mcarcane

Finally got around to detailing my new s8. Spent about 4 hours and this is what i ended up with. I think i have finally perfected the shine. Took it down to bare paint with a clay bar kit, hit it with a one step mild polish, acrylic sealant, and a good pure wax. If anyone is interested in specific products/methods of application id be happy to fill you in. Ive been detailing cars for 10 years and this is the the best/easiest system ive created to get a wet mirror shine. Keep in mind this car is 6 years old and the guy i bought it from defiantly did not have it regularly detailed.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/129388/building_in_hood.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/129388/hood_2.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/129388/hood_shot.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/129388/rear_quarter_panel_house.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/129388/wet_hood_2.jpg">

mpollan

Now *that* on the other hand...WOW! Yes please do tell.

JBowers

She drives a Black Yukon Denali XL...I can wash my car 5 times for the same amount of time it takes to clean hers!

Anyway, the black is virtually impossible to keep looking nice and it definitely needs to to be spruced up. We bought it new in the summer of '05 so I know exactly what care it has had.

I have pretty much just used the Zaino care system, including the clay bar process. It has never had a machine polish and I'm considering the purchase of a porter cable polisher...do you use one?

As mentioned, I'm very interested in exactly how you get to that level of shine!

Cheers,

Justin

01 //S8
90 V8q
05 Yukon Denali XL (wifey's black beast).

dimitristx

the other day
<a href="http://zymol.com/shop/sub-category.asp?CID=6"> Zymol Products </a>

skiracer1313

Come on, mcarcane, give up your detailing secrets - your S8 looks awesome!

mcarcane

Great choice in second vehicle, i have a nally as well and i use the same detail system.

I use blackfire products, they are the easiest to use and u get a great result.

1. wash car with good sudsy solution (2 mits one for upper surfaces one for lower). Do the wheels first with a 3rd mit or brush

2. clay they car (u can use pretty much any clay they are all pretty simialr) use lots of quick detail spray.

3. Polish the car with blakfire polish. If it has lots of swirls you may need to with something more aggressive but be careful u can do some damage. Make sure sure you use a good foam applicator, and get it damp with quick detail spray. buff with micro fiber. easy on easy off product.

4. Coat with blackfire all paint protection. Once again use a good foam applicator or microfiber pad, wipe on wipe off that easy, buff to shine.

5. Wait atleast 8 hours and put your favorite pure carnuaba wax on. U gotta wait cause the acrylic sealant needs time to set up. I usually use blackfire or p2s wax, just go high quality. I like blackfire cause its wipe on wipe off no set up time. If you want to go crazy with it you can add as many coats of wax as you want to make the shine deeper. Show cars have double digit coats of wax on them. Just wait atleast 8 hours between coats.


Dont forget to wax your wheels, i use wheel wax its good stuff. I know it seems like a long process but its a once or twice a year job and your car will shine. they acrylic sealant basically creates armor on your car. After that when ur cars dirty just wash and dry with quick detail spray and you will be amazed because it will look like you just spend hours detailing the paint. Heres a few pics of my nally that i did this weekend too. Same mirror shine even on white.

One last note. blackfire products are expensive but you can find them on the net at reasonable prices. One bottle will last a long time so while the cost might be high upfront you get miles out of the product. Just dont pour the stuff on, not to be cliche but a little really does go a long way. Oh and i have no affiliation with blackfire i just like their $hit. It really creates a lasting wet shine.

Best,

BQ


<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/129388/front_end.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/129388/reflection_side.jpg">

JBowers

...do you use a porter cable (or equivalant) random orbital polisher, or is everything done by hand?


And yes, the wifes Black Denali does have some swirls in it. I'm not sure what you mean when you say "use something more aggressive"...Are you referring to utilizing a different product, using more muscle, using a polisher, etc.?

Thanks again for the tips, I appreciate it!

Justin

mcarcane

by more aggressive i mean use a compound instead of a polish..its more abrasive and you can get them in several different levels based on how much swirling or water spots there are. 3m, menzerna and others make some good compounds. You get the best results from compounding with an orbital polisher, but be careful because u can ruin your paint that way as well. Its not about muscle its about the right product and the right pad. I personally stick to hand and random orbital because i dont want to take chances with the straight orbital.

diogeniS8

Too lazy to do mine r u free this weekend?

Jkay

Just a wash job, clay bar, and 1 pass of Mequiars Tech Wax will blind you and everyone you drive past.

It's quality paint.