AL417
New member
- Oct 15, 2006
- 1,442
- 0
2005 Toyota Highlander
Background
A very large scratch on the hood is what led to today’s detail. This truck is in fairly good shape and I was only detailing the exterior. The interior was cherry. The owner thinks that someone where she works set their briefcase on the hood and then proceeded to drag it across the entire hood. Other than a series of rather large scratches this vehicle had the normal chips and a few other scratches. The bad thing was that it had some sort of tar like substance all along the lower panel and doors on the passenger side. Of course I didn’t see this until after the wash.
The Plan
Get the tar off and start on the paint. The hood needed a little bit more than the rest of the truck so I decided to use Menzerna and then XMT360 for the rest. I detailed an Eclipse a few weeks ago and used XM Glaze over 360 and I liked this combo so I did it again.
The Detail
The tar like stuff was a pain to get off. It was just stubborn. I tried clay, AIO, bug and tar remover and it still would not come off. I finally resorted to XMT4 and that took it off. This was supposed to be easy.
DP Four-in-One rinseless wash; it was raining so I it washed in my garage
Paint – Menzerna IP on hood, XMT360 for the rest of the body, XMT Glaze, XMT180
Headlight lenses and Taillight lenses treated with Diamondite Plasti-Care
Windows – DP Krystal Vision with Cobra WW Glass Towel
Tires and wells dressed with AA Foam
Trim - PoorBoys Trim Restore
The Menzerna IP and the UDM made quick work of the briefcase scratches on the hood and the rest of the swirls. I love the way 360 just does its job and then disappears; this stuff is so awesome. I wanted to give this vehicle a little more so like I said I used XMT Glaze. It just gives it nice look and feel. Followed it all up with XMT180 and here are the results. If you think 180 doesn’t make metallic pop…check this out.
As always your comments and questions are welcome.
BEFORE
I didn’t take too many “before” pics because I was in my garage when I started. The sun came out a little while later and I was able to work in the driveway.
Background
A very large scratch on the hood is what led to today’s detail. This truck is in fairly good shape and I was only detailing the exterior. The interior was cherry. The owner thinks that someone where she works set their briefcase on the hood and then proceeded to drag it across the entire hood. Other than a series of rather large scratches this vehicle had the normal chips and a few other scratches. The bad thing was that it had some sort of tar like substance all along the lower panel and doors on the passenger side. Of course I didn’t see this until after the wash.
The Plan
Get the tar off and start on the paint. The hood needed a little bit more than the rest of the truck so I decided to use Menzerna and then XMT360 for the rest. I detailed an Eclipse a few weeks ago and used XM Glaze over 360 and I liked this combo so I did it again.
The Detail
The tar like stuff was a pain to get off. It was just stubborn. I tried clay, AIO, bug and tar remover and it still would not come off. I finally resorted to XMT4 and that took it off. This was supposed to be easy.
DP Four-in-One rinseless wash; it was raining so I it washed in my garage
Paint – Menzerna IP on hood, XMT360 for the rest of the body, XMT Glaze, XMT180
Headlight lenses and Taillight lenses treated with Diamondite Plasti-Care
Windows – DP Krystal Vision with Cobra WW Glass Towel
Tires and wells dressed with AA Foam
Trim - PoorBoys Trim Restore
The Menzerna IP and the UDM made quick work of the briefcase scratches on the hood and the rest of the swirls. I love the way 360 just does its job and then disappears; this stuff is so awesome. I wanted to give this vehicle a little more so like I said I used XMT Glaze. It just gives it nice look and feel. Followed it all up with XMT180 and here are the results. If you think 180 doesn’t make metallic pop…check this out.
As always your comments and questions are welcome.
BEFORE
I didn’t take too many “before” pics because I was in my garage when I started. The sun came out a little while later and I was able to work in the driveway.


