2005 Ford F-150, same owner as the Lexus. For a nearly 2 year old vehicle that hadn't been waxed in a really long time (by the owner's admission), I was really amazed at the condition of the paint. Very faint halo swirling and that was it! I went with Optimum Compound mixed 70/30 with Clearkote's Red Machine Glaze using green Propel lite cut Cyclo pads and topped with Poorboy's EX w/carnauba.
I got some pics in the sun before I had dressed the plastic grill because storms were rapidly approaching and I wasn't sure how much time I had. I snapped a few shots, then finished dressing the trim and grill and since it was still dry, I took a few more pics. As you can see, dressing the grill makes a noticable improvement. It started to rain just after my son and I finished putting all our stuff away.
=============
1970 Mercedes 280SL. Hasn't run since her (now ex) husband broke off a sparkplug in the head, so it has sat since 1988 in their garage under a car cover. They got a divorce, she got the car but just isn't interested in fixing it so she wanted it detailed to sell. She already had the car cover off when we got there and while the paint obviously was oxidized, the interior was in very excellent condition. No tears, no noticable fading and the carpet looked nearly perfect. Pretty easy job for my son. The outside got an Optimum No Rinse Wash and claying-although considering the car hadn't been cleaned much in 18 years, I didn't have to clay as much as I expected. After claying, I started on the paint using a mix of Optimum Compound, Clearkote's Red Machine Glaze and Vanilla Moose (about 50/30/20 ratio). VM was added because of the plethora of polishing oils which do so well on single stage paints but I still needed the cut of OC. Normally I would have gone with Meguiars DACP but I had no shade to work in-the garage was just too crowded. Anyway, the mixture did an excellent job polishing out the paint and removing the oxidation. I then used 'Pink' Moose (50-50 mix of RMG/VM) using white Cyclo finishing pads and sealed with Poorboy's EX-P.
Unfortunately, I had only 2 shots left on my camera and was already running late that morning and didn't stop and get more film. I also was very limited on where I could move the car since it doesn't run so my son and I had to push it in and out of the garage, plus there was a conversion van right behind it. Oh well. Seriously beautiful car too, wish I had more pics of it.
