The Change Up

[smack]

This is a vehicle that I prepped for shipment back to the United States. With the owner and wife completing their tour here in Germany, it is time for them to say their goodbyes as they head back home. Shipping a vehicle to the States in not so much of a problem. The problem is thoroughly cleaning the vehicle from top to bottom removing whatever has built up on the vehicle while in Europe. All the dirt, dust, and other foreign matter must be removed from the vehicle to clear Customs. This kind of detail is more of a scrub down in all areas such as under the hood, in all door jambs, wheel wells, and other areas.
This was a different kind of job for me as I’m used to paint corrections and coatings rather than this kind of detail of work. This was a welcome change. As for the before pictures I am kicking myself for not bringing the camera along to capture them. I am surely paying the price now as all I can provide are the afters.

I did this job two weeks ago in an effort to accomplish the major work and do a touch up the day before it ships.
The major work
Washed with Meguiar’s Hyper wash
Wheels cleaned with Uber wheel cleaner
Wells scrubbed with purple power degreaser and APC.
Tires scrubbed with Meguiar’s APC
Interior thoroughly vacuumed out
Door jambs cleaned with Meguiar’s APC and sealed with D156
Engine bay scrubbed with Meguiar’s APC
Tires, trim, under hood treated with Meguiar’s All Season Dressing
Paint sealed up with D156

The touch up
Complete Rinseless wash with Meguiar’s RFEW
Paint sealed up with D156

[wifpd4]

Re: The Change Up

Very nicely done. I'm afraid of opening hoods, but you really did a great job. The paint looks awesome, great reflections.

[CCC4me]

Re: The Change Up

I'm curious, why the mandated scrub down by customs? Are they afraid of losing some of their dirt to overseas?

[Jarhead0754]

Ever hear of the Asian beetle, or Asian carp? U have to make sure ur not introducing foreign insects, plants, animals into a new environment where they can potentially kill the ecosystem.

[billddrummer]

Re: The Change Up

Ever hear of the Asian beetle, or Asian carp? U have to make sure ur not introducing foreign insects, plants, animals into a new environment where they can potentially kill the ecosystem.

Absolutely right. In the US, there are checkpoints at some state lines for the same reason. (One is at I-80 W between Reno NV and Truckee CA.)

Since the state of CA has a $100 billion agricultural industry, protection from foreign pests is serious business.

This article discusses the medfly epidemic of 1989.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1989_California_medfly_attack

The outcome of the attack was a change in insecticides used for pest control throughout the state.

[CCC4me]

Re: The Change Up

Ever hear of the Asian beetle, or Asian carp? U have to make sure ur not introducing foreign insects, plants, animals into a new environment where they can potentially kill the ecosystem.

Fair enough. Good points I (obviously) didn't consider.

On that point, how much attention is given to the undercarriage on these kinds of cleanings? Did you do anything down there Smack?

[smack]

Re: The Change Up

Very nicely done. I'm afraid of opening hoods, but you really did a great job. The paint looks awesome, great reflections.

Thanks David! I used a foaming sprayer to apply APC under the hood and agitated with various brushes. Then set the hose "gun" to the vertical spray position and rinsed. I made sure I maintained distance and not get to close to induce to much water pressure.

I'm curious, why the mandated scrub down by customs? Are they afraid of losing some of their dirt to overseas?

See responses below on this topic. Plenty of good info given.

Ever hear of the Asian beetle, or Asian carp? U have to make sure ur not introducing foreign insects, plants, animals into a new environment where they can potentially kill the ecosystem.

Absolutely right. In the US, there are checkpoints at some state lines for the same reason. (One is at I-80 W between Reno NV and Truckee CA.)

Since the state of CA has a $100 billion agricultural industry, protection from foreign pests is serious business.

This article discusses the medfly epidemic of 1989.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1989_California_medfly_attack

The outcome of the attack was a change in insecticides used for pest control throughout the state.

Thanks for the follow up information on this subject Gentlemen.

Fair enough. Good points I (obviously) didn't consider.

On that point, how much attention is given to the undercarriage on these kinds of cleanings? Did you do anything down there Smack?

The undercarriage was not bad at all and all that was required was kneeling down beside the vehicle and spraying all areas with the hose. On dirtier vehicles I will grab the pressure washer to clean them.