Spring Break Clean Up

[Joshs2013MSAltimaSL]

Alright guys...here are some pictures that I took today. I'll go ahead and write up my process here, and then add all my final pictures tomorrow.



This is my Cobalt. It's a 2007. I've always kept it clean and waxed it every month or so using just OTC products. I found this site and got the XMT kit. Used it over Christmas break, but didn't like the results. I bought Menzerna SIP/Nano a little while ago after hearing about the great results. I used a PC for all my work, and I must say, I'm very pleased with the results I got. Although it's not 100% correct, I would say it's in the high 90s. I would love to tackle my car using a rotary, but my PC will have to do for now. I started this Monday night around 8pm and finished it tonight around 9pm. I plan on taking many more pictures tomorrow when I get up and make my final wipedown. I hope you enjoy the pictures that I have right now. Please feel free to leave and comments or suggestions.



Wash:

Rinsed

Foamed with Megs Gold Class through Gilmour Foam Gun

Hand washed with Megs Gold Class using MF mit and 2BM



Clay:

Clayed while still wet using Megs QD and white clay

Dried using Vroom MF drying towel



Correction and Polishing:

SIP via 5.5" white CCS pad for most of the car (the trunk got an orange CCS 4" pad)

106 FA via 5.5" blue CCS pad

I hand washed the car after SIP, and foamed it after the 106.



LSP:

Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant

Still thinking if I want to top that with Natty's Blue tomorrow.



Interior: It wasn't bad at all, just needed a good vacuuming.

Plastics got 303

Windows got Stoner's IG

Seats got Lexol Leather Cleaner and Conditioner

Carpets were just vacuumed



Tires, Wheel wells, and Trim:

Wells were dressed with a spray tire shine that was in the cabinet.

Tires were dressed with Megs High Gloss Hot Shine Tire Gel

Trim around windows as well as the plastic at the bottom of the windshield received a coat of 303.



Here are a few sun shots that I took before the final foaming. I know there is some smudgyness on my hood, it's just because I hadn't wiped off the 106 all the way. I realized it when I pulled it out of the garage. These are before my LSP.

Here's my Gilmour Foam Gun in action:

These next pictures are before shots of my interior:

Armor All attracts dust:

Gotta love fortune cookies haha:

You can't really see it here, but the door panel is really dusty and spotty from my gf using the bottom of her shoes to open the door haha

This is what it looks like after not vacuuming since Christmas break:

My Dad's Vette. He keeps joking around about giving it to me for graduation...At least I think he's joking..

Here are my after shots that I took of the interior:

Like I said before, it was dark when I finished and the lighting in my garage isn't the best. I'm going to make my final wipedown tomorrow when I can pull it out in the sun to make sure I got all the dust off. I still need to decide if I want to top with with Natty's. Two people have already said to do it, and I think if it adds a better look to the great look that WG already gave it, it'll be worth it. Thanks for looking, and keep an eye out for the final pictures tomorrow.

 

[craigdt]

Good luck and looks nice so far! Those cobalts always look pretty sharp.

 

[Joshs2013MSAltimaSL]

So here's the final pictures I promised everyone. I'm no photographer so hopefully these suffice.



Here's Natty's doing its thing:

Here's my little helper:

These were taken after a coat of Natty's Blue. If anyone wants to use this stuff, but isn't sure of the results, please get some!! It's the easiest stuff to work with and it looks amazing!

These next few pictures were taken inside my garage. They are my attempt at reflection shots haha:

Without flash:

Those are all the pictures I took. It's still sunny out here in Florida, but pollen is super abundant. I had to wipe down the car after taking just those few pictures. If there's any other pictures you guys would like to see, or some tips on photographing, let me know. Thanks for looking. As always, questions, comments, or suggestions are always welcome!

 

[cougar2588]

from one cobalt owner to another. car looks geat man! and i know how u feel aobu the bottom of the doors and the foot marks, i tend to have the same problems with my doors.



for the reflection shots, just try taking a few steps back and open the garage door for more lighting instead of gettin right on top of the car with the door shut. light is your friend for reflectin shots. try this particular angle. really seems to be a great angle for our cars.

(sry for the huge pic) haha

 

[Joshs2013MSAltimaSL]

from one cobalt owner to another. car looks geat man! and i know how u feel aobu the bottom of the doors and the foot marks, i tend to have the same problems with my doors.



for the reflection shots, just try taking a few steps back and open the garage door for more lighting instead of gettin right on top of the car with the door shut. light is your friend for reflectin shots. try this particular angle. really seems to be a great angle for our cars.

(sry for the huge pic) haha

That looks great man. I'll have to go try that. The only problem is I have to drive it now haha...I don't want it to get dirty lol.

 

[NAMEL355]

Looks good. My girl has a cobalt too, nice little car.

 

[Joshs2013MSAltimaSL]

I love mine man! Thanks for the compliment!

 

[imported_Puckman]

Great results and stunning color. If you ever want to try my rotary (doesn't look like you need to though) hook up via PM. I'm also in Tampa.

 

[Joshs2013MSAltimaSL]

Great results and stunning color. If you ever want to try my rotary (doesn't look like you need to though) hook up via PM. I'm also in Tampa.

Thanks man. I'd love to try it. I actually leave to go back to school on Saturday unfortunately, so I won't be able to now. I'm looking to buy one, but they are so darn expensive. Well let me rephrase, expensive when you're a college student haha. I wish I could pick up a good used one for cheaper. Thanks for the compliments too, I really appreciate it!

 

[cougar2588]

That looks great man. I'll have to go try that. The only problem is I have to drive it now haha...I don't want it to get dirty lol.

i hear ya. its to hard not to go drive when ur cars clean though!!

 

[Joshs2013MSAltimaSL]

i hear ya. its to hard not to go drive when ur cars clean though!!

Oh yeah it does make you feel good to drive a clean car. And if you don't drive it, then you don't have the pleasure of washing it again.