Red Pontiac SOLSTICE *56K* maybe

EBPcivicsi

GOT PREP?
Got a call from the local Pontiac dealership Friday about detailing a Pontiac Solstice for a “picky� customer. The car had been washed a few times with the dreaded dealer brushes and the customer noticed the marring. I have to say, it was rather mild for the casual customer to have noticed, perhaps this guy was fairly picky (obviously he is an autopian in the making ;) ).



When I saw the car I thought that this would be a “PC only� detail, after further evaluation, this was not the case. The marring casued by the brushes was sporadic, but deeper than one would think. I first tried my standard polishes and went to town with Meguiars #80, nope micromarring. Hmm, perhaps DACP? Nope, micromarring here as well, even after a subsequent pass with #80, or #82.



After this I knew exactly what would be needed. Detailing that Porsche gave the experience to go straight to 3M PI-III MG. I first tried it with the PC, the finish was crystal clear, but did not remove all of the marring from the brush. I then tried it with the rotary @1000 RPM.s with a polishing pad, perfect!!



So here is the breakdown of the final process.



Wash

Clay

Apply 3M PI-III MG via rotary @1000 RPM’s

Apply 3M PI-III MG via PC @5

Apply 1Z MP via pc and a finishing pad @4

Apply Meguiars GC (new formula) via PC and a finishing pad

OCW



Tires dressed with Meguiars original endurance.



Customer LOVED the paint, asked for my # (my card was in the glove box ;) )



This is the only before that I have, the day started cloudy, then cleared off in the late afternoon. Total time was 4 hours.

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Here are the afters. I probably included too many, but I figured most people would like to have an up close look at the car. The driving experience was well, eh. Just a word of casution for those of you who are in the 6’4� club, don’t bother�I felt like I was wearing the car. Also, don’t go revving at any mildly modded 00 SI’s either. ;)



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Excuse the prints on the handle, I had not cleaned the glass here, I took care of it then.

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I feel like a broken record with all the props I'm giving! Nice work.



How has controlling the splatter been? I see the potential for the pad to bump up against the convertible roof while working on the trunk. Do you tape or mask anything off?
 
Spilchy said:
I feel like a broken record with all the props I'm giving! Nice work.



Heh heh, yeah, I feel the same way :D



I was wondering about the splatter too...or are you getting so good with the rotary that you don't have much trouble with it ;)



The MG is a nice product for the rotary...actually it's just a nice product period. Guess I *will* buy another gallon before you buy the last of it :D
 
Another great detail! I'm starting to get curious, though -- what did you do to end up with all of these area dealerships calling you? I need to get that kind of gig running around here; there are lots of dealerships with LOTS of hacks. :D
 
Wow!!!:bigups



I would never expect that quality of paint on a Pontiac...



I think you made it as wet as its ever going to be:)
 
I shouldn't have read your Porsche Cayenne post or this Pontiac one.



Bad mistake on my part.



Now, I will become more mental -- trying to miraculously achieve your level of perfection on my car with my amateur hands.



And now I've got to spend more cash for some 3M PI-III MG.



Who carries 3M PI-III MG at a decent price (quart or pint size)? or should I just google it?
 
Yeah, yeah, typical amazing work we expect :D.





I always get excited when I click on a new vehicle by you. This one definately didn't let me down.





Just a pool of red :cool:.
 
Spilchy said:
I feel like a broken record with all the props I'm giving! Nice work.



How has controlling the splatter been? I see the potential for the pad to bump up against the convertible roof while working on the trunk. Do you tape or mask anything off?





With 6" pads I don't really get any splatter. When the pads load (and they do load more quicly than say a 9") I do get a little dust depending upon the product, but so far splatter has not been an issue for me.



Funny you should say that about the rear top, when you hit the "trunk" buttom on the key fob, both sides "pop" up giving you access to a flat panel. I didn't mask anything. I probably should have masked where the top meets the "trunk" area as polish on a convertible top can be a bear to remove. I just tried to be *extra* careful when polishing.



Thanks evreyone for the compliments!!!
 
tumbler said:
DACP and a rotary still did not do it .. wow !



excellent results with 3M and OCW regardless..



DACP with the rotary and PC micromarred the finish badly. Again, 3M PI-III MG saved my arse. :D
 
ebpcivicsi said:
DACP with the rotary and PC micromarred the finish badly. Again, 3M PI-III MG saved my arse. :D



maybe the DACP and rotary does not work because you are using it at 1000rpm ?



I get excellent results with when I'm up at 1500rpm with my orange pad using DACP :nixweiss



wow ! I wonder if Optimum Hyper would have done the same or better.. :nixweiss
 
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