Immaculate Reflections Detail Rig - 1st detail - full correction

[paco]

Hey Jimwh,



I just read your detailed post on Klasse application. Pretty impressive.



How much pressure do you use when applying the AIO and do you use a lighter touch with the SG?



Thanks,



Paco

[vettefan67]

I am not jimwh but I think I have some input here. Pressure used to apply AIO would depend on what the car needs -- if the car has been prepped with clay, swirl remover and another finer finishing polish / cleaner, AIO isn`t even necessary.

However, I do use AIO. Usual procedure is clay the car, polish to remove swirls, polish to a finer shine with a lesser abrasive* and apply sealant.

The lesser abrasive can be AIO, and it is all up to you. If you still see some very minor marring from your swirl remover, work AIO in rather firmly with a foam or microfiber applicator. I really prefer microfiber applicators (I have a couple of YoSteve`s and like them) for AIO as if the paint has not been cleaned completely AIO will still remove stuff, and you don`t want to be rubbing that into the paint.

However if your surface is pristine and beautiful, either skip AIO or apply [and buff!] AIO very lightly . . . it is minorly abrasive.

Pressure with KSG does not matter IMO. I apply at whatever pressure lets me apply the thinnest coats -- you should hardly be able to see where you have applied SG and where you haven`t! Make sure you apply it in a very organized manner if you do succeed in applying thin coats, otherwise you`ll find yourself wondering if you`ve missed a spot.

Hope this helps! And kudos to jimwh for his excellent Klasse instructions -- I found them very useful as well.

[paco]

Much appreciated. :xyxthumbs

[GoFast908Z]

A few months ago I was fortunate enough to upgrade my detail rig from a small 2dr coupe with great gas mileage, to something that was actually functional and more enjoyable to drive. Also a vehicle that represented my business better. This is the new-to-me 2005 GMC Sierra SLT ext cab that I bought. Its fully loaded and wonderful to drive. After putting in the rolling toneau cover from ReTrax, I get a regular 22-23 mpg on the freeway with a 5.3L V8, gotta love that. Aside from the good power, its wonderfully comfortable and is loaded with all options (I didn`t even have cruise control in my last car!).

Bought during my busy season, I didn`t have time to detail it properly for about 6 weeks! But I finally got to it and man did I have a lot of work ahead of me! I will be personalizing the truck more next year but for now, let me introduce the Immaculate Reflections detail rig!






Process:

Exterior
-Foamed with Dawn
-Rinsed and Dawn wash
-Megs APC 4:1 on wheels/tires
-Daytona EZ detail brush
-Swissvax Wheel brush
-Mothers Chrome polish on bumpers
-Clayed with Z18 and ONR as lube
-Tires and black trim with Zaino Z16



Interior

-Vacuumed
-Leather with Megs APC 5:1
-Zaino Z10 conditioner
-Stoner`s Invisible Glass on windows
-Vents and console cleaned with various brushes/qtips
-Dash and all plastic panels wiped down with Megs APC 4:1



Correction

-Makita Rotary + LC PFW + M105
-Flex Rotary + LC orange + Menz SIP
-PCXP + LC black + Menz PO85RD


LSP

-Blackfire Wet Diamond
-Blackfire detail spray



Total time: 26 hours







Before pics....


Lots of buffer trails, holograms, swirls, RIDS, etc...










Previous owner had it "detailed" for me as a courtesy... It was one of those times where I really wish I could have been there to say "Thanks but you really don`t need to."


































Exhaust tips were looking pretty rough and beat up. Some Mothers Mag & Aluminum Polish + #0000 steel wool worked wonders. Tips sealed with Zaino ZAIO.















You can see here the water was still beading well from the previous "detail".








Pics of the swirls/holograms/RIDS in my 1000w halogens

[GoFast908Z]

Truck had a minor accident and repainting was done, paint thickness gauge confirmed this. The paint work was actually decent for the most part.






First two steps of correction: Makita rotary + LC Purple Foamed Wool + M105. After that was my new Flex rotary + LC orange + Menzerna SIP.

Finishing was done with PCXP + LC black + Menzerna PO85RD.








50/50 shot after 2 steps of correction













Evidence of the bodyshop`s work here... Left side corrected fully, right side untouched.







A couple of interior shots. Didn`t have time to take before pics, but interior was in good shape. Just needed the oily-armor-all removed from EVERY single plastic surface, dash, AND SEATS!. Couple pics after cleaning it up.








Finished pics after working in the 85RD, multiple IPA wipedowns, and a coat of Blackfire Wet Diamond. *note: water streak on windshield was cleaned up later*


































Truck was "clean-looking" when I got it, but it didn`t have that mirror finish. Now it does
















End result of hours and hours of correction work....Swirl free paint












Thanks for looking!

[Old Pirate]

Great work on your new rig Jeff, looks sweet!:wizard:

[Ron-M]

A really great looking truck. It really stands out now. I can see why you are proud of it.

[imported_kakeuter]

Nice work, the truck looks awesome now. It should make for a great detail rig now.

-Kody-

[imported_Fast Eddie]

Excellent job, that color looks great on that truck.

[imported_Stokdgs]

Jeff,

Congratulations on an awesome turn around of awful paint treatment !

I would have used the same equipment and products you used; you certainly have now turned your work truck into a rolling
IMMACULATE REFLECTION

Now, wherever you go, and people ask you about the quality of your work, you just have to point to your truck and say, "this is a sample of what I do on my days off" - you should see what I do when I`m on the clock"

There is no other GMC around that looks as good as yours !!!

Great job !!

Thanks for sharing.
Dan F

[muttgrunt]

holy cow... cleanest truck around without a doubt

[imported_detailchick]

Very beautiful!! :thumbup:

[ZL1Mark]

Very beautiful!! :thumbup:

You? The truck? Or both?! :p

[bigpoppa]

Stunning! It literally looks brand new. I can`t believe the turnaround on the exhaust, WOW.

[bmw5541]

Jeff,
That was an outstanding transformation. I bet you were real happy when the previous owner had the rig detailed for you:doh:. He really did you a "BIG" favor. It truly looks beautiful now.

Congrats on the new ride and the awesome job you did on her to represent what you are all about.: