Thread: Any detailing fanatics here? my 10 hour detail...

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I just spent a whole day detailing my Mariner about 3 months ago and after I was done, was very unhappy with my results. So...I finally found a day to 'redo' it and WOW! I'm so glad I took more time and really worked it over. This baby looks like glass now...absolutely beautiful (in my opinion)!!!

For those who care about my process, I'll walk you through the steps...otherwise, skip on down to the pics.

First up, I washed her down with 'Dawn' dish soap to remove all wax and any other grease and contaminants. Next, I claybarred just the top as the car was in perfect shape from the last detail. Then re-washed her to remove any clay residue. Then came the good stuff...I polished her with my PC7424 and Poorboy's SSR2 over the entire body using halogen lights to be sure I wasn't missing any spots or leaving behind any swirls. Then, I went over the whole truck with Poorboy's 'Black Hole' which is absolutely amazing in really bringing out the gloss and shine. Then the entire truck got a coat of Natty's blue paste wax. I'll be adding another couple coats over the coming week as I get some time. The tires were dressed with Poorboy's Bold n Brite, windows with Stoners and the interior got the once-over with my RIDGID WD4070 wet/dry vac.

The end results, I feel are absolutely stunning. A really deep, wet glossy look. Way too much work, but worth it in the end. Never again will I buy a 'black' vehicle as this one has really challenged me and my skills to keep her spotless and forced me to become addicted to detailing!

So, on with the pics...hope you all enjoy...


















And if money were no object and I had another car I could drive, I'd love to 'bag' her so she sat like this...



Oh...it's fun to dream.

And if anyone is curious she rolls on 20 x 8.5" VCT Castellanos wrapped up in 255/45-20" Toyo Proxes 4's.


I know she's no 'hot rod' but at the time, she's my baby and I'm proud of her.

We've still got the wife's Mustang for when I need a little 'fun'...

Beautiful job!! Now, if I could just get you to come out this way and ply your ministrations on my bride's black Tahoe..............

You've learned the origin of that ol' saying; "Everyone should own a black car....................................ONCE!!

Guess I better get out in the garage and clean up the Mustang after yesterdays trip in the rain..........

Very Nice job,looks great.I also enjoy detailing,good therapy!

That really came out great. I HATE cleaning cars and especially detailing. My car show prep consists of some Quick Detailer and some Wesleys Tire White. I've seen that commercial where Chip Foose says he spends an hour per wheel doing his Wifes car..........I've never been that much in love.

Don

Ya' missed a spot

great job! Your paint is stunning. My friends give me endless grief over the cleanliness or lack of it on my Harley. I hate polishing all the chrome pieces and getting into all these little nooks and crannies! I've thought about getting a polisher for the car, truck and bike, but honestly don't have a clew about what to get, and how to use them. I like the fact that you posted what you used and what each of these products does!
I do use Bike Bright on the Harley, which is just sprayed on, then rinsed off with water, and a quick towel dry! That whole process takes about ten minutes and makes it look good enough. Until my wife and I can save enough to pave our 110 foot drive way, I've pretty much avoided a real detailing at 100.00 bucks a pop, because every time I pull the bike out for a ride it just gets covered with dust or worse mud if it's been wet out. Any ideas on a product that cleans and whitens white walls?

It's all worth it....Not only looks good but protects the finish and makes keeping it clean a bit easier...

But as Bob said, everybody should have a black car........once. Had mine, too!!!!

come on over and my pooch will put a lil extra shine on them wheels

Looks like Poochy is as hard on soccer balls as he is on wheels!!!!

Thanks for the comments everyone. I was hesitant when buying black as I had heard how bad it was, but my wife really wanted it and I thought to myself, "heck...how hard can it be...I like to clean my cars frequently anyway".

Boy was I sadly mistaken!!

It's been a big struggle with me ever since '06 when I got her...I cannot stand swirls and now I see them all of the time. So I'd buff, and wipe...and buff and wipe and couldn't get them out. Finally, I think I'm slowly learning how to work my PC7424 as this time I got much better results!

I'm still not in love with black though...and the first chance I get to buy something else...I'm all over it....something in maybe a white, or silver.

Thanks again guys...I appreciate the comments!