PT Cruiser Detail

D

Driven Auto Detail

New member
Hey all! This is my mom's PT Cruiser. I did this detail as a "gift/refer some business to me" type of deal. Unfortunately, I don't have any before pictures. I forgot to take my camera with me when I went to their house. These photos are the day after when she came over. It gave me a chance to take some "after" photos. I put about 6 hours into it. The interior was disgusting but I think it turned out really well (again, no pics, sorry!). The exterior wasn't much better however going into it I knew I wasn't going to spend a ton of time on it (this was my first real detail after back surgery so my conditioning/muscles aren't up to par). The paint had many defects from light to moderate scratches, bird poop etching, scuffs, & paint chips. Mom & dad were both quite impressed and thrilled with the outcome. I did this while they were out of town so when they got home they opened the garage door to their shiney "new" vehicle.



Process:

-Wash w/NXT.

-Clay w/Meg's clay & Last Touch for lube. I have to say, the paint felt like sand paper so I spent quite a bit of time claying. I should probably throw my clay bar away after this one.

-Wash w/NXT.

-Meg's #66 with PC & white LC polishing pad.

-Meg's NXT with grey LC finishing pad (X2). While I was impressed with the overall end result of NXT, I have to say I was disappointed because of some streaking. When buffing off with a Cobra MF towel, it seemed to streak a lot. You can see it in the hood shot (the darker areas of the clouds). I thought that the 2nd application would help, but it did the same thing again. This is the first time I've used NXT but I'll use it again till my bottle is gone. If the streaking continues I won't buy it again. Besides the streaking, I really liked the overall look and how it darked the paint.



Other products used:

-303 for trim

-Meg's High Endurance for tires

-Meg's APC+ for general cleaning inside & out

-Meg's Quick Interior Detailer

-Meg's NXT Glass Cleaner

-Meg's Detailer's Line Leather Cleaner/Conditioner



Pictures:



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Comments/questions welcomed!
 
Nice and dark looking. I have never had streaking issues with NXT, maybe you put it on too thick or didn't let it sit long enough or let it sit too long.
 
Very refelctive! A PT cruiser looks good when clean because of the different lines and the light it catches.



Good job. I hope your back was able to handle the situation. You don't realize how many different muscles you use detailing.... until the next morning :D
 
Very deep and wet! :)



It is possible the streaking was causing by applying NXT over the waxes in #66. If NXT passes the swipe test (run your finger across the finish and if it removes the NXT completely), you normally won't get any streaking.
 
Great job neighbor! I am sure your folks appreciated it very much. Fantastic way to advertise and get the word out. :goodjob



Dave
 
^&04types said:
were you able to get the bird drop etchings out completely?
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Not completely. It was a "quick" job and I only used Meg's #66 so I think more abrasives would have been helpful.





twitch said:
Very refelctive! A PT cruiser looks good when clean because of the different lines and the light it catches.



Good job. I hope your back was able to handle the situation. You don't realize how many different muscles you use detailing.... until the next morning
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Thanks! You aren't kidding about muscle usage. I'm usually pretty sore when I'm done but it's usually worth it!





Scottwax said:
Very deep and wet!



It is possible the streaking was causing by applying NXT over the waxes in #66. If NXT passes the swipe test (run your finger across the finish and if it removes the NXT completely), you normally won't get any streaking.
Click to expand...



Thanks Scott, that means a lot coming from you! What you mentioned definitely might have something to do with it. I had just received a small bottle of #66 so I used it just to try it out. Plus, I don't think I left NXT on long enough because I was running out of time at the end. I've used NXT a couple times since then and I haven't had anymore problems with it.



Dave R said:
Great job neighbor! I am sure your folks appreciated it very much. Fantastic way to advertise and get the word out.



Dave
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Thanks! Ya know, I have received some questions from my neighbors about why I'm always out there with different cars. Maybe one of these days they'll finally want me to detail theirs.



By the way, I see you're in Indiana. Where are you at specifically if you don't mind me asking? You can shoot me a PM if you don't want to post it here. I'm always up for meeting a fellow detailer.
 
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