Going to detail my white Honda Pilot

[runrun411]

This is my 2009 Honda Pilot. I call her 'The Igloo'. I am going to try to tackle this behemoth of an SUV (yeah I know a Tahoe or Surburban is bigger but believe me this thing has a lot of real estate to cover as well). It's likely the last detail project I take on before I go for hip replacement surgery (I need replacement in both hips but only going to do one at a time in June). I know it's going to take a while to complete it and I intend to take my time. Sorry for the bad pics. the sun was going down.

It has a few minor swirls but not too bad. White is such a hard color to capture.

It may not seem so but it's a little dull here

Anyway, enough with all the white washing, now onto a few flaws.

I am determined to fix this...

These are making me crazy.

WGETS should take care of this...

The plan is to:

1) Wash with Dawn to strip the old wax
2) Clay
3) Polish w/orange Hexlogic pad using Megs 205 or Mens 2500 (it's not badly swirled
so I don't think I need a compound)
4) Seal with WDGPS
5) Wax with Mens Color Lock
6) Use Optimum Spray Wax as a topper

I'll also be cleaning and treating the wheels, polishing the chrome tips and cleaning interior. You all know the routine.

When I did my wife's Pathfinder it took me 4 days, about 28hrs total so I can only imagine.

Whew... Wish me luck, I'm gonna need it.

 

[Evan.J]

Looks like a good plan. Pilots are bigger than they seem but the are nice. Best of luck to you and take it easy.

 

[swanicyouth]

When I did my wife's Pathfinder it took me 4 days, about 28hrs total so I can only imagine.

Now here's a man I can relate to. I don't know how some of these guys wash, decon, clay, polish, wax, and trim dress a car in 6 hours. I guess if its your job you find a way. It probably takes me an hour to just clean 4 wheels, but they are spotless inside and out when I'm done.

For me, anytime the buffer comes out to go around the car its at least a 2 day affair - usually longer. But I'm polishing every square inch, including bumpers, rocker panels, etc...

Good look with your hip replacement. My mom has had 1 hip and 2 knees done and they l came out fine with no issues.

 

[c8n]

Have fun with the detail!
Good luck on your surgery and hope for a speedy recovery!

 

[runrun411]

I'll most likely end up adding a few steps to the process like finishing polish and glaze. One of the things that makes it harder for me is both of my hips are bad so that means working through the pain. Also, when detailing an SUV you have to do use the scaffold latter and climb up and down it. Ouch, more pain. I keep the Alleve handy.

 

[Setec Astronomy]

It's likely the last detail project I take on before I go for hip replacement surgery (I need replacement in both hips but only going to do one at a time in June). I know it's going to take a while to complete it and I intend to take my time.

Whew... Wish me luck, I'm gonna need it.

Good luck, man. You have touch up paint for those spots on the bumper? And what is that above the headlights? I can't tell if that's some swirled chrome trim, or if that chrome is under the lens which is swirled.

Are you going to make it to that Poorboy's day before your surgery?

 

[WRXINXS]

Would the Menz Color Lock remove the WGDGPS because it is a liquid wax that possibly contains solvents? When people top a sealant, I usually see paste/jar carnauba. I may be completely off base here though?

I would just put down several layers of WGDGPS because on white it is hard to get the depth carnauba look and I think people usually just go for mirror finish that a sealant would give. Plus less dust attaction this time of year is a plus.

Good luck RunRun, I like the nickname "Igloo"!

 

[VP Mark]

I did an older version of that SUV yesterday for a client. D300 on my Rupes 15 with a Orange CCS pad bossed through the defects. Wasn't 100% but darn near for the time I spent. Opti-Sealed it and called it a day!

 

[runrun411]

Looks like a good plan. Pilots are bigger than they seem but the are nice. Best of luck to you and take it easy.

Thanks :xyxthumbs:

Good look with your hip replacement. My mom has had 1 hip and 2 knees done and they l came out fine with no issues.

I am so nervous and I'm gonna miss my detail stuff. LOL

Have fun with the detail!
Good luck on your surgery and hope for a speedy recovery!

Thanks the faster my recovery the sooner I can get back to what I really enjoy.

Good luck, man. You have touch up paint for those spots on the bumper? And what is that above the headlights? I can't tell if that's some swirled chrome trim, or if that chrome is under the lens which is swirled.

Are you going to make it to that Poorboy's day before your surgery?

I gotta get that touchup paint that also comes with the sealant. Those scratches above the headlights seems like they are on the lens but looks like below it. I plan to go to Poorboy's day if only for one day. I'm not too far away.

Would the Menz Color Lock remove the WGDGPS because it is a liquid wax that possibly contains solvents? When people top a sealant, I usually see paste/jar carnauba. I may be completely off base here though?

I would just put down several layers of WGDGPS because on white it is hard to get the depth carnauba look and I think people usually just go for mirror finish that a sealant would give. Plus less dust attaction this time of year is a plus.

Good luck RunRun, I like the nickname "Igloo"!

You know I didn't think of that. Good tip. Thanks. :dblthumb2:

I did an older version of that SUV yesterday for a client. D300 on my Rupes 15 with a Orange CCS pad bossed through the defects. Wasn't 100% but darn near for the time I spent. Opti-Sealed it and called it a day!

How long did it take?

 

[VP Mark]

Thanks :xyxthumbs:



I am so nervous and I'm gonna miss my detail stuff. LOL




Thanks the faster my recovery the sooner I can get back to what I really enjoy.



I gotta get that touchup paint that also comes with the sealant. Those scratches above the headlights seems like they are on the lens but looks like below it. I plan to go to Poorboy's day if only for one day. I'm not too far away.



You know I didn't think of that. Good tip. Thanks. :dblthumb2:



How long did it take?

Spent about 2 hours. I wasn't looking for perfection just visible quality results.

 

[WAXOFF]

I just finished a 2013 Pearl White Pilot about an hour ago. I p 12 hours in this thing. They are big. I'm glad it's not mine. I clayed and then buffed wit CG's Pro Polish Nano 3n and then hand applied Collinite 845. Cleaned and dressed the leather with CG's leather cleaner and conditioner. Bare Bones in the wheel wells. Eagle One on the tires. It got so dark I couldn't take any photos. Weel It's sitting in my garage. I have to deliver it in the morning.

 

[hernandez.art13]

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Stay strong!