Well,
Tahoe is back with the owner now, my first one. I put opti-seal on it about 3 hours before the dew fell, and only one coat of opti-seal.
Looks like I shouldn't have applied the sealant when I did, and perhaps another 1-2 coats as well. Water beading was small and tight this morning though. I realize over-all time protection may be compromised.
I did this job for a good friend, and an American hero (Vietnam Vet), which is why I wanted to do the job. It was alo for a learning experience, and money wasn't the driving factor. Had it been I'd have lost my butt on labor as it took me 21 hours (over 2 1/2 days) to complete. I wish now I'd have taken pictures with my phone, but I'm not used to stopping work just to take pictures. I now regret that and it won't happen again...I'm a bit sick that I didn't take photo's.
I washed (stripped), washed again, clay, sealed (outer paint and door jams), and interior including carpets, seats, windows, and any rubber seals as well.
Tree sap was everywhere on the top, back hatch and glass. Ruined half of my clay bar and used he biggest portion of the second half.
Beige metal flake paint, with tan interior showing every black mark, blue plastic residue from a lunch cooler. Just really bad plastic...this thing was not well cared for.
I got all the spots (except one area of red stain) clean with Folex. All the plastic trim was first cleaned with Meguire's APC+ 20:1 to remove all the marks (they were everywhere), then protected with Hyper Dressing. Some of the stains only came off with Meguire's #39 (I've always loved this stuff). I had a few stronger mix's off APC+, but decided the #39 was closer at hand and it worked well.
Ultima Tire and Trim Guard went on the outside Trim and the tires.
Long story short, the guy really thought he was going to get a 6 hour detail like the last one he paid for for his wife's Trailblazer (150). He didn't squabble about the time I was taking, and the look on his face was worth it all. I don't think he expected the job to turn out like it did. He was thoroughly impressed. Said it looks like new again.
It was 2005 model with 90,000 on it and had never been detailed. Lives outside on a farm 24/7 (gravel lane), so you can imagine the dirt and dust accumulated behind the doors and rear hatch especially.
I don't think I'm slow. It was just bad, and I'm a perfectionist and I've been accused of such. My reply is always, "I resemble that remark."
Perhaps someone else could have did the work much quicker. All I know is that interior cabin is huge. The top of it isn't small by any means.