Operation Car SPA

[Alexshimshimhae]

Acknowledgements

Ok, So I ordered a bunch of stuff, and though I'm still waiting to see if the Autopia store is going to do anything about the points, I think the products I got left a smile on my face. NOW, I'm no pro so any constructive criticism would be much appreciated =]. Special Thanks to Accumulator--sir I'm sorry if I've strayed from good common sense but sense left me as I've had to detail all through the night. Your help has been ever so helpful though. So special shout out goes to you sir--you're a Nobleman and a Scholar.



BACKGROUND

OK so my friend came home from his leave from the service, and he asked that I come and help him with his car. Being eager to test out my new toy(Flex3401) and products I jumped at the opportunity. I thought I wasn't going to have enough time to polish--so I forewent that step...only to find out when I was finished, that I no longer had to be back home...so I ended up detailing his fathers S550 while I was there.....all in all 13 hours put in.....so here we go~!



So these are the things that I bought. That white box was the Meguiar's 105/205 CCS kit.

Subaru STI

His Subaru STI hasn't been detailed in 4 years and at best MAYBE got a scratch-n-go car wash a handful of times a year (I was tempted to entitle this thread Swirlomania) Car Washed down with Dawn

Doubt you see anything--but car had RIDS and Swirls and Water etching and...you name it--it had it

After clay bar to see what I was dealing with--you can see where the sun hits the swirls....

Rims were no better; oddly enough each rim was different in terms of dirtiness--I kind of wish I took the dirtiest one too--but I was in a rush and didn't think my Phone's camera was picking up anything...

Engine Bay anyone?

Work Done

Couldn't really take pictures of progress because by the time we were done, it was pitch black in his driveway and I was working with just one lamp.

SUBARU GOT:

Dawn Wash

Mother's Claybar Kit

M105 with Orange CCS with Flex 3401 on speed 4

(I had problem with a ton of dusting but maybe cause it was sitting in the driveway--I'm going to have to go back when he has time to polish and stuff--but again, though I had to go home to attend to my grandmother--but ended up not having to AFTER I was done)

1oz, car soap with 1 gallon of water for wheels and tires, dressed with Meg's Hyper Dressing 4:1

IPA Wipedown

Collinite 476s with microfiber hand pads

Stoner's Invisible Glass

Engine bay will have to wait till we get the degreaser in.



Had to reverse the car in because the cords wouldn't reach and I needed to see the car--but got a giggle out of the way the headlights looked with the tape over it

So decided to attempt a night pic before I compounded the last panel...didn't think it came out well--but when i loaded it up to my laptop i guess it did...

Started at 5p.m. by the time i left his house it was 7a.m. so I figured around 5a.m. I'd put a quick coat of NXT

I don't know if you see it--but I purposely left his front bumper untouched--kind of as a reminder to never let his car get that neglected (Refer to thread about tuners and their views on detailing--detailers 1, Tuners 0)



Unforseen Twist

So after his dad saw my friend Phil's Subaru and how even in the dark it sparkled, kind of to get him to fund Phil's start up for his own detail equipment I decided to take on the endeavor to show him and ONR wash (as per Scottwax's youtube vid) that turned into "hey dad watch how much better it is when you claybar, which eventually turned into "alllriiight since I don't have to get home anyways..."

S550 has under 5k miles kept in the garage taken out MAYBE bi weekly...for the life of me I couldn't figure out HOW this car had SOOOOO Many swirls and RIDS...I would say it was almost as bad as the subaru....



So THIS car got:

ONR wash

Mother's Claybar

M105 W/Orange CCS

M205 W/Red CCS

IPA

MEG's Hyper for engine bay (which got an ONR wipe down--only did the covers) and tires

Collinite 476s



Sorry for lack of pictures--but I was dead tired (it was around 10-11 p.m. and I had a long day even before the subaru) and again, didn't think the camera would pick up much, but heeeerree we go.



After clay bar, taped up and ready to go

had a durdurdur moment when i realized I should've used the flash on my phone's camera from the start...

First pass with the M105--showed Phil's brother the basics of the Flex--middle is with tape taken off--looks terrible and sloppy--I know =[ it was around 1 or 2 a.m.--I DID however fix the hologramming and all that jazz.

Took a look at their work after I worked on interior (damp ONR mf wipe down for leather) and tires

Decided even though it's their dad's car, maybe I should finish this...

Got 90% of the swirls and rids out

M105...Check~!

I *THINK* this was after the M205 with the red CCS

Don't be alarmed lol this was the reflection of the wall off the car

another point where I took my flex to take if from where they left it like this

hehe around 3a.m....maybe 4

And this is how I got it

Ta friggen Da

Mind you I was delusionally tired and just hurting all over (slippers ended up killing my feet--and umm my forearm to my wrist hurt and was locking up) but took a quick pic before heading out at 7a.m.

I asked him to take a pic of the engine bay and closeups of the car when he had the chance but this is what I have for now--any pointers would grately be appreciated--thanks guys

 

[Alexshimshimhae]

Learning Curve Questions

couple questions though, in terms IF you could choose the Sealant/lsp, what would you pick? (I hear BFWD is amazing for darker cars)

And what speeds would you went the compound polish too?I used 1 to spread and 4 to work...



For you sun workers

Maybe Scottwax could answer this since he works out in the sun all the time.



Pad Swappin?

I noticed that while the sun was out, the M105 dusted like crazy--What do I do? swap pads? more product and keep working?

And when do I know when to stop and switch pads? throughout the whole time, none of my pads caked up--the 105 just dusted up.

 

[Alexshimshimhae]

Thoughts on products:

ONR--honestly not what I expected--but my expectations were a bit unrealistic--still the ONR worked like a dream to clean the car.

M105- the dusting...wow the dusting--though I had zero problems with it when the sun went down. I noticed that the product turned a bit clearer after a while?

M205- now i understand what people were saying--i thought it looked good with the 105 but after the 205 on half a panel and looking at the both of them--the clarity was great~!. for me M205 was a pleasure to work with--seemingly less of a curve required--but that could just be me....

Collinite 476s application seemed fairly easy and asai can tell, came off just as easy--put it on with Microfiber pad by hand and let it sit for oh I'd say 10-15 minutes and then took a microfiber to wipe it down





FINALLY THE FLEX

Ok..a tad heavier than I was expecting (seems to weight 10-15 lbs) and definitely understand what people mean about the heat. after going through half the car, keeping your hand by the motor or touching the metal part by the backing plate would be ill advised....

Sound levels seem to be that of a heavy duty drill or ummm...maybe around half the decibels of an average vacuum cleaner?



Using the flex was fun--but a bit tiring--I found that on spots with contours--it was umm...a bit of a wrestle--but generally speaking the flatter you put the pad--the less problems you dealt with. Definite word of advice--if you pull the trigger full on DEFINITELY make use of the trigger lock--I kept forgetting about it and after two cars my hands still have a bit of trouble holding a pen (to be fair though--I haven't really been able to get any form of excercise for a while because I underwent shoulder surgery which left me vegetative for about 2 months and restricted to 0 lifting for another 2 )

 

[Accumulator]

Learning Curve Questions

couple questions though, in terms IF you could choose the Sealant/lsp, what would you pick? (I hear BFWD is amazing for darker cars)

I would just stick with the Collinite that you're using now. It looks fine, cleans ups well, lasts a long time, and people like the beading (makes them think "gee, this car is really *waxed*).



Yeah, you can get better/fancier stuff, but you'd do OK to just stick with the Collinite too.

And what speeds would you went the compound polish too?I used 1 to spread and 4 to work...

With M105/M205 I *DO NOT* spread, not a bit. I do amost all my work at the highest speed too.

Pad Swappin?

I noticed that while the sun was out, the M105 dusted like crazy--What do I do? swap pads? more product and keep working?

And when do I know when to stop and switch pads? throughout the whole time, none of my pads caked up--the 105 just dusted up.

Some people just seem to find M105 dusts a lot :nixweiss I don't, but I'm sorta used to products that're even worse in that regard.



I clean my pads a *LOT* with M105, and I switch to a clean one as soon as the pad won't clean up really well. IF you have dried product or residue from cut-off clear on the pad (i.e., the pores aren't "clear" of stuff) then I'd either clean it or get out another one. You can't imagine how many pads I go through on some jobs



It's good that your pads didn't cake up, sounds like you didn't overdo it with the product and the lower speeds you were using probably helped there too (though I still like high speeds). But if in doubt, clean or change the pad. I sure don't do more than one panel without doing it and I often do it even more often than that.



Hey, you did a good job for your first try, especially considering the overall circumstances!



Note how important the following can end up being:



-Lots of time and minimal distractions

-Proper footwear (who woulda thunk, huh?)

-Taking breaks to avoid muscle/tendon/etc. strain.

-Ergonomic work aids (e.g., roller seat for doing the sides so you don't have to bend over)

 

[Alexshimshimhae]

I would just stick with the Collinite that you're using now. It looks fine, cleans ups well, lasts a long time, and people like the beading (makes them think "gee, this car is really *waxed*).



Yeah, you can get better/fancier stuff, but you'd do OK to just stick with the Collinite too.





With M105/M205 I *DO NOT* spread, not a bit. I do amost all my work at the highest speed too.





Some people just seem to find M105 dusts a lot :nixweiss I don't, but I'm sorta used to products that're even worse in that regard.



I clean my pads a *LOT* with M105, and I switch to a clean one as soon as the pad won't clean up really well. IF you have dried product or residue from cut-off clear on the pad (i.e., the pores aren't "clear" of stuff) then I'd either clean it or get out another one. You can't imagine how many pads I go through on some jobs



It's good that your pads didn't cake up, sounds like you didn't overdo it with the product and the lower speeds you were using probably helped there too (though I still like high speeds). But if in doubt, clean or change the pad. I sure don't do more than one panel without doing it and I often do it even more often than that.



Hey, you did a good job for your first try, especially considering the overall circumstances!

Hehe thnx Accumulator The product question was not so much for me because I think I'll stick to collinite for quiet some time--but my friend was wondering what was good for him--and honestly, all I've really used was NXT and not collinite (though back when i worked for a detailer I suspect I used P21s but not sure because his paranoia had him put everything in secretly coded/labeled containers lol)



Given the colors of the cars I figured BFWD would last a long time and give the cars a POW!--but I dunno, people still seem to like Zaino?



I've realized after this project, that it looks like I'm going to have to buy more pads....



Anything you'd change about my process/technique? Esp reading other write ups and pics I feel like I'm doing things terribly wrong lol

 

[Accumulator]

Hehe thnx Accumulator The product question was not so much for me because I think I'll stick to collinite for quiet some time--but my friend was wondering what was good for him..

I'd say the 845. All the Autopian-level qualities that make [fancy LSPs] sooo special are lost on most normal folks anyhow. I recommended 845 to my niece-in-law (who couldn't care less about this stuff but does love the Volvo wagon I gave her) and she's very happy with that.



FWIW, Collinite is my #1 "other people's car" wax, pretty much the only stuff I use for that. Not that I do many cars for others.

Anything you'd change about my process/technique?

I'd quit spreading the product and just work on refining your technique with the M105. Can't really be more specific than that and it's not like all of us use it exactly the same way anyhow.



I'd give some thought to getting really good inspection/work lights.



Figure out (specifically) what *you* think needs fixed and then ask how to fix that...see what kind of responses you get.

Esp reading other write ups and pics I feel like I'm doing things terribly wrong lol

I'd caution against putting too much weight on what you read about other people's approaches, and I sure wouldn't compare your in-person results with what you see on the internet.

 

[Alexshimshimhae]

I'd quit spreading the product and just work on refining your technique with the M105. Can't really be more specific than that and it's not like all of us use it exactly the same way anyhow.



Figure out (specifically) what *you* think needs fixed and then ask how to fix that...see what kind of responses you get.



I'd caution against putting too much weight on what you read about other people's approaches, and I sure wouldn't compare your in-person results with what you see on the internet.

aww man this whole time i was thinking i needed to spread it to the roughly 2x2 area before really working it lol good to know

lol and as always, voice of reason steers me straight lol thnx accum



It seemed as though the 105 was holograming a bit--is that fairly normal with the flex? or did i just not wipe down well enough?

and do you ipa between 105/205? I felt like I should but thought that maybe it was unnecessary step?

 

[Alexshimshimhae]

owner was so happy he sent me these after the rain storm...

 

[Accumulator]

It seemed as though the 105 was holograming a bit--is that fairly normal with the flex? or did i just not wipe down well enough?

Note that it isn't really *true* hologramming, which is a rotary-only phenomenon. Sorry to sound pedantic



What you're seeing is either a) oils or, probably more likely b) micromarring from the M105. A lot of the latter can come from the wipe-off, since the product is still abrasive but the oils/etc. have usually dried out. That M34 spritz can help, but otherwise just polish away that micromarring during the next step.

and do you ipa between 105/205? I felt like I should but thought that maybe it was unnecessary step?

I usually *do NOT* because I figure that any residual marring so light as to be "concealed" will also be so light that the M105 should've fixed it. But others see this differently and I can't say for certain if one answer or the other is right/wrong.



Glad the owner's happy (even if your pic links are coming up "X"es ).

 

[Alexshimshimhae]

lol i'll fix it and thanks accum