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RaysWay
02-09-2015, 04:12 PM
New client brought over a Mercedes CLK350 for a much needed one-step detail. She admitted to me that it was likely over a year since this Mercedes has been washed or waxed! :vomit:

We went over the car and decided a one-step coating detail would be best. Here`s the car on arrival.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zW9c39LxbLI/VNj7unU2zoI/AAAAAAAAS4s/dNkOHVdRFqI/s640/IMG_1768.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rq3BT-NyGw0/VNj7yXBvC7I/AAAAAAAAS44/9Pi_fOynhew/s640/IMG_1788.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-5X5Uuxzvr8o/VNj7yyhWC-I/AAAAAAAAS48/WBnqPX6l07A/s640/IMG_1789.JPG

Standard dirt and dust all over the vehicle.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wPHzZH-Tp0A/VNj7001L_uI/AAAAAAAAS5E/YB6WVmNvrw4/s640/IMG_1771.JPG

Swirls everywhere you looked.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-NWH0nReO-uI/VNj735ZasQI/AAAAAAAAS5M/JODRZg4h7mU/s640/IMG_1775.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Y9bwKes_TVk/VNj744jYrcI/AAAAAAAAS5U/W2i4FauZ9Gg/s640/IMG_1773.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ntEc03vS4MU/VNj7584l4pI/AAAAAAAAS5c/eAFzDCWxQO8/s640/IMG_1774.JPG

The notorious german brake dust would have to be dealt with.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DytnSG2gPg0/VNj8hyR1NnI/AAAAAAAAS5k/MLJ3RCWqDog/s640/IMG_1790.JPG

For wheels this bad, I knew I had to bring out the big guns - Sonax Wheel Cleaner Plus.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6y7M5yFI7fg/VNj82PQ5w3I/AAAAAAAAS6k/KrSnNzy3gJo/s640/IMG_1792.JPG

Lots of agitation with a Speed Master Wheel Brush.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-nTRDkvRni6M/VNj89LjEv-I/AAAAAAAAS7A/XMO1Do1BV7o/s640/IMG_1796.JPG

Short Handle Wheel Brush for the face of the wheels.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Oer37OzJ9qo/VNj9APonY6I/AAAAAAAAS7M/aoY6fG0KP2E/s640/IMG_1797.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0cx5ORlM3lE/VNj9DmpXAZI/AAAAAAAAS7g/ENyfnUmbRCU/s640/IMG_1798.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-JeGJjoI8xpA/VNj9DRnuMWI/AAAAAAAAS7c/yDjQpRmUJX8/s640/IMG_1799.JPG

Can`t forget about the lug nuts.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-RHRLCrC4mlM/VNj9EGrkWCI/AAAAAAAAS7k/pBFifpSfI_A/s640/IMG_1800.JPG

Considering how these wheels looked before, a single application did an amazing job.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hW-vePxY80c/VNj9H9sUceI/AAAAAAAAS7s/--GpnJTBSE0/s640/IMG_1801.JPG

But after closer inspection it looks like I missed a few spots. So a second light application was needed.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-gjckIgQK-oY/VNj9I8Q5SpI/AAAAAAAAS78/8NcuiOMg7e8/s640/IMG_1802.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7KQDEdxap7A/VNj9LWqv_1I/AAAAAAAAS8E/mMBU3Yxw4JQ/s640/IMG_1804.JPG

This time I applied Tuf Shine Tire Cleaner too.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PNw5xmqPp0M/VNj9Pb5f6rI/AAAAAAAAS8Y/iRCkxqlhj4g/s640/IMG_1806.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-kezH6EalfmY/VNj9QPCnsyI/AAAAAAAAS8c/FM4B3vpQF2I/s640/IMG_1807.JPG

I don`t think I`ve ever seen more iron come off a set of wheels before.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ejUtTF6Imcg/VNj8tFHk3WI/AAAAAAAAS6A/mB0hOXPc8v8/s640/IMG_1783.JPG

This Mercedes already looks 100x better with a clean set of wheels!

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pgUtxxmVMXM/VNj8wmTHfBI/AAAAAAAAS6U/SPHOqHoGA-Q/s640/IMG_1786.JPG

Time to wash the exterior. Since this Benz was pretty dirty, I started with a foam presoak with CarPro Reset before a 2 bucket wash.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-FNSnhTfCufU/VNkFFUujObI/AAAAAAAAS84/m-HMMmiid_o/s640/IMG_1808.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W8RtiFmDO9Q/VNkFHmLHnTI/AAAAAAAAS9Q/xHkTkQ4VnoU/s640/IMG_1811.JPG

Next, I clayed the car with a Fine Grade Nanoskin Autoscrub Towel.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9LcvOGwO1CM/VNkFH57l9gI/AAAAAAAAS9U/S1jHuEdinGo/s640/IMG_1812.JPG

This was a brand new towel, so I broke it in on the glass before using it on the paint.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-VTHSnbQp4sg/VNkFJ-2JjyI/AAAAAAAAS9k/KESz09V2Sds/s640/IMG_1817.JPG

Already looks much better.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UQZ3B9FXtek/VNkFKDm9tRI/AAAAAAAAS9s/aOOlmPcsRlc/s640/IMG_1818.JPG

I pulled the CLK350 into the garage and the new garage lights do a great job of showing every defect.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-GeaY8e5LiT0/VNkP3-YshzI/AAAAAAAAS-4/Hg6cnI4nQjw/s640/IMG_1828.JPG

The entire car looked like this.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-k6x8mlQZSq8/VNkP4LS2L6I/AAAAAAAAS-8/L8CKYRl7Ikw/s640/IMG_1830.JPG

I asked everyone here what you`d like me to use on this car and the majority of you voted for the new RUPES UHS System. So I brought my LHR 15ES and a few UHS pads/polish.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-mOpA4WyAopg/VNkP5-JwbJI/AAAAAAAAS_M/CLixmGTk-PY/s640/IMG_1831.JPG

Test spot was performed on the left side. 4 section passes on speed 5.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8-GEQNrXaK8/VNkP7npiRQI/AAAAAAAAS_o/jxlim5Wbxik/s640/IMG_1834.JPG

Wipes off super easy.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7qblTwmby9c/VNkP77r4wGI/AAAAAAAATC0/lC2-X7SbQMs/s640/IMG_1835.JPG

The UHS System did a great job.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-bkZphcThhdk/VNkP8V2zjwI/AAAAAAAAS_s/nbOSb55VL5g/s640/IMG_1836.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9Y_6GziwXwQ/VNkP94B1bCI/AAAAAAAATAE/aMZRgLrd4oI/s640/IMG_1838.JPG

Although I was very satisfied with the results from the UHS System, I wanted to compare the UHS system with a polish I was more familiar with. So I grabbed a Blue Rupes pad and their Zephir Gloss Coarse Gel Compound for a comparison test.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BIhKLlkhBa0/VNkP_WyAcsI/AAAAAAAATAg/OHC5vt5FsQA/s640/IMG_4722.JPG

Right side: Blue pad/Blue compound. Left side: UHS System.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-YAePe76tIgo/VNkP_3E3lEI/AAAAAAAATAk/6Se5MG9u85g/s640/IMG_4723.JPG

One of the UHS System`s biggest advantages became clearly evident after a few section passes. The UHS system does not dust.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-YAePe76tIgo/VNkP_3E3lEI/AAAAAAAATAk/6Se5MG9u85g/s640/IMG_4723.JPG

Comparing the two results on this Capri Blue Metallic, the UHS system removed slightly less of the imperfections but finished down much nicer. You can see how the left side looked "clearer" in this picture. In person, the difference was even more dramatic.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-CZmpdx3D5XU/VNkQBIc2NWI/AAAAAAAATA8/DzY4aY3A-b8/s640/IMG_4726.JPG

RaysWay
02-09-2015, 04:12 PM
Alright enough pictures! Time to crank up the music and finish this detail....

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Id113JLzwV0/VNkc7M-KMgI/AAAAAAAATDs/tlYikidJaLo/s640/IMG_4744.JPG

Love my LED Headlamp. It saves me a lot of time.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-fN4kViL-fLs/VNkc6lB0kOI/AAAAAAAATDk/sAgS9mH_rNM/s640/IMG_4743.JPG

Interior was scrubbed with Pinnacle Signature APC in a Tornador.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-WNNSmhXpcXE/VNkc-2ydDqI/AAAAAAAATEw/8ODvAoo2nuY/s640/IMG_4752.JPG

Then conditioned with BLACKFIRE Leather Conditioner.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ydp13nNSGKg/VNkdBwPi2nI/AAAAAAAATFk/wqK30c1HV4g/s640/IMG_4759.JPG

I have to say it took myself some time to learn the RUPES polishers. The technique needed to run a RUPES polisher is different than any other polisher on the market, but the results are amazing. I think the large orbital pattern on these polishers make them finish down amazing.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-52shXEbpNCc/VNkdEzPph7I/AAAAAAAATGc/jsjwY2pwpsw/s640/IMG_4766.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--79r34gr9rM/VNkdFPPftLI/AAAAAAAATGg/4LIMpoLEzp8/s640/IMG_4767.JPG

Headlights showed slight oxidation, so I went over them quickly with a 3403 and Uber Compound.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-kdGv48qAO2A/VNkdFzRMUBI/AAAAAAAATGw/LzfIwzwrzX8/s640/IMG_4768.JPG

For the LSP, I went with DP Paint Coating.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-iu1WF3aKOU4/VNkdGKmWmDI/AAAAAAAATG0/cAqG-2w3PkE/s640/IMG_4769.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-eIKTLPU8IEA/VNkdGz3cOVI/AAAAAAAATHE/3irdFuxxS50/s640/IMG_4771.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-p69JObqgbok/VNkdHGOLHmI/AAAAAAAATHI/97-rsGq7vKA/s640/IMG_4772.JPG

The owner was very happy with the results. We talked about future maintenance washes before she left. This might be back shortly for a wheels off wheel coating detail.

As far as the RUPES UHS System, I give it a 10/10. The fact that it doesn`t dust and is super easy to wipe off makes it a 9/10, but it also cuts like a swirl remover and finishes down great. I could really see this system being used for the majority of details customers are willing to pay for.

Thanks for reading!

Ronkh
02-09-2015, 04:23 PM
Cool job

What did you use for clay towel lube (didn`t say) and how did you prep before paint coating (or did you)?

Jsmooth
02-09-2015, 05:12 PM
Great Job Ray! Looks awesome! Thanks for insight as well been waiting for a reason to use UHS more! You just gave it to me!

mnehls86
02-09-2015, 06:17 PM
Great Job Ray! Looks awesome! Thanks for insight as well been waiting for a reason to use UHS more! You just gave it to me!
I second that!

Pats300zx
02-09-2015, 07:40 PM
What a great comeback Ray !!!

SSStang
02-10-2015, 02:52 AM
Wow night and day difference!

RaysWay
02-10-2015, 09:15 AM
Thanks everyone, sorry for the late reply! Busy day yesterday.


Cool job

What did you use for clay towel lube (didn`t say) and how did you prep before paint coating (or did you)?

Thanks. Ya I didn`t document every step or product used, it`s just hard having to stop when I`m on a short deadline. Hopefully soon I`ll be able to put a lot more time into details so I can document everything. For a clay lube I used the used Reset Shampoo and for a coating prep I used DP Coating Prep Polish by hand with a microfiber applicator.

HeavenlyV6
02-11-2015, 06:39 PM
Great work and post!!

Ronkh
02-11-2015, 08:23 PM
Thanks everyone, sorry for the late reply! Busy day yesterday.



Thanks. Ya I didn`t document every step or product used, it`s just hard having to stop when I`m on a short deadline. Hopefully soon I`ll be able to put a lot more time into details so I can document everything. For a clay lube I used the used Reset Shampoo and for a coating prep I used DP Coating Prep Polish by hand with a microfiber applicator.

Thank you

imported_Redduc
02-19-2015, 10:24 AM
Are the UHS pads really stiff? I just received some and the seems really stiff and course . I want to make sure they sent me the right pads.

RaysWay
02-19-2015, 11:25 AM
Are the UHS pads really stiff? I just received some and the seems really stiff and course . I want to make sure they sent me the right pads.

Yep, the UHS pads feel like very stiff cutting pads. That`s completely normal. But don`t worry, along with the UHS compound they finish down great. After the pads start to get saturated with product, they do get softer. But I noticed better performance while the pads were stiff, so I ended up using more pads than usual. I like how stiff pads like the blue coarse and UHS pads don`t bog down the RUPES machines like the softer ones.

imported_Redduc
02-19-2015, 11:46 AM
Cool, thanks! They look very intimidating. Almost like a sanding pad.

Broceratops
10-17-2015, 02:39 PM
Amazing work! Thanks for the write-up and the link to this thread!

Mikek9965
10-17-2015, 06:03 PM
Big Difference! great work & write up!