Ml320, Sc430, F250, Rx350

Scottwax · 09-01-07, 10:38

Here are a couple sun shots (finally) of a Lexus SC430 I had detailed right around the 1st of July.

Original post: http://autopia.org/forum/click-brag/...430#post954971

Anyway, I washed it with Optimum No Rinse this past week (late August), plus the owner has ONR washed it a couple times too. Looks like the Pink Moose/Carnauba Moose combo (buffed off with 50/50 mix of Werkstatt Carnauba Jett and Optimum Car Wax) is holding up nicely. Decent slickness too.

Actually, I wasn't even supposed to wash the Lexus that day, I was there to detail his wife's ML320 but she was running late so he asked me to wash his car while I was waiting.

I detailed the ML about a year ago and was still on overall decent condition. Just the typical light swirls from tunnel washing. I started off using Optimum Polish using an orange Swirlbuster pad via UDM, then followed with Duragloss 101 using a white Sonus polishing pad. I then sealed it with Ultima Paint Guard Plus.

Not sure why the color is so off in some of the pics, I slightly underexposed the shots due to the bright sun and concrete....or it could be the bright red Lexus parked right next to it that made the paint in that backend shot look so red.

=============

2005 Ford F250. I was actually supposed to be washing a Cayenne Turbo but it was in the shop. He instead had me wash one of his salesmen's vehicles...a huge a$$ F250. He said to give it a quick wax too. The paint needs major correction but the owner takes it out to the motocross track weekly and says it would be a waste of money. Washed it with ONRinse and waxed with Duragloss AquaWax.

Scottwax · 09-01-07, 10:53

2007 Lexus RX350. Bought new in March then went down to Houston where it has been since. The person who contacted me about detailing it was the father of the owner who called me up and asked me to detail it while his daughter and son-in-law were in town for Labor Day. He usually takes care of his own vehicles but really didn't want to spend a day on his daughter's SUV. He has a nice supply of mostly Zaino products, with a few Griot and Meguiars items as well.

He said he preferred I use Zaino but was open to suggestions. We talked about using Werkstatt since I have found it to be at least as durable as Zaino but in the end, I felt there just wasn't going to be enough visual difference to warrant using a product line that was out of his comfort zone so I went with Zaino.

The Lexus was a bit dirty from the drive up from Houston:

Almost done with the ONR wash...

The interior was mostly in decent shape, the driver's mat was the dirtiest part.

A combination of BioKleen Traffic Lane Cleaner and a few passes with the PC with a Cyclo carpet brush attached really did a nice job. The lines you see are from vacuuming it after scrubbing and wiping.

Overall, the paint looked really good. Just a few minor parking lot blemishes. I started with Zaino All in One using my UDM and a white Sonus polishing pad. I followed with 1 layer of non-ZFX'ed Z5 Pro and finished with Clear Seal. He had some Z2 but he and I both agree that visually, there isn't much difference between Z2 and Z5 so I opted to use my own product instead of his. Utlima Tire and Trim Protectant on the rear plastic bumper guard and the black plastic trim on the bottom of the RX.

mgm121499 · 09-01-07, 11:03

They all look great!

How many years have you been detailing that red Lexus? I always enjoy seeing that car.
It's still in fantastic shape.

Kenney · 09-01-07, 11:03

From your experience, how much correction ability does DG 101 have? Is it on par with poliseal?

Thanks

Scottwax · 09-01-07, 11:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgm121499

They all look great!

How many years have you been detailing that red Lexus? I always enjoy seeing that car.
It's still in fantastic shape.

Actually, that isn't the one I regularly clean. I see this one a couple times a year to polish and wax it. The owner had me get him some ONR and OCW so he can keep it up himself on a regular basis.

The other one is also a red '04 but it only has about 7000 miles on it!

Kenney-correction is on par with ZAIO, Prime or Klass AIO.

Booyah · 09-02-07, 01:44

Looking great as always Scott!!

You still like using the Ultima Paint Guard Plus?

how did the Utlima Tire and Trim Protectant on the rear plastic bumper guard and the black plastic trim on the bottom work? I have a silver 350 and have the same bottom plastic. Im guessing using the TTP on the plastic it will seal in the blackness and keep it looking new for a long while

Did you use the Ultima tire and trim on the Tires too?? they look good

gmblack3a · 09-02-07, 03:42

I am having a hard time figuring out which one I like best. Even the quick cleanup on the F250 looks great!

smprince1 · 09-02-07, 04:48

F250 looks great for no polishing. I did a F250 just like that 3 weeks ago and it was so tiring. Not just because there is so much real estate on it, but you can't reach the hood or roof from the ground so there is a lot of up/down/moving ladders and platforms.

You really brought back the 'white' in that Lexus ... cleaned up real good.

Where do you find the Biokleen Traffic Lane Cleaner? I can find the Bac-Out and the natural foods stores here but not the TLC.

Nice work as always.

Scottwax · 09-02-07, 06:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Booyah

Looking great as always Scott!!

You still like using the Ultima Paint Guard Plus?

how did the Utlima Tire and Trim Protectant on the rear plastic bumper guard and the black plastic trim on the bottom work? I have a silver 350 and have the same bottom plastic. Im guessing using the TTP on the plastic it will seal in the blackness and keep it looking new for a long while

Did you use the Ultima tire and trim on the Tires too?? they look good

UTTP works very well on trim and once the foam pad is primed, it takes very little product. The only problem is the foam pad that is supplied is HUGE! Great for coverning large areas but for tight spots it is too large. I ended up cutting it in half and then spliting that half so I now have 3 pads to chose from.

I used the NASCAR Tire Shine (or whatever the exact name is) on the tires and fenderwells. At $3 for 23 oz at Big Lots, it just can't be beat. Really black look and decent durability.

smprince1-I got my gallon through grouse, a fellow Autopia member. I think where he buys it from the minimum order is 4 gallons...and at a 32:1 dillution ratio, even detailing professionally, a gallon should last me well over a year. He ordered a 4 gallon case and I bought one of those gallons.

bwlucas · 09-02-07, 07:53

On SUVs with all the roof rack crap or the ridges, do you ever polish those areas? Or only apply wax?

itb76 · 09-03-07, 05:18

As always your detailing and photographic skills amaze me!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scottwax

Not sure why the color is so off in some of the pics, I slightly underexposed the shots due to the bright sun and concrete....or it could be the bright red Lexus parked right next to it that made the paint in that backend shot look so red.

It looks like the same color as my ML. It always does look lighter in photos than it does in real life for some reason. The hood shot is probably the truest representation of that color (Ruby Red).

bert31 · 09-03-07, 08:08

Scott, how do you like the Sonus pads? I will be getting a UDM soon and am trying to decide which pads and polish to get. I would like to give Davidb my business but I see so many people using the Lake Country pads that I have just assumed they are better. Could you give your thoughts please.