Lexus ES300 2 step and some pro photos.. Loooong pic filled post

[Lotuseffect]

Had it all planned out. A great friend who together with his wife has a great photography studio was all set to come take some before pics, and then return the next day for the afters. So of course it rained and we only got afters with no real good sun pics, and even rain on the car. Anyway, had a good time with my friend while I did a 2 step correction on this Lexus. The key problems were neglect, harsh swirling, some bad scuffs which required wet sanding, water marks, and most of all the entire vehicle was covered in tiny dots of white paint. I kept asking this customer if she remembers being stuck behind someone painting dotted line borders on the highway. It was horrid. So we begin;







Process:

Wash with W99

Clay Magic aggressive with HD Final Touch as lube

Lacquer Thinner applied to vehicle then wiped down rinsed thoroughly

Wash and foamed again with w99

P21S Wheel Cleaner

OPC on tires

GG DA with Surbuf and M105

GG DA with LC Orange CCS and m205

GG DA with HD Green pad and UNO

50/50 IPA wipe

LSP HD Poxy topped with FK 1000





Befores:



General swirls and water marks

White paint spray

Yes thats right, the paint made it all the way back to the rear quarter panel

Bad scuffing and RIDS

Holy Fingernails Batman!

Clean clay before hood

After JUST HOOD

AFTERS:

Door handles cleaned up

Scuffs removed

White Paint removed

"Sun shots" cause god doesnt like me.

Final Pics after photographer left due to rain starting to come down.



Scratches removed but stress cracks in plastic from impact remain

Special thanks to my friend Kosta Lekkas of Lekkas Photography Lekkas Photography Videography Greek Wedding Tarpon Springs Clearwater Tampa Baptism Photographers for trying to hang as long as possible before the rain set in. We couldnt get any really good afters, or any style shots because of God not liking me and sending rain.



Just once Id like to know what its like to not have the God lift up that giant robe of his, hook his gold sandal through a chain link fence, and pee on me and my plans. Oh well, my dad always used to say "Annoucing your plans out loud, is a good way to hear God laugh.

 

[Scooby24]

Another great job! What's your technique for the inside of the door handles?

 

[C. Charles Hahn]

Lookin' good!



I know what you mean about things rarely lining up perfectly for getting good photos in the sun.... it sucks, but you just have to make the best of it.

 

[Brad B]

The hood/nose looked like it had a lot of chips. How did you fix them?

 

[Lotuseffect]

Scooby,



Its not really a technique, im just too stingy to throw away old Megs MF discs that have blown out the backing. So I cut them into 3x3 squares and use em by hand. Usually M105 followed with Uno cleans up the door handles pretty well. The actual 3" discs work perfectly too. They are thin enough that you can really work the polish in under the door handle by hand.





Brad,

On this lexus I happened to have a brilliant black Audi color pen handy. The chips were small enough where unless you got within 24" of the surface you werent gonna see the color wasnt spot on. The lexus was a solid black with no flake so it worked out ok. Just applied as little as possible to draw attention away from the gray of the chips and then very lightly sanded with 2k and a pencil eraser, polish and viola. Its kind of rigging it a bit, but this car isnt going down to pebble beach either.

 

[Brad B]

Thanks for the follow up. It sure worked out great. Nice fix.

 

[Scooby24]

That's a great idea, I hadn't considered cutting down old pads. I might have to try that now. I've been using a MF towel and 105 and it doesn't seem to do squat.

 

[Ch96067]

Nice work and tips

 

[David Fermani]

Great idea with the MF pads. Car looks like it came out nice too!