2009 140k mile Black Chevy Avalanche Work Truck

Chicago Tommy

New member
Joined
Sep 9, 2013
Messages
130
Reaction score
0
Wow. This one kicked my ass. Black 2009 Chevy Avalanche that had only been run though gas station wash racks since 2009. Take a lesson here guys, wash racks are bad. Think about every time you've driven your excessively muddy vehicle in to one, all that dirt is now on the equipment. That equipment is rarely cleaned, if ever. Now the next person through the rack is having their paint abraded by your dirt. Never use a wash rack on a vehicle you at all care about.

I started with a wash. Good god did it need a wash. It's a work truck, and sees daily duty come rain or shine. Meguiar's Deep Crystal Car Wash was the soap of choice. We're removing dirt, and setting the stage here. Fancy car wash soaps with wax and other "extras" aren't needed.









So now we have a good general overview of the current dirt situation. Over an hour was spent on the wheel wells, wheels and tires.







After clay bar-ing it down, and getting it inside, I took a few detail pics to show the amount of swirls and damage that would be corrected. These are the hood of the truck.





And this was a vertical panel.



Here is a 50/50 shot of the driver rear door and the quarter panel. The door on the left has not been compounded. The quarter panel on the right has been compounded. You can see the spiderweb swirls around the light, and clarity on the right side.



More close up of defect removal. Swirls are 90-95% GONE.





Had some big scratches and scuffs on the passenger front fender from someone jumping on the truck with a belt on. This was a significant issue for the owner, and he was amazed that I had removed it.







Remember that hood that looked completely trashed with no reflectivity?





Unfortunately it was pouring rain when I got this one done, so I didn't get any overall beauty shots. Best I could do in my garage with this HUGE truck taking up all the space. Wheels were recleaned, Meguiar's Ultimate Tire Gel was applied to the tires, and a protectant was applied to the inner wheel wells. Meguiar's Black Wax was used on the paint, and Meguiar's Ultimate Black Plastic Restorer was applied to the plastic surfaces.



 
Very nice turn around. That was a big job.


Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using AG Online
 
Great job, polishing out large trucks and suvs are a pain. I'd never guess this vehicle would have 140k miles on it now.
 
Great job, polishing out large trucks and suvs are a pain. I'd never guess this vehicle would have 140k miles on it now.

Not uncommon for those of us in a rural area. I know a lot of guys who commute 90 miles a day! Adds up quick! If it's a 2009, it could've been purchased new in 2008. That's a little under 30k a year. I used to average more than that. That's why I just sold a car with 297k on it! (2000 model year bought in 2007 with 80k miles).

But a full size pickup sure is an expensive way to do it! LOL.

If it's a work truck it might be owned by a contractor covering a wide area.

Watched a muddy truck go into a wash rack like OP was talking about. And then, in a moment that almost made me yell out 'NO!', a gorgeous new Corvette Stingray lined up to go in behind it. BLACK Stingray, no less.
 
What did you use for the compounding and polishing?

Meguiar's Ultimate Compound and Ultimate Polish.

Amazing transformation!

Thanks!

Very nice turn around. That was a big job.


Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using AG Online

You're telling me! My back still hurts just thinking about this truck.

Great job, polishing out large trucks and suvs are a pain. I'd never guess this vehicle would have 140k miles on it now.

Thanks!

Beautiful work!

Thanks!

Not uncommon for those of us in a rural area. I know a lot of guys who commute 90 miles a day! Adds up quick! If it's a 2009, it could've been purchased new in 2008. That's a little under 30k a year. I used to average more than that. That's why I just sold a car with 297k on it! (2000 model year bought in 2007 with 80k miles).

But a full size pickup sure is an expensive way to do it! LOL.

If it's a work truck it might be owned by a contractor covering a wide area.

Watched a muddy truck go into a wash rack like OP was talking about. And then, in a moment that almost made me yell out 'NO!', a gorgeous new Corvette Stingray lined up to go in behind it. BLACK Stingray, no less.

The owner is a roofing and siding contractor. He lives every day in this truck. We also do a lot of drag racing, and those weekends usually add another 200-500 miles.
 
You were able to accomplish that with a Porter Cable and big pads?

I think I see one in the reflection
 
You were able to accomplish that with a Porter Cable and big pads?

I think I see one in the reflection

Yup. Meguiar's Maroon 7 inch Soft Buff 2.0 pad, Yellow 7 inch Soft Buff 2.0 pad, and a Black 7 inch Soft Buff 2.0 pad. I've been using them for years with success. IDK if it makes a difference, but I'm not using a PC 7424XP, I have the way old 7336.
 
My back was aching just thinking about that process.
The ole 7 inch pads is how we HAD to do it back in the day. Proof that process still yields excellent results.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using AG Online
 
My back was aching just thinking about that process.
The ole 7 inch pads is how we HAD to do it back in the day. Proof that process still yields excellent results.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using AG Online

It's about knowing how to work the pad.... And the vehicle being mostly flat...

Nice work. :)

Thanks! Just saw your thread where you cleaned that Jeep, looks sharp!
 
Thanks! Just saw your thread where you cleaned that Jeep, looks sharp!


Thanks. :D

There is an Avalanche just like you did, same color and all but newer that looks as bad as the one in your before photos literally right next door to me......

I see it everyday and just shake my head.....
 
Back
Top