First detail ever

[Iballs]

So this is my first detail ever. First off for the pros out there I am amazed that you can do this fast enough to make any money. This process took me about 14 hours to do only the paint so I think I better keep my day job.

This is my wives 2004 Mazda 3 which has never had anything done to it at all. This was my process:

Washed
Clay Magic blue clay bar
Porter Cable with 5 1/2 flat pads
Menzerna Power Finish Polish - Orange Pads
Menzerna Polish PO85RD - Blue Pad
IPA wipedown
Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant 3.0 - 1 coat

Here I am taping up the car. I went a little overboard but its better than screwing anything up

Now for the finished product. Note there are still some scratches left but they were deep and this is a DD. Plus if I messed anything up I would have never heard the end of it.

Overall I am very pleased but I am still not sure if I was working the polish in all the way. Originally I started with a white pad and 106FA but it did not seem to have enough cut to it so I switched to the orange pad and the power finish which worked great. Please feel free to give me any suggestions on what I could do to improve my skills. I plan on waxing the car but I will be honest I was just to tired and ran out of time.

Have a great day!
Greg

 

[Th3 Factory Freak]

Did you use an orbital or rotary? Looks great.

 

[Iballs]

Thanks I used the Porter Cable 7424XP. I think it would look better if I used more coats of sealant or waxed it but overall I was pleased.

 

[rwright]

Great job for the first time! I hope my first run with my PC XP turns out this good! :xyxthumbs:

BTW, in your last pic you look like you have horns on your head! :laughing: j/k

 

[Iballs]

That is what my wife said. They are my regular glasses I just didn't have any place to put them but on my head.

 

[CEE DOG]

Congratulations!

.... I am amazed that you can do this fast enough to make any money. This process took me about 14 hours to do only the paint so I think I better keep my day job.

LOL :iagree:

It still takes me forever as well. I suppose in time you learn what parts of your process are a waste of time.

 

[Jenn1270]

It still takes me forever as well. I suppose in time you learn what parts of your process are a waste of time.

I feel your pain, it took me about 3-4 hours of working on my hood to get the same amount of correction you did. I am a newbie with a PC as well.

Did you arms feel like you had been to the gym?

Oh and I really like the color of that car. Looks like the polishing brought out the metallic flake and the polished version was more cherry than the original orangy red.

 

[Iballs]

I feel your pain, it took me about 3-4 hours of working on my hood to get the same amount of correction you did. I am a newbie with a PC as well.

Did you arms feel like you had been to the gym?

Oh yes they were so sore and my back was killing me when I finally finished. I have to say it was well worth it.

 

[Iballs]

Congratulations!



LOL :iagree:

It still takes me forever as well. I suppose in time you learn what parts of your process are a waste of time.

I really hope you are right because I want to do a few other things than just detail my cars on the weekend.

 

[Laura]

First off for the pros out there I am amazed that you can do this fast enough to make any money. This process took me about 14 hours to do only the paint so I think I better keep my day job.

:iagree:Between the amount of product I waste and the amount of time I take, I could never do this for money. I'm SO impressed with the pros! Actually, with the amount of money I spend on AG, I basically have a day job to fund my detailing work.

You did a great job on the Mazda. I love that color - add a coat of Fuzion and you'll get incredible depth and warmth.

 

[HighEndDetail]

Way too much tape...
You don't have to tape the whole head light up, just around the edge. And no need for tape on the windshield. Those you won't mess up

 

[WEST SIDE]

Great job and I agree hats off to those who make a living at it,I enjoy doing my own vehicles but I'm glad for my day job.

 

[Wax Gorilla]

Some Fuzion as a topper or even Natty's Red and that Flake will really POP !

 

[Iballs]

Some Fuzion as a topper or even Natty's Red and that Flake will really POP !

Thanks for the tip I think that will be on my next order. I thinking about giving autogeek my bank card with as much money I am spending. I will say it was a blast making a car that was rough to touch as smooth as silk. I am now addicted.

 

[Iballs]

Way too much tape...
You don't have to tape the whole head light up, just around the edge. And no need for tape on the windshield. Those you won't mess up

I agree. Quick question on the windshield there is black plastic around it. Do I need to tape that? That was the only reason I taped the window because I was worried about the black trim around the front window.

 

[Pie]

I agree. Quick question on the windshield there is black plastic around it. Do I need to tape that? That was the only reason I taped the window because I was worried about the black trim around the front window.

The fast way I learned was to open the hood and grab some newspaper. I tape the paper to the windshield and overlap it into the engine bay.

 

[Birdhunter]

Looks great rops: