keep the cost down I just used ONR, Clearkote Fine clay and P21S 100%. Listen to your customer; if he/she doesn't need show car quality or to break the bank- work with them and not against.
I'd like to add that I generally work on some pretty nice cars so I don't get jealous seeing vehicles like these. What did produce a bit of envy was the garage in the last pic- it was something that any wrench turner would love to have. Clean, bright, and ample amounts of room- if the ceiling was blown out enough to fit a two post lift I'd probably have asked to move in. The carriage style doors were beefy and beautifully constructed as well. And yes, I purposely try to get my van and signage in as many photos as possible. :2thumbs: