Lexus IS350, using KBM, and Blackfire

[imported_weekendwarrior]

This car is in charcoal metallic, with matching powder coated wheels. The car is not garaged, and doesn't get a lot of "love".



Process:

vacuumed

Interior wiped down with ONR/Water

Interior dusted with boars hair brush

Optimum Protectant Plus used on all interior surfaces

Glass cleaned with ZEP glass cleaner



Berfores - Interior wasn't that bad:

Action shot - haha

Afters:

A few exterior before shots:

I then did a QEW wash...including the wheels. I followed the wash with Meguiar's white clay, using ONR/Water as the lube. I used ONR/Water and 0000 steel wool on the exhaust tips.



After the wash and clay, I inspected how the paint *really* looked:

There were visible buffer marks from this angle....not sure the camera captured them:

I then polished the car with the Kevin Brown Method, using M105, the PCXP, and a 5.5" low profile LC white pad. It required 2 rounds on each section. The first pass utilizied a lot of pressure and slow passes. The second round I used slow passes, and less pressure. I then sealed the car with Blackfire Wet Diamond. Giovanni tire gel was used on the tires:

 

[Legacy]

Nice job, but did I miss something. Did you finish with 105?

 

[imported_weekendwarrior]

Nice job, but did I miss something. Did you finish with 105?

Yep - I have found over the last couple of years that I can get a better finish using M105/KBM, and doing 2 passes over each section...but using a lot less pressure for the second series of passes than I can using the M105/M205 combo. Of course, it doesn't work on every paint type, but this is just what I have experienced over the last couple of years, through a lot of experimentation.

 

[Legacy]

Yep - I have found over the last couple of years that I can get a better finish using M105/KBM, and doing 2 passes over each section...but using a lot less pressure for the second series of passes than I can using the M105/M205 combo. Of course, it doesn't work on every paint type, but this is just what I have experienced over the last couple of years, through a lot of experimentation.

Wow, is KB aware of your technique?

 

[imported_weekendwarrior]

Wow, is KB aware of your technique?

Yep - he told me on the phone about 2 and a half years ago (before 205 came out), that he pretty frequently finished down with 105. He also would use M86 (Solo Polish), and could finish with it too. But note, I used a white pad....a lot of people use 105 with an Orange pad (more agressive), then follow with 205 on a white or grey pad.



Again, let me stress that what works well for one, may not work well for all...and definitely won't work on all paint types. Like Mike Phillips use to say, "Find what works well for you, and stick with it."

 

[rcrobbins]

I agree, M105 can finish down very well to the point of being optimal for a DD. Good job on the corrections. Blackfire added a nice accent, especially with the after shots under the car port.

 

[Legacy]

Interesting, thanks

 

[Barry Theal]

David nice work man! Car looks awesome.

 

[Labster]

Great detail! haven't seen a write up from you in a long while!

 

[termigator]

Yep - he told me on the phone about 2 and a half years ago (before 205 came out), that he pretty frequently finished down with 105. He also would use M86 (Solo Polish), and could finish with it too. But note, I used a white pad....a lot of people use 105 with an Orange pad (more agressive), then follow with 205 on a white or grey pad.



Again, let me stress that what works well for one, may not work well for all...and definitely won't work on all paint types. Like Mike Phillips use to say, "Find what works well for you, and stick with it."

Great job on the IS. I never thought about using M105 with a white pad. I gotta remember that.:xyxthumbs

 

[imported_rydawg1]

Great work!!!!!!!!!!!! You gotta love Lexus paint.

 

[Todd@RUPES]

Awesome turnaround David! :bigups

 

[David Fermani]

Max Bling Dave. Hope all is well with you!

 

[Accumulator]

weekendwarrior- Hey, that turned out nice, even if the M105-only did make me wonder.



And yeah, nice to see you posting. I think of you every time I see my stash of Sonus gray clay!

 

[gmblack3]

Nice work David!



M86/105/205 are so versatile.

 

[15951]

Looks great!



Constructive criticism: The painted OEM mud flaps extend into the wheel wells, and look great when they are cleaned and sealed along with the rest of the exterior paint.