KevBlah's Detailing Thread

Apr 5, 2011 | 12:59 AM

kevblah

Thread Starter

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 3,840

Likes: 1

From: MA

E90 M3

KevBlah's Detailing Thread

For the past 2-3 weeks, I've been doing my research and gathering detailing supplies in preparation for spring and the warm weather that it brings. As some of you may already know, my car took a beating this winter from curbed rims to chips in the windshield, it's just been a terrible winter.

Instead of looking for the next mod to do, I've been focusing on learning how to care for my paint and how to properly detail it myself so that it can be cleaner than it ever has been. This thread is a documentation of my journey into detailing.

Where I've been doing my research:
Meguiar's Forum: http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/index.php
Detailed Image: http://www.detailedimage.com/Ask-a-Pro/

Tools Purchased:
Utilitech 1000watt Halogen Work Light Link
4 Gallon Shop-Vac Link
Troy-Bilt Electric Blower Link

Interior:
Meguiar's Ultimate Protectant
Meguiar's Quik Interior Detailer
Meguiar's Gold Class Rich Leather Spray

Car Wash (Step 1):
Meguiar's Gold Class Shampoo & Conditioner
Meguiar's Hot Rims All Wheel Cleaner
Meguiar's Hot Shine High Gloss Tire Spray

Clean and Prep (Step 2):
Meguiar's Smooth Surface Clay Kit
Meguiar's ScratchX 2.0
Meguiar's Ultimate Compound

Polish and Wax (Step 3):
Meguiar's Deep Crystal System Polish
Meguiar's Deep Crystal System Carnauba Wax

Maintain (Step 4):
Meguiar's Ultimate Quik Detailer
Meguiar's Ultimate Quik Wax

For those of you that may be wondering why I'm only using Meguiar's products, it's mainly because their products are easily obtainable and because I've been doing most of my research on their forum.

My paint is covered in swirls and an assortment of light/medium scratches., so removing these swirls/scratches is my main priority. This past weekend, I put in about 12 hours of actual work and was able to give the car a full detail, but only had time to work the Ultimate Compound on three panels. I'm going to be investing in a dual action polisher soon, because doing it all by hand is simply too time consuming and exhausting.

Here are some pics of the progress:

Trunklid (before):

Trunklid (after):

Driver's side rear quarter panel (before):

Same panel after two passes of Ultimate Compound:

Afters (mainly just Ultimate Quik Wax over entire car):

Last edited by kevblah; Apr 5, 2011 at 01:22 AM.

Apr 5, 2011 | 01:08 AM

midnight AMG

Super Member

Joined: Sep 2010

Posts: 665

Likes: 0

CLK 550

simply stunning.

you are an inspiration to us black clk 550's man.

where in MA are you from?? looks like a nice neighborhood...newton??

ever try ZAINO?