2013 VW GOLF Sportline - 'Revival' + Pinnacle Black Label Coatings

Tato

Tato

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Dear Friends,

This week I had the pleasure to work on a 2013 VW Golf Sportline. The car was very neglected but during evaluation I could see huge potential for a full refinishing work.

I'll let the pictures do the talk, and I hope you enjoy watching!


START

Car arrived, let's take a look:
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Getting closer so you can see the real condition of the vehicle
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Embedded contaminants made the car look much older than it actually is
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Inside and out,
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Mostly everywhere
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Let's start looking at some results.

BEFORE
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AFTER
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BEFORE
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AFTER
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More on this subject:
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Tacky!
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The lack of proper rubber cleaning and care was causing that ugly staining on painted metal in contact with it:
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After cleaning the rubber seals, I degreased interior of doors using a tar remover, then hand polished every inch of it:
vwgolf13-15.png


I've worked Menzerna PF2500 with a Microfiber Applicator to achieve acceptable results.
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Put some passion under that pad, and move it at speed of light... The literal definition of 'Elbow Grease!'
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Sweat, but worth it
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Finished results on driver's side:
vwgolf13-18b.png


Passenger's side
BEFORE
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AFTER
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BEFORE


AFTER
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BEFORE
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AFTER
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ENGINE / BAY Detailing


This part wasn't very dirty because customer had already cleaned it recently
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However, he used improper cleaning material, causing a lot of scratches under the hood.
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To improve this part I've polished under the hood both by machine and by hand. Here are some pictures of the process which consisted of a 2 step polishing (PF2500@orange pad / by hand, SF4000@white pad / by hand).

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Finishing by machine
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Improving the results by hand polishing
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BEFORE
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AFTER
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A microfiber towel was also used to polish some parts
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After polishing, I've wiped everything with Eraser then coated using Pinnacle Black Label Surface Coating
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Although customer cleaned engine recently, it still could get some improvement.

BEFORE
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DURING - Giving it a shine
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AFTER Cleansing Step
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AFTER Conditioning Step (Sonus Trim&Motor Kote)
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Closer:
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Exhaust tips in need of some love:
vwgolf13-38.png


Done:
vwgolf13-38b.png
 
WHEEL WORK

Wheels looked dirty but I wasn't expecting what I've found after washing.

BEFORE
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AFTER Washing
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To proceed, I've used the trusty Iron-X approach
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It was clearly needed to get rid of this kind of contamination
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After some dwell time, I gently agitate surface using many brushes
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Slowly rinsing to get the most of my product until it's totally neutralized - but still works great as a 'strong soap'
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Even after Iron decontamination, I decided to proceed with a tar removal process and also hand polish each wheel by hand using D300 and a MF towel / glove.
vwgolf13-46.png


Not perfect, but much improved!
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More on Prep.

Preparing this car for polishing took longer than the polishing (which was also intensive) itself. One important step of this preparation was getting rid of grime and tar attached to the whole under / side of the car.

vwgolf13-48a.png


Mother's R3 remover was very useful in the process:
vwgolf13-48b.png


However, my trusty 3M Citrus remover was better suited for more contaminated areas:
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3M Citrus in action (it may show white when in contact with water
vwgolf13-49b.png


WASHING

After getting rid of all tar I could I detailed emblems, used brushes everywhere they fitted for a detailed wash then foamed the car using a mixture of Meguiar's Hyper Wash added with CG Bug / Tar Wash.

vwgolf13-50.png


Definitively one of the easiest ways of making any car 'Dripping Wet' looking, no!?
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No time to waste, after conventional washing, it was time for decontaminating the paint.

PAINT DECONTAMINATION

After washing it was clear most of dirt on this car was embedded, heavily attached to the finish.

vwgolf13-52.png


Without thinking twice, an Iron-X shoot to help me clearing the path for the polishing step:

vwgolf13-53.png


Product started reacting immediately after application
vwgolf13-54.png


After some dwell time, it's easier to spot the degree of contamination I was facing:
vwgolf13-55.png


On the Hood:
vwgolf13-56.png


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After removing Iron contamination, I did a tar removal step followed by Claying. For the claying step, I relied on CarPro Towel.
vwgolf13-59.png


Overspray:
vwgolf13-60.png


50/50 of claying for overspray removal (traced tape line for better visualization)
vwgolf13-61.png


CarPro Spotless was also used both on glass and mirrors to get rid of water spots.

BEFORE
vwgolf13-61a.png


AFTER
vwgolf13-61b.png



POLISHING PROCEDURE

Some pictures shown for before are from the initial inspection (the car as it arrives)
vwgolf13-62.png


Deep Swirls and Scratches
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Take a look how scratched the paint was:
vwgolf13-66.png



TEST SPOT

After detailing, cleaning and decontaminating the car, I was ready to start the polishing step. Like any 'conventional work day' I've grabbed first the 3401s, Menzernas and Foam Pads.

vwgolf13-67.png


And even knowing it wouldn't be enough, I've started as low as a white pad and SF4000, a finishing polish. This approach helps me understanding better the paint I'll be working.

vwgolf13-68.png


Spread the polish:
vwgolf13-69.png


Work it to a thin film:
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Remove residue using a quality MF Towel
vwgolf13-71.png


And this is what I mean by quality MF Towel!
vwgolf13-72.png


Inspect your results - few to no improvement:


After my test the first thing that came to my mind was 'WOOL + Heavy Cutting Polish'. However, I decided to step up slowly to meet the paint a bit more. FG400 + Orange Cutting Foam Pad
vwgolf13-74.png


As expected, few to no improvement again.
vwgolf13-75.png


One more step up, now to a Microfiber Pad and FG400:
vwgolf13-76.png


Which showed not sufficient as well. That fact gave me enough confidence to grab Meguiar's M100 compound to achieve the results I was willing to get.

Rupes System is all about 'color matching' compounds and pads, right? hehe
vwgolf13-77.png
 
And that did the trick!
vwgolf13-78.png


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The results shown above are right after the compounding step. M100 truly lives the hype of cutting fast without hazing or dulling the finish. However, everything was polished via Flex afterwards to get an even finish - some parts received FG400@orange + SF4000@white, while other parts received just SF4000@white after the compounding step.
vwgolf13-80.png


Only the strongest remained (after 1 compounding step):
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After my 3-step approach, those RIDS ended up like this:
vwgolf13-82.png


And we kept moving!

BEFORE
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AFTERs
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HOOD

BEFORE
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AFTERs
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BEFORE
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AFTER
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BEFORE
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AFTERs
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BEFORE
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AFTERs
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This defect was concerning my customer so I did my best to at least hide it to the extent I could.

BEFORE
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AFTER Garage Lighting
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AFTER Sunlight
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MORE DETAILS

All handles worked by hand using a MF applicator and M100, followed by SF4000

BEFORE
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AFTER
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BEFORE
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AFTER
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BEFORE
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AFTER
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Front Grille was also dulled and thrashed, my best will was to make it look improved. I've used PF2500@white pad followed by SF4000@gray finishing pad

BEFORE
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AFTER
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LAMPS

Sorry for the headlamp pictures, before (pass. side), after (driv. side). I couldn't find the correspondent pictures so they are here just to tell I've also worked improvements on headlamps.

BEFORE Pass. Side
vwgolf13-106.png


AFTER Driver's Side
vwgolf13-107.png


The tail lamps were also thrashed and although achieving much improvement I couldn't get rid of all defects and holograms. After correction via polishing they were finished as fine as a LC red finishing pad.

BEFORE
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AFTER
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BEFORE
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AFTER
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BEFORE
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AFTER
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BEFORE
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AFTER
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Finally I got the whole car polished, washed again and coated with Pinnacle Black Label Surface, Paint, Glass and Wheel coatings, whetter they fitted.
vwgolf13-114.png
 
INTERIOR

Interior work was performed using vacuum, dedicated and safe chemicals and cleaners followed by Steam Cleansing of whole interior. Parts were then conditioned using either 303 aerospace or leather protectant, whetter they fitted.

BEFORE
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AFTERs
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BEFORE
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AFTERs
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BEFOREs
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AFTERs
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BEFORE
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AFTER
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Customer guaranteed me to not worry with this part since it was clean.
BEFORE - Not what this bug thinks, right?!
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AFTER Now he can brag!
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-----

Here I'm waiting customer to arrive for pick up while staring at my hard work:
vwgolf13-130.png


Leaving, another shiny very happy customer!
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----

That's it! I wish you enjoyed watching as much I've enjoyed working on this one.

If you have any question, comment, critics, suggestions, you're ALWAYS welcome.

Thank you very much in advance,

Kind Regards.
 
Wow...very Impressive work and detail!!!
That silver lady turn out to be the most elegance at show!!!
I wouldn't hesitate to roll in there ;)
 
That is some extremely nice work there. Excellent results and amazing work with putting it all together. Very impressive!! :props:

How many hours did it take you overall to complete that transformation?
 
Fantastic job! Very detailed. How long did interior and exterior take to do?
 
Your work is incredible. You really put the "detail" in detailing :xyxthumbs:
 
Great work! Excellent attention to the details and you show some great passion into your work, keep it up.
 
Incredible dedication to this job Rafael! My jaw is on the floor. Nicely done good sir.

What a transformation! Thanks for sharing.
 
Wow really put what detailing is all about.
Only if half of the so called "Detailers" are as detail as you are......
 
Excellent work Rafael, excellent photos and excellent documentation of all the steps and products used. Thanks for sharing :dblthumb2:.
 
Such as awesome read Rafael.... thanks so much for sharing:xyxthumbs:

I know how much time it can take snapping pics during the detail and then composing the write up afterwards so much respect for including so much detail. It takes the reader on the detailing journey with you, and I always enjoy reading threads like that.

You really breathed some new life into that VW and I am sure the owner was absolutely thrilled with the outcome.

Well done my friend!!!!
 
Moldavite said:
Wow...very Impressive work and detail!!!
That silver lady turn out to be the most elegance at show!!!
I wouldn't hesitate to roll in there ;)
Click to expand...

Thanks for this comment!

jarred767 said:
That is some extremely nice work there. Excellent results and amazing work with putting it all together. Very impressive!! :props:

How many hours did it take you overall to complete that transformation?
Click to expand...

Thanks for comment. Overall it was needed 4 full work days, and I'm not adding the coating cure time (12 additional hours prior delivery).

SonOfOC said:
Fantastic job! Very detailed. How long did interior and exterior take to do?
Click to expand...

Thank you! Didactically saying, it was 2 detailing / prep. / interior work days, and 2 polishing work days. A lot of time!

zckid said:
Transformers-Full.jpg


:)
Click to expand...

I like it, thanks for sharing!

haris300 said:
Your work is incredible. You really put the "detail" in detailing :xyxthumbs:
Click to expand...

Thank you Haris, you're right, that's a lot of detailing. Now, excuse me while I take my OCD meds hehehe

java said:
Great work! Excellent attention to the details and you show some great passion into your work, keep it up.
Click to expand...

Thank you java, passion is what moves us on in this life! Glad you enjoyed.

Mike@DedicatedPerfection said:
Incredible dedication to this job Rafael! My jaw is on the floor. Nicely done good sir.

What a transformation! Thanks for sharing.
Click to expand...

Thanks Mike, I'm happy you enjoyed!

EvolutionDetail said:
Wow really put what detailing is all about.
Only if half of the so called "Detailers" are as detail as you are......
Click to expand...

Thank you very much, I do my best to stay in AG's line. It's my turn to thank everyone who shares they work and tips here - from staff to members, without you I wouldn't be able to do a fraction of my work.

FrankS said:
Excellent work Rafael, excellent photos and excellent documentation of all the steps and products used. Thanks for sharing :dblthumb2:.
Click to expand...

You're welcome Frank, I'm glad seeing you around taking a look at my work!

lawrenceSA said:
Such as awesome read Rafael.... thanks so much for sharing:xyxthumbs:

I know how much time it can take snapping pics during the detail and then composing the write up afterwards so much respect for including so much detail. It takes the reader on the detailing journey with you, and I always enjoy reading threads like that.

You really breathed some new life into that VW and I am sure the owner was absolutely thrilled with the outcome.

Well done my friend!!!!
Click to expand...

Thanks Lawrence. Yes, snapping and posting takes a huge amount of time plus dedication. In the end, reading comments like yours, coming from people like you makes all effort worth it.

Thank you very much.

Kind Regards.
 
Oi Rafael, tudo bem?

Cara, seus trabalhos são de uma qualidade fantástica, tudo perfeito!

Esse Golf estava muito ruim hein, scotch brite fez na pintura um trabalho agradável

Espero que o dono do carro tenha feito um programa de manutenção do carro com você, porque seria uma pena estragar seu trabalho exemplar.

Não perdendo a oportunidade, o que você achou da toalha clay CarPro?

Obrigado
Hi Rafael, okay?

Dude, your work is of a fantastic quality, all perfect!

This Golf was too bad huh, scotch brite paint did a nice job

I hope the car owner has done a maintenance program car with you, because it would be a shame to spoil their exemplary work.

Not missing an opportunity, what did you think of clay CarPro towel?

Thank you
 
Dear Flavio, how are you?

You're kind, thank you for the words.

CarPro Claying Towel has 'similar texture' of nanoskin products which (for me) means quality.

Nowadays, there are many 'parallel' clay substitutes on market but brands like CarPro chooses correctly what they put their brand in. This leaves us with just an option, buy it even if for a spare.

It works more like the medium grade nanoskin, which turns out to be my favorite claying substitute tool.

The towel is now on pair and it feels strong made, seems durable. Leaves very few marring because you don't need to scrub in order to get contaminants out.

My best tip would be 'Glide it, don't scrub it'. Over proper amount of lube. What were we talking about, really? hehehe


Great stuff!, for sure.

Thanks for comment,

Kind Regards.
 
I don't post very often, although I'm always here reading and learning, and detailing cars is my profession.
I had the pleasure and honor to meet Rafael personally, and the quality of his work is amazing. He is a world-class detailer, he could be working with it in any country. His passion and knowledge is impressive, and his humbleness, down to earth kind of personality is unparalleled.
He doesn't keep his findings to himself, as his posts can show, he is always sharing, advicing, and his technique is heavily influenced by the masters Mike Philips and Mike "Smack" (my opinion, anyway, and also I am).
We worked in a car together from 8 in the morning to 11 at night, and it was like taking a rollercoaster ride. It was not work, it was like two kids playing ball in a sunny afternoon. Wish all my working days were like that!
And instead of being overhyped, like a lot of folks around here, full of bs and dubious/amateur techniques, he is underhyped (if there is such a word).
Rafael reminds me an old song "the future is so bright, I gotta wear my shades". :xyxthumbs:
 
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