My First Official Detail (2005 Saturn Vue AWD V6)

m4gician

m4gician

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Hey Guys,

Long time browser, and started my own detailing company (part-time) just basically doing details on the side.

My equipment: I'm saving for a rotary to help cut the swirls down faster, but for now I'm using a PC7424 with proper cutting pads. I will be upgrading to a UDM very soon, just so that I have the best DA available. I understand that a rotary is a must for swirl removal, but for now I'm contempt to taking 4-6 hours correcting the paint, especially if I can command the prices I got on this car.

The products I have and use will be the Poorboys SSR line (1, 2.5, 3) and the Klasse Twins. I have XMT360 and XMT180 on order with Poorboys EX-P. I have Megs 16 as an option for an LSP. I use Megs Gold Class (until I pick up some Duragloss on my trip to NYC this weekend)

I didn't do the interior, just the exterior, and they specifically asked for me NOT to do the wheels (as in remove and polish them). All I did was give em a shot of spray detailer and dress tires with eagle 1 gel based tire dressing.

Anyways the car:
The car is a 2005 Saturn Vue AWD V6 (honda motor). Very nice pick-up off the line, a good 'sleeper' if you will. The car had a lot of swirling, EVERYWHERE. The owner took the car to the dealer to have it washed (they use brushes I bet) as well as lots of minor oxidation.

My issue with this car was that it was POLYMER panels and not sheet metal so I thought it wouldn't shine like I wanted to. Although on most saturns the HOOD and trunk are sheet metal and not polymer.

Sorry for the pics not being the same before and after, but my camera I tried wouldn't take good enough pictures of swirls. I tried my best and I'm still getting the hang of the pictures but here are the pics. I was worried I wouldn't get that deep look a black is supposed to have on this car... well I hope I got what I want.

P.S. I was going out after I delivered the car. Total time: 5 hours and 10 minutes. I did detail the engine, but I haven't uploaded pic yet. Lastly, I am SOOO SORRY there are too many pictures and they aren't the same as the before pictures. Please give me feedback if you can though I would appreciate that.

BEFORE:

(the car was clayed, but washed after)
front hood
100_2030.jpg

hood
100_2010.jpg

hood again
100_2012.jpg


top of hood
100_2015.jpg


wheel well
100_2009.jpg

wheel well and door
100_2020.jpg


rear door
100_2019.jpg


rear pillar
100_2025.jpg
















AFTER
Poorboys SSR2.5, SSR1, Klasse AIO + Klasse SG, waiting for SG to harden then applying Megs 16:

Poorboys SSR2.5 (yes there is dust) - applied with LC Orange via PC7424
100_2033.jpg


Hood after:
100_2051.jpg


Hood right:
100_2050.jpg


Hood left:
100_2049.jpg


100_2047.jpg


Doors:
100_2053.jpg


100_2043.jpg


that nasty swirled pillar
100_2038.jpg


100_2042.jpg


100_2040.jpg


100_2058.jpg


the close up of the door
100_2052.jpg


100_2046.jpg


100_2056.jpg
 
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excellent turnaround... If I can get those results from my first polishing job I will be very happy!
 
Excellent turn around! Spice those wells up with some protectant and that will take the cake.
 
ehuth1 said:
Excellent turn around! Spice those wells up with some protectant and that will take the cake.
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ehuth1 knows of what he speaks. Very nice job just knock out those wells and it will be "da bomb" (does anyone say that anymore?). Great job and I see you like so many of us here got a black car for the first one :) . If you can do black you got it.
 
wolfpacker92 said:
ehuth1 knows of what he speaks. Very nice job just knock out those wells and it will be "da bomb" (does anyone say that anymore?). Great job and I see you like so many of us here got a black car for the first one :) . If you can do black you got it.
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Without removing them, I remember reading that using Foaming Tire cleaner works to some degree? My issue is if I can remove it, I can scrub them with APC then apply 303. Is that right?
 
You don't have to remove the wheels to do the wheel wells. I never remove wheels. I just spray the well with Meguires APC undiluted and then agitate it with an old wheel schmitt that I have. Rinse when you rinse the wheel and after it dries dress it. I prefer Stoner's More Shine. I think you will find that this is what most on here do, they just may use different products to reach the same end result. The Stoner's will make the wells look new and black. It is really simple to do and it really impresses a lot of customers because they can't believe you even cleaned the wheel wells!:D
 
That's your first detail and it only took you 5hrs..:eek:...man that is a sweet job oh not to mention it's a black colour, well done. Very nice job, you sure turned that vehicle around.

Yea I agree the wheel wells give it that extra touch, it's all about apperance. Speaking of apperance, I have a question for you. Did you detail that vehicle woth those cloths on? If you did you got stile man, because when I detail I get the oldest shorts I got and the derties T-shirt and off to my garage I go hahahaha :D.
 
One thing I'd like to add is that the polymer when it was new didn't have a SHINNY appearance but more of a deep and glossy look. I think if you guys ever did Saturns with the polymer panels, that's the look you'll expect because you're polish clearcoat that's overtop a hard polymer. Also, although the polymer has lots of 'orange peel' I think it fits well knowing they're dent resistant plastic.
 
Nica said:
That's your first detail and it only took you 5hrs..:eek:...man that is a sweet job oh not to mention it's a black colour, well done. Very nice job, you sure turned that vehicle around.

Yea I agree the wheel wells give it that extra touch, it's all about apperance. Speaking of apperance, I have a question for you. Did you detail that vehicle woth those cloths on? If you did you got stile man, because when I detail I get the oldest shorts I got and the derties T-shirt and off to my garage I go hahahaha :D.
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No, I said I was going out AFTER delivery of vehicle. I actually was wearing some cargo shorts and a beige buffalo polo, I think if I were to have a uniform that would be it. One thing I didn't mention is that I used 303 on the plastic trim, god I love this stuff, it works really well and has A LOT of staying power.

I used APC 4:1 to clean the trim first.
 
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Excelletn work, and the pics turned out really well for you being unsure of them.
 
Very nice turnaround. Your pics showed the swirls. Good job.
 
Nice job on your first official detail! I can't believe you only took 5 hours. I woulda taken forever I bet :p
 
Great job - huge difference and barely over 5 hours! Wow! Keep it up and keep posting those pics. Thanks

Nica said:
Did you detail that vehicle woth those cloths on?
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What you don't dress up for detailing? I try to match my attire to the vechile... It ranges from shorts and t-shirt for a daily driver up to a tux if I'm doing a limo... I thought everyone did that? ;) ;) ;)
 
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