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2003 Pathfinder - First time w/105/205

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  • 2003 Pathfinder - First time w/105/205

    So I figured it was time to show a little love to my daily driver. It's an '03 Pathfinder that has never really been cared for properly. I've done a few vehicles in the past with the Meg's 83/80 combo but this was my first time using the 105/205 twins. I have to say, I was very impressed. Work time was much shorter and I was very impressed with the outcome.

    This is my first real "Click & Brag" so all pointers would be welcome!!!!


    PROCESS

    Wash/Clay/Wells:
    Meg's NXT Car Wash
    Lowes Grout Sponge
    2 Buckets with grit guard in rinse bucket (because I only have one)
    Griots Clay w/ Meg's Final Inspection as clay lube
    Wheel wells - Megs APC 4 to 1 - Dressed with Armour All prior to polishing

    Correction:
    PC 7424
    Meg's 105 on Orange Uber 5.5" pad
    Meg's 205 on Green Under 5.5" pad

    LSP:
    RMG
    Natty's RED

    Trim/Tires/Wheels:
    Trim got cleaned with GR-40 Trim Cleaner followed by PB's Trim Restorer
    Tires got cleaned with Eagle One A2Z followed by Megs' All Season Dressing
    Wheels got cleaned with Megs Wheel Brightener

    Here's some befores so you know exactly what I was dealing with. Warning - it's not pretty...





















    Clay after 1/4 of the hood:




    In the process of taping (PIA):




    And some afters:





















    Like the bumper sticker says, My Other Car is a....



    Most of my stash:



    Things I learned:

    1. Taping is a huge PIA but worth it.
    2. There's only so much you can do to bring back a black hood with thousands of tiny stone chips.
    3. Importance of a test spot. I started out with 105 on a green Uber pad and it just wasn't taking off enough of the defects. Switched to a Uber orange and that helped dramatically. I could have gone with a more agressive pad for the hood. I have to look into what most people are using because I need one step up in tersm of pads.
    4. RMG looks awesome on black
    5. It will rain heavily the day after I detail my car (for those of you in CT, you know what I'm talking about in terms of the weather today)
    6. No way I could have even come close to these results without what I learned from this site
    7. Priming the pad with product is SUPER important with 105/205
    8. Don't use a pad that's even remotely wet with these products. You will lose cut big time. I had to wash my cutting pads because I didn't have enough and learned the hard way. Thanfully the dryer helped me out.
    9. I need more cutting pads. (See number 8)
    10. Four Rockstar's in 12 hours will not kill me
    11. My next car will be Silver

    Hats off to you guys that do this for a living. I work out four days a week at a gym and all in all consider myself to be a pretty healthy guy. This project just wiped me out - plain and simple.

  • #2
    Re: 2003 Pathfinder - First time w/105/205

    Originally posted by dschribs View Post
    .....Hats off to you guys that do this for a living. I work out four days a week at a gym and all in all consider myself to be a pretty healthy guy. This project just wiped me out - plain and simple.
    Just detailing my own cars wears me out!

    Great job on that Pathfinder! The difference is very clear now!

    Taping is not fun, but worth it, especially using a rotary!

    Very nice Camaro to btw!!!!!!!!

    Good show
    Philippians 2:14 - Do all things without grumbling or questioning,

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: 2003 Pathfinder - First time w/105/205

      Do you really use a grout sponge to wash? Nice job on the black pathfinder. I had a beige 2004 that I just traded in last month and I know they have a ton of plastic and crevices that are a pain to tape off.

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: 2003 Pathfinder - First time w/105/205

        Yup

        Learned of it on another forum. Not just ANY grout sponge.

        Pro-Line from Lowe's. You'll find it's very popular.

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: 2003 Pathfinder - First time w/105/205

          One like this? What is the benefit over a MF wash mit?
          https: supreme1.sslpowered.com/imgs/Silverline_675276.jpg
          Last edited by Michael Stoops; Sep 27, 2009, 05:35 PM. Reason: No clickable links during initial 30 posts

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: 2003 Pathfinder - First time w/105/205

            Nice work.

            Like your other vehicle aswell...very cool!

            TOP

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: 2003 Pathfinder - First time w/105/205

              great results achieved :]....
              maybe you would need another grit guard in when doing the 2 bucket wash
              Ganesa,
              Toyota Vios '05

              Theres a difference in a person who has to do it and a person who wants to do it

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: 2003 Pathfinder - First time w/105/205

                Things I learned:


                9. I need more cutting pads. (See number 8) it is cheaper to get pads than washer
                10. Four Rockstar's in 12 hours will not kill me - certainly yes...i did many 12 hours detailing too...only gives me sores back
                11. My next car will be Silver LOL me too

                btw great work

                it only takes a little patience and plenty of PASSION!!

                detailing blog

                http://thedetailers.blogspot.com

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: 2003 Pathfinder - First time w/105/205

                  Fantastic job and funny list at the end.

                  This picture



                  Needs to go here:
                  We encourage MOL members to show off their latest before & after results. We also welcome "Work in Progress" Threads. For Enthusiasts or Professional Detailers
                  A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: 2003 Pathfinder - First time w/105/205

                    Wow, that pathfinder looks better than new!

                    *drool* Camaro...

                    It the camaro all original?...

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: 2003 Pathfinder - First time w/105/205

                      Thanks for the compliments!

                      Redsoxfan - I'm not sure there's any actual benefit over using a MF mitt. What people use to wash I think is more or less personal preferance. I grew up using a sponge to wash a car and I just like to go that route. The grout sponges from Lowe's don't marr the surface what-so-ever and work great for me.

                      M-Cook - The Camaro is mostly all original. I just have some mild mods (cam, carb, intake) on the engine - which is the same engine that came with the car. It's a blast to drive. I've always loved convertibles.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: 2003 Pathfinder - First time w/105/205

                        Awesome writeup and excellent work

                        Love the Camaro

                        Comment

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