New pics, v.removing west Texas racing stripes

S

Scottwax

New member
West Texas racing stripes = scratches from mesquite bushes at a deer lease. ;)



Regular customer, has his truck washed twice a month. Spent time at his deer lease this fall and winter and got some surface scratches down both sides. Nothing real deep though. Finally had enough time to go to town on it.



I used the orange CMA cutting pad and Meguiars #9 with the PC on 6 to polish out the paint. Like I said, the scratches weren't too bad, probably could have got the same results using the white polishing pad and #80 Speed Glaze but I hadn't had a chance to get by my distributer (did today though!) and pick some up.



Anyway, I took a before pic, but I just couldn't get it to focus cleanly on the scratches but here it is anyway. The paint is slightly cloudy looking but the scratches really aren't visible, even in the larger size:



10992000_F150_before2.jpg




After polishing with #9 and orange cutting pad:



10992000_F150_after2.jpg




Final results after applying NXT wax with the grey finishing pad:



10992000_F150_side_after.jpg




A couple sun shots:



10992000_F150_side_sun.jpg




10992000_F150_hood_sun.jpg




The whole truck:



10992000_F150.jpg
 
Quick wash, polish and wax on a 2003 Dodge Ram SLT. Vanilla Moose with the polishing pad and EX-P by hand.



10992003_DodgeRam.jpg




2003 Escalade EXT-just love this color! It needed a good polishing, so #9 with the cutting pad, then NXT Wax with the finishing pad.



10992003_Escalade_EXTblue1.jpg




10992003_Escalade_EXTblue2.jpg




10992003_Escalade_EXTbluehood.jpg
 
Here is a 2004 Mercedes S500 with the PPG CeramiClear paint. Very, very nice! I waxed it with NXT when he got it back in late January and then again (this time using the grey finishing pad) last weekend. No need to polish at this point (I did apply NXT with the PC on 5), extremely minimal cobwebbing, no visible scratches although he has taken a small chunk of paint off the rear bumper.



10992004_S500_hood.jpg




10992004_S500_front.jpg




10992004_S500_rear.jpg
 
ajbarnes said:
Excellent job!!:eek: The 150 has a remarkable improvement after finishing with NXT!:cool:
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Actually, the pic is a bit deceiving (not intentionally) since I was a bit farther back so everything was more in focus. The first two shots really aren't that light in real life but that is how the pics turned out and why before and afters can be tough. Lighting, angles, etc can all affect the pics.



The NXT wax did darken the paint though, just not as much as it looks.
 
Nice, Nice and really Nice!!



I just wondering where do you take the time to detail so many cars, Just joking!!



I really like this wet look you leave to all cars done by you. I try hard to achive it. As you always says, wax is only 10% of final shine. I use 3M fine cut compound + 3M SMR + carnauba wax from Sonax but the result is not enough wet.



In your opinion, what is the "ultimate wettest combo"?.



I am getting crazy on that? Maybe S100.... Ahhhhh!! :)



Thanks
 
As I was scrolling down the first several pics, the third one was like "blam." It really took me by surprise because the paint is really bright and clear. The other cars also look awesome.
 
Scott, after watching you in action at the detail day, I have been practicing your hand technique. It took me back to my early days of detailing (wash, cleaner polish and some hand glaze). It was nostalgic! I will post some pictures after I finish the topping with #16.
 
Even though it's blurry the first 2 pics, the F150 turned out amazing on the last ones :) . I love NXT on Black.



Is there a reason you used a cutting pad with a light polish? Do you have any hazing problems afterwards?



My friend used to have a blue EXT just like that. It was HUUUGE, but a joy to detail.



Any comments on the ceramiclear?



Excellent work!
 
GSRstilez said:




Is there a reason you used a cutting pad with a light polish? Do you have any hazing problems afterwards?
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I was almost out of DACP, I would have picked some up but I didn't know I was going to have enough time to really go to town on it that day. I think #80 Speed Glaze and a polishing pad would have done just as good a job on the scratches. No hazing problems, would have been pretty easy to see on a party cloudy day when the sun would break through.



My friend used to have a blue EXT just like that. It was HUUUGE, but a joy to detail.
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The only problem with detailing an EXT is the area around the back window with the way those pillars get in the way, plus the panels over the bed hold a lot of water. That color made it worth it though.



Any comments on the ceramiclear?
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drool.gif
Daddy want.
kdubb.gif




I really like it, especially since this customer isn't too careful with his car. Should really cut down on the light scratches he got on his previous S500. It is amazing how little cobwebbing there is with this paint, even on black.
 
What was it like buffing out the ceramiclear? Did the light cobwebs buff out as easily as with normal paint?



Looks great, everything!
 
GoodnClean said:
What was it like buffing out the ceramiclear? Did the light cobwebs buff out as easily as with normal paint?
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I haven't really had to buff them out yet they are so minor. Just went over the car with NXT and a finishing pad. Really all I had time for anyway since they were fixin' to go out. I'll just have to see how it looks when it is time to wax it again to see what buffing steps may be needed.



According to Mike Phillips, he buffed out some serious water spots on one with a rotary, DACP and a polishing pad and said it came out great.
 
GSRstilez said:
Is there a reason you used a cutting pad with a light polish? Do you have any hazing problems afterwards?
Click to expand...



I wondered the same, remembered Scott uses a LC orange pad. The orange pad cuts less than the LC yellow or Meg Red (W-7006)cutting pad and does not leave the hazing usually associated with a cutting pad.



Eric
 
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