My first full detail ( 2009 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara)

Gusto2465

Gusto2465

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So hers my Jeep before i started the full detail.

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So after reading and watching numerous videos and articles I decided to tackle this thing you guys call detailing. I started out with washing the underbody and undercarriage along with the wheel wells. I then used simple green on those locations to remove and clean those items. Afterwards I moved into the engine compartment and did the same steps. I then washed off the simple green and proceeded to spray everything down in the engine compartment and underbody/undercarriage with meguiars hot and shine foam. I let that set in and then washed it down and whipped it down.

I then moved on to washing the exterior of the Jeep. I started washing using a two bucket system. Which actually worked really well. When I was done I used my blower to get off some of the water. Finished with micro fiber towels. When I was done drying I moved it into the garage where I completed the meguiars clay bar kit with quick detailer. When I was finished I moved on to the three step mothers polish kit. Step one was Pure Polish, step two Micro Polish Glaze, step three Carnauba Wax. When I was done putting on and taking off those polishes I moved into the interior. Unfortunately my hands were killing me from doing the polishes by hand. I think I will need to buy a DA polisher for my other vehicles.

Interior I completed a major vaccum. Then I scrubbed the carpets and upholstery with both cleaner and protectant. I then washed down the interior dash, door, and trim pieces. When all was dry I vacuumed everything again and started protecting everything with meguiars natural shine. I then whipped down the windows with tint safe cleaner.

Finally I whipped down the exterior and treated the parts with natural shine. On A couple of the pieces I used back to black to really Mack those pieces stay dark. Finished it off with extreme tire shine.

For my first full detail of a vehicle using store bought items I think it turned out really good. I've always taken good care of my vehicles, but after reading this forum I new I had to do something more. I have a long way to go but it sure was fun doing it.

Any comments for what else I can do in the future to make it look even better would be greatly appreciated.

After photos.

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my hands were killing me from doing the polishes by hand.


How long did it take?
 
Polishing by hand....did that for the first 6 years of my "detailing" career. Once you get on Machine Polishing, you wont ever go back. Although the art of hand polishing will come in handy on small tough to reach areas that your machine cant get to.

Once you do decide to get a DA/ or Rotary, you will UNLOCK the full potential of any brand polish you decide to go with.

Good luck & clean job!
 
Gusto2465 said:
Unfortunately my hands were killing me from doing the polishes by hand. I think I will need to buy a DA polisher for my other vehicles.
Click to expand...

I get wiped out doing a one-step with a DA. I can't imagine doing everything you did by hand. Hats off to you, bud.

Yeah, get yourself a DA....you don't know what you're missing :D

Looks like your Jeep came out very nice !!! You did a ton of work so hope you're pleased.
 
Took me 9.5 hours from start to finish. Luckily the wife and kids were out of town.
 
Nice work! This sounds silly to a lot of folks, but there is something therapeutic and peaceful about working by hand. That said....the move to machine polishing is a life changer. :)

Over time, I'm guessing you'll find what products really work for you. What turns off a lot of folks, for example, is the price of 'boutique' products in comparison to the OTC stuff. Realistically, though, between their effectiveness and durability, the "good" stuff is actually cheaper in the long run.

If you don't mind me barging in, the first thing I'd recommend considering is a much better APC for the wells, undercarriage, etc. Simple Green is actually neither, and the filmy residue it leaves behind collects dirt and grime like a magnet. Meguiar's APC, as just one example, is awesome....and you can dilute based on what you're cleaning. 3:1 will work wonders on those wheel wells, and 10:1 makes a nice light cleaning solution for interior and glass.

Kudos on a job well done!
 
Thanks for the info on the wheel wells and undercarriage products. Will defiantly have to try that. The hardest thing about this site for a novice is trying to understand all of the products you guys talk about. As for polishers, does it need to be a porter cable or griots... Or does an inexpensive one from like harbor freight do just as good a job.
 
Gusto2465 said:
Thanks for the info on the wheel wells and undercarriage products. Will defiantly have to try that. The hardest thing about this site for a novice is trying to understand all of the products you guys talk about. As for polishers, does it need to be a porter cable or griots... Or does an inexpensive one from like harbor freight do just as good a job.
Click to expand...

I own the Harbor Freight DA. So far, it’s been a great tool. In fact, I was using it again last night with some low profile 5.5” and 4” Lake Country pads. The thing I like about it is I can bear down on it pretty good and the pad keeps rotating. It seems to have a good amount of power and I am getting great correction results using Meguiars Ultimate Compound and M205. Lay down some Collinite 845 and top it off with some Max Wax and the result is about the cleanest and glossiest (<--is that a word?) paint surface I’ve worked on.

I just bought some microfiber discs and some Megs D300 and am anxious to see how that combo will work when I need to do some heavier correction.

How long will the Harbor Freight DA last? I don’t know. I’ve used it quite a bit and it seems to be holding up just fine. It seems to be a pretty solid quality tool. Time will tell. If you do buy it, recommend you buy the one year warranty, too….I think it’s only like another $9. Plus, you should be able to find a 10% or 20% off coupon rather easily.
 
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