Kale's (beginner) Detailing Thread

[bmwohio]

Well, after many discussions and much help from Kyle (M0nk3y), I went ahead and pulled the trigger this past weekend on a new Random Orbital and a whole slew of new products to detail the fleet. They are set to be delivered tomorrow. I ordered everything from detailedimage.com.

 

I have been detailing cars since I could drive, so I know a few of the 'tricks of the trade'. My dad has a DA Orbital too, so I do have some experience using one, but am no expert by any stretch of the imagination. I joined the Autogeek forum too, and have been studying threads and YouTube videos this past week. It's supposed to rain this weekend, but it's supposed to be in the 60's so i'm hoping to set-up shop in my garage with the worklight and get a car or two done.

 

I have 2 black BMW's (with some NASTY swirling in the paint) and we just got my wife a 2009 Acura MDX that is in need of some major paint correction (swirls, dull paint, surface scratches, etc).

 

I will be doing before and after shots here, and hopefully I will become much better at this trade.

 

Feel free to chime in with any helpful advice :bigthumb:

 

Hopefully we can all learn something.

 

The products I bought:

 

Porter Cable 7424XP Random Orbital Buffer

http://www.coastaltool.com/a/port/images/7424xp_features.gif

 

Meguiar's Ultra-Cut Compound M105 - 32 oz

http://www.rollupandshine.com/ekmps/shops/rollupandshine/images/meguiars-m105-ultra-cut-compound-946ml-32oz-597-p.jpg

 

1 Meguiar's Ultra Finishing Polish M205 - 32 oz

http://www.detailedimage.com/products/auto/389_1_lw_1385.jpg

 

1 Poorboy's World Natty's Red Paste Wax - 8 oz

http://www.detailedimage.com/products/auto/31_1_lw_2382.jpg

 

1 Klasse High Gloss Sealant Glaze (HGSG) - 500 ml

http://www.detailedimage.com/products/auto/55_1_lw_2898.jpg

 

....and of course all the pads I need for the Orbital

 

2 Lake Country Red Foam Applicator Pad

2 Lake Country Blue Fine Finishing Pad - 5.5 inch

2 Lake Country Hydro Tech Tangerine Ultra Fine Polishing Pad - 5.5 inch

2 Lake Country Hydro Tech Cyan Light Cutting and Polishing Pad - 5.5 inch

1 Lake Country Rotary Hook & Loop 5" Backing Plate - 125 mm

 

All this stuff was a free with my order, so that's coming too.......

 

DetailedImage.com License Plate Frame $0.00

Detailed Image Kneeling Pad - 12" x 12" $0.00

DetailedImage.com Silver Vinyl Sticker $0.00

Detailed Image Garage Banner - 2' x 5' $0.00

 

I was in need of some new Microfiber, so I got some today from Advance Autoparts. They carry Griot's Garage Products, so I got a few of their products and some of the off brands too.

 

http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae245/bmwohio/A0E27B5C-C70E-4EDB-A342-372132B91066-767-000001136D41FBF0.jpg

 

Can't wait to try this stuff out this weekend

[AudiOn19s]

Solid choices. E36's have surprisingly hard paint, the Acura paint will be much easier to learn on in terms of seeing results in a shorter working period.

 

Text or call if you have questions or need help

[bmwohio]

Solid choices. E36's have surprisingly hard paint, the Acura paint will be much easier to learn on in terms of seeing results in a shorter working period.

 

Text or call if you have questions or need help

 

Good to know about paint hardness.

 

Thanks.

[cruizin01]

I consider myself pretty amateur and use mostly the same products you are buying. I use a griots random orbital with 105 and 205 and have good success. Been topping it with Menzerna sealer but am gonna switch to 22PLE glass coating. Im lazy and always seem to never get back to applying more coats of sealer before it needs polished again. I hope the 22PLE works as well as Esoteric says it does. :-)

[bmwohio]

All my stuff arrives today.....going to do my hood only tomorrow since i don't have time to do the whole car.

 

I'll update with before/after pics tomorrow. Maybe a short vid.

 

We will see how it goes.......

[bmwohio]

The goods have arrived! :marc:

 

http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae245/bmwohio/E97E89D6-BACA-4D13-9F56-3CA90EF0D391-664-000000EBBB8F0C61.jpg

http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae245/bmwohio/09AD05AC-BE55-41E6-8BA6-2CEAD5BE461E-664-000000EBC264F48C.jpg

[bmwohio]

Alright, we're back in business and I plan to compound polish, fine polish, sealant, and wax the paint on my wife's car this weekend......

 

Dirty MDX:

http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae245/bmwohio/MDX%20Detail/BE5A0FFD-D4FB-44F1-BE90-356EC300C7EB-229-0000002013D51EAA.jpg

 

Two bucket method for a bath:

http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae245/bmwohio/MDX%20Detail/FACE1858-4682-4752-8277-D1E16B6D11E5-229-000000202F87FB3E.jpg

 

After about 1.5 hours of claying, she is prepped and ready for Saturday's compound, fine polish, sealant, and wax

 

http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae245/bmwohio/MDX%20Detail/03CF0839-2F35-43EA-A1A8-EE476F62F917-229-000000203D992951.jpg

http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae245/bmwohio/MDX%20Detail/82C1061B-EC0E-497C-B195-8DD5B1AFBF14-229-000000203600083F.jpg

 

 

More to come Saturday........

 

Here's a sneak peek of the swirls on the E39....can't wait to knock this out too....

 

http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae245/bmwohio/016719F0-79C8-443B-9803-9412D92F15EA-1360-000001D79046F51C.jpg?t=1354829854

Edited December 17, 2012 by bmwohio

[DaddyBuiltRacing]

I have always been intrigued by this but have never really attempted it outside of a basic wetsand/buffing. I wouldn't mind someone with more knowledge coming over one day and teaching me

[bmwohio]

First, I would join this forum and start lurking. ALOT of good info, and a lot of smart dudes on here.

 

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/

 

This is a good youtube channel

 

http://www.youtube.com/user/autogeek

 

Check under the playlists, there are great categories. I have been watching these videos for the past 2 weeks, and have learned a TON. Also 'like' the 'autogeek' and 'detailed image' Facebook pages.

 

This is a good read too:

 

http://home.comcast.net/~michael.cohen1/Detailing_Hand_Book.pdf

 

Here is a good playlist for learning on a DA (specifically the PC 7424XP- which is what I got)

 

 

Enjoy!

[M0nk3y]

Can't wait to see how the Acura turns out. Have fun!

[Das Borgen]

oooouuhh

 

shiny thing

[WrxRcr]

So your already faster than me and now your car is going to be shinier than mine.

[Das Borgen]

Ryan,

You're selling yourself short

[bmwohio]

Well, I had a pretty busy Saturday. I set-up shop in the garage and got started. HUGE thanks to Andy (AudiOn19s) for coming over and showing me the ropes and just making sure I didn't eff up too bad

 

I didn't really get many pictures during the whole process. It took me about 6 hours to do everything being that it was my first time doing this, and making sure I was doing everything right. Also, Andy gave me some great tips, and was showing me pointers here and there along the way....thank again Andy....it was a huge help and greatly appreciated.

 

Steps done were:

 

Wash

Clay

Meguiars 105

Meguiars 205

Klasse Sealant

 

Wax will come soon.....

 

Onto the pics!

 

The finished product as soon as I was done that night

http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae245/bmwohio/MDX%20Detail/0CFDF67C-150F-4CF0-9129-CD2DE2866F2B-2738-000002E61C4BF62A.jpg

 

The finished product the next morning

http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae245/bmwohio/MDX%20Detail/64043214-6B27-41F0-B04B-7EC5E227BAC6-2738-000002E6AC2B7DBA.jpg

 

It's amazing what 105 will do to light lens'.....it's basically a lens restoration kit too

 

 

Before 105(notice the swirls)

http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae245/bmwohio/MDX%20Detail/BF7B2013-0836-4602-8F15-A3C9FF5931A1-2738-000002E5B82367FE.jpg

 

After 105(swirls are gone)

http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae245/bmwohio/MDX%20Detail/E028047F-1078-4786-A22E-D8654C63B6E6-2738-000002E5C0FE809B.jpg

 

The aftermath, getting ready to clean up

http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae245/bmwohio/MDX%20Detail/1FA04FC8-FB8F-4725-AC48-16F8ABA8BE16-2738-000002E624C1F229.jpg

 

Making sure stuff was taped off so you don't get compound in cracks and crevices because it's a pain to get out

http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae245/bmwohio/MDX%20Detail/C26720EA-ADB4-40F3-9851-36755D9D6969-2738-000002E60C00AD02.jpg

 

more finished shots

http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae245/bmwohio/MDX%20Detail/A3E086AF-3B78-4C1E-AA36-C81AD48CAEEE-2738-000002E613088C63.jpg

 

Couple of panel reflection shots

http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae245/bmwohio/MDX%20Detail/CC422933-EF66-4CD9-9F70-CBEBE5607432-2738-000002E63A22B373.jpg

 

http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae245/bmwohio/MDX%20Detail/546FD2AE-6589-4FD4-8742-91504A5FDEC2-2738-000002E63464CA0E.jpg

 

http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae245/bmwohio/MDX%20Detail/6C88784E-0297-4E18-B7E3-F793AE6EE96D-2738-000002E6467C7D1A.jpg

[bmwohio]

More shots from the next day

 

http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae245/bmwohio/MDX%20Detail/8C348912-5C45-4228-8C6C-02E418667F63-2738-000002E6B3184C34.jpg

http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae245/bmwohio/MDX%20Detail/BED2380A-C41A-44F3-A016-B575DF20EED7-2738-000002E6CD3A4BDB.jpg

 

http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae245/bmwohio/MDX%20Detail/8B38FE41-DABE-47B4-9277-DFA6259E1BBA-2738-000002E6C0C7A8BF.jpg

 

http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae245/bmwohio/MDX%20Detail/F33EBF2A-7E4E-487E-BCD6-347297084FA1-2738-000002E6C6B25EC3.jpg

http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae245/bmwohio/MDX%20Detail/IMG_9504.jpg

http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae245/bmwohio/MDX%20Detail/IMG_9503.jpg

http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae245/bmwohio/MDX%20Detail/IMG_9502.jpg

http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae245/bmwohio/MDX%20Detail/IMG_9500.jpg

 

the final shot parked under the lights at the mall tonight while we were out doing some Christmas shopping.....I think it looks pretty damn good....overall I'm happy with the results

 

http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae245/bmwohio/MDX%20Detail/9DFDF208-0038-4701-992E-667C804AE914-2738-000002E6D32A2BF5.jpg

[RC K9]

Very nice. I have thought about learning how to properly wash, wax, and seal. I am not going to lie though, the prospect intimidates me.

[bmwohio]

Very nice. I have thought about learning how to properly wash, wax, and seal. I am not going to lie though, the prospect intimidates me.

 

It can seem intimidating. Although, knowledge is power, and once you learn you will surely understand the process. For me there is still a lot to learn, but I feel much more comfortable after doing my first car, and will probably feel more and more comfortable with each subsequent car that I do.

[bmwohio]

Couple more products came today, going to FINALLY knock out the E39 tomorrow. More pics to come over the weekend.....

 

http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae245/bmwohio/FA682693-04C5-4670-8CB3-7F37665EDD8A-4205-0000048A2F869440.jpg

[bmwohio]

Ready for battle tomorrow. Going after the E39........

 

http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae245/bmwohio/9FB9DBE1-7D42-406C-AA6B-8D7DEAF8E65F-5027-000004E127D68E3B.jpg

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[Mr. Jones]

Wow, nice collection.

 

I have some cars that need detailed. :megusta:

[bmwohio]

Ok, all finished. I'm exhausted so here a some iPhone pics. I took some with the DSLR too and will post at a later time. Will do wax topper tmrw.

 

Wash and dry

Clay

105

205

Menz 4500 (PO85rd) (only on larger body panels)

Klasse high gloss sealant glaze

Wax to come: nattys red and souvergn

 

The 'set-up'

 

http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae245/bmwohio/A5CE285A-B54D-4FFA-A4D8-65C3DA7873DF-6218-0000075A4259CF60.jpg

 

Here's what bird crap etchings look like. This was on the hood.

 

http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae245/bmwohio/505E92BF-91FB-46A3-9167-0DADB509AE3F-6218-0000075A608939F1.jpg

 

Trunk before

 

http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae245/bmwohio/90FFE8B0-9365-4FFE-AB99-5E13EC02F420-6218-0000075A80EC3D54.jpg

 

Trunk after

http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae245/bmwohio/E36403C2-2D2E-423E-9F2B-0CF2169C589E-6218-0000075A98C9C738.jpg

 

Finished shots.....

 

http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae245/bmwohio/5A8EB3E6-610A-4315-BF69-E42F565E9542-6218-0000075AA62F03BB.jpg

http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae245/bmwohio/96397F5C-377B-4369-BF42-D91644CC33D5-6218-0000075AADE3B564.jpg

 

Was starting to rain ever so slightly. You can see drops on paint.

http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae245/bmwohio/03AD4698-0133-404D-9F8C-823D53B447DC-6218-0000075ABFAC156D.jpg

 

De-badged since I was going to polish anyway

 

http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae245/bmwohio/A1F764C8-A3BC-4F51-8C6D-6A2A8AD0C2E8-6218-0000075ACC6F090C.jpg

 

http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae245/bmwohio/777B4640-F074-4788-A9F6-B838E8FEB833-6218-0000075AD23B3857.jpg

http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae245/bmwohio/79EC63C0-3D87-4DE0-9926-6606786E2671-6218-0000075AD77EC8B7.jpg

 

Trunk deck lid

http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae245/bmwohio/42A1785C-7A65-4530-A060-F0FFE6ACF5A1-6218-0000075ADCBAF865.jpg

http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae245/bmwohio/DB4CD468-E0E1-4536-B43A-73F53526F785-6218-0000075AE1F8AF75.jpg

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[zeitgeist57]

Wow. You reminded me of my old C4 Corvette that also had black paint, and a couple of bird poop etched spots like your 5-series.

 

Awesome results!!!

[justinwebb]

how much do you charge? looks great!

[SLOWLX]

I also like the 105 and 205 worked Awesome on my Black Mustang

[dsm_sleeper]

Nice work, Kale!