PT Cruiser Detail

**Driven Auto Detail** · 09-24-2006, 06:52 PM

Hey all! This is my mom`s PT Cruiser. I did this detail as a "gift/refer some business to me" type of deal. Unfortunately, I don`t have any before pictures. I forgot to take my camera with me when I went to their house. These photos are the day after when she came over. It gave me a chance to take some "after" photos. I put about 6 hours into it. The interior was disgusting but I think it turned out really well (again, no pics, sorry!). The exterior wasn`t much better however going into it I knew I wasn`t going to spend a ton of time on it (this was my first real detail after back surgery so my conditioning/muscles aren`t up to par). The paint had many defects from light to moderate scratches, bird poop etching, scuffs, & paint chips. Mom & dad were both quite impressed and thrilled with the outcome. I did this while they were out of town so when they got home they opened the garage door to their shiney "new" vehicle.

Process:

-Wash w/NXT.

-Clay w/Meg`s clay & Last Touch for lube. I have to say, the paint felt like sand paper so I spent quite a bit of time claying. I should probably throw my clay bar away after this one.

-Wash w/NXT.

-Meg`s #66 with PC & white LC polishing pad.

-Meg`s NXT with grey LC finishing pad (X2). While I was impressed with the overall end result of NXT, I have to say I was disappointed because of some streaking. When buffing off with a Cobra MF towel, it seemed to streak a lot. You can see it in the hood shot (the darker areas of the clouds). I thought that the 2nd application would help, but it did the same thing again. This is the first time I`ve used NXT but I`ll use it again till my bottle is gone. If the streaking continues I won`t buy it again. Besides the streaking, I really liked the overall look and how it darked the paint.

Other products used:

-303 for trim

-Meg`s High Endurance for tires

-Meg`s APC+ for general cleaning inside & out

-Meg`s Quick Interior Detailer

-Meg`s NXT Glass Cleaner

-Meg`s Detailer`s Line Leather Cleaner/Conditioner

Pictures:

Comments/questions welcomed!

**blue-sun** · 09-24-2006, 08:20 PM

looks good!

**Driven Auto Detail** · 09-25-2006, 01:42 PM

Thanks for the compliment.

**Way2SSlow** · 09-25-2006, 02:35 PM

Car looks great. Glad to see you bouncing back from the surgery.

**Driven Auto Detail** · 09-25-2006, 02:36 PM

Thanks....much appreciated!

**Bigpoppa3346** · 09-25-2006, 02:37 PM

Nice and dark looking. I have never had streaking issues with NXT, maybe you put it on too thick or didn`t let it sit long enough or let it sit too long.

**imported_Bence** · 09-25-2006, 05:45 PM

Megs has/had streaking issues with certain batches of NXT liquid and #21. Call Megs` customer support center and they`ll replace it.

**Driven Auto Detail** · 09-25-2006, 06:41 PM

I think I`ll check into that...thanks!

**^&04types** · 11-20-2006, 04:10 PM

were you able to get the bird drop etchings out completely?

**twitch** · 11-20-2006, 04:25 PM

Very refelctive! A PT cruiser looks good when clean because of the different lines and the light it catches.

Good job. I hope your back was able to handle the situation. You don`t realize how many different muscles you use detailing.... until the next morning

**Scottwax** · 11-20-2006, 08:58 PM

Very deep and wet!

It is possible the streaking was causing by applying NXT over the waxes in #66. If NXT passes the swipe test (run your finger across the finish and if it removes the NXT completely), you normally won`t get any streaking.

**DLR Detailing** · 11-20-2006, 09:27 PM

Great job neighbor! I am sure your folks appreciated it very much. Fantastic way to advertise and get the word out. :goodjob

Dave

**Driven Auto Detail** · 11-21-2006, 09:17 AM

Originally Posted by ^&04types

were you able to get the bird drop etchings out completely?

Not completely. It was a "quick" job and I only used Meg`s #66 so I think more abrasives would have been helpful.

Originally Posted by twitch

Very refelctive! A PT cruiser looks good when clean because of the different lines and the light it catches.

Good job. I hope your back was able to handle the situation. You don`t realize how many different muscles you use detailing.... until the next morning

Thanks! You aren`t kidding about muscle usage. I`m usually pretty sore when I`m done but it`s usually worth it!

Originally Posted by Scottwax

Very deep and wet!

It is possible the streaking was causing by applying NXT over the waxes in #66. If NXT passes the swipe test (run your finger across the finish and if it removes the NXT completely), you normally won`t get any streaking.

Thanks Scott, that means a lot coming from you! What you mentioned definitely might have something to do with it. I had just received a small bottle of #66 so I used it just to try it out. Plus, I don`t think I left NXT on long enough because I was running out of time at the end. I`ve used NXT a couple times since then and I haven`t had anymore problems with it.

Originally Posted by Dave R

Great job neighbor! I am sure your folks appreciated it very much. Fantastic way to advertise and get the word out.

Dave

Thanks! Ya know, I have received some questions from my neighbors about why I`m always out there with different cars. Maybe one of these days they`ll finally want me to detail theirs.

By the way, I see you`re in Indiana. Where are you at specifically if you don`t mind me asking? You can shoot me a PM if you don`t want to post it here. I`m always up for meeting a fellow detailer.