My sister is in the hospital with complications arising from chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Since tomorrow is her birthday, I decided that as a gift I would detail her 97 Ford Explorer. So Saturday I loaded all of my detailing suppplies in my car and drove to my sister's to do this job.
I started by washing with QEW. Thank God I have this product as I could not get a hose to where the car is parked. I then started cleaning the rims with P21S wheel cleaner - it took about five applications with the use of a paint brush to get all of the long term embedded dirt out. I then clayed the entire vehicle using QEW as a lube, a first for me. This I followed with
DACP on 5 using a Meguire's cutting pad. This was the most laborious step as I find that though this product really works well it is somewhat difficult to remove. I followed the DACP with #9 with a polishing pad, then
AIO with a finishing pad, and finally
Wolfgang sealant with a finishing pad. I used Wolfgang because at this time I am starting to really get tired, and I just can't fathom removing
Klasse SG. I also really like Wolfgang over AIO on grey metallic paint. I used Meguire's
Endurance gel on the tires, and Meguire's Heavy Duty Vinly and Rubber on the rubber and vinly trim.
Then I started on the interior. My sister has a Golden Retriever with allergic dermatitis - I know as I am the veterinarian that takes care of her dog. So needless to say there is hair everywhere. And though Judy is a clean person, it does not appear the carpets have ever been cleaned and in general noone is really ever cleaning the interior. I recall how I treated my cars prior my autopian detailing obessive phase. So I cleaned the interior including the leather and everything with my 6:1 water to Woolite solution. This did not totally get the leather clean - light grey so I used my Meguire's leather cleaner that I am not too fond of but it did do the trick. I used Vinylex on the interior vinly and Mequire's leather conditioner with aloe on the leather.
I had AIO'd all the windows except the windshield. I finished off by cleaning the windows inside and out.
At this point I have been working 6 hours. I start thinking - How do professional detailers do more than one of these in a day? I know people like Scott could do this in half the time I spent, but they still must be exhausted. Detailing is an art, but my God it is also a lot of hard work.
My sister is doing better and may get out of the hospital today. Her progrosis for a full long term recovery is excellent. I know she will enjoy her first ride in what looks essentally like a new car.
That was very nice of you to do that for her. 
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