When you lose money but it’s ok

2

2wookies

New member
This 2011 Camaro only has 30k miles but it was pretty beat up. Customers budget wasn’t where I wanted to be with work needed, so I set out to do a simple 1 pass polish and top with Zymol’s Atomic Graphene Shield. BUT then I messed up and did a test hit with a yellow wool pad on the hood, and knew that what this black Chevy needed. Sure I could have used clear cut to really get after it, and maybe I’ll tell myself that for a while, but she just picked it up and couldn’t stop dropping F bombs! She’s owned it since new and didn’t think it could look this good. 10 hours well worth it.

Fully decontaminated with Iron X and a clay bar, machine Griots 21 with Rupes yellow wool pad with Car Pros Fixer, then a QUICK polish with a white soft foam pad with reflect.

Starting from the beginning
4AA39BFC-B490-4F4F-ACDB-71693B20E4B4 by John Wilkinson, on Flickr

67DD1E31-8DD8-43E5-A891-D7FF83A4C120 by John Wilkinson, on Flickr

This really made doing the interior easy!
760B5389-9FAA-4112-A103-DFB64ACD75CA by John Wilkinson, on Flickr

If it works right?
127DD516-3F9A-4BF4-A700-1BA31D31C9CA by John Wilkinson, on Flickr

This is why I couldn’t just do a one pass polish.
CBA1DA00-0F1B-4F49-9C0B-7957D18A4C6D by John Wilkinson, on Flickr

E2431907-7A20-4C4E-957F-65CF4DB72E3D by John Wilkinson, on Flickr

”coating” going on, really very easy product to use.
21655F68-44EA-4DDA-A71E-B7DFFDFFA6B8 by John Wilkinson, on Flickr

Gloss level check
E54A8ECD-991F-4389-BBC4-FE3050F3FFC9 by John Wilkinson, on Flickr

A819B9F5-AD21-4156-8E43-F503105CC152 by John Wilkinson, on Flickr

9A4863F2-BFBB-41F1-AB46-716F1C54B90F by John Wilkinson, on Flickr

451B3BCB-A476-493A-9EC1-7C62875EDC2B by John Wilkinson, on Flickr
 
2wookies:
I am more interested in the Zymol`s Atomic Graphene Shield and more details on how you applied it and removed it AND how this particular last-step product (LSP) compares to other waxes/sealants/coating you may have experience with.

This black Camero looks outstanding. Your detailing process, product choices, and detailing skillset speak for themselves.
The fact that I see a red pad-cleaning bucket in the background in one of the pics tells me you are more-than-serious detailer
.
Did you do anything special with the wheels (tire/rims), chrome trim, and exterior plastic, and windows because they look like they were "detailed" as well.

I would rather have a customer say "That is not my car" or "This is far better than when I purchased the car" rather than the F-bombs, but I get the picture; the customer was more than happy.
 
Very nice work! Looks great. I think it`s OK how it shook out for you...I am sure she will be telling everyone and their brother about you and your work!! So you will most likely reap the benefits of additional work!
 
Lonnie said:
2wookies:
I am more interested in the Zymol`s Atomic Graphene Shield and more details on how you applied it and removed it AND how this particular last-step product (LSP) compares to other waxes/sealants/coating you may have experience with.

This black Camero looks outstanding. Your detailing process, product choices, and detailing skillset speak for themselves.
The fact that I see a red pad-cleaning bucket in the background in one of the pics tells me you are more-than-serious detailer
.
Did you do anything special with the wheels (tire/rims), chrome trim, and exterior plastic, and windows because they look like they were "detailed" as well.

I would rather have a customer say "That is not my car" or "This is far better than when I purchased the car" rather than the F-bombs, but I get the picture; the customer was more than happy.
Click to expand...

1: the install is pretty simple, it has a 90-120 sec “flash” and this is the third time I’ve used it. You are able to do large coverage areas, so I did the hood, and then used a MF application to spread and level product. Waited till I saw it starting to turn, then per the directions a light spritz followed by buff off with two towels. It removes like a dream, and goes on easier than your standard pro grade ceramic.

The company had some VERY tall claims about this product and only time will tell.

2: windows were polished with a white soft pad and Car Pro’s ceriglass polish, wheels were just sprayed and scrubbed with Tuga wheel cleaner and then a once over with ECHo2

She was very happy and has been texting me since about the little things I did, car had no gas in it so I knew she was going to see the gas filler right away. I always do a nice deep clean in there with some pearl exterior mixture to make the plastic shine in there, that little detail surprised her.
 
^^^^^ "Deep Clean" the gas cap area?? Now we KNOW you are an OCD detailer!!
Don`t laugh, it is one of the areas most novices overlook. I recently did a 2010 Toyota Camry for a co-worker of my wife who was selling the car. When I opened the filler door, it was obvious that no one had EVER cleaned in that area. I make sure the drain hole is cleaned out by taking a larger veterinarian-type plastic syringe without a needle filled with water/APC and flush it out. Good way to micro-control the amount of water and pressure in those areas. Upper hood cowl drains between the front window and engine compartment can be done the same way. Decayed leaf and lawn litter gets in the cowl area, especially in older vehicles that get parked outside and/or under trees during their life.

Little touches like that, while time consuming, separate the true detailer from the wannabes, and yes, customers/clients do notice.

Side note: I see you used CarPro products in this detail; Fixer, Reflect, ECHo2, PERL, Ceriglass Polish. Is this your car-care product line of choice for your detailing?
 
I have been stuck on CarPro’s line up for two years, but stuck in a good way. The polishes and compounds are so versatile with different pads that you can easily tailor to every vehicle.
 
Lonnie said:
^^^^^ "Deep Clean" the gas cap area?? Now we KNOW you are an OCD detailer!!
Don`t laugh, it is one of the areas most novices overlook.
Click to expand...

For sure..... even car show participants would miss this area.. When I was big into Corvette judging in the NCCC scene, you would get maybe 3-4 cars that looked the same in a given class. How would I separate them?
Open the gas door, look for water spots in the mirror housing and top corners of the windshield, check the door jams, check the corners of the side marker lights for dried wax buildup, move the seats forward and look for change and a favorite..... open the ash tray! Breaking point ties was easy.

My pet peeve was dirty windshield wiper compartments...... so easy to clean but overlooked until pointed out.
 
2wookies said:
The rupes wool pads are amazing! If you know how to correct paint then they shouldn’t scare you. We’re not talking about a wool pad on a rotary, these are made for DAs.
Click to expand...
I know how to correct paint
I will look into them
I am sold on reflect for sure
Thanks
 
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