MY First Autopian Detail

**milani** · 04-05-2003, 09:19 PM

After many weeks of researching the site, asking questions, reading the e-book, and running from store to store in order to find product, I have completed my first Autopian detail job on my C240. Here are some before shots:

http://www.autopia.org/gallery/showp...papass=&sort=1

http://www.autopia.org/gallery/showp...papass=&sort=1

http://www.autopia.org/gallery/showp...papass=&sort=1

Here are my steps:

1. Wash with Meguiars GC wash

2. Dry with absorber and MF towels

3. Clay with Clay Magic

4. Paint cleaning by hand with Meguiars Paint Cleaner

5. Attempted scratch removal by hand with Meguiars Scratch-x (what a waste of time that was)

6. Polish by hand with Meguiars Polish

7. Wax by hand with Meguiars Carnuba Wax

Interior Done with Lexol products (Leather, vinyl, etc)

Here are my after shots:

http://www.autopia.org/gallery/showp...papass=&sort=1

http://www.autopia.org/gallery/showp...papass=&sort=1

http://www.autopia.org/gallery/showp...papass=&sort=1

My after shots are good, but I feel they can be better. :nixweiss The paint just does not pop the way I would like. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

Also, just to avoid the flaming, I know my camera sucks!

**uconn1150** · 04-05-2003, 09:36 PM

Actually, I think you did an AWESOME job. There is ONLY one person I know who can do magic without a PC and that is Scottwax...I think. I got a PC last summer and it made the job so much easier and gave me better results. So suggestions: a PC (with all of the foam pads), maybe some Klasse, maybe some BlackFire, maybe some PS21, and yes, maybe Zaino. I really believe that any one of these products will give you what you are looking for!:xyxthumbs

**milani** · 04-06-2003, 04:21 PM

Of course, uconn, I will have to research further on your suggestions to find the sealant that I will desire.

Any ideas on where to get a PC in the Chicago area at a good price? I am still convincing my wife that it is a better choice to buy the PC and get the swirls out yourself than to take the car to the local car wash /detail shop. Wish me luck!

**imported_Greg** · 04-06-2003, 04:58 PM

Your best bet is to either go to Lowes and get the 7336 or go to www.coastaltool.com and get the 7242

BTW: I think it looks really good and your camera seems to take just fine photos. Good work!

**thegeek** · 04-06-2003, 05:09 PM

S100/P21S will add that pop to the paint you want.

**sheltem** · 04-08-2003, 04:25 AM

ScratchX does not help at all? Hmm. .. then I should not waste my time with that as I also do not have a PC ... Should I use SMR instead?

**Myles** · 04-08-2003, 04:31 AM

Pop = S100

Might wanna try next week, S100 SEPC and S100 wax.:up

Great job by the way

**kg/cmÂ²** · 04-08-2003, 09:57 AM

Originally posted by milani

Of course, uconn, I will have to research further on your suggestions to find the sealant that I will desire. Any ideas on where to get a PC in the Chicago area at a good price? I am still convincing my wife that it is a better choice to buy the PC and get the swirls out yourself than to take the car to the local car wash /detail shop. Wish me luck!

Hey milani,

your car looks smashing!:xyxthumbs ...about the PC...I made a haul and picked up my PC 7336 SP from Lowe`s at Dekalb...they stock those models there for $109.99...there is a new Lowe`s opening up in St. Charles that I know of also...Homer Glen is near Plainfield/Bolingbrook correct?...I believe that those would be the closest Lowe`s to...I have also heard of some member`s going to Home Depot and having them order the PC for you if you give them the model#...I know that Home Depots are like StarBucks now...hehehe...

Hope this helps some...

**milani** · 04-08-2003, 01:19 PM

Yeah, I am about 20 minutes from Bolingbrook and about a half hour from Plainfield. I did not know that there was a Lowe`s out there. I will have to check it out (since the tax is cheaper too!) Thanks! (Actually, I stopped at Starbuck`s the other day and ordered paint and rollers instead of coffee:LOLOL )

**kg/cmÂ²** · 04-08-2003, 04:13 PM

sorry milani, just to double check...the closest Lowe`s to Bolingbrook/Plainfield seem to be the Lowe`s in St. Charles(opening soon) and the Lowe`s in Dekalb...I`m pretty sure there is no location in Bolingbrook/Plainfield...just making sure...don`t want to take you out on a bunk mission...

if you go to www.Lowes.com and go to "Store Locator", you can check to see if there are other locations that are closer depending exactly where you work or live...

**chris0626** · 04-08-2003, 11:31 PM

Originally posted by tradertt

ScratchX does not help at all? Hmm. .. then I should not waste my time with that as I also do not have a PC ... Should I use SMR instead?

Agreed! When I pick up a couple of tiny little obvious scratches en route to a concours, I am quite happy with the ScratchX treatment. But for anything significant, I find it pretty useless.

**thevolvoguy** · 04-08-2003, 11:36 PM

Awesome job.

**RegalGS** · 04-09-2003, 12:56 AM

Originally posted by kg/cmÃ‚²

Bolingbrook

OMFG! MY HOMETOWN! Sorry... Don`t want to hijack the thread.

Milani, I can definately tell the difference between your befores and afters. The car looks wetter, and it does look fantastic btw! I will echo what others have said... try S100. There`s a Harley dealer in Lisle, on Ogden - they might have it. Also one in Joliet, I think, but can`t remember where.

Oh, since it sounds like you`re probably in the Naperville area, you might want to check out Berland`s Tools in Lombard for the PC. They might have it, too. They`re umm... north of Butterfield near where Portillos is, just west of Yorktown. I can`t remember the name of the street/roads, but I could direct you there by landmark. (My grandma lives REAL close to there.)

Great job on the Benz, and your camera does just fine! Welcome to the disease... :xyxthumbs

**milani** · 04-09-2003, 08:41 AM

Welcome to the disease...

Yeah, I am already starting to get an itch!!!:shocked

**milani** · 04-09-2003, 09:01 AM

I am looking for all of your opinions on this:

I am ready to take it to the next level on both of my cars, the black C240, and a white QX4. I am considering the following options:

Klasse: at least 2x AIO followed by at least 2x SG

OR

Zaino: at lease 2x Z-5 and at least 2x Z-2 (both with ZFX accelerant).

Which do you prefer, or will one work better on a particular car? Also I have read several suggestions to follow the Klasse with P21S/S100 or any high quality wax. Will this also apply to Zaino?