I really thought I posted this but i can't find it so here we go. I did this one about a month ago for a friend that NEVER washes his car or wheels as he will freely admit. He doesn't really do too much in the way of detailing at all you might say. So he wanted to get a detail done since winter is coming and all, so detail I did for about 4 1/2 hours straight.

Process....

wash with dawn to remove any old wax (waxed once early in the summer)
clayed car
Zaino Z-2
Megs QD wipe down
P21s carnauba
Zaino Z-8 Grand Finale Seal wipe down

WHEELS & TIRES
Eagle one nano wheels cleaner
Clayed wheels
Wheel wax
"Looks wet, no mess" tire dressing

ENGINE
Black Magic engine clean & shine
wheel wax on plenum
Eagle one nano protectant
"Look we, no mess" on hoses
Megs QD on inside of hood


So here are some before pics.





Here's one of the wheel center caps before. Old water spots that would not come off just washing.


Here's the same one after I "worked" it.


Here's the back wheels before. Neither of us thought the wheels would be able to get any shine to them. They were EXTREMELY dull even when clean so these really took some work. I think I can get them even better, so I plan on hitting them again in the spring.





...And here's after. I polished in between every spoke by hand. My fingers are KILLING right now.



Here are some engine afters. It wasn't too bad before, just really dusty and kinda dull.






and now some car shots...









So there you have it. I hope some of you can take some things from this to help your cars look the best they can!

X never gone X

 

So how did you like the black magic engine shine ???

 

well it looks like the car is in great condition now... just a little higher than it should be..

 

nice work again!

 

his wheels were messed up

 

I guess it's ok for engines that aren't super dirty. However if an engine is REALLY dirty like this one I did...




...I like Engine Gunk because it does a great job as seen below.

 

The work looks good, although our definition of detail differs

 

Haha ok? I'll bite, do tell. There is no set "definition" of what a detail is. If someone just washes their car and vacuums it, that can be a detail. If someone just cleans their engine that can be a detail. Or in this cars case, if someone washes, clays, seals, waxes, vacuums, does the engine, cleans floor mats, cleans and waxes door jams and underside of hood, cleans dash, cleans and protects leather...I think it's safe to say anyone would call that a detail regardless of what your "definition" is.

 

Not bad

that G does not look right.

 

Great work! The car needs a drop though. Not feeling the headlights.

.

 

He twisted thoses Senekas out! U cleaned it up well

 

I'm not trying to start an argument, the finish on those cars could really use a good machine polishing though considering the original condition. Like I said though, they look good for the work you did, much better than the before pics

 

you are 100% correct about needing a polishing as this was discussed with the owners. If the cars were polished right now, they would be jacked up again in no time do to winter being here with all the salt and crap like that. It usually makes more sense (in this area) to throw some sealant and wax on and give a really good polish in the spring when it's easier to maintain. Plus we're going to HIN with our group in a couple months so it would be a bit much to polish them now and then again in a couple months. Cars, as I'm sure you know, generally shouldn't be polished that often, usually twice a year is sufficient for the average car.

 

don't tell that to the guys on autopia I average 2 polishes a year, but it won't hurt anything to do it 3-4 times a year

 

P21S looks great, I just didn't like the way it turned my car into a dust magnet. Guess I should have grounded the car which would have helped.

What am I going to do with all the detailing stuff I have if I only do it twice a year!