PT Cruiser Detail

Driven Auto Detail

Driven Auto Detail

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Hey all! This is my mom's PT Cruiser. I did this detail as a "gift/refer some business to me" type of deal. Unfortunately, I don't have any before pictures. I forgot to take my camera with me when I went to their house. These photos are the day after when she came over. It gave me a chance to take some "after" photos. I put about 6 hours into it. The interior was disgusting but I think it turned out really well (again, no pics, sorry!). The exterior wasn't much better however going into it I knew I wasn't going to spend a ton of time on it (this was my first real detail after back surgery so my conditioning/muscles aren't up to par). The paint had many defects from light to moderate scratches, bird poop etching, scuffs, & paint chips. Mom & dad were both quite impressed and thrilled with the outcome. I did this while they were out of town so when they got home they opened the garage door to their shiney "new" vehicle.

Process:
-Wash w/NXT.
-Clay w/Meg's clay & Last Touch for lube. I have to say, the paint felt like sand paper so I spent quite a bit of time claying. I should probably throw my clay bar away after this one.
-Wash w/NXT.
-Meg's #66 with PC & white LC polishing pad.
-Meg's NXT with grey LC finishing pad (X2). While I was impressed with the overall end result of NXT, I have to say I was disappointed because of some streaking. When buffing off with a Cobra MF towel, it seemed to streak a lot. You can see it in the hood shot (the darker areas of the clouds). I thought that the 2nd application would help, but it did the same thing again. This is the first time I've used NXT but I'll use it again till my bottle is gone. If the streaking continues I won't buy it again. Besides the streaking, I really liked the overall look and how it darked the paint.

EDIT: I've used NXT a couple times since this detail and I have to admit it looks like it was user error on my part. I think I just didn't let it cure long enough before removing it. I now like NXT :) .

Other products used:
-303 for trim
-Meg's High Endurance for tires
-Meg's APC+ for general cleaning inside & out
-Meg's Quick Interior Detailer
-Meg's NXT Glass Cleaner
-Meg's Detailer's Line Leather Cleaner/Conditioner

Pictures:

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Comments/questions welcomed!
 
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Good looking job! You achieved a really nice deep wet look. Sounds like you put a lot of work into it. Before I discovered AG, I bought some NXT and some Meg's Deep Crystal wax. I'm not really very fond of the NXT stuff I've tried. Between the two, I perfer the Deep Crystal.

On the dark purple, I recommend you try either PB Natty's Blue or DP Max Wax. IMHO.
 
Thanks for the compliment!

I have Natty's & Max Wax (MW is my all-time fav.). However, I just purchased some NXT stuff that I was wanting to try out so that's why I used it instead of Natty's or Max Wax.
 
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Nice job, never seen purple look that good. As far as nxt, I never had streaking problem with it. About a year ago I always had a problem with Zanio streaking. Thinking back the problem was with the towels, the wife used fabric softner on them. When you wash your towels, did you use fabric softner? That might be the problem.
 
Sparkie,

Thanks for the idea about the towels. I always wash them the same way...no die, no fragrance liquid detergant. I've never had a problem with streaking until now. I'll use the NXT in the future so we'll see. Maybe it was just something about this one....I'm not sure.

As far as Souveran is concerned, I haven't tried it, YET! I want to one of these days but I have so many new products on my shelf I haven't purchased it just yet. Plus, I am still debating whether or not I want to splurge on paste or just stick to liquid Souveran.

Anyway, thanks for the compliments!
 
mshu7 said:
Sparkie,

Thanks for the idea about the towels. I always wash them the same way...no die, no fragrance liquid detergant. I've never had a problem with streaking until now. I'll use the NXT in the future so we'll see. Maybe it was just something about this one....I'm not sure.

As far as Souveran is concerned, I haven't tried it, YET! I want to one of these days but I have so many new products on my shelf I haven't purchased it just yet. Plus, I am still debating whether or not I want to splurge on paste or just stick to liquid Souveran.

Anyway, thanks for the compliments!
Click to expand...

The paste Souveran will render the deepest wettest look but the liquid Souveran is very close and has more durability. The kits are the best way to go to get the most bang for your buck. :)
 
FN, thanks! That's exactly what I needed to hear to figure out which way to go. Hmm....15% coupon code sure sounds good right now :) .

Thanks again!


Edit: Ah, crap! Just missed the discount by a day! I'll be sure to pick it up next time.
 
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I might have a solution for your streaking problem. Before you wipe the wax off mist the area with a little water. This has always worked for me!!
 
mshu7 said:
FN, thanks! That's exactly what I needed to hear to figure out which way to go. Hmm....15% coupon code sure sounds good right now :) .

Thanks again!


Edit: Ah, crap! Just missed the discount by a day! I'll be sure to pick it up next time.
Click to expand...

Yeah the sale ended yesterday. :(

Autogeek is moving! We're relocating to a larger facility and everything in the warehouse has to be moved. To make it a little easier on ourselves, we're having a huge Moving Sale. Save 15% on every PBMA website: Autogeek.net, Pinnaclewax.com, Wolfgangcarcare.com and BikeDepot.net. Use coupon code MOVEIT and your discount will be applied to your order. This code is effective through Thursday, 9/21/06 Sunday 9/24/06. *Exceptions apply.
 
I use NXT and love it.
I got the streaks when I started using it but found I was not letting it dry long enough. One hour per coat it what worked for me. I use Megs Last Touch to remove it. Man the next morning....any color looked awesome! It's the best under rated OTC product their is. I used it today to remove light oxidation. Smells awesome too!

The PT looks amazing. I was selling them in 2001 when they were sooooo hot. Made me a ton of money. You have done this one justice

Glad to see another Megs user here!
 
Thanks Justin...that means a lot coming from you!!! You are the one that got me hooked on Meg's products.

I think you might be on to something about the NXT not being on there long enough. I'll be sure to leave it on for an hour or so next time. Like I said, besides the streaking, I really liked the NXT. It really seemed to give the paint a deep, very grape-jelly-ish tint. I wish I would have gotten some before pictures to show the difference in color it made. I'll definitely be using NXT on this Cruiser in the future!


I also used the NXT wash for the first time. Once again, a great product from Meg's. I just finished washing my '05 Carbon Grey Mica Mazda3 with NXT and it looks awesome. NXT will now be the only car wash I use (after I use up some other stuff though).

BTW, you were right about the Detailer's Line Leather Cleaner/Conditioner. Great stuff! It's nice to have a great all-in-one product when it comes to leather. It's definitely a time-saver.
 
NXT car wash is all I use too. The conditioner is the best out ther for leather I think. I have never had any problems with it on any leater. Works good on vinyl too.
 
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