December Entry - 06 Black Volvo S40

Hey guys. This is my pride and joy, my first car, my Black Volvo S40. Purchased her only two weeks ago, and she has been sitting in my garage ever since. This cars paint was in absolutely terrible condition, by far the worst I’ve seen. The car had two previous owners, and it was quite clear they used and abused it. Car was covered in the works, you name a defect, she had it. The work was done over a week, as I was studying for finals and what not. The paint is still far from perfect but I’d say I was able to get ~90-95% correction. Enough blabber…onto the pictures! (After the list of products )


Products used:

Wash
Zep Citrus (3:1 as APC)
Duragloss Carwash Concentrate (4.5oz/4gal)
Zep Purple Degreaser (Only on engine bay and wheels - 8:1)
Zep Citrus (Full strength on engine and wheels)
P21S Wheel Gel (2:1)
Duragloss 821 (FS)
Sonus Green Ultra Fine Clay
Meguiar's Quick Detailer (FS as clay lube)

Tools used on wash:
MF Wash Mitt
Various MF Rags (to assist in the drying process)
Shop vac (put on reverse, used like a leaf blower as drying aid)
Wool Wash Mitt
EZ Detail Brush
Tooth brush (Used )
Two 5-Gallon Buckets + GG
Various brushes with stiff bristles (used on wheel wells.)



Interior
Zep Citrus (5:1 Dilution)
DG 321 Non Silicone Dressing
Eagle One Glass Cleaner

Tools used on interior:
Various brushes
Vacuum Cleaner + attachments
MF Towels
Cotton Towels



Wheel Dressing
DG 105
Klasse AIO
Meg's Hot Shine Wheel Dressing, just trying to use it up.

Tools used to dress wheels:
Multiple Foam Applicators
Cotton Towels



Polishing
M205/105 Combo
Menzerna IP (Used by hand underneath door handles)
CG Ez Crème Acrylic Shine II
LC 6.5" Orange Pad
LC 6.5" White Pad
LC 6.5” Black Pad

Tools used in polishing process:
PC 7424
Backing Plate
Various MF Towels
Three 500w Halogen lights



Last Step Product + Misc.
CG 5050
DG 951 Aquawax (Used as touch up)
Optimum Metal Polish (used on exhaust)
Klasse AIO (For front grill)
DG 321 (Used to dress the door seals and exterior trim)

Tools used during LSP application:
Cotton Towels
MF Towels
Two 500w Halogen Lights (used for final inspections)



Engine Wash + Dressing
Meguiar's Hyperdressing (2:1 Dilution)
Zep Citrus (Full strength)
Zep Purple Degreaser (8:1)

Tools used on engine:
Hose
Shop vac (reversed to aid drying)
Various Brushes
Cotton Towels
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A rough run-down of my process:

1. Thorough rinse of the wheels.
2. Spray P21S Wheel Gel + Zep Citrus on - leave for ~one minute.
3. Agitate wheels with various brushes.
4. Rinse car.
5. Wash car using the 2-bucket method.
6. Clay car using Meguiar's Quick Detailer as lube.
7. Quick rinse.
8. Pat dry using MF towels and a reversed shop vac as drying aid.
9. Compound with M105 with a LC orange pad on a PC. (Spread on 3, work on 6.)
10. Jewel with M205 with a LC white pad on a PC. (5)
11. Apply CG EZ Crème with a LC black pad on a PC. (5)
12. Clean all jambs.
13. Thorough rinse of the vehicle.
14. Re-wash car using the 2-bucket method.
15. Dry using same method mentioned above.
16. Apply LSP to car including jambs.
17. Vacuum and clean interior.
18. Dress interior and clean glass.
    

And finally…Onto the pictures! :applause2:



After half of the driver’s side door.

HALF of the hood.

After my inspection found this baby. Not sure what caused it.









Well. I told you it was the worst paint I’ve ever seen.





And the carnage continues…

I’m not very good at taking “during” shots, so the next set are a after a few days of working on the vehicle. I had just about finished with M205/105 at this point, and EZ crème had been applied on the later photos.​

Wasn’t able to get very good after shots. Camera used was a Nikon D40. Waited a week for the weather to clear up and no such luck. Decided I would deal with it and run out and snap a few quick shots. Rain + breeze ftl. Anyways, here is what I was able to snap.












































^^My favorite shot of the bunch.
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As always, comments, questions, and criticism are welcome. I'm definitely looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the write up, and areas that can be tweaked for improvement. Thanks for looking!

Chris

 

Great job Chris. Good luck this month.

 

Chris...GREAT job on so many levels! Great writeup. Great photos (I can't get over how tiny those beads are!) Great work. The clarity of the reflections is just awesome. Shows you what a pc can really do!! You got yourself an awesome new car, bud. Those tires should do you well for the winter too...have you got another set of tires/wheels for it?

 

great job man ... the smoked tail lights look really good:thumb:

 

Great writeup and awesome job!

 

Beautiful work, came out very nice!

 

Thanks! Good luck to you too

Thanks Richy, I can't afford a new set of wheels/tires yet, blew everything on the car/insurance. I believe in suspension first so in the new year she'll be slammed on coilovers .

Thanks man!

Thanks Justin! When I get some more detailing money I'll be placing an order for some goodies for her

Thanks! :worship2:

 

Great job Chris, good luck with your entry!

 

awesome job!!!

 

First car eh? Very nice. Good luck.

 

Thanks guys really does mean alot

And yep, first car. Been saving my money since 6th grade lol, so I really do love it

 

Very nice!!

I wish I had waited and saved more for my first car.... I rushed out and bought what I could afford right away.... patience is rewarded...

Excellent correction, I can't wait to try the megs twins out!

 

Great job consider the initial look of the car!

 

great work.:thumb: