E46Fanatics - Wes_R x GTR (82 pics)

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- - Wes_R x GTR (82 pics) (http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=937611)

Wes_R x GTR (82 pics)

Hey E46Fanatics,

It's been awhile since my last write up here http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...366&highlight= but I have been a little busy.

I had spoken to this owner over the span of a year and we had finally set up a date to 2 stage polish this Solid Red GT-R some time in the beginning of August. The car was a garage queen and the swirling was not so bad... actually one of the better condition GT-Rs I had worked on but we wanted to get a 9, 9.5 out of 10 correction so we agreed on a 2 stage polish.

Moving on to the write up here is the first walk around the car.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n.../domsgtr/1.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n.../domsgtr/2.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n.../domsgtr/3.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n.../domsgtr/4.jpg

Already noticed a buffer trail that needed to be corrected
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n.../domsgtr/5.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n.../domsgtr/6.jpg

As usual starting with the rims, I cleaned the face and behind with a microfiber wash mitt
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n.../domsgtr/7.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n.../domsgtr/8.jpg

Used my brush to clean the calipers
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n.../domsgtr/9.jpg

A stiff brush to clean the tire wall
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/10.jpg

And my EZ Brush to clean the inner barrel
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/11.jpg

The wheel wells were cleaned also with APC and a curved handle brush
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/12.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/13.jpg

The exhaust was not to bad and was sort of an easy clean up
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/14.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/15.jpg

Moving on to the engine, it was not at all in bad shape but just a little dusty and could use a quick clean up and dressing to make it look new again
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/19.jpg

Dusty
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/20.jpg

All clean and dressed up
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/21.jpg

Artsy Fartsy shot
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/22.jpg

Stop lying
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/23.jpg

I pulled out another detail brush and took care of the tight areas like the vents etc
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/18.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/16.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/17.jpg

Finally getting onto the wash stage the car was foamed down
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/24.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/25.jpg

While the car was foaming I realized I had forgotten to clean the gas tank
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/29.jpg

I 2 Bucket Method washed the car with my natural sea sponge
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/26.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/27.jpg

And rinsed off my sponge in the water only bucket after every panel or half a panel

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/28.jpg

Then dried the car with a plush microfiber towel
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/30.jpg

Brought the car in to clay
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/31.jpg

And it was not in bad shape at all
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/32.jpg

After the claying I measured the paint to see what levels I was working with
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/33.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/34.jpg

I found a section that was repainted and learned that the car had come with a huge scratch from the factory and this section was repainted under warranty which I guess also explains the buffer trail I first noticed
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/35.jpg

repaint
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/36.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/37.jpg

I masked all the rubber trim
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/38.jpg

And now could begin polishing. The combo I opted for was Menzerna SIP with a Orange Lake Country Pad on a Makita rotary. Here are the befores and afters of a few panels

Before
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/39.jpg

After
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/40.jpg

Before
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/41.jpg

After
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/42.jpg

A quick shot of yours truly polishing
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/43.jpg

Before
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/44.jpg

After
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/45.jpg

Before
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/46.jpg

After
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/47.jpg

I alcohol wiped down the car and begin to prepare for the 2nd stage of polishing. The paint was already shining very well but I wanted to push the gloss a little higher so I jeweled the paint with Menzerna Po85RD a white Lake Country pad and my Flex3401.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/48.jpg

Here is a the gloss I was achieving with this combination
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/49.jpg

I gave the paint a 2nd and final alcohol wipe down to clean off the polishing oils then unmasked the car
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/51.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/52.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/50.jpg

After unmasking and cleaning off the polishing oils I inspected the paint with my 3M Sun Gun which omits the same spectrum light as the sun.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/60.jpg

Perfect
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/61.jpg

I had to take another shot of the gloss, and this was with no wax on, only polishing
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...omsgtr/62a.jpg

Wax of the day was Swissvax Concorso
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/53.jpg

Applied
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/54.jpg

While the wax was curing I attended to other areas like putting Poor Boys Wheel Sealant on the rims and exhaust
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/57.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/58.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/59.jpg

Here are a couple after pics of the exhaust
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/55.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/56.jpg

And I cleaned the windows with my Glass Master Pro.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/62.jpg

Unfortunately it had rained but I got a small window to quickly take a few after shots which I don't think turned out that bad and actually it was kind of cool to still see the paint looking very glossy on a cloudy day

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/65.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/66.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/67.jpg

The gloss was looking very nice in this pic
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/69.jpg

looks good. :thumbsup:
How much did you charge for this job?

I love pics of freshly detailed cars :drool:

Incredible work

Are you on Midland Ave, I remember the Soca Palace store lmao!

LMAO DKM I found you on google maps working on a car : http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&q=j...-8&sa=N&tab=wl

awesome. come do my car.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kushy (Post 14675669)

looks good. :thumbsup:
How much did you charge for this job?

Thanks! I will keep that private for the customers sake.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solidjake (Post 14675688)

I love pics of freshly detailed cars :drool:

Incredible work

Me too :thumbup:

Quote:

Originally Posted by LA Prince (Post 14680160)

LMAO DKM I found you on google maps working on a car

Quote:

Originally Posted by LA Prince (Post 14894230)

LMAO DKM I found you on google maps working on a car

Quote:

Originally Posted by LA Prince (Post 14927121)

LMAO DKM I found you on google maps working on a car

LA Prince, can you please edit your posts to not mention so close to my location. I have 2 kids and despite putting up pics of my house would prefer to keep my whereabouts private. If your familiar with the area we can keep that between us. Lol you don't need to post it 3x.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcsummers (Post 14927423)

awesome. come do my car.

Lol come to Toronto

What do you charge for a complete detail like above on average. I noticed you didn't want to quote exact pricing on that customer's car.