My first try at a more serious detail

[ltoman]

Yes, that is one thing that I can't stand. Shiny cars are magnets to people wanting to touch it and rub it. Dont you wish you could get a force field around your car so no one can get near it




So let me get this traight, you apply with the aid of the PC? You remove the by hand? I thought that it was the other way around, you oculd apply by hand and remove with the PC for better results? Well I know it could be done either way but I thought that for best results that you remove using the PC?


Well you got great results, the color looks great it's icture: worthy. Let me ask you something, how long did it take you to do the clay part? I too just purchased a new Lexus SUV and I'm still hesitant about purchasing a PC and bringing it close to my new car...but after seeing your results and others I think I know what I want for x-mas . Where you nervous using the PC on your car?

don't worry. see my new vette? i thought i would wreck it using the pc. inatead, the pc still has not gotten the swirls out and there has been zero damage done. it is just a really laborious task is all. no worries if you follow the steps as directed!!
good luck!
lauren

 

[supercharged]

This was on my 3 month old 2007 Lexus IS350 which fortunately showed no
scratches or swirls so I skipped the prelim. stages of polishing.
Most of my supplies arrived last week so I began the process listed below.
I purchased a PC a month ago but not used it till now and then added some Edge pads. The AG store has been great
Thanks to all the great info given here I came up with the following steps:
1) wash (Mothers car shampoo already on hand)
2) clay (Pinnacle clay and lube)
3) prep (Klasse AIO)
4) sealant (WDGP)
5) final shine (Pinnacle Souveran paste wax)

I order the Pinnacle paste wax and spray this morning with a fast ship so
hopefully I will have that in time for step 5 this holiday weekend.

Given that this was my first attempt at a more serious detail with a PC-7424
and high quality products I was extemely grateful for your expertise
shared in this forum. I read, watched video clips, read,watched more clips,
and did I mention that I read more.
This was my first experience at claying a car but it went just as discribed
and I was amazed at the crap that came off considering that it was new
but since it did come here via the rail I should not be surprised.
I then snapped a white Edge 2000 pad on my PC and went to work with
the Klasse AIO. I then snapped on a second white pad on my PC went to
work with the Wolfgang sealant. Buffed both out by hand to glorious shine.
I ran out time before I could do more but I am SO VERY PLEASED with the
results so far. The PC is a must for me now.
Thank you for your help:cheers: :grouphug:

I think I will do one more coat of the WDGP before I put on the Souveran.
What do you think??

Here is a poor pic I snapped at work today so I can show my progress.

Wayne

Looks great! By the way, how do you like your Lexus?

One thing - I would upgrade on a car wash shampoo - I'm really spoiled by Poorboy's, Pinnacle, and DP Xtreme foam.

 

[ltoman]

pinacle's body shampoo is fantastic, imho.
lauren

 

[Red350]

So let me get this traight, you apply with the aid of the PC? You remove the by hand? I thought that it was the other way around, you oculd apply by hand and remove with the PC for better results? Well I know it could be done either way but I thought that for best results that you remove using the PC?

My understanding from all my reading here is that you want work the product
into to surface best you can then remove it with minimal friction and heating.
When you apply the product it acts as a lubricant. Removal is more a dry
contact so I prefer having the feel by hand. I hope the gurus will correct me
here if I got it wrong. I will probably experiment with using a MF bonnet on a
lambs wool buffing pad but just wanted to get a good feel my first time with
all this new stuff

Well you got great results, the color looks great it's icture: worthy. Let me ask you something, how long did it take you to do the clay part? I too just purchased a new Lexus SUV and I'm still hesitant about purchasing a PC and bringing it close to my new car...but after seeing your results and others I think I know what I want for x-mas . Where you nervous using the PC on your car?

I had NO experience at claying so I went slow and took a couple hours to
clay the whole car. Next time I could probably do it in less than an hour.
I was quite surprised how much crap the clay picked up. I used the Pinnacle
Ultra clay since I was working with a relatively new surface. A good spray
lub and working the clay frequently I think is key here.
I was terribly nervous about touching my new Lex with a power buffer
but all the testimonies in here gave me the courage. I am very amazed
at the results:awesome: not to mention the time and sweat it saves.
Watch the video clips available in Autogeek, they are a great guide.
I started on my trunk deck just in case I had problems but it went great.
I highly recommend the PC and the Edge 2000 pads. They are two sided
and self centering. I used the white pad for everything since I was not
needing to do any cutting. I am going to get a better car shampo as
my new firends here have suggested. Dumb to scrimp on the most important
stage of the detail. I would strongly recommend the clay and Klasse AIO
and the rest can be drawn from all the good advice in this :righton: forum.
I hope this helps.

Wayne

 

[Red350]

Looks great! By the way, how do you like your Lexus?

One thing - I would upgrade on a car wash shampoo - I'm really spoiled by Poorboy's, Pinnacle, and DP Xtreme foam.

I have owned Acura, BMW, MB, you name it but this is the crowning
jewel. The fit, finish, and craftmanship is beyond all. A real class act.
It has all the latest technology. I can't help but rip a big smile everytime I
drive it. I am a true audiophile so the Mark Levinson sound system is the
icing on the cake. It's pretty quick too 0-60 in 5.3sec and will do the 1/4
in the 13s @ over 100mph. Best mix of luxury and fun I could hope for.
And I'm NOT affiliated with Lexus either

 

[Red350]

pinacle's body shampoo is fantastic, imho.
lauren

You mean on the car, right? jk
Thanks for the tip Lauren
Going to order some today.
I see UPS is going to be delivering my Pinnacle Souveran paste wax and
QD spray this afternoon so my step 5 will probably go on just in time for
a turkey day showing. My friends and family think I'm going thru a mid-life
crisis with this Lex and the detailing. Maybe so but it's fun
I never would of thought I would become an autogeek
but I have to say Im the MAN there's more to come!!!

 

[ryandamartini]

I have owned Acura, BMW, MB, you name it but this is the crowning
jewel. The fit, finish, and craftmanship is beyond all. A real class act.
It has all the latest technology. I can't help but rip a big smile everytime I
drive it. I am a true audiophile so the Mark Levinson sound system is the
icing on the cake. It's pretty quick too 0-60 in 5.3sec and will do the 1/4
in the 13s @ over 100mph. Best mix of luxury and fun I could hope for.
And I'm NOT affiliated with Lexus either

Sexy car. Theres one around here that has a magnaflow exhaust out back. I tell you the sound that comes out is sex!

Just some friendly encouragement I hear a CAI makes it even sound better. I just love the new engine in the IS.

 

[Nica]

Red,

Thank you for the information, reading testimonials like yours help a new person like my self to feel a little more confident about the PC and a brand new car.

One more question, have you detailed your interior? If so, how did you detail the wood trim? See, I detailed my Lexus and I did the leather seats no problem and the vinyl trim as well but when I got to the wood trim I had no idea what to do so I just wiped it with a damp towel. Someone forgot who it was advised me to use glass cleaner...just curious what others use.

No such thing as a midlife crisis when it comes to keeping your baby clean, I'm only 27 and every weekend (starting Friday night) I'm in the garage cleaning my vehicles.

By the way, that is the next vehicle on my list. I test drove the IS and you are right to smile...it's a gorgeous vehicle. Enjoy it and please let us know what other detailing products/procedures you try on it.