2002 Ford Expedition

[bcarty]

I feel at home here with other peole that are as anal as I am when it comes to keeping nice things nice. So... many cars today have painted door pulls (you know, the thing you pull or lift or whatever to open the doors) as well as the area behind (where the fingers go) that is also painted. My wife and I a both as care as can be, but people in general, we all know, could care less about OUR cars... so... Here are my questions.



Protection of these areas... how many extra coats of what do you put in this area? I`m thinking Klasse SG, maybe 10 coats?



Do you use the "Allow me to get that for you" line to keep people from touching with their rings and crap? What do you do?



Thanks,



Pete

[Ron Ketcham]

Just use an alcohol based glass cleaner and a microfiber towel and you have the same, effective method.



But then, the pretty little container is so nice, guess that it is what keeps the economy moving on.

[Tuck91]

I detailed this Expedition yesterday. It just hit its 100,000 mile mark and the owner decided he wanted the exterior cleaned up a bit. His main concern was that the paint wasnt looking as white as it was when he bought it brand new and the bug shield was fading as well.

There was an enormous amount of bonded contaminants and the hood and roof felt like sandpaper. I initally tried Meguiars Blue Mild Clay, it wasnt really removing all the contaminants and still left that sandpaper like feel. I ended up stepping up to Meguiars C2000 Aggressive Red Clay and this worked beautifully, I used Last Touch as my clay lube.

To bring that white paint back to life I used my favorite Meguiars AIO on my G110. I used Meguiars M66 Quick Detailer. I really like this product for how well it performs and what its able to do correction wise. The owner really liked how much whiter the paint was.

I then went ahead and restored the plastic bug shield with Ultimate Compound, PlastX and some terry clothes. Tires were dressed with Meguiars Hot Shine Tire coating, and all chrome got Hot Rims Chrome Polish.

I have some before, during and after shots.

Before:

http://i735.photobucket.com/albums/ww359/Tuck91/DSC07986.jpg

http://i735.photobucket.com/albums/ww359/Tuck91/DSC07985.jpg

http://i735.photobucket.com/albums/ww359/Tuck91/DSC08000.jpg

During:

http://i735.photobucket.com/albums/ww359/Tuck91/DSC07995.jpg

http://i735.photobucket.com/albums/ww359/Tuck91/DSC07997.jpg

http://i735.photobucket.com/albums/ww359/Tuck91/DSC08002.jpg

and finally, the afters:

http://i735.photobucket.com/albums/ww359/Tuck91/DSC08009.jpg

http://i735.photobucket.com/albums/ww359/Tuck91/DSC08008.jpg

http://i735.photobucket.com/albums/ww359/Tuck91/DSC08010.jpg

http://i735.photobucket.com/albums/ww359/Tuck91/DSC08011.jpg

http://i735.photobucket.com/albums/ww359/Tuck91/DSC08017.jpg

http://i735.photobucket.com/albums/ww359/Tuck91/DSC08019.jpg

http://i735.photobucket.com/albums/ww359/Tuck91/DSC08023.jpg

http://i735.photobucket.com/albums/ww359/Tuck91/DSC08027.jpg

http://i735.photobucket.com/albums/ww359/Tuck91/DSC08047.jpg

http://i735.photobucket.com/albums/ww359/Tuck91/DSC08049.jpg

http://i735.photobucket.com/albums/ww359/Tuck91/DSC08033.jpg

http://i735.photobucket.com/albums/ww359/Tuck91/DSC08034.jpg

http://i735.photobucket.com/albums/ww359/Tuck91/DSC08036.jpg

[imported_Luster]

Nice job Nick! Looks like a brand new SUV!:thumbup:

[Old Pirate]

Wow, great save there Nick...looks sweet now!

[MB Fan]

Love the "after" shots from the side of the door panels - really shows off your work. :hurray:

[bmw5541]

Very nice work:thumbup:

[Tuck91]

Thanks guys ;)

[QUIK4DR]

Very nice! It is always cool to see just how brilliant white can really be. :clap:

[imported_Jokeman]

Truck is in great shape for an 02!

[imported_broker99]

looks great, nice job

[Puckman]

Nice work Nick. For 100,000 miles in a northern climate that Exp. is in great shape!