Hummer H2...Black

ScubaStevo

New member
Hey there everybody. I haven't posted in such a long time, I figured it was about time I got my butt back on here. Recently I've aquired a job as the head of detailing at a used car lot. I expect the same finish as I do with my personal customers so I've been pretty busy. I figured since I couldn't work for myself during the winter due to the lack of a proper shop, I'd setup a gig with some place close. I must say I am enjoying my time at my job, a first for me, mostly because of the people. My co-workers are just awsome people, my boss gives me hours and shifts when I want, and thought I was good enough to earn $17 a hour, plus comission on the cars I sell when the sales end gets busy. Not bad for a 17 year old highschool student I suppose.



Anyways, I've done so many cars that would have been nice to post, but due to time constraints and the basic complexity of my schooling at this time, pictures weren't very high on my "to-do list". My boss has wanted his H2 polished for quite some time now; butchered from auction, it didn't look too hot. The paint was in very rough shape, and was very soft; typical GM quality for you. I ended up spending around 10 hours polishing, so it was a long day to say the least. To top it off, we were having a company "BB-Drunkfest" the night before, so I was pretty hung over.



Process on the paint was pretty finicky. I attempted to do a very aggressive cut to remove most key marks from the sides and hood of the truck, which resulted in a monstrosity of rotary holograms. This was done with XP compound and a extreme cut pad via rotary at 2500 RPM. I followed up with Power Cut Plus via rotary and polishing pad at 2000RPM. Speed Glaze times two, one via rotary, one via PC and polishing pad at "6" with mild-mid pressure application. Topped with "Tropical" carnuba finishing wax.



Tires got some super sloppy grease dressing that I use for wheel wells and tires. Good look, with excellent durability, but its a horrible product to work with. I'll have to check the name of it, but it comes in a 50 gallon drum.



Chrome pieces were polished with a finishing wax, while the skid plate recieved some Diamond cut/xp compound blend via wool pad and 4000RPM. Turned out a ton more reflective and shiny, so the extra attention really set the front end apart.



So, for the pictures. Befores in this post, afters to follow:



Fading and fatigue in the dead paint.

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Not seen in this photo, the rotary swirls were ridiculous. The stuff you see in this picture is from dealer washes before I came around.

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Notice the rear passanger door. The whole truck looked like that when you were walking around it.



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Under the 2000W halogens.

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After two passes of the XP compound:

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Afters:

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I didn't get any photos because the sun was hiding behind the shop already, so my boss and I took pictures after work at his house. I wasn't working the camera, so I couldn't get the good shots I was looking for of upclose paint, but you can see from the ones in the shop that the holograms and swirls are gone.



At the boss' house:

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A happy boss/customer:

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And me being a happy camper. Notice my dirty pants from trying to get at that skid plate.



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I have sort of done one of those:



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(ignore the wheelwells. I was given instruction to leave them because it had a 150 mile trip back to the shop).



Great Job on it!!





Greg
 
sweet job and congrats on that job...looks like things are working well for you :bigups



gregcavi: wow how long did that thing take you?
 
Man that looks like one of those rappers H2's. Great job on the finished product. Looks amazing. And at the age of 17 already drinking. Those were the good ol' days.
 
Steve, you can do better by yourself !, but I guess it keeps you busy and gain tremendous exprience in both the business sense and techinical expertise. :woot2:
 
you detail wearing pants when the weather calls for it :o



sucks but shorts and a t-shirt are only summer clothes for some of us :chuckle:



h2 looks great
 
I have 5 H2's that I maintain.......all are black!

They are just a biotch to wash.......more less detail. I do all 5 once per 6 weeks. I respect you bro!

Awesome turnaround.

He gonna let you maintain it?
 
justin30513 said:
I have 5 H2's that I maintain.......all are black!

They are just a biotch to wash.......more less detail. I do all 5 once per 6 weeks. I respect you bro!

Awesome turnaround.

He gonna let you maintain it?



I'm sure he will, but not till spring. I'm wearing pants because its only 10 celcius out here now that fall has rolled around.



Thanks everyone, it feels good to be back.
 
At this time of year it gets cool in the morning and nights around the east, so its pants during those times, but I still wear shorts when I'am detailing for some reason ...weird :nixweiss
 
GregCavi said:
PM sent, didnt want to stray away from Steves excellent work!



Greg



Eh no worries, I'd like to hear how long it took you. If I wouldn't have had to do the two high cut stages, I probably would have been done in 4 hours. :(
 
Sounds like you got a great gig Stevo...and if you're happy with the pay...even better! There aren't many used car dealerships that would "allow" an onsite detailer to spend the kind of time necessary to properly correct vehicles...so it sounds like you have a real score, afterall, this is fun work.
 
the pay isn't too bad for after taxes and such. I am officially making around $22-23 I'd assume, but after taxes and such its around $17. Not too bad for the amount of work I'm doing. Today I only had to wash all the cars on the lot, and I sold 2 cars. Thats 5 hours of work, plus $600 in commission, so I'm pretty happy with todays score.
 
Kudos to the owners you work for...most aren't smart enough to figure out the added value of having a good detailer. Shoot just having someone who knows how to wash the vehicles without scratching them is HUGE.
 
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