First machine detail

[BillZ71]

I did my first detail of the Z71 (black) over the last few days. I had a guy at work with a digital camera, so there will be pics. I am fairly happy with the results, but know I have more to learn. Truck is 02 black Z71 with a fair amount of swirls and scratches. I washed at coin op to clear mud from off roading. Brought the truck home and did quick detail to make sure the rest of the dirt was gone. I understand this is not best practice, but it was 40 degrees or below in central Illinois. My garage is attached to the house, plus I used a Marvin electric heater. I then used Clay Magic on the entire vehicle. This is almost 2 hours on a vehicle this size. Next evening I used Meg's 80 on a yellow, medium cut Edge pad. Started with a polishing pad, but it did not remove much. I think I have spots that need a little more agressive approach, but wanted to start with least agressive for my first time with a machine. The truck looked pretty good after the 80, but under the light from a 750 watt halogen, I could see some micro marring from the 80. I can still see some of that in the following pictures. Maybe someone could offer some advice after reading the rest of my process. The 80 was followed by S100 PWC applied with a polishing pad. This was followed my 2 coats of NXT on a final finish grade pad. These were done 24 hours apart. Last night I topped the NXT with 16 applied by hand. I had some difficulties here, as the outside temps were in the upper teens, and I doubt the garage was much over 40. The wax just did not apply easily, and I ended up using too much. I let it set up for an hour or so. I have to tell you that less is more with this LSP. I think I have developed Detailer's Shoulder after buffing that wax out. Please have a look at the pictures and critique. Any suggestions, recommendations, or ball busting are welcome. Thanks.

Bill

 

[imported_Burlyq]

No ball busting here looks like stellar job. I like 16, natty's, and s100 for my topper, and feel maybe out of the three s100 will remove the easiest if your shoulder is concerned, just WOWO. I like the fact you don't have to let that haze. I may have missed it but I didn't see what machine you used. If you used a safe machine sometimes you will have to work harder than using a rotary. But you don't risk damage, which is a plus, but when I polish I break out the bad boy 9227 and CUT.

 

[Accumulator]

The truck looked pretty good after the 80, but under the light from a 750 watt halogen, I could see some micro marring from the 80. I can still see some of that in the following pictures. Maybe someone could offer some advice after reading the rest of my process. The 80 was followed by S100 PWC applied with a polishing pad.

Sometimes the #80 *will* leave micromarring. Whenever you use it with a cutting pad, use it again with a polishing pad. And if you still have micromarring, use something in between #80 and the PWC to remove it. Maybe some 3m PI-III MG (05937) which is handy stuff to have around anyhow.



The cold temps sure didn't help any, so things might turn out better once you do it in warmer weather.



But considering all the challenges you were dealing with, I'd say it turned out pretty nice, huh?

 

[BillZ71]

Thanks for the positive comments guys. I had always thought I'd done a pretty decent job on my vehicles.....then I found this site. Burly, I am using a 7336 PC. Accumulator, I was wondering about a pad change with the 80, since it did not seem to attack the scratches much with the polishing pad. I had read about the intermediate step, and think I need to add one. I am scared at this point to add up the hours I spent on this first trip through the proper process. All in all, I am pretty happy. The guy who's camera I used is a car nut and forum visitor, and he freaked when he saw the truck this AM. Not there yet, boys, but I'm gaining on it. I did learn a few things in this process.

1. Work the 80 till it breaks down. Bear to get off if you don't.

2. A garage heater is good. 2 would be better.

3. NXT rocks on black. Great on the first coat, stellar on the second.

4. There is no such thing as enough microfiber.

5. 750 watt halogens show everything on a black vehicle.....more than you can see on a sunny day.

6. A great finish on your vehicle is a journey, not necessarily a destination.

7. Full size, extended cab trucks have lots and lots of surface area.

8. This "sickness" is dangerous in traffic. I see cars on the road, and formulate my plan to significantly improve the finish on them.

9. This is a terrific site. Some of the wisdom here should be required reading prior to a newbie being able to post. Just reading for a few days saved me a bunch of grief, questions, and frustration in the garage.

Thanks guys.

Bill