Wheels/Tires: Sonax Full Effect Wheel Cleaner and Meguiar's Deep Crystal on wheels Meguiar's APC on tires Meguiar's Hyper Dressing on tires Wash: CG Citrus Wash and Gloss via 2BM Meguiar's Microfiber Wash Mitt Clay: Meguiar's OTC Clay Meguiar's Last Touch Paint Correction: Meguiar's G100 / 3.5" and 5" LC Backing Plates Meguiar's M105 / LC HT Tangerine Pads Optimum Poli-seal / LC White Pads Craftsman 500W Halogen Lights LSP: DP Poli-coat / LC Black Pad Engine: Meguiar's Super Degreaser Meguiar's APC Meguiar's Hyper Dressing Various Brushes Trim: Meguiar's Ultimate Protectant Interior: Meguiar's Quik Interior Detailer The owner of this car wanted to to have the car detailed in preparation of selling it. The owner said that the car had been sitting outside for who knows how long and it definitely shows. The paint has been severely oxidized and stained from sitting outside the hot Arizona sun. It had a lot of water spots and scuff marks as well. The paint was like faded yellow and the reflections were dull and lifeless. Needless to say, the car has seen better days. Here are some before shots of the car: I'm sorry as I don't have any pictures during the wash process. I washed the car at night to get away from the Arizona heat. However, here are some pictures of the claying process: After 1/4 of the hood After 1/4 of the roof The paint was indeed very contaminated especially with the horizontal surfaces. I threw away my clay bar after using it with this car. It pretty much trashed my clay. The owner of this car opted for the 1 step AIO polish package. This has been the first customer who picked this package and I was planning to use Optimum Poli-seal with some LC White Polishing pads. I tried using it but boy it barely made a dent... The oxidation, water spots and scuff marks were etched in the paint pretty deep. I can do some improvement but it required multiple passes. Being the OCD me, I stepped it up even if the owner will be paying for the 1 step AIO package. I just wanted to make a difference where the owner will leave impressed. I chose to do a hybrid where in I'll be using M105 with some LC HT tangerine pads followed by Optimum Poli-seal with some LC white polishing pads on the top 3/4 of the car. I pretty much used the Optimum Poli-seal with the LC white polishing pads on the rocker panels and the lower parts of the bumpers. That's right, M105 to the rescue!!! :woot2 Here are some polishing process pictures: 50/50 shot of the trunk Rear Passenger Quarter Before: Scratches and Water Spots Rear Passenger Quarter After: GONE! Another Rear Passenger Quarter 50/50 Shot Rear Passenger Quarter 2 Before: Scratches Rear Passenger Quarter 2 After: GONE! Rear Passenger Quarter 3 Before: Nasty Scuff Marks Rear Passenger Quarter 3 After: GONE! Passenger Side Door Before: Nasty Scuff Marks Passenger Side Door After: GONE! Passenger Side Door 50/50 Passenger Side Front Fender Before: Swirls and Scratches Passenger Side Front Fender After: Clarity Restored Passenger Side Front Fender 2 Before: Some weird stains and water spots Passenger Side Front Fender 2 After: Clarity Restored 50/50 Shot on the hood 50/50 Shot on the Driver Side Rear Quarter Panel. You can see the water spots on the right half of the picture which distorts and dulls out the reflection. Polishing the paint restored the clarity and gloss of the paint. Another 50/50 shot of the same spot using halogen lights. Front Bumper Before: Nasty Scuff Mark Front Bumper After: New bumper??? Driver Side Headlight Before Driver Side Headlight 50/50 Passenger Side Headlight Before Passenger Side Headlight After Applying Ultimate Protectant On The Front Honey Comb Grille 50/50 Shot of the Trim with Ultimate Protectant
Afters / Photoshoot: Approximate time: 10-12 Hours. What do you guys think? Opinions, comments and criticisms are welcome! The owner was very thrilled when he first saw the car.
A big difference has been made, nice work. Don't sell yourself short though, once you get a bit more experience, you will be able to tell if one of your packages will be able to effect change on a car. Then you can sell the customer on the benefits of stepping up from the AIO package and ensure you are getting paid for the work performed.
Excellent job. Nice turnaround! Hopefully you shared with the customer the additional paint correction stage you performed for free because of your high standards.
nice job im sure your customer was very happy. Those head lights were nasty and it looks like you did a great job.
Thanks Sal! Thanks for the kind words and advice Rcrew! I really appreciate that. It's just hard trying to get people to pay up for the proper detailing services here. They always try to compare your prices with gas station detailing which I think is ridiculous. I need to man up and just charge them what I think is right. Thanks again! Thanks Brian! I did tell him of the extra services performed and he gave me a tip for it. I just feel bad changing the price of what I quoted him. He's bringing in another car and I think I'll up the charge for that.
Excellent work, and great "Executive Decision" when your name has to go on it. That really is a great turnaround. Mike
this car turned out pretty awesome. Im the same wayas you are when a customer comes in and ask for something and what they ask for ends up not being enough. I just go ahead step it up.
