Fixing dealer prep *PICS*

EBPcivicsi

EBPcivicsi

GOT PREP?
These local dealers have really been keeping me busy this year. We all know what hacks they can be and this car was given their royal treatment.



Sunday was not the best day for detailing in Memphis, temps were in the mid-twenties and there was a north wind of 25 mph. My hands were hurting by the time I finished the first wheel. :( The water would freeze on the car as I rinsed it, so I had to rinse, wash, rinse VERY small sections in order to get the car clean. When I finished washing I had to pull it into the garage and put heaters on the sides of the car to defrost it. Since I wasn't sure if any "grit" had been incapsulted by the ice I spray and wiped as I dried it off(after heating the panels). This was my second detail in such conditions and I was just about ready to call it quits and start watching football......I forged ahead missing the football. :eek:



The car had horrible holograms on it and VERY severe brake dust. It also had a TON of tar down one side, I am talking caked on.



I first experimented with a few polishes on the hood before finally finding the right combination. #80 with the cyclo and orange pads was too weak, cyclo + orange pads and HT medium cut worked fine, but the product DID NOT like the cold sheet metal and removal was difficult. Out came the DACP with the cyclo and green pads.....perfect! I followed up with SSR1 with the cyclo and green pads. I sealed with NXT, topped with #16 and threw on a quick coat of optimum. The wheels got optimum as well.



Process:

Wash NXT

Clay

used 3M tar and wax remover on soiled panels

acid based wheel cleaner with EZ detail brush

Costco APC 10:1 on tires and wheel wells

DACP with cyclo and green pads

SSR1 with cyclo and green pads

NXT via finishing pad and PC

#16 by hand

Optimum polymer wax by hand



All products removed with pak shak MF



Apologize in advance for lack of good after pics, it was dark and my only hope was for pics in the garage. I think you can get an idea of what I was dealing with.



Nice prep here, eh?

tn12525625po.jpg




tn12525720jw.jpg




After, no wax or sealant in this pick:

tn12525740sr.jpg




The brake dust produced by this brake package rivals ANY that I have seen!!

tn12525865sn.jpg




tn12525849gw.jpg




tn12525897fw.jpg
 
That's a beautiful car.

:up for working in those nasty weather conditions. I know how it is...I decided to stop detailing from Dec. 1st to Mar 1st. Unless someone has a heated garage or something of course.



Why three layers of wax though? (NXT, #16, Optimum)
 
White95Max said:
That's a beautiful car.

:up for working in those nasty weather conditions. I know how it is...I decided to stop detailing from Dec. 1st to Mar 1st. Unless someone has a heated garage or something of course.



Why three layers of wax though? (NXT, #16, Optimum)
Click to expand...





Thanks man!!!





Owner doesn't wax much. NXT becasue I love the look, #16 for added durability, and optimum just because it is so easy and IMO finishes a detail out quite nicely.



Does that make sense at all?
 
Holy crap! Very nice looking detail, especially in those conditions.



Did you use electric heaters in the garage? How warm was it? I'm asking because when I use Optimum, and it's below 40-50 degrees, it tends to haze up and streak.
 
Subaru OEM pads are notorious for dusting bad. Do the owner a favour and get them to get some Carbotech Bobcats. That seems to be the pad of choice over at NASIOC. Nice STI. I still regret that my wife preferred the Aspen white on our WRX rather than the WRB. :o
 
I love that color I would have gotten the Baja in that color if i could Yes the Hood scoop is NOT RICE but a fuctional part of the car..



patrick
 
Joe: :bow



Excellent work! I really feel for ya with the temps. Did ya heat up the garage?



Haven't tried Optimum yet, but did you feel it added more pop on top of #16 and NXT?
 
GSRstilez said:
Joe: :bow



Excellent work! I really feel for ya with the temps. Did ya heat up the garage?



Haven't tried Optimum yet, but did you feel it added more pop on top of #16 and NXT?
Click to expand...



Thanks Sean, I definitely heated the garage.



IMO the Optimum didn't really add that much in terms of looks or slickness. I applied it because it is just so easy to use and I was hoping I could give the customer just a tad bit more protection. I also like to put it on the glass and trim so might as well do the paint too. :D





mgm121499, I used indoor heaters to heat the garage. I would say it was about 45 degrees in there. I have used optimum when temperatures are in the low 30's and know what you are talking about. I find that using two MF's as opposed to one helps tremendously(one dedicated for removal), but OCW IMO should be used when temps are above 55.
 
hadboosttroy said:
put a rs hood (or something w/o a scoop) and get a front mount :up
Click to expand...



my thoughts excatly, but i wonder if there would be a problem with having a top mounted and front mounted intercoolers at the same time... or would you have to remove the top mount???
 
Great job on those holograms !!! I tried my cyclo out for the first time yesterday, and went to work on a ten year old car with some deep wash scratches and swirls. I used the green pads and DACP, but even after working the product, I could not seem to cut into the paint enough to remove the deeper swirls. I opted back to the rotary at that point.



Have you had any success with the cyclo on more neglected finishes ???



Once agin great job on the WRX !!! I always enjoy viewing your work, because your attention to detail is second to none.



I can sympathize with you I detailed yesterday morning in 12 degree weather. It was a real challenge, and quite comical !!!

:angry
 
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