Per Nica, I am posting this here as I was having some issues with posting in the monthly competition section. Please move to monthly competition as discussed via PM. Thanks! Here goes: This was a 2-3 year old white pearlescent Lexus ES330. I don't think it had been washed in who knows how long, and when it was it looked like it was by the swirl-o-matic car wash. As mentioned below in the wash section it was around 8-15 degrees most of last weekend. :cold: For the polishing part, I holed up in my dad's heated garage. I did the interior in my garage. Wish I had taken more pics, but with 2 kids and all the coldness going on, it just wasn't happening. Also, on the polishing pics, the white balance may seem a little out of whack. I was using my mom's digital camera instead of mine since I forgot to bring mine to my parents house. You should still get the idea of the swirls that existed. This was a full interior detail and 1 step polish exterior detail. For these 1 step polish details, I usually use Menzerna IP as I'm able to get it to finish down LSP ready with the Flex and an orange pad. It really could've used something a little more abrasive initially to get all the defects out, or a 2nd round with IP, but that just wasn't in the budget. Wash - Wheels with P21s Cleaner Gel - Wheel wells with P21s Total Auto Wash - Engine with P21s Total Auto Wash - The above 3 were done at a self-service car wash in St. Louis last weekend when it was about 9 degrees out. It was freezing on the car faster than I could scrub the areas and rinse down almost. But, you gotta do, what you gotta do. - Washed car with ONR in heated garage Interior - 1z Cockpit Premium on all interior vinyl and plastic - 1z Plastic + Vinyl on tougher stains where people get in and out of car - 1z Leather Cleaner/Conditioner on seats - Vacuum - Windows using Prima Clarity and their MF towel that comes bundled with it (several of them actually) - Carpets and floormats with Adam's Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner and brush from Target. - Door jambs with Adam's QD spray and Costco MF. Also did trunk channels this way. Tires - Dressed with Adam's VRT and applicator sponge Wheels - Due to cold weather, couldn't really agitate when using P21s wheel gel, so also gave them a clean down using Adam's QD and Costco MF to make sure all the dust/dirt was removed - Menzerna FMJ using MF applicator pad and Costco MF - Wheel wells with Adam's Undercarriage Engine - Adam's QD spray with Costco MF towel - Adam's In & Out Spray on black plastic trim Exterior Paint - Clay using Adam's grey clay with Adam's QD as lube and wiping down with Viking MF towels -Polish using Flex 3401 on speed 6 with Menzerna IP and wiping down with MFs from Detailer's Domain. Used several orange Erasure pads for polish stage. - LSP was 1z Glanz Wax using Flex with red Erasure pad wiping down with MFs from DD. - Craftsman halogen lights for spotting defects. Exterior Windows - Cleaned using Prima Clarity - Add more gloss and shine and protection using Adam's QD and Costco MF. I've found this almost gives a RainX effect where water just beads and goes right off the window when driving. Exhaust Tip - Polish using Adam's Metal Polish #1 and MF applicator pad wiping with Costco MF - Applied 1z Glanz for protection Ok, onto the pics: Interior befores: Interior afters: Leather befores: Leather afters: Exterior shots before: Polsihing shots: Hood before Side passenger door before Trunk before up close Another trunk before shot Hood after (sorry best pic I could get with cold weather and early daylight) Side panel 50/50 Another one Trunk afters Up close and personal Finished product exterior: Engine after (sorry no before pic, but usual grease and dirtiness) I just wanted to add that when I was doing most of my polishing and applying sealant on Sundary in my dad's garage, he came out to put a coat of Glanz on his MDX as well. It was kind of like old times when I was kid. Just he and I shining cars. He likes to say that he got me started in the right direction and provided my foundation. Which, he actually did. The heated garage, 32" lcd showing playoffs in HD, and fridge full of beverages didn't hurt as well!!! It was just kind of cool hanging out with him for the afternoon and BS'ing while we went about our business. I know, wish there were a smiley for being sappy...
I agree with FMINUS that picture of the reflection is insane :druling: white is a difficult colour to get such reflection on but it can be done if detailed properly, vehicle looks great. So badly swirled, you did a great job at capturing the swirls with your camera well done :applause: As for the smilies I'm working on it, beleave it or not I'm still missing a few smilies lol. Thank you for sharing with us and best of luck in the competition :thumb: Oh and by the way very nice house, liking the pillards :druling:
Thanks, Phil. Not quite the mirror reflection on yours though!!! You're making me want a Metabo and step up to the big leagues. Actually, I have a Flex rotary (LK 302) that I picked up from ebay for about $56 that I've been meaning to try out. Anyway, thanks for the compliment and nice work yourself. Now, just keep that d@mn M5 on the road!!!
Thanks for the positive feedback, gents. I just wish I had more sun to work with to take some after pics. It was still cold and the wife was waiting with the kiddies to take the car back to the customer.
Well congrats again to DJ and he is now the first winner of the Detailing Bliss Monthly competition. This thread will now be moved over to the Detailing Bliss Alumni Hall of Fame. Now DJ has just qualified to a new competition that I will be anouncing shortly, so stay tooned. Again congrats DJ and thank you to all that participated.
