What did you do today Auto Detailing related?
- Thread starter CG6Lemon
- Start date
CG6Lemon
Detailing Enthusiast
CG6Lemon
Detailing Enthusiast
DetailedByPrecision3138 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3139 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3141 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3142 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3144 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3147 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
CG6Lemon
Detailing Enthusiast
This job was a referral from a car I did previously. They are good friends and work together at the same job. The customer now a friend of mine bought the Evo X from a used car dealership and noticed a lot of scratches and rock chips. He contacted me and we got together in person to inspect the car and talk about the options and my approach to address the issues. I suggested to him to buy the touch up paint from the dealership ahead of time to be prepared ahead of schedule. He dropped off his car and it was time for me to get to work.
Working on exhaust tips, compound in cracks and crevices before washing
DetailedByPrecision3024 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3026 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3027 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3029 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3042 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3090 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3044 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3067 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3045 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3065 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3047 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3087 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3048 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3084 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3049 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3085 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3050 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3086 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3051 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3088 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3057 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3059 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
Moving on to the decontamination phase. Wheels, Wash, Iron X, Clay, PTG measurements
DetailedByPrecision3072 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3075 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3078 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3080 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3083 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
Whole car was averaging around low 60's microns..... I had to be extra careful when I was polishing some of those isolated scratches out.
DetailedByPrecision3095 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
Marking all defects with tape to identify easier and to keep track
DetailedByPrecision3097 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3098 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3101 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3107 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3109 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
Touched up a nasty area on the rear bumper
DetailedByPrecision3110 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3112 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
Finished pics
DetailedByPrecision3124 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3126 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3128 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3129 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3133 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
Applied BFWD Paint Sealant
DetailedByPrecision3123 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3137 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
Total time: 13 hrs
What I learned from this job:
Always do a walk around the whole car before performing any work. Never know what you might find. In this case, the whole car was polished by dealer before it was sold
I'm not sure if Mitsubishi's paint quality is on the low side or too much polishing by previous work resulted in very low paint readings
Paint hardness was on the medium side
Thanks for viewing for those who made it this far. Appreciate comments and questions are welcomed. I had a lot of fun working on this car.
Working on exhaust tips, compound in cracks and crevices before washing
DetailedByPrecision3024 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision3026 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision3027 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision3029 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision3042 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision3090 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision3044 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision3067 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision3045 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision3065 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision3047 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision3087 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision3048 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision3084 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision3049 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision3085 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision3050 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision3086 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision3051 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision3088 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision3057 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision3059 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrMoving on to the decontamination phase. Wheels, Wash, Iron X, Clay, PTG measurements
DetailedByPrecision3072 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision3075 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision3078 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision3080 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision3083 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrWhole car was averaging around low 60's microns..... I had to be extra careful when I was polishing some of those isolated scratches out.
DetailedByPrecision3095 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrMarking all defects with tape to identify easier and to keep track
DetailedByPrecision3097 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision3098 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision3101 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision3107 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision3109 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrTouched up a nasty area on the rear bumper
DetailedByPrecision3110 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision3112 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrFinished pics
DetailedByPrecision3124 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision3126 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision3128 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision3129 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision3133 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrApplied BFWD Paint Sealant
DetailedByPrecision3123 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision3137 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrTotal time: 13 hrs
What I learned from this job:
Always do a walk around the whole car before performing any work. Never know what you might find. In this case, the whole car was polished by dealer before it was sold
I'm not sure if Mitsubishi's paint quality is on the low side or too much polishing by previous work resulted in very low paint readings
Paint hardness was on the medium side
Thanks for viewing for those who made it this far. Appreciate comments and questions are welcomed. I had a lot of fun working on this car.
CG6Lemon
Detailing Enthusiast
CG6Lemon
Detailing Enthusiast
How to wetsand and polish a scratch out?
I found a scratch on my quarter panel that was a couple inches wide while I was polishing. Before we start to try and remove the scratch, we have to determine if the scratch can be safely removed. The technique I trust and use often is with my finger nail. If your nail catches the scratch then high chance the scratch can't be removed completely in a safe manner. Another technique is to use your eyes and visually inspect it. If you can see primer, metal, plastic, paint missing, then safe to say it's too deep to correct. Also, I would highly recommend using a paint thickness gauge to be on the safe side, unless you are the original owner of the car and know the paint's history.
This is the scratch I will be working on
DetailedByPrecision3195 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
Taking paint measurements to be on the safe side
DetailedByPrecision3197 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
Used 2000 grit on a block and refined with 3000 grit
DetailedByPrecision3198 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3199 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
Polished it out using a rotary with a 3 inch pad
DetailedByPrecision3210 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
Results turned out good
DetailedByPrecision3201 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
Removed 5 microns of paint after the process
DetailedByPrecision3212 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
End result prior refining with polish
DetailedByPrecision3213 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
Thanks for viewing my work.
I found a scratch on my quarter panel that was a couple inches wide while I was polishing. Before we start to try and remove the scratch, we have to determine if the scratch can be safely removed. The technique I trust and use often is with my finger nail. If your nail catches the scratch then high chance the scratch can't be removed completely in a safe manner. Another technique is to use your eyes and visually inspect it. If you can see primer, metal, plastic, paint missing, then safe to say it's too deep to correct. Also, I would highly recommend using a paint thickness gauge to be on the safe side, unless you are the original owner of the car and know the paint's history.
This is the scratch I will be working on
DetailedByPrecision3195 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrTaking paint measurements to be on the safe side
DetailedByPrecision3197 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrUsed 2000 grit on a block and refined with 3000 grit
DetailedByPrecision3198 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision3199 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrPolished it out using a rotary with a 3 inch pad
DetailedByPrecision3210 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrResults turned out good
DetailedByPrecision3201 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrRemoved 5 microns of paint after the process
DetailedByPrecision3212 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrEnd result prior refining with polish
DetailedByPrecision3213 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrThanks for viewing my work.
CG6Lemon
Detailing Enthusiast
Wheels Off Coating Package
Brake dust and road contamination can cause damage to your wheels. A wheel coating provides a durable layer of protection from these elements, and adds a hydrophobic surface to flush and rinse away dirt easily.
Benefits:
Cleans easier
Hydrophobic
Chemical & Dirt resistant
DetailedByPrecision3281 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3287 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3294 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
Brake dust and road contamination can cause damage to your wheels. A wheel coating provides a durable layer of protection from these elements, and adds a hydrophobic surface to flush and rinse away dirt easily.
Benefits:
Cleans easier
Hydrophobic
Chemical & Dirt resistant
DetailedByPrecision3281 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision3287 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision3294 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
CG6Lemon
Detailing Enthusiast
Review & Update on Opti Coat 2.0. 2 year 8 month test. Severely Neglected Experiment.
When Opti Coat 2.0 came out everyone went full speed ahead and started to purchase it for their own use. I was one of them who bought 2 tubes after reading reviews and watching videos of water sheeting, hydrophobic properties, ease of use, and durability of the product. I polished a couple panels of my test car which sits outside 24/7 everyday rain or shine prior applying the coating. I wanted to see how long the coating can last with only 1 wash a year. The only time it got wet was when it rained. Other than that, I've never rinsed it down, detailed it, nor washed it. The reason I decided to take this approach is to see how far I can push the product. I questioned some of the claims of the product back then because it seemed too good to be true. Do I still question it to this day? You bet... But I can safely say to my knowledge the coating lasted at least 1 year of showing signs of hydrophobic properties and water sheeting without ever washing it. After the 1 year bench mark I sort of forgot about it and didn't take notice of it that much anymore. Onto the pictures.....
Starting point. Pressure washed off surface, washed with Carpro Reset, Iron X, Claybar, Rinsed with water
DetailedByPrecision3303 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3304 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3305 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3306 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3307 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3308 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3309 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
Based on the photos above, it looks pretty bad at this point. Next, I decided to test the fender I also coated. Same process from wash to decontaminate. First pic is for reference on how clean it look from 1st day of applying Opti coat 2.0
DetailedByPrecision3310 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3311 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3312 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3313 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3315 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3316 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
I decided to use my favorite drying aid, Opti Seal, to see if it can lay down a layer of it's own properties...
DetailedByPrecision3317 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
Back in business.....
DetailedByPrecision3321 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision3322 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
Well, coatings are definitely a good choice for long term protection if you maintain it by at the minimum monthly washes. Coatings also changed the auto detailing industry ever since it came out years ago. They are not immune from neglect which shows you need to put some effort into taking care of your paint coating investment. This might have turned out differently if it was garaged, but I don't have space to store 2 cars at the same time. San Francisco housing design from way back then wasn't that good in terms of parking garage spacing wise... Let me know what you guys think of this..... Thanks.
When Opti Coat 2.0 came out everyone went full speed ahead and started to purchase it for their own use. I was one of them who bought 2 tubes after reading reviews and watching videos of water sheeting, hydrophobic properties, ease of use, and durability of the product. I polished a couple panels of my test car which sits outside 24/7 everyday rain or shine prior applying the coating. I wanted to see how long the coating can last with only 1 wash a year. The only time it got wet was when it rained. Other than that, I've never rinsed it down, detailed it, nor washed it. The reason I decided to take this approach is to see how far I can push the product. I questioned some of the claims of the product back then because it seemed too good to be true. Do I still question it to this day? You bet... But I can safely say to my knowledge the coating lasted at least 1 year of showing signs of hydrophobic properties and water sheeting without ever washing it. After the 1 year bench mark I sort of forgot about it and didn't take notice of it that much anymore. Onto the pictures.....
Starting point. Pressure washed off surface, washed with Carpro Reset, Iron X, Claybar, Rinsed with water
DetailedByPrecision3303 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision3304 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision3305 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision3306 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision3307 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision3308 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision3309 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrBased on the photos above, it looks pretty bad at this point. Next, I decided to test the fender I also coated. Same process from wash to decontaminate. First pic is for reference on how clean it look from 1st day of applying Opti coat 2.0
DetailedByPrecision3310 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision3311 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision3312 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision3313 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision3315 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision3316 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrI decided to use my favorite drying aid, Opti Seal, to see if it can lay down a layer of it's own properties...
DetailedByPrecision3317 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrBack in business.....
DetailedByPrecision3321 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision3322 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrWell, coatings are definitely a good choice for long term protection if you maintain it by at the minimum monthly washes. Coatings also changed the auto detailing industry ever since it came out years ago. They are not immune from neglect which shows you need to put some effort into taking care of your paint coating investment. This might have turned out differently if it was garaged, but I don't have space to store 2 cars at the same time. San Francisco housing design from way back then wasn't that good in terms of parking garage spacing wise... Let me know what you guys think of this..... Thanks.
CG6Lemon
Detailing Enthusiast
Paint Protection Coating - CarPro CquartZ
At DetailedByPrecision, we are offering paint protection coatings as an add on to Enhancement packages. Protect your investment with a long term product that will pay off with a minimum of 2 year durability. CarPro Cquartz is a semi permanent coating that cannot be washed off, only can be removed by abrasion. Will require either Premium Enhancement(one step polishing), or Elite Enhancement Package(two step polishing)
DetailedByPrecision1805 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision1898 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision0520 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
DetailedByPrecision0511 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
At DetailedByPrecision, we are offering paint protection coatings as an add on to Enhancement packages. Protect your investment with a long term product that will pay off with a minimum of 2 year durability. CarPro Cquartz is a semi permanent coating that cannot be washed off, only can be removed by abrasion. Will require either Premium Enhancement(one step polishing), or Elite Enhancement Package(two step polishing)
DetailedByPrecision1805 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision1898 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision0520 by Limny Kuang, on FlickrDetailedByPrecision0511 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
CG6Lemon
Detailing Enthusiast
Paint Protection Coating - CarPro CquartZ
-Hydrophobic properties
-Easier to maintain finish and drying off car. Slick surface
-Stronger and more chemical resistant sacrificial barrier
-2 year plus durability
-Only removed by abrasion(machine polishing it off)
-High gloss finish
-Don't need to wax the car every 3 months anymore
(long term protection)
DetailedByPrecision3190 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
-Hydrophobic properties
-Easier to maintain finish and drying off car. Slick surface
-Stronger and more chemical resistant sacrificial barrier
-2 year plus durability
-Only removed by abrasion(machine polishing it off)
-High gloss finish
-Don't need to wax the car every 3 months anymore
(long term protection)
DetailedByPrecision3190 by Limny Kuang, on Flickr
