Why is it taking so long?

N

NorcalZ71

New member
Ok i began this detail on thursday when i washed and clayed my GF's black 98 2 dr tahoe. On friday i had to go get a new clay bar, so i got started around 2pm went till about 9pm or so. I finished claying and started polishing. Today i started about noon and its almost 4, still polishing. So far all i have done is UPP the hood, front fenders, doors and one rear 1/4 panel. I have to do the tailgate and the roof which will be a beast as it is looking aweful and is difficult to get to. Then i've got to go over everything again with PP and then MP, then wax. Then i've got chrome, trim, windows and assorted other stuff. Why in the world is it taking me so long? Even still the paint could look a whole lot better there are some swirls in there (brilo pads and paint dont mix...dont ask it wasnt me) that are pretty bad that soften up but wont come out.



This is killing me, i hope my truck isnt this difficult.
 
Heh heh, this is one of those "welcome to the real world" reality checks :D



This stuff doesn't go fast, especially when you're doing a big job on a neglected vehicle for the first time. Especially when you're doing major work with a PC instead of a rotary or even a Cyclo. Especially when you haven't done it a zillion times before. Look on the bright side, at least you're not doing it all by hand and you're using *very* user-friendly products.



Cut a few corners: use the PP or MP on the chrome, for instance. See how it looks after the PP but without the MP; sometimes you can go straight from PP to your LSP. Maybe consider applying the LSP after the next wash (I'm assuming you can have it again, say, next weekend) since the PP/MP's wax will last a few weeks all on its own.



As long as it doesn't get all marred up again, it'll be infinitely easier to KEEP it nice once you've done the big job. Don't get discouraged, you're sorta lucky to have a messed up black vehicle to work on at this point- great learning experience.
 
NorCalZ71 said:
Ok i began this detail on thursday when i washed and clayed my GF's black 98 2 dr tahoe. On friday i had to go get a new clay bar, so i got started around 2pm went till about 9pm or so. I finished claying and started polishing. Today i started about noon and its almost 4, still polishing. So far all i have done is UPP the hood, front fenders, doors and one rear 1/4 panel. I have to do the tailgate and the roof which will be a beast as it is looking aweful and is difficult to get to. Then i've got to go over everything again with PP and then MP, then wax. Then i've got chrome, trim, windows and assorted other stuff. Why in the world is it taking me so long? Even still the paint could look a whole lot better there are some swirls in there (brilo pads and paint dont mix...dont ask it wasnt me) that are pretty bad that soften up but wont come out.



This is killing me, i hope my truck isnt this difficult.
Click to expand...



I hope you have a pc, otherwise, this job would take forever. Also, clay while washing(in other words, wash the panel, then resoap it, then clay it again), this will save some time. If the vehicle has never been waxed or taken care of, sometimes ill just use a paint cleaner(like medallion premium paint cleaner, and that takes all contaminants off the paint).



Btw, dont even bother with interior until another day, its not worth it.
 
haha, thanks guys, im just frustrated at the moment. We've already done the interior, although an extractor would have been nice. Whatever it takes im not gonna cut any corners this time around just tough it out, only because this is mf GF's car and we are going to seperate colleges (she leaves this wed) so i wont see the car for awhile. It is nice to think though that once this is over it will be a much simpler process next time around. I swear, the first person that marrs this car after im done is gonna get an earful.



What really sucks is the hood is just torn to bits, prolly needs a repaint and my polishing it just made the bad parts stick out like stars in the night sky....literally, hehe thats what it looks like
 
Accumulator said:
Heh heh, this is one of those "welcome to the real world" reality checks :D



This stuff doesn't go fast, especially when you're doing a big job on a neglected vehicle for the first time. Especially when you're doing major work with a PC instead of a rotary or even a Cyclo. Especially when you haven't done it a zillion times before. Look on the bright side, at least you're not doing it all by hand and you're using *very* user-friendly products.
Click to expand...



Heh, I think I'm in for one of those. I have a backing plate and pads on the way and plan on picking up a PC at Lowes this week. I was going to ask my Uncle if I could work on his black Z71 that lives outside, but I think I'll start with Grandma's red Taurus that lives in a garage. Still plenty swirled by drive-thru car washes, but won't have as much contaminants on the paint and should be a little more forgiving than the huge black truck.
 
perry said:
...I think I'll start with Grandma's red Taurus that lives in a garage. Still plenty swirled by drive-thru car washes, but ..should be a little more forgiving than the huge black truck.
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Good idea :xyxthumbs
 
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