Immaculate Reflections - Lexus IS250 Scotch-Brite damage restored, full correction

[white gecko]

A forum member referred his friend to me after she used a Scotch-Brite pad to wash her car a few weeks back. The result of the wash was some very extensive damage to the paint and it needed an equally extensive correction to fix it and bring it back to the beautiful Lexus black it used to be. As the last month has been extremely busy and I had several other cars coming in for correction, I brought my friend Marlon in to give me a hand. He has the "eye" for detailing and was putting out great work.



Process for correction:

-Spot wetsanding with 3M Trizact 1500 and 3000

-Surbuf with Meguiars 101 (multiple hits)

-Meguiars MF cutting disc with M105 & D300

-Lake Country orange flat pad with D300

-Lake Country black pad with Menzerna 106FA



LSP was Meguiars 301



Total time: 52 hours











Upon arrival, you can see how dull and gray the paint looks.





http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS2503.jpg





http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS2502.jpg





http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS2504.jpg













The offending Scotch-Brite marks...



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS2505.jpg





http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS2506.jpg









The clear film was in very poor shape as well. The damage was too extensive to repair as the Scotch-Brite left scratches near the equivalent of 800 grit sandpaper. Clear film would be removed later in the detail.



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS2507.jpg





http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS2508.jpg









Even in indirect light you could see how bad the marks are...



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS2509.jpg





http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25010.jpg





http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25012.jpg





http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25013.jpg





http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25014.jpg















After washing and claying, the true extent of the damage is revealed. Much time would be required to repair this.



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25021.jpg





http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25020.jpg





http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25019.jpg





http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25018.jpg





http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25017.jpg













50/50 shot on the hood.......there is hope!



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25016.jpg













Oddly enough the bumper did not have clear film on it and even though the car only had 40k miles, the rock chip damage was quite bad. Plenty of Scotch-Brite marks here as well.





http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25022.jpg







Closeup...



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25023.jpg









50/50 shot....



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25024.jpg







Looking much better



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25025.jpg









50/50 shot



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25028.jpg





http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25029.jpg











Some of the really bad areas would require wetsanding



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25033.jpg





http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25032.jpg





http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25031.jpg













Careful use of a 4" Surbuf pad on the Griot`s 3" DA helped clear this narrow section up well.



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25034.jpg











Greatly improved. Final polishing to be carried out later.



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25035.jpg

[white gecko]

Driver`s fender looking pretty rough



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25036.jpg







Heavy scratches removed



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25037.jpg











Marlon working the C-pillar



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25038.jpg









http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25040.jpg













Passenger fender



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25041.jpg





http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25042.jpg













After several rounds of compounding



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25044.jpg













Rockers needed some attention. Some kind of tar or sticky residue covering the majority of the lower rocker and covered with a layer of dirt.



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25048.jpg





http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25049.jpg











Marlon working the lower rockers



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25046.jpg





http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25047.jpg













Many hours of compounding on the hood was required to remove the scratches. Multiple rounds of polishing would be required to restore the gloss.



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25050.jpg











Hood polished up and the fender still needing additional compounding.



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25051.jpg













The clear film that Lexus installed to protect the top edge of the bumper for loading/unloading cargo was in bad shape.



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25052.jpg









Restored!



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25053.jpg









http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25054.jpg





http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25061.jpg





http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25055.jpg





http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25057.jpg





http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25058.jpg





http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25059.jpg





http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25062.jpg





http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25064.jpg





http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25063.jpg











Checking the results in the sun after medium polishing was completed.



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25065.jpg





http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25066.jpg













Finished pics!



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25069.jpg





http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25070.jpg





http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25071.jpg





http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25072.jpg





http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25074.jpg





http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25076.jpg





http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25077.jpg







http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25080.jpg





http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS250.jpg





http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2012%20Corrections/IS25078.jpg











Thanks for viewing!

[gav'spurplez]

Great save !

[imported_MCA]

Wow! Very nice work and save...that was some horrific marring.

[RenuAuto]

That`s gotta be the most dramatic turn around ever

[Bunky]

Amazing! Given all the correction, was there any concerns about clearcoat thickness?

[RaskyR1]

I had been waiting to see the final pics on this one...





Great save Jeff! Now please take the car away from the owner. :b

[darkonion]

That looks amazing!!



Quick question, how does the paint compare in terms of ease to correct?? I know the car was really hammered, but in your experience, was the paint on the harder side or the softer side??

[MirrorDetailing]

Who in there right mind would take a scotch brite pad to there paint? I mean really...what train of thought leads to that action.



That was some serious serious turn around. I can only imagine what the improved value of that vehicle is now.

[Scottwax]

Just an amazing restoration!

[imported_dfazekas]

This one just got short-listed to the top of my favorites list. Amazing work.

[C. Charles Hahn]

Absolutely stellar turn-around, Jeff! You were lucky the paint was thick enough to allow for all that correction to be performed safely.



Who is this new mystery assistant Marlon? Looks like he`s got skills (or you trained him well/he learns quick)!

[Leadfootluke]

Fantastic turnaround!

Never have I seen such a terrible paint job look so good after a detail.

[imported_OverTimeDetail]

looks great Jeff!! great work as usual :)

[Underdawg736GTC]

My gawd she didn`t hold back when she went to town with the scotch brite pad! I second that being the most dramatic turn around ever!!!

Here let me show you my shocked face......:soscared:.......:eek1:......:shocked

I hope you read her the riot act on proper care to prevent history from repeating itself!



...........WOW........`nuff said.



Awesome work my friend.....simply awesome!