Post by Aurora40 on Jul 6, 2004 21:01:56 GMT -6
About two weeks ago I hit the Aurora up with a full exterior detail. I washed the car first with Meguiar's #00 car wash, then I clayed it while wet with car wash solution. I noted any areas of bugs while washing and then dried the car. While you are washing/rinsing the car, it's a good time to look for bugs. When you sheet water down the car, you will see the smooth even sheet of water gets disrupted areas where there are things bonded to the paint or where there are nicks or chips. It's a good way to evaluate the paint.
I took some Meguiar's Gold Class Bug & Tar remover and got any remaining bug residue off the paint. I will clay them, but do not like to repeatedly work them with clay if they don't come off. I feel that's a good way to introduce marring. The bug & tar remover really softens them up for easy removal.
Now the paint was ready for polishing. I did all polishing with the Porter Cable buffer and polishing pads. I used Meguiar's Dual Action Cleaner/Polish on the hood, roof, trunk, and C-pillar to remove some marring and swirl marks. This always results in some buffer dust. Then I went over the car with Meguiar's Speed Glaze. This product is less abrasive than DACP, but is still effective on the very light marring on the rest of the car. It didn't dust at all, and was very easy to work with. Plus, it leaves an incredible gloss behind. I'm glad I saw this stuff in action while in Irvine or I never would have tried it. It also removed some minor hazing the DACP left behind. I never would have known it was hazed as it was very very mild, but once I made a pass with Speed Glaze which removed the haze, the hazing was obvious.
Then it was time to wax. First I quick detailed the car with Wolfgang QD to remove all buffing dust still there. This amazingly left a very slick smooth surface. The polishing steps usually leave the surface feeling squeaky. I then applied two coats of Wolfgang sealant followed by one coat of Blackfire. The coats were spread out over about a week, with Wolfgang QD in between layers.
The Wolfgang really brings out a gloss, and Blackfire has a great pop on metallics and a nice shine, a very well-rounded look. Together, the look was excellent. I'm very pleased. Even in the garage with the fluorescent lights the paint pops. I washed it the other day, and I just love how Blackfire beads and how any crud just washes off so easily.
I don't know if you all really care about this level of detail in the explanation? If not, well here's a picture instead (I love how the aluminum in the wheels looks in lighting like this. I love aluminum vs chrome. It seems so much mor purposeful and it has more depth and character. Chrome is nice, but it's just very shiny and bling):
I took some Meguiar's Gold Class Bug & Tar remover and got any remaining bug residue off the paint. I will clay them, but do not like to repeatedly work them with clay if they don't come off. I feel that's a good way to introduce marring. The bug & tar remover really softens them up for easy removal.
Now the paint was ready for polishing. I did all polishing with the Porter Cable buffer and polishing pads. I used Meguiar's Dual Action Cleaner/Polish on the hood, roof, trunk, and C-pillar to remove some marring and swirl marks. This always results in some buffer dust. Then I went over the car with Meguiar's Speed Glaze. This product is less abrasive than DACP, but is still effective on the very light marring on the rest of the car. It didn't dust at all, and was very easy to work with. Plus, it leaves an incredible gloss behind. I'm glad I saw this stuff in action while in Irvine or I never would have tried it. It also removed some minor hazing the DACP left behind. I never would have known it was hazed as it was very very mild, but once I made a pass with Speed Glaze which removed the haze, the hazing was obvious.
Then it was time to wax. First I quick detailed the car with Wolfgang QD to remove all buffing dust still there. This amazingly left a very slick smooth surface. The polishing steps usually leave the surface feeling squeaky. I then applied two coats of Wolfgang sealant followed by one coat of Blackfire. The coats were spread out over about a week, with Wolfgang QD in between layers.
The Wolfgang really brings out a gloss, and Blackfire has a great pop on metallics and a nice shine, a very well-rounded look. Together, the look was excellent. I'm very pleased. Even in the garage with the fluorescent lights the paint pops. I washed it the other day, and I just love how Blackfire beads and how any crud just washes off so easily.
I don't know if you all really care about this level of detail in the explanation? If not, well here's a picture instead (I love how the aluminum in the wheels looks in lighting like this. I love aluminum vs chrome. It seems so much mor purposeful and it has more depth and character. Chrome is nice, but it's just very shiny and bling):
