Ray@Autogeek
New member
- Mar 20, 2012
- 785
- 0
97 GMC Jimmy Correction (Multiple Rayviews)
I love working on old beat up daily drivers, and this weekend I got to work on a 1997 GMC Jimmy that hasn't seen a wash in a looooooooooooooooooooooong time. I was limited in time for this detail so I didn't have a chance to take too many pics, but I was excited to use a few new products.
The owner loves this vehicle, but thought the finish was too far gone to spend any time making it look better. I knew with a little time and the right products that it could look much better.
Here's a closeup of the grill that showed the condition of the entire vehicle. Contaminated, oxidized, swirled out and tons of water spots
Swirls galore.
Neglected wheels and tires.
The entire truck looked like it was washed with a Brillo pad.
I started with the shoes. I knew the tires needed serious help so I grabbed TUF SHINE's Tire Cleaner.
While the brown sludge was melting off the tires, I applied Wolfgang Über Wheel Cleaner to the wheels.
With a little agitation...
The wheels were so bad they required a couple applications and extra agitation.
Much better.
Now to wash the vehicle, I grabbed a bottle of Detailers Pro Series Auto Bath Shampoo. P.s. It smells like Bananas
After washing, I knew the paint was heavily contaminated because it felt like 45 grit sand paper. So I used Iron X to dissolve all the nasty stuff from the paint.
After using Iron X, I grabbed a Nanoskin AutoScrub Medium Grade Wash Mitt and Detailers Pro Series Universal Clay Lubricant. This is one of the new products I've been itching to try. I went straight for the Medium grade because of the condition of the paint and I would be polishing afterwards.
After using the Nanoskin AutoScrub Wash Mitt, I'm not sure if I'll ever go back to a Clay Bar again. While moving the wash mitt back and forth, I could feel the "gritty" feeling disappear into a smooth finish.
After drying the vehicle with a Guzzler Microfiber towel, I could see the paint had already significantly improved.
On the right track!
Amazing what a 2 Bucket Wash + Autoscrub can do...
After decontaminating, I pulled Jimmy into the AG Show Car Garage for inspection...
I started with a test spot and the least aggressive method first. I wanted to use Menzerna Polishes this time with a Cyclo Polisher. I quickly learned this paint was HARD. Menzerna Super Finish (SF-4000) had no effect on the paint. I tried Menzerna SIP - Super Intensive Polish (IS 1500) and I started to see progress...but I knew I could get better results. So I used Menzerna Power Gloss Compound (PG 1000) and got great results.
50/50 Hood Shot
Before I got started on the rest of the vehicle, Nick suggested I try out Menzerna Fast Gloss Compound (FG-400); and I'm glad he did! FG-400 was thicker than PG1000 and worked faster. Surprisingly, Fast Gloss Compound got the paint glossier, faster
.
I love working on old beat up daily drivers, and this weekend I got to work on a 1997 GMC Jimmy that hasn't seen a wash in a looooooooooooooooooooooong time. I was limited in time for this detail so I didn't have a chance to take too many pics, but I was excited to use a few new products.
The owner loves this vehicle, but thought the finish was too far gone to spend any time making it look better. I knew with a little time and the right products that it could look much better.
Here's a closeup of the grill that showed the condition of the entire vehicle. Contaminated, oxidized, swirled out and tons of water spots
Swirls galore.
Neglected wheels and tires.
The entire truck looked like it was washed with a Brillo pad.
I started with the shoes. I knew the tires needed serious help so I grabbed TUF SHINE's Tire Cleaner.
While the brown sludge was melting off the tires, I applied Wolfgang Über Wheel Cleaner to the wheels.
With a little agitation...
The wheels were so bad they required a couple applications and extra agitation.
Much better.
Now to wash the vehicle, I grabbed a bottle of Detailers Pro Series Auto Bath Shampoo. P.s. It smells like Bananas
After washing, I knew the paint was heavily contaminated because it felt like 45 grit sand paper. So I used Iron X to dissolve all the nasty stuff from the paint.
After using Iron X, I grabbed a Nanoskin AutoScrub Medium Grade Wash Mitt and Detailers Pro Series Universal Clay Lubricant. This is one of the new products I've been itching to try. I went straight for the Medium grade because of the condition of the paint and I would be polishing afterwards.
After using the Nanoskin AutoScrub Wash Mitt, I'm not sure if I'll ever go back to a Clay Bar again. While moving the wash mitt back and forth, I could feel the "gritty" feeling disappear into a smooth finish.
After drying the vehicle with a Guzzler Microfiber towel, I could see the paint had already significantly improved.
On the right track!
Amazing what a 2 Bucket Wash + Autoscrub can do...
After decontaminating, I pulled Jimmy into the AG Show Car Garage for inspection...
I started with a test spot and the least aggressive method first. I wanted to use Menzerna Polishes this time with a Cyclo Polisher. I quickly learned this paint was HARD. Menzerna Super Finish (SF-4000) had no effect on the paint. I tried Menzerna SIP - Super Intensive Polish (IS 1500) and I started to see progress...but I knew I could get better results. So I used Menzerna Power Gloss Compound (PG 1000) and got great results.
50/50 Hood Shot
Before I got started on the rest of the vehicle, Nick suggested I try out Menzerna Fast Gloss Compound (FG-400); and I'm glad he did! FG-400 was thicker than PG1000 and worked faster. Surprisingly, Fast Gloss Compound got the paint glossier, faster
.
