http://g35driver.com/forums Washing, waxing, cleaning, caring. en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:27:10 GMT vBulletin 60 http://g35driver.com/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg http://g35driver.com/forums http://g35driver.com/forums/care-detailing/315701-berry-jizz.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:26:50 GMT I was away for a month and my car was under a tree and a bunch of berries stained my paint.. What is the best way to get it off.. Claybar?? I was away for a month and my car was under a tree and a bunch of berries stained my paint.. What is the best way to get it off.. Claybar?? ]]> Frankieg35 http://g35driver.com/forums/care-detailing/315701-berry-jizz.html http://g35driver.com/forums/care-detailing/315375-professional-detailer-philadelphia-area.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:26:39 GMT Anyone know of a reputable detailer in the Philadelphia / South Jersey area? Thanks Anyone know of a reputable detailer in the Philadelphia / South Jersey area?

Thanks ]]> liche http://g35driver.com/forums/care-detailing/315375-professional-detailer-philadelphia-area.html http://g35driver.com/forums/care-detailing/315259-need-help-making-custom-paint-job-glossy-shine-pics.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:08:12 GMT So I painted my lip with some duplicolor spray paint (black) and clear coat.

The finish is shiny, but it's not reflective like the car.

So I used some Turtle Wax medium and light compound (cotton applicator) followed by some wax, which helped, but not to the full extent.

What I want to know is will using some 3000 unigrit sandpaper help (wetsand)?

Essentially, I'm thinking of using the procedure in http://g35driver.com/forums/care-det...polishing.html.

I don't have a real buffer, so all this will be by hand (and the lip has awkward crevices).

Any input or suggestions are appreciated.

Here are some pics:





BEFORE:


AFTER:


GOAL (from car's surface):
]]> cpufreak3 http://g35driver.com/forums/care-detailing/315259-need-help-making-custom-paint-job-glossy-shine-pics.html http://g35driver.com/forums/care-detailing/315208-07-gti-my-most-informative-detail-date-56k-stay-away.html Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:07:33 GMT VW GTI Full Correction – Step by Step Write-Up A few months ago I promised to detail my cousins VW GTI however I have been busy and I wanted to make sure that I had enough time to take a lot of step by step pictures and do a full correction. Ok so to the present day. My cousin went on... VW GTI Full Correction – Step by Step Write-Up

A few months ago I promised to detail my cousins VW GTI however I have been busy and I wanted to make sure that I had enough time to take a lot of step by step pictures and do a full correction.

Ok so to the present day. My cousin went on vacation so I chose two days out of the two weeks he was away to work on his vehicle. Thankfully our schedules worked out and I had freed up two days so I could detail his GTI.

Ok so let us get started. I am going to try something a little different this time around by accompanying the pictures with product and process information. So bare with me and hopefully you will enjoy the write up as much as I have enjoyed writing it up.

BEFORES

So before I do anything to the car I like to go around with my D40. You can use any camera with a decent quality pixel rate but I find that DSLR provides for better depth and sharpness. Even though I do a walk through at the beginning I find that the process of snapping quality pictures really helps with me with prioritizing trouble areas. If surprises pop up I make sure to call the customer to let him know of the issue before proceeding. It really saves me and customer time and hassle.







Possible bird etching issue on this particular panel.





Scratch on driver side mirror with paint transfer. Possible solutions could be heat gun and a light wipe, ISA wipe (isopropyl and water 50:50 mix), clay & clay lube and polishing.

















The GTI is obviously dull but there is also a noticeable grayish tinge but it is nothing to be overly concerned about.

WASH

Ok so I’ve done the post detail walk through now let us move on to the wash phase of the detail. After my washes I always like to snap additional pictures because you never know what could be hiding underneath all that dirt. Dirt may not be dirt and maybe a scratch.



My tools of choice for washing this GTI’s paint is as follows:
2 Grit Guards
2 Sheepskin Wash Mitts
1 Detail Brush
Chemicals Guys Maxi Suds
Optimum No Rinse
Optimum Power Clean

I mix all three together. 1 oz of Maxi Suds, 1 oz of ONR and 2 oz of PC. I like a little suds so I use Maxi Suds to lift the dirt, ONR is added to soften the water and to pull the dirt away from the paintwork and PC to get rid of any existing wax or sealant even though this particular GTI did not have any protection to speak off.





The tools that I used for the wheels are:
Detail brush (which are brilliant for lug nuts)
Grit guard
One bucket
Daytona Wheel Brush (completely invaluable when cleaning inner rims)
2 Chenille wash Mitts
Chemical Guys Wheel Gel ( 1 part water 1 part Wheel Gel used directly on surface)
Optimum Power Clean (1.5 oz of Power Clean used in bucket solution)







When rinsing wheels it is always safer to wash your wheels when they have cooled down. If you rinse a vehicle that has just been driven you risk the rotor warping because the rotor is hot while the water is cold. GTI was picked up the day before so the wheels were cool so there were no issues rinsing the wheels.



Coating the caliper and wheel with Chemical Guys Wheel Gel.



CG Wheel Gel also sprayed on tires.



You can see the wheel gel working and pulling the dirt away from the tire. This will help the longevity and look of your favourite tire dressing by having a clean canvas to work on.



Here is the Daytona brush in action. I scrub by brushing in side to side and back and forth motion to get the best cleaning action. Again I can’t emphasize how much it’s helped me keep my hands from getting tiny cuts from the rotors.





The Daytona Brush bent and being used behind the spokes.





The chenille mitt being used for the face of the rim. Although I prefer using the detail brush or zymol brush I find that the chenille mitt saves me some time because it has more coverage. I still use the detail brush for the corners of spokes.



Detail brush being used for the lug nuts.



All cleaned up.



Whoops almost forgot the calipers. When cleaning your calipers or the inner rims if you find that it’s being blocked by a spoke or caliper just roll your vehicle backward or forward to clean the previously inaccessible area.



Another example of a wheel scrub down.



Clean and Clear bucket. Keep that in mind for after the wash.



1 ounce of ONR going in the bucket.





1 ounce of Maxi Suds going into the bucket





2 ounces of Power clean going into the bucket.





A quick blast of the hose and voila! A wonderful symphony of colours.

]]> Nikku- http://g35driver.com/forums/care-detailing/315208-07-gti-my-most-informative-detail-date-56k-stay-away.html http://g35driver.com/forums/care-detailing/315020-20-off-no-min-free-shipping-available-new-onr-packages.html Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:28:03 GMT Image: http://www.detailedimage.com/photos/2009/11/20091113_shop_early.jpg *Save 20% OFF* Take advantage of this great deal and Save 20% OFF with the coupon code *early09*. There are NO MINIMUM purchases with this coupon code, but it...]]>

Save 20% OFF
Take advantage of this great deal and Save 20% OFF with the coupon code early09. There are NO MINIMUM purchases with this coupon code, but it does expire at midnight (EST) on 11/16! The coupon does not apply to sale items, kits/packages, buffers, vacuums, paint thickness gages and water filtration units. Any order over $150 shipped within the 48 states via FedEx Home/Ground will automatically get free shipping.

Monthly Specials - Don't forget about these great deals!




If you haven't already, now is a great time to do your winter prep. Check out our Winter Prep article for tips.

Also, check out our new Optimum No Rinse packages for some great savings. Effectively wash your vehicle in the cold winter months without a hose.

• Basic ONR wash kit
• Complete ONR wash kit

Let us know if you need any questions answered, we're here to help. Thank you for reading and enjoy your weekend!

George ]]> Detailed Image http://g35driver.com/forums/care-detailing/315020-20-off-no-min-free-shipping-available-new-onr-packages.html http://g35driver.com/forums/care-detailing/315014-what-wax-if-i-only-have-time-one-step.html Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:01:17 GMT clay -> wash -> polish -> 50/50 alcohol-water -> glaze -> seal. Well I don't have that kind of time this fall. What can I get at...]]> Hi,

I have an 03 Black G with 90k and people still think it is new. Until now, I've followed a lengthy wax process with products from Detailed Image. Wash -> clay -> wash -> polish -> 50/50 alcohol-water -> glaze -> seal. Well I don't have that kind of time this fall. What can I get at Walmart or Autozone to get me through the winter? Hopefully I'll have time in the spring to go back to my routine.

Thanks,

Mike ]]> ransick http://g35driver.com/forums/care-detailing/315014-what-wax-if-i-only-have-time-one-step.html http://g35driver.com/forums/care-detailing/314997-cleaning-car-cover.html Sat, 14 Nov 2009 02:11:09 GMT So I got a california car cover I bought. The thing is I put it on the g when it was dusty beacuse my car was on jackstands for few days and my dad was changing out the deck above it so I didnt want debri falling on it. anyways so the cover got hella dirty on the inside. Can I just throw it in the... So I got a california car cover I bought. The thing is I put it on the g when it was dusty beacuse my car was on jackstands for few days and my dad was changing out the deck above it so I didnt want debri falling on it. anyways so the cover got hella dirty on the inside. Can I just throw it in the washer and dryer? ]]> g3fly http://g35driver.com/forums/care-detailing/314997-cleaning-car-cover.html http://g35driver.com/forums/care-detailing/314812-longest-lasting-sealant.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:01:05 GMT hey guys... I dont have tons of time to detail and wax my car too often, so the sealant I use needs to last a long time. Also, right now I have to park it outside.

Right now, I've been using Jeff's Werkstatt and it's nice but I'm not happy with it's durability.

So what do you guys recommend for a very long-lasting sealant? Zaino?



Thanks ]]> rob40wilson03 http://g35driver.com/forums/care-detailing/314812-longest-lasting-sealant.html http://g35driver.com/forums/care-detailing/314317-fminus-detailed-2006-bmw-330-red.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:55:30 GMT FMINUS Detailed: 2006 BMW 330 Red OPT ONR CG fabric protectant CG BareBones CG New Car Solvent Sprayaway Glass Cleaner 1Z Cockpit Premium 1Z Glass Polish P21S TAW FMINUS Detailed: 2006 BMW 330 Red

OPT ONR
CG fabric protectant
CG BareBones
CG New Car Solvent
Sprayaway Glass Cleaner
1Z Cockpit Premium
1Z Glass Polish
P21S TAW
P21S Gel Wheel Cleaner
CD2
Leather Master Trio
OPT QID
Autosol Metal Polish

Swissvax Cleaner Fluid
Swissvax Paint Rubber (Yellow)
Swissvax Quick Finish l
Swissvax Car Bath
Swissvax Autobahn wheel wax
Swissvax Pneu
Swissvax Protecton


Clay:
Swissvax YELLOW Clay
FMINUS Solution as Lube

Paint Correction:
Scholl S17
Scholl S30
Uber Green Pad
Uber Black Pad
Zymol Duster

Equipment:
Defelsko P6000
Defelsko P200
Defelsko Wireless Printer
Defelsko Posisoft
Dell Laptop
MyteeLite II
Vapor Chief

Brinkman
3m Sun Gun
3m backing plate
CM5300
Metabo PE12-175
Metabo SXE400


Protection:
FMINUS Sealant

LSP:
Swissvax Divine













]]> FMINUS http://g35driver.com/forums/care-detailing/314317-fminus-detailed-2006-bmw-330-red.html http://g35driver.com/forums/care-detailing/314217-anbuzero-detailed-2009-infiniti-g37xs.html Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:06:50 GMT Hey peoples its been a while since i had a real customer. This is a brand new 2009 G3xS with only 1,000 miles. It was oringinally booked for paint correction on the back bumper only (to remove hazing and swirls induced by a hack :(), but Mike the owner, (Great Guy:biggthumpup:) agreed to have it... Hey peoples its been a while since i had a real customer. This is a brand new 2009 G3xS with only 1,000 miles. It was oringinally booked for paint correction on the back bumper only (to remove hazing and swirls induced by a hack :(), but Mike the owner, (Great Guy:biggthumpup:) agreed to have it washed and waxed as well. Excuse the lack of pictures I was on a bit of a schedule and Mike had to get to a meeting so I tried to get as much done in short time.

so the story with this car is its a brand new 09 G37 that got hit while being park. Owner took it to get buffed out, the hack that tried to fix the scratches threw compound on it and hit it with a rotary. made a mess and the haziness was bothering the customers eyes. He happened to find me on the here and scheduled an appointment to fix what the hack had ruined. On the phone we discussed the worry of it having the infamous self healing clearcoat. So i pulled out all my polishes and pads and got ready for the worst. well anyways what you see below is me fighting with the either rock hard or magic clear coat. enjoy


Wash:
Gilmour Foam Gun
CG Maxi Suds
Megs #62
Sheepskin Wash Mitt
Two Bucket Method
WW MF Drying Towel

Glass:
CG Glass Cleaner

Wheels:
CG Grime Reaper
CG Diablo
Wheel Brush
Tire Brush
EZ Detail Brush
303 Aerospace Protectant

Paint Correction:
PC 7424 XP
4" LC Yellow Pad
4" LC Orange Pad
4" LC White Pad
Menzerna Power Gloss
Menzerna SIP
Menzerna PO85rd
IPA

LSP:
CG EZ Cream Glaze on rear bumper
PoorBoy's World Natty's Red on enitre car

Tools:
Costco MF towels
DD Uber MF Towels
CG MF towels
Sony Cyber Shot 7.2mp
Nitrile Gloves


So for the next 5 pictures below we see swirling, hazing and holograms caused by improper compounding with a rotary and wool pad.





Picture below is after hitting the area with 85rd on a white pad. Didnt do anything to the swirls, fixed the hazing and holograms just a little. So I tried again...

Tried out my favorite combo, LC Orange pad with Menz SIP, better results but swirls not completely gone...



Second hit on the area and it looked alot better. except for the little hazing SIP left, so after hitting the problem spot with SIP twice (tried power gloss on yellow pad and the deeper scratches) then hitting the rest of the bumper with SIP/orange pad, i removed the hazing with PO85rd on a white pad. and these are the results...

AFTERS
-The hazy spots you see on the hood are not paint defects they are spots on the ceiling that have been patched-




-The hazy spots you see on the hood are not paint defects they are spots on the ceiling that have been patched-

SORRY for the blurry pics






Hey Mike! :thewave: Showing him where the defects were and how it clear the reflection looks now



Those are not holograms in the picture below. They are the reflection of the reflection of the sun on the cars paint, shining off onto the fence. (I think that made sense)

Mike driving away in his shiny new G


As always enjoy. All comments and questions are welcome ]]> Anbuzero http://g35driver.com/forums/care-detailing/314217-anbuzero-detailed-2009-infiniti-g37xs.html http://g35driver.com/forums/care-detailing/313952-nikku-detailed-2007-audi-s6-klass-kf400.html Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:46:23 GMT I was approached by this customer after a garage incident at his condominium. The management was stupid enough to use his car to sustain a couple of cardboard boxes and obviously the bottom of the boxes had dirt. Upon removal of the boxes by management they induced bad marring on the trunk and... I was approached by this customer after a garage incident at his condominium. The management was stupid enough to use his car to sustain a couple of cardboard boxes and obviously the bottom of the boxes had dirt. Upon removal of the boxes by management they induced bad marring on the trunk and along the rear passenger side rocker panel.

So here we are now and I suggested that the customer just go for a spot correction for the affected areas, a winter prep and leave a full correction for the spring.

First off this car is beautiful. I just love colour of the vehicle and choice of wheels for this beast. Audi + classy wheels are always a win in my book. In this particular case the owner chose Klass KF400 wheels. I am so very glad that he did.

One last thing due to my busy schedule as well as his I accommodated the customer by detailing it overnight and just for fun he made things even more interesting by bringing along his brothers C350 for a quick wash and wax before I had to tackle his car. I also had a 335i booked for the next morning. It was a fun 17 hours of detailing. :applause2:

Lets move on to the detail.

Wash for Paintwork
Optimum ONR
Chemical Guys CWG
2 Wash Mitts
2 Grit Guards and 5 gallon pails

Wash for Wheels
CG's Wheel Gel
Daytona Wheel Brush
EZ Detail Mini
Zymol Wheel Brush
Chenille Wash Mitt

Clay
Riccardo Clay
ONR + OPT QID for Lube

Paint Correction
Tufbuf 5 inch
Sonus White 6 inch
Sonus Blue 6 inch
Menzerna SIP
Menzerna PF
OPT Poli-seal(used to clean the paint)
Isopropyl

LSP
2 x Collinite 845

Interior
Woolite
Folex
1z Cockpit Premium
1z Plastic Deep Cleaner
1z Leatherpledge
1z Gummifledge
303 Aerospace
303 Fabric Guard

Equipment
Defelsko 6000
3M Sun Gun
Fenix TK10
Halogen
Ridgid wet/dry vac
Metabo
3M BP
RB BP


BEFORES

Ok so I apologize for not getting the defects on the passenger side rocker panel but I am sure you can tell from the trunk that there was significant marring.

Yes the car is a little bit on the dirty side but that's what we're here for.





























































AFTERS

I wanted to make sure I had enough time to look after the defects so I ONR'd the affected areas and proceeded to polish them up nicely before moving onto the winter prep for the rest of the vehicle.









The interior was given a much needed a good vacuum, conditioned and protected. I would have liked to have spent more time on the edges of the mats but time was a factor.



























Outdoor Sun Shots































Thanks for looking guys.

Total time worked: 8 hours. ]]> Nikku- http://g35driver.com/forums/care-detailing/313952-nikku-detailed-2007-audi-s6-klass-kf400.html http://g35driver.com/forums/care-detailing/313890-off-sema-rest-week.html Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:03:02 GMT Just a heads up for anyone that may shoot me a PM or e-mail that I will be with minimum internet access until next week. Please direct any order related questions or ones that require fast replies to support@detailedimage.com . Greg will be happy to assist you in a timely manner.

I'll try to snap some pics of some interesting stuff while out there :) ]]> Detailed Image http://g35driver.com/forums/care-detailing/313890-off-sema-rest-week.html http://g35driver.com/forums/care-detailing/313889-novemeber-specials-free-s-h-orders-over-150-testimonial-contest-100-credit.html Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:51:53 GMT Image: http://www.detailedimage.com/products/CG-Fade2Black-13-M.png The November Specials

Special #1 - Normally $12.99, Sale Price $9.99

The Chemical Guys Fade 2 Black - 13 oz helps bring back your faded and neglected rubber, vinyl and plastic trim to BLACK. Simply spray it on the desired areas and you will absolutely love the results! Use it on your wheel wells, engine bay and the exterior trim and you'll love the results. Check out the Fade 2 Black Full Review done by Esoteric Auto Detail along with before and after pictures! It has become a product he uses regularly with his professional detail work. You can see what other customers are saying in our Fade 2 Black customer reviews. Try it today and you'll instantly love the results.
Special #2 - Normally $3.99, Sale Price $2.49

The DI Microfiber All Purpose Towel - 16" x 16" is an outstanding towel to help you detail safely and effectively. Use it to remove the excess clay lube, polish, glaze, sealant, wax, etc. from your exterior. You can also use them to clean your interior, glass, wheels, etc., the uses are unlimited. It is very soft, durable, washable and easy to work with. Stop using old towels that are dirty or have debris stuck in them. Upgrade to top quality towels while they are on sale!

Testimonial Contest

In short, we are looking for an honest testimonial about your experience with Detailed Image that is at least 50 words or more. We will pick one random winner who will receive a $100 gift certificate. Writing a favorable review will not enhance your chances. Click here (Testimonial Contest Page) to read more details, write a testimonial and read what others have had to say.
FREE SHIPPING on orders over $150

It's simple, spend over $150 and have your order shipped via FedEx Home/Ground within the 48 states for FREE. No coupon code is needed, just place your order and you are all set. Best of all you can still use your forum discount code. This offer is valid throughout the Holiday season until 12/31/09.

Free Contest
For the October - November FREE Contest we are giving away a heavy, medium and light polish with a special follow up product. The polishes are great at removing swirls, very fine scratches, oxidation and more to restore a flawless looking clear coat. After you are done wipe down the surface with the Menzerna Top Inspection, which removes any oils or remaining residue. This leaves the paint totally clean and smooth so it's perfectly ready to be sealed or waxed. Here is everything included in this contest:
Menzerna Power Gloss - 16 oz
Menzerna Power Finish PO203S - 16 oz
Menzerna PO106FA Nano Polish (Super Finish) - 16 oz
Menzerna Top Inspection Spray - 500 ml


If you have any questions, or if you would like product recommendations please let me know. ]]> Detailed Image http://g35driver.com/forums/care-detailing/313889-novemeber-specials-free-s-h-orders-over-150-testimonial-contest-100-credit.html http://g35driver.com/forums/care-detailing/313798-2007-honda-fit-sport-jazzy-fizzle.html Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:03:40 GMT Spent a few hours doing a quick detail on a friend's Honda Fit this past Sunday.

Products used:

Wash&Dry:
CG Citrus Wash & Clear
Two Bucket method with Grit Guard
MF wash sponge
DI Waffle Weave
MF Towels

Claybar:
DI Fine Grade Clay bar
Meguiar's Clay bar
Dodo Juice Born Slippery clay lube

Glass:
Stoner's Invisible Glass

Wheels:
6:1 CG Grime Reaper
CG Stickey Gel Wheel Cleaner
Poorboy's World Metal polish
Poorboy's World Wheel Sealant
Meguiar's Tire Gel
Wal-Mart brand Wheel and Tire Brush

Exterior Trim, Moldings, and Window Seals:
Optimum Protect Plus

Sealant:
Poorboy's World EX Sealant

Wax:
Meguiars NXT Tech Wax 2.0

Before:










After washing, drying, and a tad bit of claybarring





AFTER (Full claybar, sealant, wax, tire/rim, and engine dressing):












It got pretty late once everything was finalized and buttoned up, so we hit up a Kroger parking lot and used the lighting from there to take the pics and I quite like how the pics came out. We went as far as cleaning out the wheel wells by hand, the inside barrel of each rim, clean and tried to polish the exhaust tip, applied some UV protection to plastic exterior trim and dash, and washed&wiped the door/hatch jams. We'll be taking some day shots tomorrow to show how much the color really shows.

Friend said his co-worker thought the rims were photoshopped to look that clean after seeing the pics.

Let me know if the pics work or not since I haven't had the chance to upload them to my photobucket and these are coming off from my facebook album.

Opinions, criticism, tips, advice, etc welcomed! :)

Thanks for looking! ]]> NgoFrickinWay http://g35driver.com/forums/care-detailing/313798-2007-honda-fit-sport-jazzy-fizzle.html http://g35driver.com/forums/care-detailing/313629-paint-chip-repair.html Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:50:36 GMT Has anyone used Dr.Colorchip? What is the best product to repair those small chips and scratches? Has anyone used Dr.Colorchip? What is the best product to repair those small chips and scratches? ]]> G35OD1955 http://g35driver.com/forums/care-detailing/313629-paint-chip-repair.html