Well a friend of mine just bought this truck and called me to detail it for him. It had less than 500 miles on it so I got lucky and the interior was a breeze. Since the interior was a breeze I added an extra step to the paint protection process for him and I really liked the way it came out. I am still amazed at how much better even brand new cars can look. Well this was a pretty simple detail but the end results were pretty good. I used a few products that I had never posted about so I'll do a little review in here as well. Here's what I did: Engine: Well I changed things up from my usual and tried the CD-2 engine detailer. I have found that there is a learning curve with this stuff. This was my 3rd time using it and my results have gotten better each time. First I lightly rinsed, sprayed on MS SGS, agitated bad areas with a brush, rinsed again and dried with a leaf blower. Next I sprayed the engine with CD-2. I like how it comes off in a foam. I did find that if I go slower than I do with most engine dressings like Stoners More Shine then I got much better and even coverage. I do this step first because you are suppose to leave the hood up for 20 minutes to let it air dry. While I'm waiting on that I can do the tires and wheels. After the 20 mins you shut the hood and crank the engine for a few to get it to "bake" on. I'm getting better with it each time I use it and I got a couple of cans from MotorCity and a can from OrngeZ so I should have plenty to practice with. I also don't think I use as much of the CD-2 as I do with Stoners More Shine. Tires/Wheels: I used CGs Blue Citrus Wheel Cleaner on the wheels. I dilute it 1:1 and it does a great job. One thing to note is that if you are going to use this cleaner you MUST get a foamer spray head for the bottle. FMINUS told me this and I tried using it without one and it wasn't very good. I had more on the driveway than the wheel. Well I got the foamer head (thanks FMINUS) and the foam clings to the wheel and does a great job. Its gentle yet cleans really well. This will be my new go to wheel cleaner unless I come across some really nasty wheels. I may try it straight when I do get a really bad set. The wheels were cleaned with OrngeZ's wheel sticks and my Swissvax wheel brush. The wheel sticks are the best, I can clean the inside barrel of the wheel and wear a white shirt and not come away looking like a dalmation. Love my SW brush as well and I'm still on the first one I ordered several months ago. The tires and wells got Majestic Solutions Super Green Stuff at 4:1. The tires were dressed with CGs VRP (man I love this stuff) and a CGs tire applicator. The wells were dressed with CGs Bare Bones. If you have not used this stuff you are simply missing out. I have heard the same thing about Adams Undercarriage Spray, so one of these two should be in everyone's arsenal. I applied CGs Jetseal to the wheels and buffed off with the MFs that Tonya sent me. Glass: Glass inside and out got CGs Glass Cleaner. Wiped on with a CGs El Gordo MF and wiped off with an eShine Dehydrator. I got the small dehydrators from Chris at eShine and they are the perfect size for making the glass look incredible. I really hate doing glass but these make the job so much easier. I then treated all the outside glass with AW. This stuff is great on outside glass as rain just runs off the glass like someone is chasing it! At about 40 mph you don't even need your wipers! Interior: Well the interior was almost perfect so not much to do but vacuum and dress the interior for protection. I washed the rubber floor mats with Totally Awesome APC. The vents and nooks and crannies were brushed out with the Megs Slide lock brush. This brush works great on interiors, thanks MotorCity for talking me into that (I bought two). The interior was protected/dressed with CGs Silk Shine. I really like this stuff, I know its CGs and I love it ..... Shock :yikes:! It looks like 303 interior protectant but smells really nice. It was wiped on with the TW MF mitten from Big Lots. Man this thing made application a breeze. It made it so easy that I went back to Big Lots afterward and bought all they had. Door jambs were wiped down with Adams Detail Spray, which is one of my favorite QDs. Since the leather was brand new it was wiped down with CGs Liquid Leather. Cleans and conditions and leaves a great leather smell. Wash: I used my Karcher electric pw and my foam cannon. I used CGs Citrus Wash and Gloss in the foam cannon. Top of the truck was washed with the Griots wash mop. Man this thing is better than my boars hair brush. This things head is exactly like the green chenille MF mitts that look like a fraggle. That is my favorite mitt and now it's on a stick!!! I don't have to worry about micro marring with this like I worry about with the boars hair brush. The rest of the truck was washed with a grout sponge. I used a rolling Griots bucket with grit gaurd for my rinse bucket. The bugs got Poorboys Bug Squash and Pinnacle Safe Scrub. Chrome/Trim: I used Klasse AIO on all the chrome bumpers and step rails. It was applied with a 3.5" white pad and polishing pal. All the black trim got Majestic Solutions Quick Details. This stuff is as good as Stoners More Shine and smells like bubble gum. Paint: Now comes the fun part! :applause2: I just wanted to clean the paint first so I used the Lusso Revitalizing Creme that I got from Phil at DD. I applied it with the Flex on speed 4 with a white 6" Sonus pad. I still say that is the very best pad bar none for use with the Flex and the 5.5" bp! eShine is running a great sale on them so you should stock up if you have the Flex! I was amazed at how dirty the pad was afterwards and from a brand new truck! Well my next few steps came from P1et and that detail he did of the black Montero. I did make a slight variation and was really pleased with the end results. First I used CGs Wet Mirror Finish. I know most say its best going on after the LSP but I have had really good success with it underneath the sealant. Might not be the exact way it was intended to be used but it sure works for me! I've done it 4 or 5 times and been amazed with the end product everytime. I applied the WMF with a 4" gray LC CCS pad and the polishing pal and buffed off with a DD blue MF. Next up was CGs Jetseal applied with a red LC CCS pad and the polishing pal. After about 45 minutes that was buffed off with a CGs green edgeless MF. Next up was Lusso Oro. P1et and FMINUS have had great success topping Jetseal with this highly underrated and phenomenal wax so I decided to give it a whirl. I applied it with a 4" blue LC CCS pad and the polishing pal and remove it with a CGs green edgeless MF. Then before I took it back I decided to wipe it down with ClearKote Quickshine QD. FMINUS had sent me some of this stuff and it has become my favorite QD for dark color cars. It was applied and wiped off with a Cookie Monster MF from eShine. Just wondering if many of you wipe a car down with a QD after a full detail right before the owner getting the car back? I had never done it but it just seemed to give it even a little more pop. That was the first time I had tried it and I don't know may have just been overkill but would love to know if anyone else does this. Well here are the pics, no interiors since it didn't look much different from when I got it: Some random and reflection shots: This may become my new signature shot. How's that FMINUS!
Goodness GOODNESS! That is some seriously WET WET paint. I always appreciate your write-ups, very informative and I always learn something new. Keep up the great work Wolf!!! And remember: you are still the wheel and TIRE king!!!
The paint looks great..i can't stand seeing all the orange peel lately it takes away a bit of what would have been a phenominal job...by the way the VRP looks outstanding on the tires...they have nice matte look , smooth finish not greasy...
dude your halirious!!! awesome looking truck and great job getting it to better than new!!! have to agree with Joe P, the orange peel distorts the reflection cause it throws the light in so many directions, but it still looks awesome. only thing i don't like about those trucks is the tail pipe.... stupid retarted Oh yeah... I also found that Meg's Wheel Brite works great on chrome running boards!!! along with a black schmitt to clean, just like doing exhaust tips
Sweet mother just look at that engine bay wow, what a difference you made to it Wolf :worship: the reflection of the vehicle is incredable well done there Wolf wow what a difference you made on it :applause2: :applause2: Thank you for sharing with us oh I like your signature shot very nice :thumb:
Thanks Thanks for all your help too mate. When I do the wheels I think "Can't let Piet down"! Thanks joe p! I agree with you and Dust on the orange peel. I'm going to ask the owner how much extra he had to pay to get that option! VRP is some great stuff and like you said gives a smooth look to it. I am sure he will be replacing the tail pipe soon that look is not his style. Yet another thing for me to give him a hard time about. Man I didn't even think of using the wheel brite on the step rails. Brother you are always teaching me something!:headbang: Thanks Calgary I learn so much here I try to include everything with hopes of being able to help out here too. Oh and FMINUS gave me the hook up on the shirt!!!:mounty:
Thanks Nica, like I said the CD-2 has somewhat of a learning curve but I'm starting to get the hang of it and liking the look a lot. See I'm learning from those great informative write ups you do. Man I just wish I was patient enough to include the pics of process like you do. I get so jacked while detailing that I forget about the camera. Hey you got me doing my interiors better so there's hope for pic taking during the detail! Thanks Pat after seeing your work that is truely a compliment!
Great Job and right up....it looks real nice....and the engine came out 10+....yes your wheels and wells look great also... Another great Job Al
Very nice work as always mate Love your write up, so informativ and including. Just like being there with you The car came out great, very nice. Wet and reflectiv
yet another top nitch job and write up from you bro... Glad you are getting the hang of the cd2, it gives a totally different look than the stoners.. more matte less bling wouldn't you agree? Nice shirt!
WOW what a write up!!!! Great great work!!! You MUST enter this in this month's contest... You got MY VOTE!!!!!
Thanks Al I thought about using the other sealant but got greedy since I have 2 more of my own cars that would like it. Glad you liked it pirex. After seeing your VW I can't imagine what Concours would have looked like on it. Glad you liked the write up I think I get carried away with it sometimes and include too much Thanks Brutha! Yeah the CD-2 is more matte that the Stoners. I know the owner very well and bling is not his style so I thought this would be perfect for him and it didn't disappoint me or him! Oh yeah you gotta love the shirt, but it's just a relabeled Dust2Glory shirt :yikes:! Maybe subconsciously that's why I didn't use the other sealant on it :whistle: I didn't want the Stealth to get jealous! Thanks for the compliment. Man I wish you were on the voting panel! I told you there would be one pic I knew you would like! Thanks Asphalt now if I can just take the next step we were talking about, I'll be golden! Hopefully with some of your instruction it won't take as long as I thought!
awesome work as always wolf, thats a nice truck, amazing how much better it looks after a pro detail even though its brand new. I always worry about removing the LSP when its fresh by QDing the vehicle, what do you think? Im gonna have to play with the WMF sample you sent me, when I get a dark colored car to do...
Thanks bro and as far as the QDing thats one of the things I was wondering about. It did give it a really nice shine though. I need someone to chime in that knows more about the QDs than I do.
