Detailing class in Portland from 9.20.09.

**Thomas Dekany** · 09-22-2009, 01:00 PM

I gave a class to put my name out there in Portland, where most cars look really neglected. While there are "detailing shops" all over the place, they are not performing any higher end work. (charlesferg is an exception

)

There are so many exotic cars out here but all are swirled up.

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I was ready for the class

The class was going pretty well and I think all 12 who attanded had a great time.

After teaching how to properly maintain autopaint I was able to demonstrate paint correction on a 2006 carbon black M3 that was in need of some TLC. I chose the trunk area, as this part of the car always seems to be the worst. And this car didn`t dissapoint. There were cobwebs, swirls and many random isolated deep scratches. (RIDS)

I taped off the trunk in the middle. Chose the right side.

First I used the PCXP and an orange pad with Meg`s 105 for one pass. (One pass means that the polish was worked in until it was completely broken down)

While the gloss improved most imperfection were still there. (no surprise there)

Next came the Flex 3401 DA machine with the same orange pad. Here we had better luck with the swirls and cobwebs after one pass but the RIDS stayed as those proved to be very deep as I found out later on.

At this point I switched to the Flex rotary and a black wool pad with Meg`s 105.

At 2100 rpm it took many passes to completely eliminate all RIDS.

The end result was a pretty perfect section but we still had some holograms to tackle as this was a very agressive combo.

To get a perfect finish, I used the FLEX 3401 and the same orange pad with Meg`s 105 to further refine the finish. (speed 6)

The following step was the FLex 3401 again but this time with a green light polishing pad an HD UNO polish. (speed 6 again)

At this point the finish looked pretty glossy but I still wanted to improve things still and used Chemical Guys` Wet Mirror Finish on the FLEX 3401 again and a blue finishing pad.

Wax of choice was Magic Wax.

I apologise for not having better pictures to show off each step or the finished product for that matter this time, but the focus was on the people who were at the class.

PS: the smearing you see on the polished side is due to the wax not having enough time to cure.

**howareb** · 09-22-2009, 03:37 PM

What tha`...... you are back in the game YEAHHHH!!!

Great idea giving a class. It was a surprise to me, I could have used some frequent flyer miles and helped you out.

What do you think of the Flex Rotary.

**Barry Theal** · 09-22-2009, 07:17 PM

very cool thomas dj and I did one a while back.

**Thomas Dekany** · 09-22-2009, 08:47 PM

Thank you guys!!!! It was a lot of fun and will be doing another one in 2 weeks again but looks like more people will attand. (from the subaru forum)

**Barry Theal** · 09-22-2009, 09:00 PM

thomas thats great I actually enjoy doing stuff like that. It gives a good sense of well being. I enjoy helping others learn. Keep it up!

**Thomas Dekany** · 09-22-2009, 09:03 PM

Originally Posted by howareb

What tha`...... you are back in the game YEAHHHH!!!

Great idea giving a class. It was a surprise to me, I could have used some frequent flyer miles and helped you out.

What do you think of the Flex Rotary.

Same as the Makita so far. Haven`t noticed anything different except for the color.

I do like it though.

**Thomas Dekany** · 09-22-2009, 09:04 PM

Originally Posted by bufferbarry

thomas thats great I actually enjoy doing stuff like that. It gives a good sense of well being. I enjoy helping others learn. Keep it up!

Thanks man!

Are you going to be in on the one he is doing on the 4th?

**Barry Theal** · 09-22-2009, 09:27 PM

No Im to busy at this point. I have way to much work right now. I`m already two weeks behind! That older chevy messed my schedule up.

**Pizdous** · 09-23-2009, 01:12 PM

Thanks again Thomas for the class! I learned allot

i`ll be saving up so you can finish the otherside of my trunk!

**Thomas Dekany** · 09-27-2009, 12:02 PM

Originally Posted by Pizdous

Thanks again Thomas for the class! I learned allot

i`ll be saving up so you can finish the otherside of my trunk!

I am waiting!!

**imported_DJ Mayo** · 09-28-2009, 08:34 PM

So that`s how you do it in Portland?

**Thomas Dekany** · 09-28-2009, 08:56 PM

Originally Posted by Got_Leather

So that`s how you do it in Portland?

Ohh yeah!

**McDougal** · 09-30-2009, 11:37 PM

Damn! I wish I would have seen this before the event.

**Thomas Dekany** · 10-01-2009, 11:40 AM

There will be another one on the 11th.

**RDAVEX7** · 01-17-2010, 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by tdekany

There will be another one on the 11th.

Are you planning on doing any more this spring or summer? There is a fair amount of enthusiasts up here in Washington that have been looking for a training day, most are in Seattle. I have been toying with the idea of hosting a detailing day for everyone in the northwest where pro`s and enthusiasts can get together and maybe even get some product manufactures involved.