Slightly-Neglected QX56 (Part 2 - Exterior) TONS OF PICS!

[milani]

Well, after a little rest, I decided to tackle the exterior of the QX56. It has not had any wax or sealant on it since we bought it. (Yeah, I know....)



I added the pics to the post, as someone mentioned that you could not see the slideshow... (Here is the slideshow if you like. I was limited to 34 pics!) Slideshow (http://s490.photobucket.com/albums/rr265/mmilani/QX56%20Exterior%209-19-08/?albumview=slideshow)



The Products



Meg`s Gold Class Car Wash

Oil Eater Cleaner/Degreaser

GG Undercarriage Spray

Vinylex

Zaino Z-18 Clay

GG Chrome Polish

Eagle One Billett Polish

Klasse AIO and SG

S100 Wax

GG Rubber Cleaner

Meg`s All Wheel Cleaner

GG Glass Cleaner

Sonus Acrylic Spritz

Plexus

Lots of water





The Process



Well, the car was really dirty to say the least. At first glance, there were marks on the paint, and some visible rail dust. The wheels had water spots, as well as the front grille, chrome on the doors, and the windows.



http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr265/mmilani/QX56%20Exterior%209-19-08/DSC01939.jpg

http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr265/mmilani/QX56%20Exterior%209-19-08/DSC01951.jpg

http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr265/mmilani/QX56%20Exterior%209-19-08/DSC01954.jpg

http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr265/mmilani/QX56%20Exterior%209-19-08/DSC01955.jpg



I started with cleaning the wheels and wheel wells. I used GG rubber cleaner and Meg`s All Wheel Cleaner, and several mitts and brushes.



Before

http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr265/mmilani/QX56%20Exterior%209-19-08/DSC01948.jpg



After

http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr265/mmilani/QX56%20Exterior%209-19-08/DSC01949.jpg





Next, I got the wash materials ready. Got out the new GG bucket, Meg`s Gold Class, and 2 mitts, a brush, and another bucket for the 2 bucket, 2 mitt method.



I wet her down..



Once wet, I took another look around.



Then I proceeded to complete the first wash.



Here is a closeup of the rail dust after washing...



http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr265/mmilani/QX56%20Exterior%209-19-08/DSC01959.jpg



I found some spots around the car that arose suspicion...



http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr265/mmilani/QX56%20Exterior%209-19-08/DSC01960.jpg

http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr265/mmilani/QX56%20Exterior%209-19-08/DSC01961.jpg

http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr265/mmilani/QX56%20Exterior%209-19-08/DSC01963.jpg



And nothing worse than a dirty tail...



http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr265/mmilani/QX56%20Exterior%209-19-08/DSC01962.jpg



And after the first wash, I clayed the car with z-18 while wet and doing a 2nd wash.



The results after wash/clay



The clay helped remove most of the rail dust and smudges that I found.



http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr265/mmilani/QX56%20Exterior%209-19-08/DSC01964.jpg

http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr265/mmilani/QX56%20Exterior%209-19-08/DSC01966.jpg

http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr265/mmilani/QX56%20Exterior%209-19-08/DSC01967.jpg

http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr265/mmilani/QX56%20Exterior%209-19-08/DSC01968.jpg



I even clayed the windows...(almost no water spots)



http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr265/mmilani/QX56%20Exterior%209-19-08/DSC01970.jpg



After a thorough drying, I used a sonus white pad and the PC on 4 with Klasse AIO on the entire car, including paint, chrome, lights, and windows.



After AIO



http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr265/mmilani/QX56%20Exterior%209-19-08/DSC01973.jpg

http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr265/mmilani/QX56%20Exterior%209-19-08/DSC01974.jpg

http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr265/mmilani/QX56%20Exterior%209-19-08/DSC01976.jpg



After a cleanup using Sonus Acrylic Spritz, I applied a layer of Klasse SG using the WOWO method.



http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr265/mmilani/QX56%20Exterior%209-19-08/DSC01980.jpg

http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr265/mmilani/QX56%20Exterior%209-19-08/DSC01983.jpg

http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr265/mmilani/QX56%20Exterior%209-19-08/DSC01984.jpg



After another Sonus Acrylic Spritz, I applied S100 Wax using the WOWO method.





The After Party



I waited until morning for the after pics.



http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr265/mmilani/QX56%20Exterior%209-19-08/DSC01989.jpg

http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr265/mmilani/QX56%20Exterior%209-19-08/DSC01993.jpg

http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr265/mmilani/QX56%20Exterior%209-19-08/DSC01994.jpg

http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr265/mmilani/QX56%20Exterior%209-19-08/DSC01998.jpg

http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr265/mmilani/QX56%20Exterior%209-19-08/DSC02001.jpg

http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr265/mmilani/QX56%20Exterior%209-19-08/DSC02004.jpg



And then the final touches...



Used GG undercarriage spray on wheelwells and any visible underbody...



http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr265/mmilani/QX56%20Exterior%209-19-08/DSC01991.jpg



Cleaned the windows one last time with GG window cleaner, touched up with GG chrome polish and Plexus where needed on chrome and plastic, and used Vinylex on the tires.



http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr265/mmilani/QX56%20Exterior%209-19-08/DSC02009.jpg

http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr265/mmilani/QX56%20Exterior%209-19-08/DSC02010.jpg

http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr265/mmilani/QX56%20Exterior%209-19-08/DSC02011.jpg



Oops! I forgot the tail...



http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr265/mmilani/QX56%20Exterior%209-19-08/DSC02014.jpg





And I told you it was a grocery getter. I added the important detail...



http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr265/mmilani/QX56%20Exterior%209-19-08/DSC02007.jpg





Hope you enjoy!





Next project - my new C350!

[HBR]

Nice rig, looks fantastic. C&B on the Merc next? Nice tail BTW :D

[milani]

Nice rig, looks fantastic. C&B on the Merc next? Nice tail BTW :D



Thanks! I`ll be doing the MB soon! Hey, which tail you lookin` at???? :nono (kidding)

[JohnHenry]

R.I.P., Bro... you`re a dead man!... lol...



Great looking truck. I`ve just started buffing glass due to hard water spots. Works pretty well with Glass Science Glass Scrub, but I`ll try the Klasse AIO.



Do the Michelins come as OE on the QX56? What model? I`m looking for a report on the Michelin LTX AT2.



Good job. Thanks for posting.

[milani]

R.I.P., Bro... you`re a dead man!... lol...



Great looking truck. I`ve just started buffing glass due to hard water spots. Works pretty well with Glass Science Glass Scrub, but I`ll try the Klasse AIO.



Do the Michelins come as OE on the QX56? What model? I`m looking for a report on the Michelin LTX AT2.



Good job. Thanks for posting.



Thanks for the props! The tires are OEM Latitude Tour HP`s (SUV/Crossover line)



Tires (http://www.michelinman.com/tires/suv-crossover/latitude-tour-hp/)