Detailed: 1996 Ford Taurus

imported_Frugle

New member
Hello all,



So this is my third try, I've detailed detailed my mom's expedition and detailed my camry and learned how to use my new PC/ Optimum Polish/Compound kit that I bought from autogeek.



This is completely a presale make crap look good detail. The car used to be in great shape, when I owned it, but then when I bought my camry, my sister drove this one, and now it looks like crap to me. It had pretty bad oxidation, and several large scratches that were not there when it was mine.



Up until this point, I have used liquid NXT as my LSP, but since I was selling it, I wanted it to look as good as possible, so I used zaino since I heard it did wonders on red.



Products Used

Dawn wash

PC 7424

Optimum polish

Optimum Compound

Wolfgang orange cutting pad

Wolfgang small profile orange cutting pad

Zaino ZFX

Zaino Z2 pro

Zaino Z8

Top Of The Line High temp tire cleaner

Amor all Extreme Tire shine Gel

Chemical guys VRT

Stoner invisible glass





The Mission

Make the car look good to sell



The Results

acceptable, not outstanding, but acceptable.





this is same as the Expedition and expedition, so this is basically a cut and paste.

The Process

Fill a main bucket with dawn and water

fill a secondary bucket with fresh water for rinsing

Wash the wheels using a designated microfiber(re) towel

Wash the tires using a tire brush, doused in the dawn water, and topped with Bon Ami (bars aid)

Empty said buckets and refill with same materials

Wash the car completely using a MF mit [for more bite than a lambswool]

Dry the car by first, blowing it with a leaf blower, and then using MF towels and the chase method.



Examine the car for any abnormalities and break out the PC.

Apply Optimum polish or Compound in a circle around the wolfgang orange cutting pad.

Spread polish on panel while turned off

turn on PC on speed 3 to work the polish in.

Turn PC to speed 5.5 and start polishing.

Move PC in a switchback pattern moving at about 1/2 to 1 inch per second.

After worked in completely, examine. If saticfied, move on.

Continue this method, periodically moving the car in and out of the garage to see if I am doing anything. (looking at the sun through the finish.



When done polishing,

QD the car using Zaino Z6 spray.

Create my Z2 pro concoction using the provided 2 ounce bottles, fill botlle 2/3s full, put 6 drops of ZFX, and 1 spray of Z8.

Apply to car using vertical storkes on all panels, and horizontal strokes on hood.

Apply z2 to wheels.

Let dry for 30 minutes, and then buff.

again, QD the car using Z6 and prepare for a second coat.

Apply second coat, including wheels.

Again wait 30 minutes, and buff.

again, QD the truck using z6.

Wait 30-40 minutes, and buff using a PC with microfiber[re] cover.

Apply a final coat of Zaino Z8 show car seal and gawk at your work.



Apply Chemical Guys VRT to all Vinyl, rubber, and (optionally) tires (VRT).

Opt to apply Armor All Extreme Tire Shine Gel to tires.



Vacuum all interior carpets



gawk at your work and pat yourself on the back for suffering through the arm pains.




Objects Learned
  • Oxidation is a mess... clogs up your pads way to fast.
  • this was my first time trying to get out larger scratches, and that was kind of annoying.
  • didn't really learn a whole lot else.
Conclusion

I still take WAY to long... It took me all day to do what I got done... it didn't look great afterwards, but it looked okay.





Overall, I did okay. I enjoyed it... just like the camry, it's a tuarus, so no-one gives a crap anyways.



The car sold for $2300, mainly because it looked good... so that's a good thing.



Thank you autopia/autogeek for teaching me everything I know.





Now, on to the pictures.



Since I paid the $1400 to get it fixed, it had become my car again, so I had been keeping it cleaner... just havn't taking the time to detail it.

IMG_0029.JPG


IMG_0031.JPG


IMG_0034.JPG


IMG_0035.JPG


IMG_0037.JPG


IMG_0038.JPG




swirl marks and scratches

IMG_0039.JPG


IMG_0040.JPG
 
after 1 pass on the roof, which got rid of most of the big scratch

IMG_0042.JPG




I changed the color on one of them so you can see the oxidation

IMG_0043.JPG




after polishing the headlights

IMG_0053.JPG




After detail, before wax.

IMG_0052.JPG


IMG_0054.JPG
 
sooooooo, here are some before and afters.



Before

IMG_0029.JPG


After

IMG_0052.JPG






Before

IMG_0040.JPG


After

IMG_0042.JPG








Before

IMG_0031.JPG


After

IMG_0069.JPG








and a pretty good underexposed shot showing the reflections





IMG_0085.JPG
 
Great work! Love the after pics, like I said on AG, makes the car look like it got a respray!
 
Back
Top