First C&B - 2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT

A

Anosmiac

New member
Well, I figured it's time to put my first entry into the Click & Brag forum, although my pictures aren't the best...something I have to work on.



This was my wife's boss' son's car. It was VERY neglected, both inside and out. The outside was covered in swirls and scratches, and looked like it hadn't been washed all year. The inside was just as bad. During the interior part of the detail, I found a whole apple, that unfortunately had started to liquify!



The pictures were taken over the course of 2 days, and in various light, so I do apologize for uneven comparisons. However, I think the before and afters speak for themselves.



Process:

Exterior

Engine Cleansed with ZEP Engine Degreaser

Wheel Wells Soaked & Scrubed with ZEP and Dawn

Wheels Cleaned with CG Premium Blue Wheel Cleaner

Exterior wash with CG Citrus Wash & Gloss

Dried with California Blade & CG Waffle Weave MF Towel

Clayed using CG Claybars

Buffed using CG Scratch & Swirl Remover/Edge Green Pad/1500 RPMs on DeWalt

Polished Using DK Foam Pad Glaze II/Edge Blue Pad/1500 RPMs on DeWalt

Sealed Using CG Factory Sealant/Edge White Pads/Cyclo

Dressed Engine with CG Blue Guard II



Interior

Air Purge and Vacuum

Spot Treated Carpet with Megs Quick Out Carpet Stain Remover

Cleaned Door Panels/Dash using DK Pink Stuff

Shampooed Carpets with CG Fabric Clean

Dressed with CG V.R.P. Dressing

Cleaned Windows with Stoner's Invisible Glass



Before pics



Engine









Interior (front passenger)





Exterior









After pics



























Hood shot taken outside





I have to learn to take shots under my halogens. I have 4 more details scheduled this week, so hopefully I can brush up on my photo skills.
 
Nice reflection!



DSC01054.jpg
 
Bigpoppa3346 said:
Are those holograms on the upper right portion of the tailgate?
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Unfortunately yes. The car was absolutely covered in them when I received it. When I initially brought it home, it almost looked copper in the sunlight from the hologram and buffing mark reflections. I think I did a decent job at getting most out, but with the time that I had, I could not get 100% of them out. If you have any recommendations on how to possibly remove them 100%, considering time as a major factor, I would greatly appreciate it. I just could not get them out of the black 100%. The clear on this car seems to be VERY soft as well. I noticed marring by just wiping with a MF!



The paint was in horrible shape too. It almost looked like the car was washed with sand paper! Take a look at the fifth pic from the top...that's how most of the car looked.
 
SpoiledMan said:
Well, the holograms are in your after shots. How did the rest of the truck look in the sun when you were done?
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The truck looked great. It had not only a wet look, but a lot of depth once I was done. Unfortunatley, not being able to remove 100% of the holograms that were there really was quite disappointing. Such a shame that a truck like this was really not kept up at all.
 
While I don't know how much experience you have with a rotary, it might be that you need to use a DA to finish so that you don't leave holograms. From reading your product/process list it appears that those holograms are a result of what *you* did. I'm not trying to beat up on you at all but before you start collecting money for this, it's important that you get the process right.
 
SpoiledMan said:
While I don't know how much experience you have with a rotary, it might be that you need to use a DA to finish so that you don't leave holograms. From reading your product/process list it appears that those holograms are a result of what *you* did. I'm not trying to beat up on you at all but before you start collecting money for this, it's important that you get the process right.
Click to expand...



Any recommendations on what to do differently? This is the first time I've had a problem getting holograms out 100%. I've recently done my wife's car ('02 VW Jetta-Royal Blue) and her brother's car ('06 VW GTi-Black), and they both came out perfectly.
 
I see that your finishing step with the rotary *appears* to be a glaze. You might want to look into getting/using a quality finishing polish to remove any remaining buffer trails and refine your finish.
 
SpoiledMan said:
While I don't know how much experience you have with a rotary, it might be that you need to use a DA to finish so that you don't leave holograms. From reading your product/process list it appears that those holograms are a result of what *you* did. I'm not trying to beat up on you at all but before you start collecting money for this, it's important that you get the process right.
Click to expand...



If you don't have a PC. Don't bother. Just experiment and try to pyramid it. Spread at 600-900 RPMS, correct 1500-1800RPMS and then back it down to 600-900RPMS to burnish it out. Try that before investing in a DA to "just" do finishing work. I suggest getting 106ff or even FPII. Awesome final polishes and you will have no problem removing holograms. Drop the glaze stage unless the customer asks for it or they want it for a show etc.



Better start telling that to "every" hack out there that hacks them up even worse.:grinno:
 
stiffdogg06 said:
Better start telling that to "every" hack out there that hacks them up even worse.:grinno:
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I don't tell em squat! I just show their customers what it's supposed to look like and welcome them!:)
 
I appreciate the help and recommendations. Although I am still considered a NOOB at this, I do believe I am far from a "hack". Too bad I didn't have some better before pictures. This is his wife's daily driver, and they were thrilled when I dropped it off, so I guess that counts for something.
 
No doubt. But i strongly recommend a final polish like 106ff or FPII. But are made by Menzerna. They will add some awesome gloss to the paint!:woot2:
 
stiffdogg06 said:
No doubt. But i strongly recommend a final polish like 106ff or FPII. But are made by Menzerna. They will add some awesome gloss to the paint!:woot2:
Click to expand...



I've been looking at the Menzerna product line. It seems very respected, but also very pricey. I might just bite the bullet and invest in the 106ff.
 
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