Hello Everyone,
I think I finally finished with my Weekend Toy.
First I just want to state I don't consider myself a professional detailer by trade but i am pretty anal about detail, By Trade I am an HVAC Tech for 30yrs now.
Detailing is a hobby for me and I enjoy it and I am lucky I have a very understanding wife.
The following steps and photos took me close to 6weeks worth of work, I can only work on the vehicle 2hrs a day tops, and thats if its a good day out if it didn't rain, because its stored outdoors.
Of course i do have close to 12hrs on sundays.
My Saturdays are dedicated to my Wife.
I also used this forum to my advantage to help me understand some procedures, so i would like to thank everyone thats a part of this forum.
The Vehicle is an '07 Chevy Silverado and I bought it new and it gets washed every other day, if its nice outside. I Know, I know people say you shouldn't wash everyday because of swirls and marring, thats fine with me, since I enjoy polishing and waxing.
I have taken lots of photos but unfortunatly 40 is max per post, so the rest of the photos are at photobucket, if you would like to view them. I went through them and picked out the most detailed ones to post here.
Just for the record I never used the 2 bucket system until recently thanx to this forum, so in saying that, the before photo's are all from a one bucket wash system of the vehicle every other day in the spring, fall and summer months Since i bought the baby.
Vehicle is a 2007 Chevy Silverado in Ebony Black
Materials used..
100% Genuine Sheepskin Wash Mitt
Microfiber Chenille Wash Mitt
Zaino ZAIO,ZCS,ZFX,Z5,Z6,Z7,Z8,Z9,Z10,Z16,Z18 and Many, many Zaino Applicators
DP Polishing Pad Rejuvenator
Foam Pad Conditioning Brush
The SYSTEM 2000? Padwashing System by Lake Country
Flex XC 3401 VRG Dual Action Orbital Polisher
Porter Cable 7424
Rotary Polisher--->None!
Kompressor 7 inch Foam Pads (Grey x 4,Red x 3)
Hi-Gloss, 6-1/2 inch, CCS Pads (Green x 6)
Hi-Gloss, 7.5 inch CCS Pads (Orange x 4)
Plush Microfiber Bonnets 7.5" x 15
303 Fabric/Vinyl Cleaner
303 Aerospace Protectant
Safe Scrub Bug & Tar Pad
Meguiars M205
Menzerna PO 106 FA
Menzerna PO 87MC
Meguiars APC Plus D103
Meguiars #34 Final Inspection
Meguiars NXT Generation Glass Cleaner
Daytona Speed Master Wheel Brush
Foamaster Foam Gun
DP Xtreme Foam Formula Auto Shampoo
Forever Black Bumper & Trim Dye Kit
Liquid Dawn Dish Washing Soap
Set of Tire & Wheel Brushes
Jumbo Applicator Kit
European Hand Polish Applicators
Perfectionist Detailing Apron, my wife thinks i look cute wearing it ;-)
Grit Guard Inserts (2)
Cobra Indigo Microfiber Polishing Cloth x 24
Cobra Deluxe Jr. 600 Microfiber Towel x 24
Big Blue III Drying Towel
Wet Vac By Rigid
Leaf Blower By Toro
Before Photos:
The procedure is as follows,
First the vehicle was washed down with Dawn 3 times, why? there was about 60 coats of zaino on it,
then I used 90% Isopropol alcohol pure and rubbed the whole vehicle down.
Then I looked around for some swirls, and I think I found some...You Think!
At this point I think I better stop with the Sticky's
You get the Idea, many swirls, many more photos on site.
Next I started Claying (Z18) the vehicle using 2 cap full of Z7 TO 1 Gallon of Water as the Lube.
Completed the whole vehicle...The Paint, windows, headlights, tailights, Chrome and all stainless steel. Rewashed the Vehicle again with Dawn and rubbed it down with 90% Isopropol Alcohol again. At this point there was absolutly no beeding going on. Went over the entire vehicle with my hand inside a zip lock bag, and still felt some areas, needed claying, re-clayed those areas. Re-washed the Vehicle this time i used Z7 and a Sheepskin mitt. All lower body panels used the Microfiber Chenille Mitt. Dried the vehicle using Big Blue III Drying towel.
Next I taped all trims, and everything that i did not want the Polishing to touch.
I did not take any photos for the M205 Procedure ...sorry.
I started out using M205 with a Country Orange 7.5 inch CCS Hi-Gloss Pads and the 6.5 inch versions also.
Each panel got got 1 application and as per instructions on the product, starting with med pressure and ended with light pressure.
The M205 is some good stuff, removed almost all the swirls. Which im happy with. I then removed all the tape off the covered areas, and foamed the vehicle with DP Extreme Foam Shampoo, then rinsed off and washed it down with Z7. Used Big Blue to dry the vehicle.
Re-taped all the trim again.
Then...
I started out with the green pad and seasoned it (as per Todd (Thanx again Todd)) with Menzerna PO 106 FA.
Afterwards,I only applied 3 pea sized 106fa to the pad and worked it into the vehicle panels Using the Flex 3401 set @3-4, until its transparent.
Then buffed it off with Microfiber towel. Every panel got polished twice, the first time firm passes set @3-4,the second time light passes set @4-5 just incase i missed anything, but the final passes, i finished in the direction of the wind thats going to travel across the vehicle. At this time, anything that M205 did not get out, the 106FA did. Checked and Re-Checked.
This process took time because it was taking me close to 1-2hrs per panel and i dont have much time.
I get home from work, I have to ONR one panel and see if i can finish it before I lose light.
Here are a couple of sun shots:
Many more on website.
http://s575.photobucket.com/albums/ss196/Claude_45/Weekend Toy/
After all the polishing via 106FA was completed, I foamed the vehicle down with Zaino's Z7 through the foamaster gun to loosen and get rid of any powder residue from 106FA.
Went to bed after taking 2 aleve's
Started my polishing with Menzerna PO 87MC using the grey pad. Did the same thing, I seasoned it and used 3 pea sized drops to polish each panel with. Each panel got polished twice, first time Med-light pressure with Flex 3401 set @3-4, the second pass No pressure set @4-5.
Here are some Photos where i was losing light so i pulled out the Halogens, to see if there is any swirls.
More on the Website.
Next day...
Washed it down with Zaino's Z7.
The wheels and wells all got sprayed with Meguiars APC Plus D103 diluted 10:1. Scrubbed all down with brushes.
Dried the whole vehicle down with the Toro Blower.
Wiped the vehicle down with Z6 and applied a super thin coat of ZFX'd ZAIO 1 oz. only, all paintwork done.
Next day I, ZAIO'd all the chrome, headlights,tailights, fog lamps, and stainless steel.
Next day i foamed the vehicle down with Z7 and rinsed off, only dust was on it.
Front Wheel Wells got dressed with 303 Aero.
Tire got one coat of Zaino's Z16 Perfect Tire Gloss.
Rims,Chrome,headlights,tailights,fog lams,license plates got air dried and Z5'd and then sealed with ZCS.
The tonneau Cover got cleaned with 303 Fabric/Vinyl Cleaner and got a heavy coating of 303 Aero. The rail caps and tail gate cap, got 2 coats of Dye Using Forever Black Bumper & Trim Dye Kit.
Followed the instructions and i just didnt like the dye sponge on the bottle, so i used a regular foam applicator to apply the product with gloves on, and it worked out great for me as you can see from the photo above.
24hrs later I applied ZCS to all the caps and it looks great Satin finish.
All trim on the vehicle that's textured, got wiped down with 303Aero, and then wiped down dry 2hrs later.
All non tinted windows and mirrors got Z5'd and next day got wiped down with Meguiars NXT Generation Glass Cleaner.
Tinted windows did not get Z5'd.
Interior, all leather got cleaned with Zaino's Z9 and wiped down with Z10.
All textured interior got cleaned with 303 Fabric/Vinyl Cleaner and wiped down with 303 Aero and after 2hrs.
got wiped dow dry.
Next....
Mixed Z5 with ZFX 2 oz. to apply 3 coats onto the paintwork, Chrome and stainless steel.
After every coat, I wiped the vehicle down with Z8 instead of Z6, but the Zaino Applicator was Z6'd at all times.
The final look after following instructions and taking my sweet time on my toy, gets me lots of compliments.
It almost cost me my PVC fencing round my property. Someone was complimenting me while rolling at 5mph right onto my driveway while looking at me working on My TOY.
Checkout the Apron Baby!
BTW! The toy has a name in my house and its called The SCV.
Anyone guesses what that stands for i will ship a new bottle of Zaino's Z2 to you free of charge.
A single guess per Person Please..post your answer here no room for P/m's.
Only One Bottle Available, and i will post the winers name here.
Thank You for looking.
and finally, I hope this post helped someone out.
Claude
I think I finally finished with my Weekend Toy.
First I just want to state I don't consider myself a professional detailer by trade but i am pretty anal about detail, By Trade I am an HVAC Tech for 30yrs now.
Detailing is a hobby for me and I enjoy it and I am lucky I have a very understanding wife.
The following steps and photos took me close to 6weeks worth of work, I can only work on the vehicle 2hrs a day tops, and thats if its a good day out if it didn't rain, because its stored outdoors.
Of course i do have close to 12hrs on sundays.
My Saturdays are dedicated to my Wife.
I also used this forum to my advantage to help me understand some procedures, so i would like to thank everyone thats a part of this forum.
The Vehicle is an '07 Chevy Silverado and I bought it new and it gets washed every other day, if its nice outside. I Know, I know people say you shouldn't wash everyday because of swirls and marring, thats fine with me, since I enjoy polishing and waxing.
I have taken lots of photos but unfortunatly 40 is max per post, so the rest of the photos are at photobucket, if you would like to view them. I went through them and picked out the most detailed ones to post here.
Just for the record I never used the 2 bucket system until recently thanx to this forum, so in saying that, the before photo's are all from a one bucket wash system of the vehicle every other day in the spring, fall and summer months Since i bought the baby.
Vehicle is a 2007 Chevy Silverado in Ebony Black
Materials used..
100% Genuine Sheepskin Wash Mitt
Microfiber Chenille Wash Mitt
Zaino ZAIO,ZCS,ZFX,Z5,Z6,Z7,Z8,Z9,Z10,Z16,Z18 and Many, many Zaino Applicators
DP Polishing Pad Rejuvenator
Foam Pad Conditioning Brush
The SYSTEM 2000? Padwashing System by Lake Country
Flex XC 3401 VRG Dual Action Orbital Polisher
Porter Cable 7424
Rotary Polisher--->None!
Kompressor 7 inch Foam Pads (Grey x 4,Red x 3)
Hi-Gloss, 6-1/2 inch, CCS Pads (Green x 6)
Hi-Gloss, 7.5 inch CCS Pads (Orange x 4)
Plush Microfiber Bonnets 7.5" x 15
303 Fabric/Vinyl Cleaner
303 Aerospace Protectant
Safe Scrub Bug & Tar Pad
Meguiars M205
Menzerna PO 106 FA
Menzerna PO 87MC
Meguiars APC Plus D103
Meguiars #34 Final Inspection
Meguiars NXT Generation Glass Cleaner
Daytona Speed Master Wheel Brush
Foamaster Foam Gun
DP Xtreme Foam Formula Auto Shampoo
Forever Black Bumper & Trim Dye Kit
Liquid Dawn Dish Washing Soap
Set of Tire & Wheel Brushes
Jumbo Applicator Kit
European Hand Polish Applicators
Perfectionist Detailing Apron, my wife thinks i look cute wearing it ;-)
Grit Guard Inserts (2)
Cobra Indigo Microfiber Polishing Cloth x 24
Cobra Deluxe Jr. 600 Microfiber Towel x 24
Big Blue III Drying Towel
Wet Vac By Rigid
Leaf Blower By Toro
Before Photos:
The procedure is as follows,
First the vehicle was washed down with Dawn 3 times, why? there was about 60 coats of zaino on it,
then I used 90% Isopropol alcohol pure and rubbed the whole vehicle down.
Then I looked around for some swirls, and I think I found some...You Think!
At this point I think I better stop with the Sticky's
You get the Idea, many swirls, many more photos on site.
Next I started Claying (Z18) the vehicle using 2 cap full of Z7 TO 1 Gallon of Water as the Lube.
Completed the whole vehicle...The Paint, windows, headlights, tailights, Chrome and all stainless steel. Rewashed the Vehicle again with Dawn and rubbed it down with 90% Isopropol Alcohol again. At this point there was absolutly no beeding going on. Went over the entire vehicle with my hand inside a zip lock bag, and still felt some areas, needed claying, re-clayed those areas. Re-washed the Vehicle this time i used Z7 and a Sheepskin mitt. All lower body panels used the Microfiber Chenille Mitt. Dried the vehicle using Big Blue III Drying towel.
Next I taped all trims, and everything that i did not want the Polishing to touch.
I did not take any photos for the M205 Procedure ...sorry.
I started out using M205 with a Country Orange 7.5 inch CCS Hi-Gloss Pads and the 6.5 inch versions also.
Each panel got got 1 application and as per instructions on the product, starting with med pressure and ended with light pressure.
The M205 is some good stuff, removed almost all the swirls. Which im happy with. I then removed all the tape off the covered areas, and foamed the vehicle with DP Extreme Foam Shampoo, then rinsed off and washed it down with Z7. Used Big Blue to dry the vehicle.
Re-taped all the trim again.
Then...
I started out with the green pad and seasoned it (as per Todd (Thanx again Todd)) with Menzerna PO 106 FA.
Afterwards,I only applied 3 pea sized 106fa to the pad and worked it into the vehicle panels Using the Flex 3401 set @3-4, until its transparent.
Then buffed it off with Microfiber towel. Every panel got polished twice, the first time firm passes set @3-4,the second time light passes set @4-5 just incase i missed anything, but the final passes, i finished in the direction of the wind thats going to travel across the vehicle. At this time, anything that M205 did not get out, the 106FA did. Checked and Re-Checked.
This process took time because it was taking me close to 1-2hrs per panel and i dont have much time.
I get home from work, I have to ONR one panel and see if i can finish it before I lose light.
Here are a couple of sun shots:
Many more on website.
http://s575.photobucket.com/albums/ss196/Claude_45/Weekend Toy/
After all the polishing via 106FA was completed, I foamed the vehicle down with Zaino's Z7 through the foamaster gun to loosen and get rid of any powder residue from 106FA.
Went to bed after taking 2 aleve's
Started my polishing with Menzerna PO 87MC using the grey pad. Did the same thing, I seasoned it and used 3 pea sized drops to polish each panel with. Each panel got polished twice, first time Med-light pressure with Flex 3401 set @3-4, the second pass No pressure set @4-5.
Here are some Photos where i was losing light so i pulled out the Halogens, to see if there is any swirls.
More on the Website.
Next day...
Washed it down with Zaino's Z7.
The wheels and wells all got sprayed with Meguiars APC Plus D103 diluted 10:1. Scrubbed all down with brushes.
Dried the whole vehicle down with the Toro Blower.
Wiped the vehicle down with Z6 and applied a super thin coat of ZFX'd ZAIO 1 oz. only, all paintwork done.
Next day I, ZAIO'd all the chrome, headlights,tailights, fog lamps, and stainless steel.
Next day i foamed the vehicle down with Z7 and rinsed off, only dust was on it.
Front Wheel Wells got dressed with 303 Aero.
Tire got one coat of Zaino's Z16 Perfect Tire Gloss.
Rims,Chrome,headlights,tailights,fog lams,license plates got air dried and Z5'd and then sealed with ZCS.
The tonneau Cover got cleaned with 303 Fabric/Vinyl Cleaner and got a heavy coating of 303 Aero. The rail caps and tail gate cap, got 2 coats of Dye Using Forever Black Bumper & Trim Dye Kit.
Followed the instructions and i just didnt like the dye sponge on the bottle, so i used a regular foam applicator to apply the product with gloves on, and it worked out great for me as you can see from the photo above.
24hrs later I applied ZCS to all the caps and it looks great Satin finish.
All trim on the vehicle that's textured, got wiped down with 303Aero, and then wiped down dry 2hrs later.
All non tinted windows and mirrors got Z5'd and next day got wiped down with Meguiars NXT Generation Glass Cleaner.
Tinted windows did not get Z5'd.
Interior, all leather got cleaned with Zaino's Z9 and wiped down with Z10.
All textured interior got cleaned with 303 Fabric/Vinyl Cleaner and wiped down with 303 Aero and after 2hrs.
got wiped dow dry.
Next....
Mixed Z5 with ZFX 2 oz. to apply 3 coats onto the paintwork, Chrome and stainless steel.
After every coat, I wiped the vehicle down with Z8 instead of Z6, but the Zaino Applicator was Z6'd at all times.
The final look after following instructions and taking my sweet time on my toy, gets me lots of compliments.
It almost cost me my PVC fencing round my property. Someone was complimenting me while rolling at 5mph right onto my driveway while looking at me working on My TOY.
Checkout the Apron Baby!
BTW! The toy has a name in my house and its called The SCV.
Anyone guesses what that stands for i will ship a new bottle of Zaino's Z2 to you free of charge.
A single guess per Person Please..post your answer here no room for P/m's.
Only One Bottle Available, and i will post the winers name here.
Thank You for looking.
and finally, I hope this post helped someone out.
Claude
