2003 Lincoln Navigator Detail EXTREME (56k no no)

[zr123]

First off, a special thanks to Mike Phillips, Tim and all the other members here for all their input over the year. I have to consider this my first full detail, and the first detail using my new PC. Took just over 13 hours to complete, that too with two people! We had to span the detail over two days, both days we started around 2PM-3PM, luckily we had a garage to work in.

Alright, lets get down to it... here are the befores:











We gave the car a good wash using Microtek Microfiber sponges and Meguiar's Gold Class Car Wash Shampoo & Conditioner. Immediately after the wash we drove the car into the garage.

The paint was in absolutely horrible condition. It's been under a huge tree it's whole life. Goes for a hand carwash about once a month (twice if lucky). So we started by claying (tons of tree sap on the body), had to go over the hood twice. Went through two clay bars and 4 spray bottles of lube. For lube we used some warm water with a little drop of Meguiar's Deep Crystal Car Wash. We decided to keep the Quik Detailer on the shelf for future use. For drying purposes we used a Meguiar's Water Magnet Drying Towel

Once the washing, claying, drying was done we started with the paint cleaning. Using a W-8006 pad we applied #83 to the entire car, worked a section at a time with about 15-20lbs of pressure. Used a Meguiar's Supreme Shine Microfiber to remove the #83

After the #83 we went to the #80 with a new W-8006 pad again worked a section at a time with about 15-20lbs of pressure. Wiped the #80 with a Meguiar's Supreme Shine Microfiber

We used Meguiar's Scratch X and #80 by hand on some hard to reach spots, all applied with a High Tech Applicator Pads and wiped off with the Supreme Shine Microfiber.

After the #80 we went straight to the wax, we chose Meguiar's NXT Gen Tech Wax (liquid) applied it to the entire car with a W-9006 pad and the hard to reach spots with the Meguiar's High Tech Applicator Pad... Removed the wax after about 15-20 minutes with the Meguiar's Ultimate Bonnet on a W-7006 pad followed by a good wipe with the Meguiar's Supreme Shine Microfiber... We applied 2 Coats.

We didn't do the wheels or the wells since Ford is going to be replacing the rims. Apparently the chrome has begun peeling and the car is still under warranty, so once that's done we'll shine using some polish and wax them up.

Here are the afters:










(The light colouring here is just the flash, I forgot to turn it off)






(Reflection shot)

And that's about it! Once again thanks to everyone, especially Mike Phillips and Tim... After 13 or so long hours, we were dead tired, but it was well worth it!

Here's a summary of all products used:
Meguiar's Gold Class Shampoo & Conditioner
Meguiar's Deep Crystal Car Wash
Meguiar's Quik Clay
Meguiar's NXT Gen Tech Wax
Meguiar's Supreme Shine Microfiber
Meguiar's High Tech Applicator Pads
Meguiar's Ultimate Wipe
Meguiar's W-8006 Pad
Meguiar's W-9006 Pad
Meguiar's W-7006 Pad
Meguiar's Water Magnet Drying Towel
Meguiar's #83
Meguiar's #80
Meguiar's Scratch X
Microtek Microfiber Sponges

[starstrike]

Nice job mate. I hope you didn't ....

I should really try this stuff out on my car and post the results, I just hope my hands don't fall off. 13 hours!

[Nolan_k]

Awesome job. I drive a 2003 Navigator too, so I know how big of a job it is. The chrome on my rims is peeling as well, maybe I should get it looked in to when they replace my GPS antenna. I have a 7 year warranty so they should be covered. Another coincidence I too live in B.C. maybe it is something in all the rain we get that is peeling the rims.

[zr123]

Thanks!

With regards to the peeling, that's interesting, I never thought of the rain being a problem... or even our roads or salt for that matter. We hardly get any snow, so I wouldn't think it would be a problem. I was doing some research and found that several people had a similar problem with both the Navigator and the LS and apparently it was something about Ford not heating the wheels correctly.

[TKDDAD]

Originally posted by Nolan_k
Awesome job. I drive a 2003 Navigator too, so I know how big of a job it is. The chrome on my rims is peeling as well, maybe I should get it looked in to when they replace my GPS antenna. I have a 7 year warranty so they should be covered. Another coincidence I too live in B.C. maybe it is something in all the rain we get that is peeling the rims.

Maybe because it's a Ford product is the reason that the rims are peeling??....$50,000 vehicles don't deserve an inexcusable problem like that...I've had many Ford vehicles in my life and currently own what will be my last one, a 2000 Windstar SEL...I love the van but my 7 year warranty just expired in March and wouldn't ya know it, the power steering pump is leaking and needs replacement (oh, an it only has 60,000 miles on it)

Anyway, not to slam Ford cuz that's not what this is about...but it's hard for me to accept that rims "peel"...especially on a fine vehicle like the Navigator....

Great JOB ON THE DETAIL !!! ....except the rims

[zr123]

Ford finally replaced the rims today, and even then, they had to delay it 2 days because the tech didn't know how to replace the tires and valves.

[Nolan_k]

Now that is a strange coincidence, my Gator is in the shop as we speak getting the 2 rims that were peeling changed out. Have to thank you again for posting about the peeling. Now to keep my fingers crossed that I dont get in to the same delay as you did.

[zr123]

Originally posted by Nolan_k
Now that is a strange coincidence, my Gator is in the shop as we speak getting the 2 rims that were peeling changed out. Have to thank you again for posting about the peeling. Now to keep my fingers crossed that I dont get in to the same delay as you did.

No worries! They replaced all 4 and took over the weekend to get the car back... I'm wondering if waxing the wheels will help over-time as I hope the wheels don't peel again...

[sneek]

Car looks great!

[zsoap]

You guys are putting some fear in me. I just picked up a 2006 Lincoln Zephyr and it has chrome rims on it also. Hopefully they've figured out the problem.

[zr123]

Originally posted by sneek
Car looks great!

Thanks

[foris2]

Awesome job!! It L @ @ K's great.