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PT Cruiser Detail

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  • PT Cruiser Detail

    Hey all! This is my mom's PT Cruiser. I did this detail as a "gift/refer some business to me" type of deal. Unfortunately, I don't have any before pictures. I forgot to take my camera with me when I went to their house. These photos are the day after when she came over. It gave me a chance to take some "after" photos. I put about 6 hours into it. The interior was disgusting but I think it turned out really well (again, no pics, sorry!). The exterior wasn't much better however going into it I knew I wasn't going to spend a ton of time on it (this was my first real detail after back surgery so my conditioning/muscles aren't up to par). The paint had many defects from light to moderate scratches, bird poop etching, scuffs, & paint chips. Mom & dad were both quite impressed and thrilled with the outcome. I did this while they were out of town so when they got home they opened the garage door to their shiney "new" vehicle.

    Process:
    -Wash w/NXT.
    -Clay w/Meg's clay & Last Touch for lube. I have to say, the paint felt like sand paper so I spent quite a bit of time claying. I should probably throw my clay bar away after this one.
    -Wash w/NXT.
    -Meg's #66 with PC & white LC polishing pad.
    -Meg's NXT with grey LC finishing pad (X2). While I was impressed with the overall end result of NXT, I have to say I was disappointed because of some streaking. When buffing off with a Cobra MF towel, it seemed to streak a lot. You can see it in the hood shot (the darker areas of the clouds). I thought that the 2nd application would help, but it did the same thing again. This is the first time I've used NXT but I'll use it again till my bottle is gone. If the streaking continues I won't buy it again. Besides the streaking, I really liked the overall look and how it darked the paint.

    Other products used:
    -303 for trim
    -Meg's High Endurance for tires
    -Meg's APC+ for general cleaning inside & out
    -Meg's Quick Interior Detailer
    -Meg's NXT Glass Cleaner
    -Meg's Detailer's Line Leather Cleaner/Conditioner

    Pictures:

















    Comments/questions welcomed!
    -Mike

  • #2
    Re: PT Cruiser Detail

    Looks Great!

    I am not really seeing the streaking unless it is the darker parts of the clouds, but WOW! the paint looks really really dark
    Patrick Yu
    2003 Honda Accord
    2008 Honda Accord EX-L V6

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: PT Cruiser Detail

      Thanks!!!

      Yeah, it's hard to see it in the pics. But the darker part of the clouds is where I'm talking about, like you said.
      -Mike

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: PT Cruiser Detail

        Really nice job mshu7,

        I'm in planning stages of doing my very first detail to my PT
        with a PC soon. (it seems like it's raining every other day here ! )

        The PT has alot of curved panels...Do you have any tips or comments that
        might help me when I try it myself?

        Also did you tape off all of the seams?

        As far as the streaking on your hood...
        I really wouldn't have noticed it by looking at the pictures.

        again great detail.
        Glen

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: PT Cruiser Detail

          Thanks for the compliments!

          You're right about the curves. I really don't have any great tips for them. I followed the curves and then made sure I got in the "valley" of each curve (front doors especially).

          The streaking I was talking about is hard to see in those pics. It's more noticeable in person. I've never had a product do that so I was disappointed with that aspect of NXT. I wasn't totally surprised about it though since I've heard others talk about it.

          Good luck with your PT detail!
          -Mike

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: PT Cruiser Detail

            I can see the "streaking". It's known as blushing or sweating. Surprisingly when I used NXT on my Dad's van yesterday I didn't see that much streaking. I used a terry towel because I didn't have any more clean MFs (I just bought NXT as my LSP) and I was surprised to see that NXT/tt left little or no sweating compared to #20/MF. At least, I believe the lack of streaking is due to the towel change...only variable that I can think of.
            2015 Fiat 500 Abarth.
            2011 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec-V using AMSOIL synthetics. Best 1/4 mile: 14.959 (sold)

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: PT Cruiser Detail

              I'll give that a shot next time. Thanks pcfxer.
              -Mike

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: PT Cruiser Detail

                Originally posted by GSKTech View Post
                The PT has alot of curved panels...Do you have any tips or comments that
                might help me when I try it myself?
                Glen, you still haven't gone at the PT with your PC yet? I'm shocked - you asked this same question back in July and I responded with pix and my experiences with my PT. Your poor car must just be wimpering in the garage at night, just waiting for the attention it deserves!

                Really, don't be worried about the curves at all. Just use the right pads and right product, tape off the trim, and have at it. Let the machine follow the contours, keeping it perpendicular to the surface, and you'll be fine.
                Michael Stoops
                Senior Global Product & Training Specialist | Meguiar's Inc.

                Remember, this hobby is supposed to be your therapy, not the reason you need therapy.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: PT Cruiser Detail

                  Mike-

                  I know I know...
                  I was actually ashamed to say so but...

                  what can I say... when work comes you gotta do it.
                  Then when it slows down you do all the stuff that piles up.
                  Especially the things that (she) wants done lol .

                  Then if the weather cooperates I'll be good to go.
                  (anyhow I'll have to do it soon because the temperature is starting to drop around here. (been down into the 50's lately)

                  I cringe every time get in the car...lol

                  Good stuff,
                  I plan on taking a bunch of photos and notes when I do actually do it.
                  Don't worry guys I'll post the details.

                  anyhow, not to hijack mshu7's thread.

                  Sweating...
                  So if pcfxr changes his wipe-off towel alot and it doesn't sweat,
                  it means that when there is too much product in the towel it doesn't remove enough of the product from the surface. or could it be product is transferring from the towel back to the paint ?
                  hmmm seems like a possability.

                  Anyone else have thoughts on this ??
                  Glen

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: PT Cruiser Detail

                    Nice job! You have a great relection on your car.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: PT Cruiser Detail

                      Thanks chevyman!

                      anyhow, not to hijack mshu7's thread.
                      No biggy!
                      -Mike

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: PT Cruiser Detail

                        my streaking that I had with M21 almost looked like holograms but only in really bright sun at certain angles.
                        Patrick Yu
                        2003 Honda Accord
                        2008 Honda Accord EX-L V6

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: PT Cruiser Detail

                          After talking to another professional detailer online that uses Meg's NXT a lot, he said he had the same problem in the beginning because he wasn't leaving it on the paint long enough. He said he now generally lets it set up for about an hour before buffing off. I know I didn't wait an hour, but I thought after doing the "swipe test" it was ready to come off. Next time I'll wait longer and see what happens.
                          -Mike

                          Comment

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