My First Try .. what do you think?

[GTIz]

I am a fanatic about keeping my cars as clean as possible and wash my car almost every weekend as long as it not below 32 degrees (in NY). Washing wasn't giving me the luster I was looking for and began researching the detailing process. I decided to jump in head first with the understanding that I will learn and mature with every detail job and undertake. So being the guy that I am decided to learn on my 08' Black Suburban with hard water stains and lots of swirls and some minor scratches.

Lessons learned:
--A Suburban requires a lot of time and patience, especially black. Next time it will be done in sections. I did not have time to seal the paint correction. I blew the whole weekend on claying, compounding (105) and polishing (205).

--I think I used the correct products, but would appreciate feedback.

Issues:
-- Ended up with lots of powdery residue after compounding.
-- Some of the Polish was difficult to get off
-- Did not cover the windows well, had a hard time cleaning
-- Polisher keep stopping, gotta get a better fell for the right pressure
-- Could not get the really bad hard water stains out (due to daily sprinkler over spray)
-- How to avoid the hard water stains .. keeping car away from sprinkler is not possible.

Products Used:
- GOLD CLASS™ CAR WASH SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER
- Mother Clay Bar Kit (Had it laying around)
- Dual Action Polisher G110v2
- Mirror Glaze - ULTRA CUT COMPOUND -105
- Mirror Glaze - ULTRA FINISHING POLISH - 205
- SOFT BUFF 2.0 FOAM CUTTING PAD
- SOFT BUFF 2.0 FOAM POLISHING PAD

Process
1 - Wash
2 - Clay
3 - Compound
4 - Polish

I am planning to readdress the water stains and use some quick detailer then apply some GOLD CLASS™ LIQUID WAX (have some laying around).


This is a before picture:


This is a pic of the swirls I was dealing with:


After Picture:


I appreciate any feedback and direction anyone would like to provide to further my efforts towards a beautiful black, long lasting, finish.

-- GTIz

[GTIz]

Re: My First Try .. what do you think?

I guess no one felt like reading my long post .. not feeling like part of the community. 78 people looked at my post, but not one person replied to it. Not sure to make of it.

[Mary S]

Re: My First Try .. what do you think?

It looks beautiful to me! What would help in a case like this is to get a reflective picture like your middle picture of the swirls, and show the same shot afterwards. Those swirls are so fine that they are hard to see from a distance.

And welcome to MOL!

[myaeger18]

Re: My First Try .. what do you think?

Looks good to me! Good work!

[aris]

Re: My First Try .. what do you think?

Looks pretty good to me..but we need close up pics

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: My First Try .. what do you think?

Looks good. Besides close up pics. It also helps seeing the same before and after. It gives a definitive look at the improvement made. Just trying to help out. Not being critical. I had to learn the same things, when I first started. Just trying to help out.

[GTIz]

Re: My First Try .. what do you think?

Thanks for the feedback. I will take better after shots after the polish this weekend.

[Ryan_Bihun89]

Re: My First Try .. what do you think?

Great job you did on your truck.
For the record:
I dont think you had to use the Cutting pad. Usually its ok with the polishing pad on m105 and m205 ( one pad for each product, never use another product on a pad with another product)

Looks great..

Good job man

[TLMitchell]

Re: My First Try .. what do you think?

Heh, those Suburbans tend to grow while you're working on 'em, huh?

Learned lessons are good. Even if they cause more work you tend to remember them. When I compound, especially with 105, I now cover the windshield and cowling with towels when working on the hood or roof. When I'm working on the sides I drap towels over the glass and usually slam 'em in the door or wind the window up to trap 'em. Only takes one time trying to clean the splatter off of everything to learn that lesson!

I've ran out of time, inclination and motivation before applying an LSP as well. A bottle of UQW is good to have laying around for those times. Regardless of how whooped I am I alwayts figure I can slug through another 10 minutes to at least get some protection on the finish after all the hard work.

Nice work!

TL

[GTIz]

Re: My First Try .. what do you think?

Better pic of the Swirls

[DPotz]

Re: My First Try .. what do you think?

Good first work bro.

[GTIz]

Re: My First Try .. what do you think?

Great job you did on your truck.
For the record:
I dont think you had to use the Cutting pad. Usually its ok with the polishing pad on m105 and m205 ( one pad for each product, never use another product on a pad with another product)

Looks great..

Good job man

I had some really bad hard water issues, so I figured I needed some good cutting potential. I was thinking the cutting pad was not good enough, but that may be due to my inexperience.

[GTIz]

Re: My First Try .. what do you think?

Heh, those Suburbans tend to grow while you're working on 'em, huh?

Learned lessons are good. Even if they cause more work you tend to remember them. When I compound, especially with 105, I now cover the windshield and cowling with towels when working on the hood or roof. When I'm working on the sides I drap towels over the glass and usually slam 'em in the door or wind the window up to trap 'em. Only takes one time trying to clean the splatter off of everything to learn that lesson!

I've ran out of time, inclination and motivation before applying an LSP as well. A bottle of UQW is good to have laying around for those times. Regardless of how whooped I am I alwayts figure I can slug through another 10 minutes to at least get some protection on the finish after all the hard work.

Nice work!

TL

Let me tell you .. these trucks are huge when it comes to detailing. It was never ending. Your right, I should have put on some protection.

Thanks for the tips on covering up to avoid the spread of residue.