Xtreme Vehicle Makeover - 2005 Infiniti G35 Edition

G35stilez

Ari Gold
12,000 miles on the clock!


Yep, I see you all laughing on the other sides of the screen. :lmfao :lmfao :lmfao


This one was challenging to say the least...



I got a call a couple weeks back from a nice young woman wanting to have her 'new' G35 detailed. She explained how her father bought it for her and she wasn't happy with the dealer prep (anyone surprised?). I asked a couple questions and then quoted her over the phone (mistake :(). We were able to schedule for Sunday and I made it out on one of the hottest days of the summer.

I pulled up around 12:15pm and my thermometer read "95*". To top it off, the car was in direct sun with not a tree in sight. So, I knew I had about 4+ hours in the sun, thankfully I had plenty of fluids.

I started with the interior (no pics) which was a wreck, IMO, for a car with 12k on the clock. I finished that up in about 45 minutes and by that time was drenched. After I wiped down a seat with Z9, I was wiping sweat off next. Anyways, around 1pm, I began the exterior.

Is haze a color? I think it is. Typically, I see finishes like this most often in the winter months from salt and grime buildup. However, to get to this level in the summer months required some *effort*. Starting with the wheels, well, I have the same car (pretty much) with the same pads. They are almost dustless, yet these wheels were black. Looking further to the headlights, they already had the infamous G35 headlight 'haze'.

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Moving on, I noticed a general spotting over the entire surface, so I consulted the owner. Turns out, they just had their house "re-stucco'd". Of course, her car was in the driveway. So, the entire vehicle was covered in tan paint/stucco dots.

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Moving on to the more serious defects, the paint was absolutely hacked. The dealership ripped up this gorgeous midnight blue finish with their wool pad, compound, and 3000 rpm rotary. Anything from the bellyline up was covered in heavy holograms and swirling. So, as you can see, my work was well cut out for me. So, let's begin.

-Dawn Wash with MF pad
-Zaino Z18 clay with Dawn Wash as lube

-Top of the Line's Tire Cleaner cut 50/50 on tires/wells/plastic trim x 2
-Meguiar's Wheel Brightener cut 2:1 on wheels x 2


Once I had a 'clean slate', I was able to begin buffing. Like I said, 95* and sunny, thank goodness my products pulled through. The paint buffed relatively easily, but due to the temps, the products dusted up a bit. My finals were:

-Hi-Temp Extreme Cut/Optimum Car Polish (50/50) via rotary and LC Cutting Pad @ 1500 rpm (x2 on hood)
-Blackfire Ceramiclear Finishing Polish via rotary and LC Polishing Pad @ 1500 rpm (x2 on hood)
-Zaino Z14 on lighting
-Zaino Z6 Wipedown


-Zaino Z2 Pro (ZFX'd, Z8'd) by hand
-Zaino Z8 by hand

-Zaino Z16 on tires, wells, trim x 2


And for the pics...


Before
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After
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Before
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After
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Before
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After
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Before
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After
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This car really whipped my tail. I came home and hit the wall. I was absolutely exhausted and just had a chill session from 6pm - 11pm then I went to bed. For the future, I wish I'd quoted a bit more (even though I got a great tip) and had a garage to work in :).


Questions/Comments/Advice, please feel free.


Cheers!
 
G35stilez said:

I pulled up around 12:15pm and my thermometer read "95*". To top it off, the car was in direct sun with not a tree in sight. So, I knew I had about 4+ hours in the sun, thankfully I had plenty of fluids................

..........For the future, I wish I'd quoted a bit more (even though I got a great tip) and had a garage to work in :).


Looks really good. Did you work in a garage or in the sun. With only 88" here in florida sometimes, most paints get 1st degree burn hot, so I cannot imagine being able to polish/buff in the sun...
 
joyriide1113 said:
Looks really good. Did you work in a garage or in the sun. With only 88" here in florida sometimes, most paints get 1st degree burn hot, so I cannot imagine being able to polish/buff in the sun...


I worked in the sun, the whole time.


I almost got 1st degree burns while I was claying (ha!).


Don't ask me how (chemically), but the polishes worked well and I got the job done.
 
Simply amazing turnaround...

I have tried detailing in direct sunlight, not out of choice of course and found it very difficult as everything dried up almost instantly, and I found it even harder with the heavy humidity lately.

Did the stuco/paint chew through the clay quickly???
 
I'd have to flip a coin to ask what is more impressive:

The gorgeous results, or the fact that you detailed in that heat yesterday.

Unreal Sean.
 
Sean,

I don't understand how you are able to do that in the sun. The reflections off the paint when I am looking for swirls always blinds me in the sun. You must have some good sun glasses!
 
That's an outstanding job! Great turnaround as others have stated. From the look of the exterior I'm sure the interior was a mess. Once again great job!
 
Thank you for all of the kind words.


Stephan: Combined with the heat, the stucco gave the clay a run for it's money.
 
Nice work Sean, Glad you where able to finish up safely considering the conditions you where under.

TOL Wheelcleaner look like it cleaned up pretty nice..
 
Absolutly Stunning! I am blown away at the before and afters of the job. The z2pro looks spectacular on that car. Great job again Sean.

Greg
 
Sean, great work! How do you apply the Zaino Tire dressing? Do you squirt some out onto a tire swipe and apply or place on tire and spread? Thanks for the help.
 
Thank you!


chml: I have one that I bought to fit in my Integra...It does not fit in my "G" :(.

AZ: Yep, be generous with the first layer on the tire applicator. Let it soak in, then go around over the tires after 10.
 
wow...absolutely amazing results. Too bad you don't live/work in Toronto...I'd def be bringing my Accord to you once a year for a fix up.
 
"Is Haze a color? Yes, I think it is" - Sean

"Are you amazing? Yes, I think you are! - Craig

Breathtaking...it looks like you laid a pane of glass on that paint!

What made you go with Z2 instead of Z5 on the dark color?
 
Sean (this is Kris)

John showed me your weekend work, and the Infinity is absolutely gorgeous!

How do you do it?
 
Thank you!


Craig: I felt that the Metallic Flake needed the Z2 Pro to shine through with.

Kris: Thanks; practice, determination, and keeping my eye on the prize :).
 
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