Detailing my 1992 GMC Typhoon

[Bustedsm]

Alright everyone, I've posted my introduction thread and clearly stated that I'm going to be needing some help. I've done nothing more advanced other than using some Dial soap and water on my cars but want to change my horrible ways and convert to the darkside of true detailing.

Here is what I'm working with...





Help

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Detailing my 1992 GMC Typhoon

Are you doing all your work by hand? If so then,

Wash - Pick up a quality car wash, maybe try NXT Car Wash
Clay - Feel the paint after you wash and dry the Typhoon. If you feel little bumps that's a sign the paint has above surface bonded contaminants and needs to be clayed.
Clean - This means remove thing like swirls, scratches, etching etc. Pick up a bottle of Ultimate Compound and a half dozen foam applicator pads for applying the compound and later a wax. Apply the UC to sections about a foot square, work each section for about a minute then wipe the product off and move onto a new section. Overlap a little into the previous section.

Polish - This is optional, it's to maximize the gloss and clarity of the paint. If you want to polish the get a bottle of Deep Crystal Polish and apply it to small sections like the UC and after working it for about 45 seconds wipe it off and move onto the next section overlapping a little into the previous section.

Protect - after you finish with the Ultimate Compound, apply a coat or two of your favorite wax or paint sealant.


Above all, before going over the entire car, dial in your process to one small section. Make sure you can make one small section look good before going over the entire car.

TEST SPOT

How to do a Test Spot

Before going over the entire car, see if you can make just one small section look good, that is apply the product you're planning on using over the entire car to just one small section about a foot squared or so. Work it in and then wipe it off, then apply the polish, work it in but not as much as the compound because now you're not trying to remove paint, just spread the product out, then immediately wipe it off, then apply the wax and let it fully dry and then wipe it off.

Now inspect our results. Make sure you can make one small section look GREAT before going over then entire car. If you can't make one small section look GREAT you won't be able to make the entire car look GREAT.

Make sense?

It should look like this,




And if you're having any problems, the post back here after the test section and we'll help you tweak your technique to insure you get it right.

[MrCLRider]

Re: Detailing my 1992 GMC Typhoon

Thats going to look amazing once done! I love those trucks!!! Very nice ride..too bad its black though, very unforgiving!

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Detailing my 1992 GMC Typhoon

If you're new to detailing, then invest some time into reading through these to forums, you'll find lots of good, helpful information.

Hot Topics
How To Articles


Like these threads in Hot Topics just to name a few from the first page in Hot Topics. (there's 4 pages with 30 threads on a page)

What it means to remove a scratch out of anything...
Which products need to dry before removing?
Circles or Straight Lines?
Is it a wax? Or a paint sealant?

[rgcurtis]

Re: Detailing my 1992 GMC Typhoon

DUDE, listen to Mike P. He is the one who pointed me to the two bucket wash method and I will never go back. Also, if you follow the direction Mike P. told you above you should get the results you want. Good luck!!! Post AFTER pic's.

[Bustedsm]

Re: Detailing my 1992 GMC Typhoon

I've been reading like crazy and understand pretty much everything. When it comes to claying though (I have to take pictures of my hood) it looks like the clearcoat might be failing or it's just that scratched up, I don't know.

Would I still clay before I try to remove those deep scratches or remove the scratches first and then clay?

[page2171]

Re: Detailing my 1992 GMC Typhoon

I've been reading like crazy and understand pretty much everything. When it comes to claying though (I have to take pictures of my hood) it looks like the clearcoat might be failing or it's just that scratched up, I don't know.

Would I still clay before I try to remove those deep scratches or remove the scratches first and then clay?

Clay first.

btw...nice truck, can't wait to see it all polished up!

[Bustedsm]

Re: Detailing my 1992 GMC Typhoon

Clay first.

btw...nice truck, can't wait to see it all polished up!

Gotcha, now I need to pick up some goodies and hope for sunshine!

[Bustedsm]

Re: Detailing my 1992 GMC Typhoon

Alright, here are some pictures.

Before:



After clean:



Test spot (Ultimate Compound):
Before:

After:

50/50:


Hood 50/50



Products:
Gold Class Wash
Smooth Surface Clay Kit
Ultimate Compound
NXT Tech Wax 2.0
Some MF Towels
Applicator pads

[Tuck91]

Re: Detailing my 1992 GMC Typhoon

awesome work and a great testimony of Ultimate Compound

[Megafast13]

Re: Detailing my 1992 GMC Typhoon

Excellent improvement!

Have never heard of that model before either....Cool though

[Murr1525]

Re: Detailing my 1992 GMC Typhoon

Looks great.

Did the CC failure areas seem to go away? And hopefully stay away so far?

[Bustedsm]

Re: Detailing my 1992 GMC Typhoon

Looks great.

Did the CC failure areas seem to go away? And hopefully stay away so far?

Yeah, I was able to read road signs more clearly at night off the reflection on my hood.

However, I don't think I sat on the UC long enough because it really didn't get much of the problems spots out. Should I rewash and try again?

Also, the swirls are ridiculous with a few RIDS (that's the right word, right?) How should I approach getting rid of those?

[Murr1525]

Re: Detailing my 1992 GMC Typhoon

Well, a paint like that certainly has a few things going on.

1. Any actual clear coat failure may not be able to be fixed, or may seem fixed, then come back soon.

2. When using a paint cleaner to remove swirls, it doesnt just sit on the surface, it needs worked in. Perhaps looking through these can help:

What it Means to Remove a Scratch

How To Remove Swirls By Hand

How To Remove a Bird Dropping Etching by Hand using M105 Ultra Cut Compound

How to correctly apply ScratchX to remove swirls and scratches

3. Real deep stuff may not be removeable, and even areas that are possible CC failure, you will want to go more gently on, so as not to make it wotse.

[Bustedsm]

Re: Detailing my 1992 GMC Typhoon

Well, a paint like that certainly has a few things going on.

1. Any actual clear coat failure may not be able to be fixed, or may seem fixed, then come back soon.

2. When using a paint cleaner to remove swirls, it doesnt just sit on the surface, it needs worked in. Perhaps looking through these can help:

What it Means to Remove a Scratch

How To Remove Swirls By Hand

How To Remove a Bird Dropping Etching by Hand using M105 Ultra Cut Compound

How to correctly apply ScratchX to remove swirls and scratches

3. Real deep stuff may not be removeable, and even areas that are possible CC failure, you will want to go more gently on, so as not to make it wotse.

I'm not really too worried about ruining the hood, I'll be eventually picking up a 2" cowl induction hood to help with IATs and looks.

Would you recommend using UC first to get some of the hazing out and then applying some ScratchX or should I do UC first and then SwirlX?

Too much to chose from