Distinctiv_Detailing

2011 Mini CooperS – John Cooper Works Clubman (Midnight Black Metallic) Project

Johnny — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 01:34:47 +0000

Just a little over a month and Isabella brought the Mini Cooper back. I didn’t screw up! No worries. Her neighbor at work decided it would be a good idea to do some painting outdoors on a windy day, leaving white paint over the left side of this Cooper. I’m glad she came to me so fast, since the paint didn’t really have a chance to bake in the sun. The good ole’ clay was all it needed to get the overspray off. But with the Mini’s soft clear, the clay left marring on the paint. I had to follow it with a finishing polish to rid of this, and topped the paint off with an all natural Brazilian wax.

Here’s the process:

Chemical Guys Maxi-Suds with DetailedImage bucket + Grit Guard & DI Sheepskin Mitt + 1600PSI Greenworks Pressure washer & Foam cannon
ClayMagic Fine Grade Clay
Optimum Finishing Polish / UDM 4″ / Blue
Optimum Finishing Polish / UDM 5.5″ / Blue
Pinnacle Souveran Carnuba Paste Wax / By Hand / Foam Pad
Chemical Guys Clear Windshield
Optimum Power Clean
Nevr-Dull

2005 Mercedes Benz C280 (Diamond Black Metallic) Project

Johnny — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 19:40:02 +0000

Water spots is something that bothers most people. What happens when you have water deposits on the surface that doesn’t get removed is that the water ends up evaporating, and the minerals are left on the surface, eating away at the clear coat. If it sits for too long they become water spots ‘below the surface’ which means a heavier polish needs to be used in order to cut down the clear coat to level it off. This C280 has been getting automatic car washes for the life of its ownership, one thing that every car should not ever have to go through. The car received a one step polish, bringing back the gloss to the black finish, topped with a sealant. As this was a one step polish, the cut of the PO85RD was not aggressive enough to remove the etchings entirely. The interior got pampered with a Leatherique treatment and Einzette for conditioning, bringing back the original tan luster.

Here’s the process:

Chemical Guys Maxi-Suds with DetailedImage bucket + Grit Guard & DI Sheepskin Mitt + 1600PSI Greenworks Pressure washer & Foam cannon
Menzernas PO85RD / UDM 4″ / White
Menzernas PO85RD / UDM 5.5″ / White
Menzernas Sealing Wax/ UDM 5.5″ / Black
Chemical Guys Clear Windshield
Optimum Opti-Seal
Optimum Power Clean
Stoner’s Tarminator
Leatherique Rejuvenating oil
Leatherique Pristine clean
Einzette Cockpit Premium
Meguiars Interior Detailer
ShopVac 5hp
Woolite/Water mixture
Various brushes

2007 Honda Civic SI Sedan (Nighthawk Black Pearl) Project

Johnny — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 05:17:08 +0000

Here’s a great example on what I can do to a car in ~4 hours. The car came in COVERED, I wasn’t sure what I was getting into. It was a simple all-in-one job in which I usually lean over to grab the Optimum Poli-seal, but after doing just the hood, and a little change in my evening plans, I opted to give Eric’s car a little bit extra free of cost. Instead of the AIO, I went with Menzernas PO85RD and topped it with Menzerna’s Sealing Wax. Honda’s soft clear coat allowed the finishing polish to rid a lot of swirls. On to the pics!

Here’s the process:

Chemical Guys Maxi-Suds with DetailedImage bucket + Grit Guard & DI Sheepskin Mitt + 1600PSI Greenworks Pressure washer & Foam cannon
Menzernas PO85RD / UDM 4″ / White
Menzernas PO85RD / UDM 5.5″ / White
Menzernas Sealing Wax/ UDM 5.5″ / Black
Chemical Guys Clear Windshield
Optimum Opti-Seal
Optimum Power Clean

2011 Mini CooperS – John Cooper Works Clubman – (Midnight Black Metallic)

Johnny — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 16:02:11 +0000

Isabella’s brand new CooperS came with what we call holograms… or buffer trails right off the lot. Seems to be a common problem for a lot of “new” cars as well as cars that has just been painted at body shops since the trails can only be seen in the sun. I started with Meguiars M205 to remedy this problem, but it was dusting quite a bit, so I switched over to Menzernas PO85RD after the first panel. The entire car was then topped with Four Star Ultimate Paint Protection as a LSP. I’m really digg’n this car.

Here’s the process:

Chemical Guys Maxi-Suds with DetailedImage bucket + Grit Guard & DI Sheepskin Mitt + 1600PSI Greenworks Pressure washer & Foam cannon
Menzernas PO85RD / UDM 4″ / Blue
Menzernas PO85RD / UDM 5.5″ / Blue
Four Star Ultimate Paint Protection / By Hand / Foam Pad
Chemical Guys Clear Windshield
303 Aerospace Protectant
Optimum Power Clean
Nevr-Dull

2004 Nissan 350z (Pikes Peak White)

Johnny — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 15:48:20 +0000

Two jobs today. Mr. Chiaki went with the yelp deal that I have listed, with the addition of a clay bar treatment (much needed). I went with a medium grade clay since the paint was heavily contaminated, followed by Optimum Poli-seal (All in one, mild polish/cleaner/protection), topped with Menzernas Sealing Wax since I feel that poli-seal doesn’t give the slickness that I’m happy with. I touched up the headlights a little bit but nothing too crazy for free as Mr. Chiaki also brought his wifes CooperS in the same morning.

Enjoy!

Here’s the process:

Chemical Guys Maxi-Suds with DetailedImage bucket + Grit Guard & DI Sheepskin Mitt + 1600PSI Greenworks Pressure washer & Foam cannon
DetailedImage Medium Grade Clay
Optimum Poli-seal / UDM 4″ / White
Optimum Poli-seal / UDM 5.5″ / White
Meguiars M105 / UDM 4″ / Wool (Headlights)
Menzernas Sealing Wax / By Hand / Foam Pad
Chemical Guys Clear Windshield
303 Aerospace Protectant
Optimum Power Clean
Nevr-Dull
Shop-Vac 5HP
Surf City Wheel Cleaner

1999 Buick LeSabre (Sterling Silver Metallic) Project

Johnny — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 21:32:41 +0000

Steve : Here’s ___$, work your magic on it.

HAH. I put in a little extra work since he’s a returning guy (and a neighbor). Steve’s mom Miranda is such a clown I couldn’t stop laughing when she came to pick it up.. and even gave me a box of cookies! ahhhh. Anyways. The car had minor oxidation starting to build up on the surfaces, which means they brought it in at the right time. The hood, roof, and trunk were covered in some kind of tar which was removed by clay, and then polished to remove all oxidation & (most) swirls. Not too shabby for a ’99!

P.S….RAIDERS!!!

Here’s the process:

Chemical Guys Maxi-Suds with DetailedImage bucket + Grit Guard & DI Sheepskin Mitt + 1600PSI Greenworks Pressure washer & Foam cannon
DetailedImage Fine Grade Clay
Menzernas PO203S / UDM 4″ / Orange
Menzernas PO203S / Flex 3401 5.5″ / Orange
Optimum Polish II / UDM 5.5″ / White
Menzernas Sealing Wax / By Hand / Foam Pad
Chemical Guys Clear Windshield
303 Aerospace Protectant
Optimum Power Clean

2009 Volkswagon Beatle (Heaven Metallic Blue) Project

Johnny — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 21:17:47 +0000

Took a while to figure out a time that worked for the both of us, but I got Gungun’s beatle in Thursday night just before she went to give her volunteer services (kudos!). Exterior had a much needed wash, but the main work was all on the inside. Bits and pieces of scraps, crumbs, monkeys, and dust were everywhere. Luckily the car is a convertible ‘cuz I would’ve suffocated from being inside there for so long! Enjoy!

Here’s the process:

Chemical Guys Citrus Wash with DetailedImage bucket + Grit Guard & DI Sheepskin Mitt + Greenworks 1700psi pressure washer & Foam cannon
Dewalt Air Compressor
Duragloss Aquawax
303 Aerospace Protectant
Einzette Leather Conditioner
Meguiars Interior Detailer
Chemical Guys Window Clean
ShopVac 5hp
Various sized detailing brushes
Optimum No Rinse Wash (Instant Detailer dilution)

2005 Ford Mustang (Black Ebony) Project

Johnny — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 00:39:05 +0000

Excuse the lack of before pictures. Sean dropped the car off early in the morning, and for some reason, Californias’ Mid-August weather decided to be especially gloomy. So I just went straight for the wash, and brought it in under the halogens to find an abundance of swirls. The car went through a 3 stage polish. Being a black colored car, one must progressively tone down the level of polish/pad combo in order to achieve a buffer-trail-free finish. After the 7 hours of polishing, the car was sealed with Four Star Ultimate Paint Protection.

Here’s the process:

Chemical Guys Citrus Wash with DetailedImage bucket + Grit Guard & DI Sheepskin Mitt + Greenworks 1700psi pressure washer & Foam cannon
Dewalt Air Compressor
DetailedImage Fine Grade Clay with Optimum No Rinse Wash as lube
Menzernas P0203S / UDM 4″ / Yellow
Menzernas P0203S / Flex 3401 5.5″ / Orange
Menzernas P085RD / UDM 4″ / White
Menzernas P085RD / UDM 5.5″ / White
Optimum Poliseal / UDM 4″ / Blue
Optimum Poliseal / UDM 5.5″ / Blue
Four Star Ultimate Paint Protection / By Hand / Foam Pad (Synthetic Polymer Sealant)
Chemical Guys Window Clean
Chemical Guys Fade to Black
303 Aerospace Protectant

2010 Subaru Forester (Spark Silver Metallic) Project

Johnny — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 06:44:30 +0000

Gotta’ love a women who takes care of their cars! Angie is a good example of one. Her car may be new but this Subbie is a road runner! It’s been up and around the Oregon trail, through the mountains, down the coast, to Pandora and back. Angie was most interested in proper protection that’ll keep the car as pristine as possible, as long as possible. This all comes down to paint preparation. Started off with a thorough pressure wash including the undercarriage as she mentioned it’s been through the snow, followed by a full clay job & polish to ensure a well, smooth & clean surface for sealant (F* UPP) to bond to. The interior was touched up, conditioned, and lathered with a UV protective coating.

Here’s the process:

Chemical Guys Citrus Wash with DetailedImage bucket + Grit Guard & DI Sheepskin Mitt + Greenworks 1700psi pressure washer & Foam cannon
Dewalt Air Compressor
DetailedImage Fine Grade Clay with Optimum No Rinse Wash as lube
Menzernas P0203S / UDM 4″ / Cyan
Menzernas P0203S / Flex 3401 5.5″ / Orange
Menzernas P085RD / UDM 4″ / White
Menzernas P085RD / UDM 5.5″ / White
Four Star Ultimate Paint Protection / By Hand / Foam Pad (Synthetic Polymer Sealant)
Chemical Guys Window Clean
Chemical Guys Fade to Black
Optimum Opti-Bond tire gel
Optimum Metal Polish / #0000 steel wool
Shop-Vac 5hp
Meguiars Interior Detail
303 Aerospace Protectant
Einzette Leather Conditioner

2010 Ford Edge (Black) Project

Johnny — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 01:00:54 +0000

That’s weird, Ford’s color code name is just ‘Black’ haha. Steve brought this car in pretty much straight off the lot for some proper sealing. That’s a smart man right there. A good layer of protection will make his life much easier in keeping the paint immaculate. It’s funny ’cause Steve turned out to be a neighbor who lives literally a minute away. What a cowinkeedink!

Here’s the process:

Chemical Guys Maxi-Suds with DetailedImage bucket + Grit Guard & DI Sheepskin Mitt + 1600PSI Greenworks Pressure washer & Foam cannon
Optimum Poli-Seal / UDM 4″ / Blue
Optimum Poli-seal/ UDM 5.5″ / Blue
Four Star Ultimate Paint Protection / By Hand / Foam Pad
Chemical Guys Clear Windshield
Optimum Opti-Bond tire gel