First Detail (picture heavy)

[paul.segovich]

Re: First Detail (picture heavy)

Hey small world, my youngest brother works at the Joliet Menard's.

Why put the car into storage if you don't mind me asking? Going into the military?

Oh wow! It is a small world!
She will be in storage because I am going back to Kuwait. Right now I'm just on home for 15 day Leave.

Nice work Paul

It's refreshing to see that you really have done things right by coming here first and learning the correct procedures/techniques/products before getting started (before even buying your car by the looks of things!).

All too often you see people coming to MOL after they've purchased products and just dive in with little to no knowledge and get themselves into trouble.

Well done mate, I'm sure you'll enjoy many years of shiny, trouble-free motoring with your new baby.

Thank you very much! I couldn't of done that without you guys.

[davey g-force]

Re: First Detail (picture heavy)

Nice work Paul

It's refreshing to see that you really have done things right by coming here first and learning the correct procedures/techniques/products before getting started (before even buying your car by the looks of things!).

All too often you see people coming to MOL after they've purchased products and just dive in with little to no knowledge and get themselves into trouble.

Well done mate, I'm sure you'll enjoy many years of shiny, trouble-free motoring with your new baby.

[paulcr39]

Re: First Detail (picture heavy)

Thank you for the suggestion. I actually didn't forget the wheel wells, I just drove over gravel and it kicked up what you saw. :|

I'm sure using the wrong pad wasn't helping out the situation any, but I only went with one coat, as in two weeks I'm going to re apply before my car goes into storage for a few months.
I meant to pick up some cheap ones but I forgot, so I did use one of my SS MF towels on the Jambs. =/

I'll have to look into that RV filter, as I work at Menards anyway haha.

Hey small world, my youngest brother works at the Joliet Menard's.

Why put the car into storage if you don't mind me asking? Going into the military?

[paul.segovich]

Re: First Detail (picture heavy)

Oh, and even though I put the handle on upside down, I still loved it. Some times I used two hands, and others just one. The best thing about it though, was that it allows you to set down the DA, with confidence that it wont tip over.
Next time I'm tightening the handle a bit more though, I didn't like how it would move around.

I really can't thank you all enough, for teaching me all these different techniques. It's really refreshing to look at my car, clean, defect free and know that it's because of the things that I have learned from everyone on this forum.

[paul.segovich]

Re: First Detail (picture heavy)

The process you're showing here is really a method for picking up product with a rotary buffer. Using a D/A you're really better off applying the product directly to the pad since the oscillating movement of this tool can easily scatter that bead all over the place!

Otherwise, it looks like you did an awesome job (lack of a finishing pad notwithstanding )!!

You know, I took that picture before ever trying the technique, and it really did just splatter everywhere, and from that point on I just applied in an 'x' shape directly onto the pad.

Also, I just organized my supplies and prepared for the next go, and realized that I do have finishing pads.
Oops.

I have a few more on the way then I guess haha.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: First Detail (picture heavy)

After that seemed to work well, I laid a line and went too town.

The process you're showing here is really a method for picking up product with a rotary buffer. Using a D/A you're really better off applying the product directly to the pad since the oscillating movement of this tool can easily scatter that bead all over the place!

Otherwise, it looks like you did an awesome job (lack of a finishing pad notwithstanding )!!

[paul.segovich]

Re: First Detail (picture heavy)

Oh, and I always would read you all talking about the smells of the products. Well, I didn't think anything of it, until I actually got to smell those products.
I could smell All Season Dressing all day on my car! And what a pleasant smell it is!

[paul.segovich]

Re: First Detail (picture heavy)

Great job my friend. It came out great.

You used, APC+ not the APC

I love how the engine bay looks.

Great Job i usually spend from 6 to 9 hours in a simple wash

Great Job.

Next time as tuck recommended try to use a Foam Finishing pad to apply wax.

Oh, that I did. Oops haha. I loved the stuff anyway.

I'm actually a bit disappointed with the engine bay. The ASD left spots which I quickly turned a blind eye too as I was in a bit of a hurry. You can't much see them in the pictures, but I know they are there.

The wash was fun. I have always liked washing cars, but I never enjoyed it like I just did. I just have to organize my stuff a bit better and make sure to do better prep work. I'm excited to actually detail a car that needs correction, to see what I can really do.

Nice car! Way to start it off right as well. Keep it up and it will always look new.

I can only hope to see her continue looking like this. I got compliments at stop lights and at the DMV on how clean and reflective she is. It really makes me want to go that extra mile, to ensure that she is as clean as can be.

[Golden]

Re: First Detail (picture heavy)

Nice car! Way to start it off right as well. Keep it up and it will always look new.

[Ryan_Bihun89]

Re: First Detail (picture heavy)

Great job my friend. It came out great.

You used, APC+ not the APC

I love how the engine bay looks.

Great Job i usually spend from 6 to 9 hours in a simple wash

Great Job.

Next time as tuck recommended try to use a Foam Finishing pad to apply wax.

[paul.segovich]

Re: First Detail (picture heavy)

Thank you!

I guess it was a pretty bone-head mistake to not purchase finishing pads when I ordered, but I've already placed my order for them so I don't make that same mistake.

I'm really interested to see how long the All Season Dressing lasts on the tires. I put 50 miles on it yesterday after the detail, and they still look great.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: First Detail (picture heavy)

Just got around to reading your post. Very well done, like your writeup. The only thing is the same as the others suggested. Get a couple of finishing pads.

Congrats on a job well done.

[paul.segovich]

Re: First Detail (picture heavy)

Beautiful work Paul! + =

Spending 4-6 hours is not uncommon with the folks here. I did two hours tonight just washing the wife's TBSS and I'll be up with the birds in the AM for a coat of NXT 2.0, M40 on the tires and wheel wells plus I'm experimenting with the new Armor All wheel sealing stuff. My only suggestion to make things look better is to hit the wheel wells with All Season dressing.

I wash my applicators by hand w/APC, then rinse and let dry. The MF towels get washed with Woolite at half strength, two rinse cycles, then dried on delicate cycle. Then my wife asks if she should fold "my precious babies" or leave them for me.... Just remember to wash MF products together & never with anything else!!

Another suggestion is to get some inexpensive MF towels from Sam's or Costco or Wally World for door jambs, trunk margins and under hood. They're also good for wiping down your wheels. You really don't want to be using a Supreme Shine towel down there.

I also noticed you learned something that is hard to teach. When I wax I always apply wax at a rate that has me wondering "am I using enough wax?" A second coat the following morning of NXT 2.0 is now second nature to me. Two thin coats are better than one thick and it's a heck of a lot easier to remove. I agree with Nick that a dedicated finishing pad makes a big difference.

For the hard water I use an RV water filter on my hose. Got it at Wally World or Menard's, not remembering which one though. It attaches on the hose at the spigot end. I do suggest taking nozzle off of hose for final rinse. The sheeting of the water will pull off a lot of water. I usually just need one Meg's Water Magnet to dry my car's exterior by doing this.

Thank you for the suggestion. I actually didn't forget the wheel wells, I just drove over gravel and it kicked up what you saw. :|

I'm sure using the wrong pad wasn't helping out the situation any, but I only went with one coat, as in two weeks I'm going to re apply before my car goes into storage for a few months.
I meant to pick up some cheap ones but I forgot, so I did use one of my SS MF towels on the Jambs. =/

I'll have to look into that RV filter, as I work at Menards anyway haha.

[paul.segovich]

Re: First Detail (picture heavy)

Hey man! Excellent work! I need a car like that! How much yours run you if you don't mind me asking?

Oh and btw, if you want to show off any more detailing work you do, there is a section in the forums where you can show off your work. It's called "Show Off Your Latest Detail Work". You'd be amazed the transformations you can find in there. Just food for thought bro, but congrats on the new car!

That car base stock is 18,000. Give or take a bit, I had extras and ordered it and all said and done, tax, title, plates, delivery, service charge it came to almost 24,000. But I added a bunch of factory extras.
It's a great little car, I highly suggest it.

I thought about posting it in there, but I didn't really transform anything, and I was more looking for criticism than to show off what I did.
Eventually I hope to fix up a finish nice enough to put in there.

Nice work! I think a finishing pad will take care of your concerns.

Thank you, I can't believe I made that mistake really. It still turned out fine, just seemed a bit awkward.

[paulcr39]

Re: First Detail (picture heavy)

Beautiful work Paul! + =

Spending 4-6 hours is not uncommon with the folks here. I did two hours tonight just washing the wife's TBSS and I'll be up with the birds in the AM for a coat of NXT 2.0, M40 on the tires and wheel wells plus I'm experimenting with the new Armor All wheel sealing stuff. My only suggestion to make things look better is to hit the wheel wells with All Season dressing.

I wash my applicators by hand w/APC, then rinse and let dry. The MF towels get washed with Woolite at half strength, two rinse cycles, then dried on delicate cycle. Then my wife asks if she should fold "my precious babies" or leave them for me.... Just remember to wash MF products together & never with anything else!!

Another suggestion is to get some inexpensive MF towels from Sam's or Costco or Wally World for door jambs, trunk margins and under hood. They're also good for wiping down your wheels. You really don't want to be using a Supreme Shine towel down there.

I also noticed you learned something that is hard to teach. When I wax I always apply wax at a rate that has me wondering "am I using enough wax?" A second coat the following morning of NXT 2.0 is now second nature to me. Two thin coats are better than one thick and it's a heck of a lot easier to remove. I agree with Nick that a dedicated finishing pad makes a big difference.

For the hard water I use an RV water filter on my hose. Got it at Wally World or Menard's, not remembering which one though. It attaches on the hose at the spigot end. I do suggest taking nozzle off of hose for final rinse. The sheeting of the water will pull off a lot of water. I usually just need one Meg's Water Magnet to dry my car's exterior by doing this.