2004 tahoe (black) vs. me

[imported_paradigm]

here was my season opener...a 2004 tahoe that just topped 100k miles. the owner uses it for work and said he drives about 35k miles per year with it. there were also two child seats in the back...so the owner is definitely getting his use out of this vehicle.



process:



-spray out wheel wells and clean w/ EO wheel and tire cleaner

-dress wheel wells (some generic brand i had laying around)

-wash vehicle with DG CCW and sheepskin mitt

-clay

-polish via PC

-HTEC/OP mix w/orange pad...switched to OHC after a few panels

-FPII w/white pad to finish

-303 on exterior trim

-interior got a light woolite solution cleaning, duragloss leather conditioner, folex for carpet stains

-vinegar cleared up any glass waterspots found

-topped paint with UPP. next day, collinite 845.



summary: i never want to detail an SUV again. at least not one this big. :soscared:



the clay shown here was from just the tailgate area...and each of the first THREE passes looked like this. the rest of the vehicle had a lot of stuff pulled up on the clay, but nothing like the tailgate. i`m also wondering why my hand looks so bloated and fat. honest...it isn`t. hahaha



http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k110/paradigmy2k/2004%20chevy%20tahoe/tahoe2004_claying.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k110/paradigmy2k/2004%20chevy%20tahoe/tahoe2004_before_wheelwell1.jpg



rear passenger door condition...



http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k110/paradigmy2k/2004%20chevy%20tahoe/tahoe2004_before_rearpassengerdoor2.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k110/paradigmy2k/2004%20chevy%20tahoe/tahoe2004_before_rearpassengerdoor1.jpg

[imported_paradigm]

front passenger door...



http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k110/paradigmy2k/2004%20chevy%20tahoe/tahoe2004_before_frontpassengerdoor.jpg



the hood under sun and halogens...



http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k110/paradigmy2k/2004%20chevy%20tahoe/tahoe2004_before_hood2.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k110/paradigmy2k/2004%20chevy%20tahoe/tahoe2004_before_hood1.jpg



tailgate...



http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k110/paradigmy2k/2004%20chevy%20tahoe/tahoe2004_before_tailgate1.jpg

[imported_paradigm]

some shots while polishing. this was my first time using HTEC and Menzerna as well. i REALLY liked the FPII. great stuff.





results from one pass of HTEC/OP:



http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k110/paradigmy2k/2004%20chevy%20tahoe/tahoe2004_inprogress_onepassHTEC.jpg



after FPII:



http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k110/paradigmy2k/2004%20chevy%20tahoe/tahoe2004_inprogress_afterFPII.jpg



a before/after split:



http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k110/paradigmy2k/2004%20chevy%20tahoe/tahoe2004_sidebyside1.jpg

[imported_paradigm]

and some afters...interior and front angle shots.



it`s far from perfect, but much better than where it was. i`d estimate 90-95% of the swirls and marring were removed. i couldn`t spend any more time on it...it took long enough the way it was! :)



http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k110/paradigmy2k/2004%20chevy%20tahoe/tahoe2004_after_interior1.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k110/paradigmy2k/2004%20chevy%20tahoe/tahoe2004_after_interior2.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k110/paradigmy2k/2004%20chevy%20tahoe/tahoe2004_after_interior3.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k110/paradigmy2k/2004%20chevy%20tahoe/tahoe2004_after_hood.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k110/paradigmy2k/2004%20chevy%20tahoe/tahoe2004_after_front1.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k110/paradigmy2k/2004%20chevy%20tahoe/tahoe2004_after_front2.jpg

[Scottwax]

Massive improvement! :bow



I`d say nearly half the vehicles I do are full sized trucks and SUVs, so don`t feel bad. ;)