ScottB
New member
- Mar 3, 2006
- 18,803
- 0
Well some of my last posts discussed trying to find a used car as a daily driver for work purposes. Car will be sitting outside 24/7 and gone in two years or less. I decided to buy used and having been searching for a GM product with nice warranty and buying cash so it has to be the deal of the century.
I picked the 07 Saturn Aura XR do to its options, pricing, and value. This car is black, has every option including sunroof and was a steal from a dealer upstate that needed to move it as they primarily sold BMW's.
Needless to say when we got up there the car initially looked ok. Upon inspection it was noted the billet grill (not standard) was discolored, and while car was serviced well and with no real major repairs, it was clearly a car wash queen only and outside all the time. It had marring so bad on the rear I almost walked away. My wife then reminded me that with a little TLC it could look alot better and dealer tossed in a last minute discount to avoid loss of sale making deal to good to pass up.
So let the dealing begin (and yes I failed to take initial pics). Here was the process:
Wheel Cleaning -- Griots Wheel Cleaner, EZ Detail Brush
Washing -- Optimum Car Wash
Claying --- Wolfgang Clay and Lube
Polishing -- Megs 105 / Menzerna 106FA
Protecting -- Four Star UPP (2 coats) and Four Star Spray Wax
Wheels -- FK425 (wheels) ---Surf City Beyond Black (tires)
Exhaust --- Mothers PowerAluminum/ Quad 0 Stainless Steel
Glass --- DP Glass Restorer / Aquapel
Grill --- Stainless Steel Wool and Billet Polish from Mothers
I went thru multiple pads, actually destroyed backing plate on PC, and found side by side all three of us prefer the look of Menzerna Polish to Megs 105 final gloss wise. While 105 certainly had more bite and helped with marring, it was the not finish down quality. I think the difference is note worthy and the pop up tent was a life saver with over 6 hours into the project. Unfortunately it poured and poured all afternoon and evening so pics came next morning.
SIDE REFLECTION
FULL VIEW
HOOD REFLECTION/DSIDE
I picked the 07 Saturn Aura XR do to its options, pricing, and value. This car is black, has every option including sunroof and was a steal from a dealer upstate that needed to move it as they primarily sold BMW's.
Needless to say when we got up there the car initially looked ok. Upon inspection it was noted the billet grill (not standard) was discolored, and while car was serviced well and with no real major repairs, it was clearly a car wash queen only and outside all the time. It had marring so bad on the rear I almost walked away. My wife then reminded me that with a little TLC it could look alot better and dealer tossed in a last minute discount to avoid loss of sale making deal to good to pass up.
So let the dealing begin (and yes I failed to take initial pics). Here was the process:
Wheel Cleaning -- Griots Wheel Cleaner, EZ Detail Brush
Washing -- Optimum Car Wash
Claying --- Wolfgang Clay and Lube
Polishing -- Megs 105 / Menzerna 106FA
Protecting -- Four Star UPP (2 coats) and Four Star Spray Wax
Wheels -- FK425 (wheels) ---Surf City Beyond Black (tires)
Exhaust --- Mothers PowerAluminum/ Quad 0 Stainless Steel
Glass --- DP Glass Restorer / Aquapel
Grill --- Stainless Steel Wool and Billet Polish from Mothers
I went thru multiple pads, actually destroyed backing plate on PC, and found side by side all three of us prefer the look of Menzerna Polish to Megs 105 final gloss wise. While 105 certainly had more bite and helped with marring, it was the not finish down quality. I think the difference is note worthy and the pop up tent was a life saver with over 6 hours into the project. Unfortunately it poured and poured all afternoon and evening so pics came next morning.
SIDE REFLECTION
FULL VIEW
HOOD REFLECTION/DSIDE
icture:
And, how did the prior owner happen on that billet grill?..............when you sent me the PM & pics, I said to myself that the grill wasn't something that came on a stock 2007 Aura.
