My Project for the last couple of weeks, and the next couple to come.

[MDetail]

So a couple weeks back I get a call from my dad. While he was at work a little birdy left a present. He called me since I have been telling him to get this thing detailed anyways, so he told me to take it. He has a couple cars, so he doesn't really care how long I have this one for. I think its a 1999 SL500 with 28,000 miles (4k mi. less than my 08 fit), and the front has been repainted at least 3 times, the whole car I think has been repainted once. He used to look at everything closely, and nit pick everything, It was at the dealer at least once a month to fix what they tried to fix last time, but now that he's getting older (only 53) I think he spends his time & energy elsewhere. Anyways I haven't finished the car yet, but I figured I would post my progress since this will be a very long post I wanted to get part of it completed. For the most part he takes really great care of this car, it's just that he doesn't have the knowledge to keep it swirl free. But he does wash & wax it all the time (as you will see left over wax pictures down the page)

Process

Body
Quick detail wipe down (it wasn't dirty)
Clay w/LTD 1:1 lube
m105 polishing pad
m205 finishing pad
m66 finishing pad (where needed)
Lusso Oro Wax

Wheels & Tires
LTD to clean
Poorboys Wheel Sealant
Hyper Dressing 4:1 for a natural tire look
APC 4:1 Clean Wheel Wells
Hyper Dressing 4:1 Dress Wheel Wells

Engine
APC 10:1 (it's pretty clean already)
Hyper Dressing 4:1

Top
APC 10:1
303 Protectant
I will try PlastX for the plastic window, if that's not enough then I will move to m205 and finish with NXT Wax

Interior
APC 10:1 to remove dirt/stains
Megs Quick Interior Detail Spray for Dash and side panels
Megs Detailer Line Leather Cleaner & Conditioner for seats.

I thought I had some full exterior shots in the sun before I went to work, but I guess the inside shots are going to have to do.










This is what happens when you let your dad clean bird deposits from his own car that has soft paint.




Some of the etchings (there were probably 5-6 total)




Here are a few examples of the wax residue left behind.




Look at all the wax inside the nozzles

[MDetail]

Re: My Project for the last couple of weeks, and the next couple to come.

I didn't really start on this part, but as far as the thread goes, it's a good starting point.

Top Before


Close up of wax drop?


Any of the spots I saw, I gave a couple extra sprays of APC 10:1


I agitated the specific area, then sprayed the rest of the top, and agitated the whole top. Repeat one time to ensure the top was clean, and give it a wipe down with an MF Towel. 50/50 shot

[MDetail]

Re: My Project for the last couple of weeks, and the next couple to come.

I was having a heck of a time getting the paint right. I could remove the swirls, but kept re-installing swirls, or marring the paint. I started a thread

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38933

And thanks to Tim Lingor, and Murr1525 for the helpful hints, I think I got the process down about right now.

Did a small part of the hood as a test spot, then went to half of the hood so I could try a couple different things.

before side


after side






Tested all of these out, and then decided to try some of the new stuff that I just purchased.


Sun shots before wax




I have only done the front half, minus the bumper


Maybe my dad will get me a haircut for doing all this


Waxing


This was about as thin as I could get it.


It's coming along nicely.




I am hoping to have it done by Sunday, but there are no deadlines. I will keep you guys updated.

[KC's]

Re: My Project for the last couple of weeks, and the next couple to come.

mama -mia

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: My Project for the last couple of weeks, and the next couple to come.

Looking very good so far. Can't wait for all the after pics. The depth and clarity you are getting is amazing.

[Underdawg736]

Re: My Project for the last couple of weeks, and the next couple to come.

Excellent turn around! The car looks great now for being 10 and only having 28k on the odo. So what happened to the front end for it to be repainted 3 times?

[MDetail]

Re: My Project for the last couple of weeks, and the next couple to come.

The reason it has been painted a few times is because he had some rock chips, then he scraped the bumper on a curb, then a few more rock chips. He used to be VERY nit picky about the car. It seemed like every time he took it to the dealer, he took it back to fix something they did wrong. But now that he is getting older (only 53) I think he is spending his time and energy elsewhere. From the last paint, it seems the dealer prepped it incorrectly and it was left with deep sanding marks which I think can only be removed by a re-paint.

[Ganesa]

Re: My Project for the last couple of weeks, and the next couple to come.

great work, and great pictures you've taken..
im new to photography just got my canon rebel xsi/450d with the lens kit, guess I need to be learning a few tips and tricks from you.. what lens would you recommend?

btw, were you only using a DA?

[makaveli86]

Re: My Project for the last couple of weeks, and the next couple to come.

Amazing.... wanna do mine? I'll get you a haircut!!

[Andy M.]

Re: My Project for the last couple of weeks, and the next couple to come.

Great work! Thanks for sharing!

Andy M.

[MDetail]

Re: My Project for the last couple of weeks, and the next couple to come.

great work, and great pictures you've taken..
im new to photography just got my canon rebel xsi/450d with the lens kit, guess I need to be learning a few tips and tricks from you.. what lens would you recommend?

btw, were you only using a DA?

Which lens is the kit lens with the rebel now? If you are new at photography I would recommend sticking with the kit lens, and then really think about what things you want to shoot, while you get used to the camera, and save up some money for a new lens. When I had my first camera I bought 2 cheap lenses, which suited me well, but now that I have moved up I always plan to spend a descent amount of cash for a good lens that will last me forever. If you have questions feel free to pm me or email, m.schoelen@yahoo.com

Yes I have only been using the DA with only megs pads.

Amazing.... wanna do mine? I'll get you a haircut!!

You know I sat here a while and thought about it, I want to go back to Canada, it is so beautiful there! When I was 10 or 12 I went to Banff, I loved it.

[MDetail]

Re: My Project for the last couple of weeks, and the next couple to come.

Finally DONE!! There were still some RIDS, and I didn't have time to dig the wax out of the front window washer nozzles, and maybe a couple of other things. In all I am happy with the outcome, considering my dad said the paint will never look like new (I know he is going to try to take better care of it, but not 100%.)

Here was my work chair, I found that the cup holder comes in handy to place your polish/wax whatever you are using.


Before


After


Before - Is it crazy to even clean the keys?


After


Before


After


Before Different Angle (This actually makes it look 10000% better than it was)


After

[MDetail]

Re: My Project for the last couple of weeks, and the next couple to come.

Before


After


Before


Afters




I had more befores of the interior, but I don't have the matching afters. I will just show you what I have from after.







And the finale






Remember this?


Bye Bye

[ziggo99]

Re: My Project for the last couple of weeks, and the next couple to come.

That's the paint, right? Not a mirror or something? Wow, fantastic.

[MDetail]

Re: My Project for the last couple of weeks, and the next couple to come.

Yes that is the paint, the hood. It was after I finally found the right combo for the paint, and applied one coat of wax. Thanks for the compliment!