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Yesterday I detailed my wife's Honda CR-V. I did not do any paint correction. I didn't even touch the interior. But it still took me over five hours to get everything done that I wanted done. I honestly do not know why it takes me so long. Here was my process:
1) Brushed the wheel wells with APC+.
2) Cleaned the tires with Eimann Fabrik Tire Cleaner.
3) Cleaned the rims and barrels with Gold Class All Wheel Cleaner.
4) Washed the car with Gold Class shampoo.
5) Dried the car and wiped down the door and trunk jams.
6) Sprayed the wheel wells with Stoner Trim Shine.
7) Sealed the car (paint, trim, and cladding) with Ultima Paint Guard Plus. UPGP is a wipe-on/walk away sealant and can be safely applied to plastic and metal trim. Thank gawd, it only takes me 15 minutes to seal the entire car. I have no idea if the CR-V would look better with another wax or sealant; but the ease of UPGP's use makes it a winner for me.
8) Dressed the tires with Hot Shine Tire Gel. "She Who Must Be Obeyed" prefers the high gloss look.
9) Dressed the wiper cowl with Ultima Tire and Trim Guard Plus. It's messy stuff and not nearly as easy to apply as Gold Class Trim Detailer; but it does last a couple of months and seems to provide sealant-like protection.
10) Waxed the wheels with NXT.
By the time I was finished, I was pooped.
The next day I had to ask myself if I would ever commit myself to machine polishing the CR-V--and I had to answer, NO! The vehicle is just too big for me. First of all, with all of the black trim and cladding, it would take me half a day just to tape it up. Secondly, I don't like having to climb a step ladder to work on the roof. Thirdly, there are a lot of areas that are too narrow for my 7" pads. While I do have a Sonus 4" polishing pad, which I purchased for spot polishing, I would have to do a lot more than spot polishing. Buffing around all that trim makes me nervous.
It was a revelation!
Lads, I have met my detailing limit. While I am willing to commit myself to machine-polishing my little S2000 (Luthien is a labor of love), I simply am not willing to commit myself to the days (plural!) it would take me to machine-polish the CR-V. I rejoice that the glacier blue color hides a lot of imperfections. I know a lot of you own big trucks and SUVs. I know that somehow you are able to do full details of your vehicles in just one day and emotionally and physically survive the affair. I'm afraid, though, I just don't have what it takes. I hate to admit this to you guys, but there it is. As Dirty Harry liked to say, "A man's got to know his limitations." Well, I have just bumped into one of my insurmountable, intractable, insuperable detailing limitations.
Where are the photos? Well, Ripley looks just like she did when we bought her a few months ago. But I did take a couple of pics of the freshly dressed tires. I've caught a little of Nick's enthusiasm for well-dressed tires. I haven't learned how to dress tires yet as well as Nick does--I can't quite got the hang of it yet--but I keep trying.
I think I still prefer a satin, low gloss tire shine; but I'm not the one driving on these tires. I think they look pretty good, though.
I had been planning on applying a paint cleaner to Ripley next month, perhaps accompanied by claying, in preparation for winter--but forget that! I'm just going to keep applying the UPGP and be satisfied. Come next spring, we shall see if I'm able to muster up the energy to do a full detail. But as far as machine polishing … well, a man's got to know his detailing limitations!
Cheers,
Al
1) Brushed the wheel wells with APC+.
2) Cleaned the tires with Eimann Fabrik Tire Cleaner.
3) Cleaned the rims and barrels with Gold Class All Wheel Cleaner.
4) Washed the car with Gold Class shampoo.
5) Dried the car and wiped down the door and trunk jams.
6) Sprayed the wheel wells with Stoner Trim Shine.
7) Sealed the car (paint, trim, and cladding) with Ultima Paint Guard Plus. UPGP is a wipe-on/walk away sealant and can be safely applied to plastic and metal trim. Thank gawd, it only takes me 15 minutes to seal the entire car. I have no idea if the CR-V would look better with another wax or sealant; but the ease of UPGP's use makes it a winner for me.
8) Dressed the tires with Hot Shine Tire Gel. "She Who Must Be Obeyed" prefers the high gloss look.
9) Dressed the wiper cowl with Ultima Tire and Trim Guard Plus. It's messy stuff and not nearly as easy to apply as Gold Class Trim Detailer; but it does last a couple of months and seems to provide sealant-like protection.
10) Waxed the wheels with NXT.
By the time I was finished, I was pooped.
The next day I had to ask myself if I would ever commit myself to machine polishing the CR-V--and I had to answer, NO! The vehicle is just too big for me. First of all, with all of the black trim and cladding, it would take me half a day just to tape it up. Secondly, I don't like having to climb a step ladder to work on the roof. Thirdly, there are a lot of areas that are too narrow for my 7" pads. While I do have a Sonus 4" polishing pad, which I purchased for spot polishing, I would have to do a lot more than spot polishing. Buffing around all that trim makes me nervous.
It was a revelation!
Lads, I have met my detailing limit. While I am willing to commit myself to machine-polishing my little S2000 (Luthien is a labor of love), I simply am not willing to commit myself to the days (plural!) it would take me to machine-polish the CR-V. I rejoice that the glacier blue color hides a lot of imperfections. I know a lot of you own big trucks and SUVs. I know that somehow you are able to do full details of your vehicles in just one day and emotionally and physically survive the affair. I'm afraid, though, I just don't have what it takes. I hate to admit this to you guys, but there it is. As Dirty Harry liked to say, "A man's got to know his limitations." Well, I have just bumped into one of my insurmountable, intractable, insuperable detailing limitations.
Where are the photos? Well, Ripley looks just like she did when we bought her a few months ago. But I did take a couple of pics of the freshly dressed tires. I've caught a little of Nick's enthusiasm for well-dressed tires. I haven't learned how to dress tires yet as well as Nick does--I can't quite got the hang of it yet--but I keep trying.
I think I still prefer a satin, low gloss tire shine; but I'm not the one driving on these tires. I think they look pretty good, though.
I had been planning on applying a paint cleaner to Ripley next month, perhaps accompanied by claying, in preparation for winter--but forget that! I'm just going to keep applying the UPGP and be satisfied. Come next spring, we shall see if I'm able to muster up the energy to do a full detail. But as far as machine polishing … well, a man's got to know his detailing limitations!
Cheers,
Al
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) that took about 18 hours over 2 days and enjoyed every minute and the results.
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