AJ Auto Detail: CL550 Full Detail

[ajnavo61490]

Some people on this forum, more like one person, have been dogging me and questioning me about my detailing skills and abilities. Calling me "a driveway carwasher". I would like to prove them wrong with this one. After having one month of my maintenance plan, the owner of this beautiful 2008 Mercedes CL550 decided to bring out the best in it. He opted for swirl removal, which also included scratch removal (wetsanding), paint touch-up, protection for paint, glass, and wheels, and a concours interior. I told him it would easily be a 2-day job, he told me no problem and that he would just take his Tahoe for the time being (has to be nice having two cars for yourself).



Day One

This is what the car looked like upon arrival.



Last wash was last Saturday, so it wasn`t too dirty. The only real bad part of the car were the wheels. It takes a lot of braking power to stop this 4700 lb. monster, so it gives off its fair share of brake dust.



I first rinsed the wheel, tire, and wheel well.



Next, I soaked the wheel in P21S Wheel Gel and the tire and wheel well got Meg`s APC 4:1.





After allowing about 30 seconds for dwell time, I agitated with an assortment of brushes and sponges then rinsed.








My next step was bug removal off the front end. I first rinsed the area then applied Surf City Road Trip Grime Destroyer 1:1 to the hood, bumper, fenders, mirrors, A-pillars, and roof. I allowed that to sit for about 30 seconds to start breaking down the bug splatter.





I then used a saturated Pinnacle Safe Scrub Bug Sponge to lightly agitate the areas then rinsed for a nice, bug free front end.

[ajnavo61490]

While rinsing off the bugs, I continued to rinse down the entire car getting ready for the pre-wash foam. This was done with Meg`s Hyperwash topped off with water in a foam cannon.



While the foam was dwelling, I went around the car with a brush getting all tight crevices, mirrors, mesh grills, emblems, and gas cap area. The car was then rinsed, ready for the wash stage.









The car was washed using a Lake Country Foam Mit, Chemical Guys CWG, and the 2BM. The car was then flooded then dried with a Cobra Guzzler.





Claying was pretty much a breeze for this car. Only the back had moderate contamination at the worst. Used Pinnacle Ultra Poly Clay and Chemical Guys Synthetic Quick Detailer as a clay lube.







Heres what the car looked like after wash and clay.

[ajnavo61490]

Day Two
Here`s what I`m up against...












Playing with a few polish/pad combos, I came up with a pretty good system to make this rock hard clear coat swirl free. Started with M105 on PFW @ ~1500, followed with SIP on LC White @ ~1500 and then finished with 106ff on LC Blue @ speed 6.

50/50


Before/After







The car had a few scratches that weren`t budging even with the M105/PFW combo. So I wetsanded with 2000/2500/3000 then proceeded with my normal 3-step process.

[ajnavo61490]

The car was then foamed, rinsed, and dried using the same method as the initial wash to get rid of excess polish dust/oils. I then applied a coat of Pinnacle Souveran Paste Wax with a foam pad applicator. When I pulled the car out the garage for pictures, the sun was nowhere to be found. So, my client was nice enough to email me some pictures he took the next day (way better than my photography skills, hehe). Anyways, Thanks for looking and Enjoy!

[clone]

loOks like you just fed someone a can of THA CLONES "WORLD FAMOUS SHUT UP JUICE"

[Page]

Nice job there AJ looking good

[Jeremy]

Wonderful job man!

[CharlesW]

Great job and an even better job of describing and documenting the process and products.

Just one thing.
It does look like you were driveway washing.

Check your PMs.

[ajnavo61490]

Just one thing.
It does look like you were driveway washing.

Check your PMs.

haha i know.. but they`re referring to the quality of my detailing more than the actual location. Just bothers me a bit but w.e... people doubting and questioning me just makes me better

[Bunky]

I see you have the foam cannon now. I am sure you like it.

I have heard some detailers but a little A-style sign out while they are detailing (if not on your ride) to do a little advertising.

[jaybs02]

Beautiful job, and great write up

[blk45]

Just one thing.
It does look like you were driveway washing.

haha i know.. but they`re referring to the quality of my detailing more than the actual location. Just bothers me a bit but w.e... people doubting and questioning me just makes me better

Good attitude!


Sweet ride! Nice job AJ. Thanks for sharing.

[southerndetail]

95% of my jobs are either washes or wash and waxes (granted I do about 30 jobs a week). fact is that the majority of consumers aren`t as concerned about their paint as we are and they`re the ones paying for it. In a perfect world every job would be a complete detail, though simple washes have been paying the bills comfortably for me for the past 5 years. They aren`t as gratifying but they have the same result($). Sorry for the rant, but sometimes I have to remind myself of that. Oh yea and great job, that black is a very deep one when its polished and waxed.

[Reddwarf]

You did a great job! So what`s wrong with a driveway washer anyway?!

Really good work on that polish and everything. Excellent write up with really nice pictures showing the process.

[clone]

You did a great job! So what`s wrong with a driveway washer anyway?!

Really good work on that polish and everything. Excellent write up with really nice pictures showing the process.

i don`t get it either,i have a vary nice garage and still find myself(99%) of the time in the driveway. I can`t see as good in the garage i don`t care what kinda lighting you have.