Detailed a TORE up Silverado

[LTDSC]

Recently my dad acquired a friends truck. Very nice truck but his first thing was the paint. It was beyond trashed. So he had me detail it this week. I have about 16 hours into this and thats paint alone.

What I Used:
Strip wash with APC in Foam cannon
Clay
Adams new 2 step
5" MF Pads
5" foam pads
Alcohol wipe
Sonax Polymer Netshield
Brilliant Glaze
Adams Americana

50/50

I've never seen something dust as much as this did

Favorite shot

 

[hearno]

Turned out well. I'm always impressed by people that have the patience/focus to do a job like that. I would get lost in the details and it would take me 3 weeks. Out of curiosity, how much do you charge for an exterior correction like that?

 

[LTDSC]

Turned out well. I'm always impressed by people that have the patience/focus to do a job like that. I would get lost in the details and it would take me 3 weeks. Out of curiosity, how much do you charge for an exterior correction like that?

this one is the worst one i've ever done. I usually have people who at least have minor swirls, nothing like this was. It looked like it was washed with a brillo pad.

A job this heavy, hour extensive would probably had been around $500-700 just because of how much i had to do. But thankfully for him its my dads truck, so free.

 

[macoyle]

Great job! My 4runner looked like that when we bought it years ago, I've had to do so many buffing jobs on it it's not even funny. Looks great now but yes it takes hours upon hours upping hours to fix something that the previous owner could have prevented easily! Great job!

 

[WillK]

That's quite an impressive change.
I would assume from your post you do this for a living.
For us non-pros, what would you recommend to help with a neglected finish?

I know about and have used a clay bar before.

My Runner doesn't look bad, but I do think it could look better.

 

[LTDSC]

That's quite an impressive change.
I would assume from your post you do this for a living.
For us non-pros, what would you recommend to help with a neglected finish?

I know about and have used a clay bar before.

My Runner doesn't look bad, but I do think it could look better.

Sorry, i didnt see this reply.

How bad is your finish? Is it beginning to swirl? Sadly by hand there isnt a ton you can do. What i would recommend if it doesnt mean much for you if its swirled or not (some dont care). I would recommend claying the paint after washing it with a dawn dish soap/water mixture. That would get rid of all contaminants off the paint and any left over waxes. Then seal the paint. I am a big fan of Sonax Polymer Netshield for sealant. Its a aerosol spray and then you spray either the applicator or the paint and apply it like a wax then immediately buff off. Its good to last 6 months or more with proper washing techniques and soaps. I usually top the sealant with a wax of your choice for added protection.

I really like the Sonax Netshield because of its hydrophobic properties. I've never seen something sheet water like this does. Heres a video i did right after applying some of it on my car, watch when i stop the spray how quickly the water removes itself from the panels.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/3RAjljvuSDo?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[WillK]

No problem, and I just saw your reply...lol

My finish isn't bad- I don't see any swirl marks. Its starting to look cloudy.

I tried the clay bar and it helped, but it's still cloudy like it had dirt and contaminants trapped.

 

[LTDSC]

No problem, and I just saw your reply...lol

My finish isn't bad- I don't see any swirl marks. Its starting to look cloudy.

I tried the clay bar and it helped, but it's still cloudy like it had dirt and contaminants trapped.

I would personally use Adams Revive Polish. You apply it by hand and it will brighten the paint if its dulling. Then wax after to protect the paint.

Automotive Detailing Supplies | Fine Polish | Hand Polishing

Nice applicator to use

BLUE Hexgrip Car Polish | Applicator Pads | Auto Detail

If you buy from them you can use FULLSIZE in the discount code. Its a 15% code off another forum I'm on. Im in no way affiliated with Adams but they have good products at good prices on certain things.

Heres a before/after from DetailersDomain that used only Adams Revive

 

[WillK]

That's pretty damned impressive! Don't take this the wrong way, but is what I'm seeing the products hard work or yours'?
In other words, can I expect to see something close to the same result with some good elbow grease or is there a secret/science to this that you've perfected over time?

And thanks again for the info, I really appreciate it! I'm definitely going to pick some of this up and make it a spring project!

 

[LTDSC]

That's pretty damned impressive! Don't take this the wrong way, but is what I'm seeing the products hard work or yours'?
In other words, can I expect to see something close to the same result with some good elbow grease or is there a secret/science to this that you've perfected over time?

And thanks again for the info, I really appreciate it! I'm definitely going to pick some of this up and make it a spring project!

Its a mixture of both. Like anything it takes awhile to get the hang of it and "perfect" a technique. Although im using a polishing machine, you'd be doing it by hand. So there is less room for error and lack of results as its all on you. On Adams site they actually have really good "how-to" videos on each product in their sections. Id watch some of those until you feel you got it down. Its fairly straight forward by hand over a little more complicated with a machine. As long as you go in knowing you cant get perfect paint by hand, youll be fine. The human body just doesnt go fast enough to correct paint, if some claim they can by hand that means the product is packed full with fillers and as soon as you wash and wax wear off, youll see the same swirls/imperfections. So stay away from those that claim that.