North American Motoring - Detailing 101

North American Motoring - Detailing 101 http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums Need to find out how to pamper your new MINI? Find out all the detailing secrets here. Sponsored by Prima Car Care. en Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:44:45 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums//forums/images/misc/rss.jpg North American Motoring - Detailing 101 http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums Super Deals at DP http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/detailing-101/178743-super-deals-at-dp-new-post.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:12:41 GMT We're rotating some inventory out. Get it 'till it's gone.-Nick

Pads, plates and random stuff ]]> Detailing 101 Detailers Paradise http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/detailing-101/178743-super-deals-at-dp.html pressure washer on wheels? http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/detailing-101/178688-pressure-washer-on-wheels-new-post.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:45:06 GMT I tried it yesterday and it did a great job removing the brake dust. I used a 2600 psi pressure washer with a 40 degree fan tip. Pros and cons? I tried it yesterday and it did a great job removing the brake dust. I used a 2600 psi pressure washer with a 40 degree fan tip. Pros and cons? ]]> Detailing 101 rdmini06 http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/detailing-101/178688-pressure-washer-on-wheels.html Flat Rate and Free Shipping at DetailersDomain http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/detailing-101/178657-flat-rate-and-free-shipping-at-detailersdomain-new-post.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:26:30 GMT *_Please take a look at the deal: Flat Shipping with orders over $99.00 Free Shipping for orders over $200.00 You can also use your forum code_* (http://detailersdomain.wordpress.com/2009/11/13/flat-rate-shipping-for-orders-over-99-free-shipping-for-orders-over-200/) Please take a look at the deal:

Flat Shipping with orders over $99.00
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You can also use your forum code ]]> Detailing 101 phil@detailersdomain http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/detailing-101/178657-flat-rate-and-free-shipping-at-detailersdomain.html Scuffed Leather http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/detailing-101/178468-scuffed-leather-new-post.html Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:08:08 GMT Hi, I seem to have scuffed the Ray Cream leather seat bolsters in my Clubman. Does anyone have experience with or ideas about how to fix this. I would think some kind of shoe polish type substance would cover them up but I have no idea how to find the right color or best type of polish. Thanks, Sean Hi,

I seem to have scuffed the Ray Cream leather seat bolsters in my Clubman. Does anyone have experience with or ideas about how to fix this. I would think some kind of shoe polish type substance would cover them up but I have no idea how to find the right color or best type of polish.

Thanks,
Sean ]]> Detailing 101 sdmeyer http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/detailing-101/178468-scuffed-leather.html Wheel cleaning http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/detailing-101/178465-wheel-cleaning-new-post.html Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:02:56 GMT I'm sure someone has asked this but I can't seem to find it. I'm going to pull my wheels this weekend and clean the inside of the wheel/rims. I want to make it so I don't have to do this frequently and it stays relatively clean. Does anyone have any suggestions of what I could get to keep the inside somewhat clean? I read somewhere that someone mentioned coating the inside of the rim with rainx helps. Good/bad idea? Thanks everyone! ]]> Detailing 101 mordecai http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/detailing-101/178465-wheel-cleaning.html <![CDATA[Don't Forget Under The Trim]]> http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/detailing-101/178464-dont-forget-under-the-trim-new-post.html Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:28:05 GMT Yesterday, I started on my polish+wax process for winter. I've used Griot's Garage products for years, and having recently bought my '06 MCS JCW, it was time to put the Griot's stuff through its paces.

I started off by washing the car and applying Griot's Paint Prep to remove all of the wax from the vehicle. That's all I could manage before it got too dark -- today, I'll clay, tape, polish and wax -- but my process took a little detour.

Recently, and inspired by some posts I'd read on forums from a detailer from Scotland (http://www.theultimateshine.com/), I've been using my leaf blower to dry the car. It's just amazing at getting the water out of every groove and nook without having to put a scratchy towel to the paint.

Well, after yesterday's blower dry, I noticed there was some dirt just below the trim on the rear hatch. That was odd, since I'd paid lots of attention to getting my brush everywhere. I also had this happen before after my last wash, and assumed then that it was just sloppy cleaning. Something else was going on, and I suspected that what I was dealing with was some dirt under the trim. I figured the leaf blower managed to blow it out onto the paint.

For the hell of it, I poked at the trim and with a few simple tugs, it came right off. Then I looked at the paint underneath.

Holy moly. What a mess. Literally 1/8" of crud built up back there, and the normally white trim clips were stained black with grime.

I grabbed my Simple Green and covered the dirt to let it soak in while I refilled my bucket with fresh, soapy water. Removing the trim behind the door on both sides (feeling motivated now), I discovered equally nasty deposits of filth.

I grabbed my new "E-Z Detail" spiral detailing brush (a new purchase that I am DEEPLY in love with: http://www.detailedimage.com/DI-Acce.../Mini-Size-S2/) and did a gentle pass over the dirt to loosen it. The resulting suds were a deep grey and brown. That was one dirty groove.

I rinsed the brush out, rinsed the car and went back at it again. Poking and twisting the brush got deep inside the groove and extricated the rest of the dirt. A final rinse and it looked like new. Even the trim clips were back to their original white.

Next for the trim pieces. Simple Green, let it soak, then the brush to loosen the dirt. Rinse, soap, rinse and one more time in the deep grooves for good measure. They now looked like new. A final rinse of the car, and I finished up with an air-dry with the leaf blower before it got too dark.

All told, this little side project added another 45 minutes to my wash process, but what a great feeling knowing even unseen bits are squeaky clean!

I'm attaching a few photos to give you an idea of just how filthy it was (see #2 for a closeup of the rear hatch…ugh).

Attached Images

	Trim Crud 1.jpg (123.0 KB)
	Trim Crud 2.jpg (111.0 KB)
	Trim Crud 4.jpg (132.3 KB)

]]> Detailing 101 jasmith001 http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/detailing-101/178464-dont-forget-under-the-trim.html <![CDATA[Honda Civic "restoration"]]> http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/detailing-101/178457-honda-civic-restoration-new-post.html Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:08:36 GMT First, let me say that this is NOT a glamorous thread full of high dollar hardware. I detailed my sister's 12 year old Honda Civic that has 120,000 miles on it. It's been stored outside it's entire life, she has bad washing habits, and for the 6 months prior to my detailing the car, it was parked outside under a tree because she had a new car she was driving.

Second, I used Prima. Any number of products would have probably worked. All I'm trying to say here is that if your car looks this bad, it can be saved (and you should be beaten with a wash rag), and Prima can do it. I can't compare it to other polishes because I haven't tried them. I'm not a pro, this is the 2nd time I've used my Dewalt orbital for anything.

This was a "detail it to sell it" operation, so I didn't go all out, but it turned out well. You can still find a scratch here and there under direct light.

I did the usual Dawn wash (which was extensive due to all the algea and crusty stuff on the car), followed by claying it with Meguiar's blue professional clay.

Once prepped, I hit it with Prima Swirl and an orange pad with my Dewalt DW433 Random Orbital

Once polished I applied Amigo by hand

Finally I applied Epic.

In between all of this I applied many coats of Black Wow to the plastic, which was in really bad shape.

I also scuffed the paint on the wiper arms and repainted them with Trim Black

On to the pics:

After prep, prior to polish. Notice the color difference between the hood and fender. They are both metallic black. But the hood was repainted a few years back due to rock damage so it didn't have the level of haze and swirls. The gray fender looks that way because of the swirl marks and other damage.

In this photo you can see that in diffuse light (it was cloudy when I started) at off-angle viewing. The paint has plent of gloss despite the mess of swirls. Note lower plastic that is faded

The paint on the wiper arms was completely failing

Wiper arms after painting with Trim Black (and the cowl trim after BW)

Hood full of swirls and water spots (remember, the hood was the better looking part in the first photo)

Hood after Swirl w/orange pad (no amigo yet)

Remember the grey fender? Here's what it looks like under the light. Swirls anyone?

After swirl w/orange pad (there are no fillers, I wiped it down with a water alcohol mix to make sure)

Applying first coat of BW to the grill:

Grill after several coats of BW over 2 days

After the whole process (note lower trim after many coats of BW)

Another shot of the finished product. Note the area behind where the rear license plate goes. The whole car looked grey like that before in the sun.

Gratuitous MINI reflection shot

Thanks for viewing!
Mosman ]]> Detailing 101 Mosman http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/detailing-101/178457-honda-civic-restoration.html <![CDATA[Detailer's Domain: Mini Cooper, this is one you have to see]]> http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/detailing-101/178453-detailers-domain-mini-cooper-this-is-one-you-have-to-see-new-post.html Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:47:07 GMT Mini Cooper - This Mini was a bit of a surprise. We figured it would be a 8 hour job. How bad could it possible be, its such a small car. The customer asked for paint correction services and the interior to be cleaned....he then added he would like the wheels pulled off/detailed and the wheel wells detailed as well. Okay when we got the car it was something else.......take a look what a disaster! Products Used: Exterior: Einszett Blitz... Mini Cooper - This Mini was a bit of a surprise. We figured it would be a 8 hour job. How bad could it possible be, its such a small car. The customer asked for paint correction services and the interior to be cleaned....he then added he would like the wheels pulled off/detailed and the wheel wells detailed as well. Okay when we got the car it was something else.......take a look what a disaster!

Products Used:
Exterior:
Einszett Blitz in the Cam Spray Foam Canon
Adam's Gray Clay Bar and Optimum Instant Detail Spray and Gloss Enhancerfor clay lube
Menzerna Power Gloss Compoune
Menzerna Super Intensive
Menzerna PO85RD
Menzerna Top Inspection
Einszett Glanz

Wheels/Wheel Wells/Tires/Engine
Uber Wheel/Tire/Wheel Well Kit

Interior:
Leather Master Strong Cleaner
Leather Master Vital
Leather Master Protection Cream
Einszett Deep Cleaner
Einszett Gummi
Adam's Glass Cleaner

Dressing on Trim
Black Wow

Tools:
Infratech 5300
Fenix TK11
3M Sun Gun
Brinkmann MaxFire
Metabo PE12-175
Flex 3403
Makita 9227 Hi Speed Rotary
The Uber Foam Pads (5.5inch)
Tons of "Uber" Microfiber Towels
Uber Drying Towels
Cam Spray 1500A with Cam Spray Foam Gun

Before shots:

Wheels

That wasn't so bad........let's start with the interior detail.

Interior before shots: --- Dog hair???? no one said anything about dog hair...

So how in the world do we attack this interior. After careful thought, we decided to pull the rear bench out as well as the front seats.

Ugh the seats!

Time to pull them out

Hair was everywhere

The rear bench

So what do we have underneath the bench

Dirt, dirt, and more dirt...

Tommy on the vac

Driver's area

More vacuuming

Time to pull the front seats out (battery was disconnected)

Tommy pulling out the driver's side

Dan assisting Tommy on the seat removal

Under the driver's seat

More hair!

Cleaned up

Bench back in, Tommy finishing them up

Seat out, cleaned/conditioned/protected

Passenger seat being put back in

Final shots of the interior

Door jamb before

Door jamb after

Now to the exterior:

Starting with the engine start to finish:

Before shot of the engine

Dan on the P21S

Brushing/Agitating all the built up grease, grime, and dirt

Rinsing down the engine bay

Engine wipe down

Final shots of the engine:

Wash - Paint correction - Wheels - Wheel Wells

The presoak

Foaming and washing down the car

Washing down the car with an Uber Sponge

Wheels on the car getting P21S on tires and wheels, wheel wells pressure washed

Claying the car

PG with the Makita and the Uber Yellow

Checking the paint with a Fenix TK11

50/50 shot of the hood
Before shots of the hood

The roof was a mess we did as much as we could on it without wet sanding, scratches were pretty deep, take a look

Under the Sun Gun

After PG and SIP

After PO85RD

Polishing out the bumpers

We put the car on jacks to move on to the wheels and wheel wells

Wheels

Dan and I claying the wheels

Cleaning up the wheel wells

Dressed up in Adam's Undercarriage Spray

Finished wheel wells

Finishing touches
Black wow on the trim

After shots inside and out

I hope you enjoyed this one. We look forward to your comments ]]> Detailing 101 phil@detailersdomain http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/detailing-101/178453-detailers-domain-mini-cooper-this-is-one-you-have-to-see.html Pre-Order Special on Collinite Waxes http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/detailing-101/178401-pre-order-special-on-collinite-waxes-new-post.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 03:16:59 GMT Click here to pre-order Collinite 915 and /or 476 wax at super low prices. (http://detailersdomain.wordpress.com/2009/11/10/pre-order-special-on-collinite-476s-and-915-waxes/) Click here to pre-order Collinite 915 and /or 476 wax at super low prices. ]]> Detailing 101 phil@detailersdomain http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/detailing-101/178401-pre-order-special-on-collinite-waxes.html <![CDATA[Detailer's Domain: Porsche Cayenne Turbo S - Polish - PPF Install]]> http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/detailing-101/178381-detailers-domain-porsche-cayenne-turbo-s-polish-ppf-install-new-post.html Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:02:23 GMT Porsche Cayenne Turbo S - this SUV was in pretty good shape. However it needed a thorough cleaning including wheels, clay, and water spot removal. A light polish with Menzerna PO106FA and Swissvax Divine for the last step. Prior to the last step the customer wanted to wrap the front clip with PPF (Full Hood, Fender, Bumper, Mirrors, A Pillars) Take a look: Products used: Exterior: Einszett Blitz (http://www.detailersdomain.com/1zeinszett-all-purposecleanerblitz.aspx) Lusso AutoBathe... Porsche Cayenne Turbo S - this SUV was in pretty good shape. However it needed a thorough cleaning including wheels, clay, and water spot removal. A light polish with Menzerna PO106FA and Swissvax Divine for the last step.

Prior to the last step the customer wanted to wrap the front clip with PPF (Full Hood, Fender, Bumper, Mirrors, A Pillars)

Take a look:

Products used:
Exterior:
Einszett Blitz
Lusso AutoBathe
Uber Yellow Wash Sponge
Swissvax Yellow Clay Bar and Optimum Instant Detail Spray and Gloss Enhancer
Einszett Spray Wax
Menzerna PO106FA
Swissvax Divine

Wheels and tires:
Einszett Wheel Cleaner
Swissvax Wheel Brush
Uber Wheel Brush
Uber Spoke Brush
Swissvax Pneu
Swissvax Autobahn

Tools:
Infratech 5300
Flex 3403
The Uber Foam Pads (5.5inch)
Tons of "Uber" Microfiber Towels
Uber Drying Towels
Brushes
Cam Spray and Cam Spray Foam Canon

Before pics of this dirty beast.

Presoak with Einszett Blitz to remove bug and tar

Presoak with P21S Wheel Cleaner

Dan blasting out the wheel wells with the Cam Spray

Next the wheels were washed up

The car is now ready for foam

Rinse cycle

Dan claying the Cayenne

After shot of the Clay

Rinse down after claying

Shots prior to polishing (after claying) under a halogen

Under the Fenix

After the polishing with PO106FA
Halogen

Fenix

Swissvax Autobahn on the wheels

Tommy removing the Swissvax Autobahn

After polishing shots

Rinse prior to the PPF installation
Bumper installation

Final bumper

Fender strips

Hood install

Final touches on the hood

Fender install

After PPF

Final shots of the complete car

Sorry no sun in fact it was raining when the customer picked up.

]]> Detailing 101 phil@detailersdomain http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/detailing-101/178381-detailers-domain-porsche-cayenne-turbo-s-polish-ppf-install.html <![CDATA[Griot's Question]]> http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/detailing-101/178372-griots-question-new-post.html Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:10:39 GMT Been doing the Prima stuff since I got Augie and been real happy with the results. But do want to check out other stuff just to say I did.

I seem to recall something in these forums about using Griot's Best of Show wax in conjunction with other products because Best of Show is Carnuba Wax and not synthetic.

Is it as simple as taking 50/50 distilled water and iso alchohol to any surface that has/had synthetic waxes?

I also recall no conflict with using Swirl or Amigo before a carnuba based or synthetic wax. Correct?

Thanks ]]> Detailing 101 tgs91 http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/detailing-101/178372-griots-question.html What is the best wheel protectant? http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/detailing-101/178326-what-is-the-best-wheel-protectant-new-post.html Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:39:29 GMT I'm trying to find the best wheel protectant for my wheels? I've seen wheel wax, poorboy's wheel sealant, it seems like everybody and their mother make something to protect wheels. I ran across this product ( http://www.nanoemporium.com/index.ph...FYlM2god92Ripg) and I found it to be quite interesting. Has anybody tried this nanosafeguard sealant? Anyway, brake dust is the culprit. I'm not really worried about everyday dirt and stuff. I'd like to hear what everybody thinks. Thank you

* I also posted this in the wheel and tire forum, I hope that's not a no no ]]> Detailing 101 Themajickman http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/detailing-101/178326-what-is-the-best-wheel-protectant.html Clearance Items at Detailers Paradise! http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/detailing-101/178281-clearance-items-at-detailers-paradise-new-post.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:50:54 GMT Just a quick heads up that we just added a new category on the Detailers Paradise website for a few items that we have decided to no longer carry.

Prices are low but quantities are limited!

DP Clearance Items

These are all excellent products that we endorse and stand behind 100%. The only reason we've decided not to carry them anymore is simply because we are trying to streamline our operations a bit until this economy picks up again. In fact, some of these brands are personal favorites of mine!

Brands currently (as of 11/8) included are: P21S, Renovo, Four Star & One Grand.

One specialty item I'll point out is for those of you with a dark blue convertible top in need of some love! Renovo has a very high quality dye and we have the dark blue on clearance for a steal.

Click HERE for a direct link to our new Clearance section.

Enjoy!

-Heather ]]> Detailing 101 Detailers Paradise http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/detailing-101/178281-clearance-items-at-detailers-paradise.html Massive paint correction on a Bentley Flying Spur http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/detailing-101/178225-massive-paint-correction-on-a-bentley-flying-spur-new-post.html Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:09:51 GMT As the title states on this one this was one pretty trashed Bentley, for the most part I wasn't expecting anything this bad. The customer wanted it fixed and didn't really mind how long it took or how much. Again we couldn't believe how bad it was, until we saw it in the direct sunlight.

We did the normal prep work, wash, wheels, clay, etc. For the paint correction we enrolled Menzerna Power Gloss Compound with an Uber Yellow Pad, followed by Menzerna Super Intensive Polish with an Uber Green Pad, finally we finished with my favorite Menzerna PO85RD. As a last step we gave it a coat of Swissvax Divine. Enjoy!

Products Used:
Exterior:
Einszett Blitz in the Cam Spray Foam Canon
Adam's Gray Clay Bar [/url]and Optimum Instant Detail Spray and Gloss Enhancer for clay lube
Menzerna Power Gloss Compoune
Menzerna Super Intensive
Menzerna PO85RD
Menzerna Top Inspection
Swissvax Divine
Einszett Spray Wax

Wheels and Tires
Uber Wheel/Tire/Wheel Well Kit

Tools:
Infratech 5300
Fenix TK11
3M Sun Gun
Brinkmann MaxFire
Metabo PE12-175
Flex 3403
Makita 9227 Hi Speed Rotary
The Uber Foam Pads (5.5inch)
Tons of "Uber" Microfiber Towels
Uber Drying Towels
Cam Spray 1500A with Cam Spray Foam Gun

Let's start with some before shots in the direct sunlight at drop off.

Removing Plates

Pre soak with Einszett Blitz (bug and tar)

Before shot of the wheel

Ace Powerstick used to clean up the inner wheels

Washing off the Blitz

Washing the car

Clay

Tommy claying the Bentley

Wheels all cleaned up

Tommy rinsing up the car after the clay

After shot of the wash and clay, massive paint correction ahead of us

Dan on the Metabo with an Uber Green Pad and SIP

50/50 shots after the 3 steps!

Spot checking with the Fenix

Then checking the car again outside

Finishing out with Menzerna PO85RD

Tommy pulling off the masking off the windows and trim

Swissvax Divine

After shots

Looks what's next

:crash: ]]> Detailing 101 phil@detailersdomain http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/detailing-101/178225-massive-paint-correction-on-a-bentley-flying-spur.html HUGE SPECIAL: UBER FOAM PADS AND UBER MICROFIBER http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/detailing-101/178112-huge-special-uber-foam-pads-and-uber-microfiber-new-post.html Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:18:51 GMT *Many of you have asked for it so here it is a HUGE Special I mean HUGE Special on our UBER Foam Pads and Microfiber!* If there was a time to stock up...... well its now! Here it is ----- *20% off all Uber Buffing Pads as well as LC Wool Pads and leftover LC Foam Pads.* Uber Yellow/ Uber Orange / Uber Green/ Uber Blue/ Uber Black (http://www.detailersdomain.com/foambuffingpads.aspx) Image: http://www.detailersdomain.com/images/products/detail/5inchuberkit5pack300.jpg Many of you have asked for it so here it is a HUGE Special I mean HUGE Special on our UBER Foam Pads and Microfiber!

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Uber Classics

Uber Glass

Uber All Purpose

Uber Microfiber Applicator Pads

But wait there's more

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The all important code: UBER ]]> Detailing 101 phil@detailersdomain http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/detailing-101/178112-huge-special-uber-foam-pads-and-uber-microfiber.html