My 11 hour detail on a 2002 Firehawk...
02-11-2007, 10:07 PM
#1
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My 11 hour detail on a 2002 Firehawk... Wow, I had no idea it was going to take 11 hours when I agreed to detail Jonathan's (skytowewr31) 2002 Firehawk. I'm just glad Jonathan was thrilled with the results along with the other people that were at the house last night. It made it all worth it.
Jonathan let me use his house when I installed my GMMG and when we did my brakes and sub-frame connectors. Both times it took either his whole Saturday or Sunday, so I felt like I owned him something, which I did. I agreed to detail his car when he asked me because he saw how clean my Z28 almost all of the time.
Jonathan always told me how upset he was with his paint every time we talked or were at a F-body hang out.
So yesterday I got to Jonathan's house around 9:30 and by 10 the detail was in full swing.
- Two passes of 83 on a 8006 pad on setting 5.
- One pass of 80 on a 8006 pad on setting 5
- One pass of 26 on a 9006 pad on setting 2
I did half of each panel at a time to make sure I was getting the results I wanted. Here I am getting ready to lay down some painters tape.
Porter Cable time. Woot!
Doing a pass of 80 with a 8006 pad to see if 83 was in order...which it was.
Busting out the 83. Notice my detail cart I brought with me?
Here is the rear passenger quarter panel. When Jonathan had his 12 bolt installed, the shop spilled rear end fluid on the panel and then took a shop rag and wiped it down. The panel was so swirled, in direct light it looked gray.
After two passes of 83 with a 8006 pad and one pass of 80 on a different 8006 pad, the results were up to my standards.
Jonathan let me use his house when I installed my GMMG and when we did my brakes and sub-frame connectors. Both times it took either his whole Saturday or Sunday, so I felt like I owned him something, which I did. I agreed to detail his car when he asked me because he saw how clean my Z28 almost all of the time.
Jonathan always told me how upset he was with his paint every time we talked or were at a F-body hang out.
So yesterday I got to Jonathan's house around 9:30 and by 10 the detail was in full swing.
- Two passes of 83 on a 8006 pad on setting 5.
- One pass of 80 on a 8006 pad on setting 5
- One pass of 26 on a 9006 pad on setting 2
I did half of each panel at a time to make sure I was getting the results I wanted. Here I am getting ready to lay down some painters tape.
Porter Cable time. Woot!
Doing a pass of 80 with a 8006 pad to see if 83 was in order...which it was.
Busting out the 83. Notice my detail cart I brought with me?
Here is the rear passenger quarter panel. When Jonathan had his 12 bolt installed, the shop spilled rear end fluid on the panel and then took a shop rag and wiped it down. The panel was so swirled, in direct light it looked gray.
After two passes of 83 with a 8006 pad and one pass of 80 on a different 8006 pad, the results were up to my standards.
Last edited by Kman; 02-12-2007 at 01:22 AM.
02-11-2007, 10:07 PM
#2
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Thread Starter
I didn't finish till 8:45, so it was dark. Jonathan took these pics this morning. I think the pics can do the talking. After the 83 and 80, I did one pass of 26 Hi-Tech Yellow Wax.
The white dots are dust. The joys of owning a black car.
Here is that panel again that was swirled really badly.
Enjoy. Any comments or suggestions welcomed.
The white dots are dust. The joys of owning a black car.
Here is that panel again that was swirled really badly.
Enjoy. Any comments or suggestions welcomed.
02-11-2007, 10:13 PM
#5
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Originally Posted by XtinctZ28
Awesome job on the hardest color. 
Was it ever. I thought it was never going to end. When it did, it looked killer, even in the dark.
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02-11-2007, 10:43 PM
#11
dude you rock that thing shines like a freak'n diamond, rats guess now i gotta plan on doing mine seeing this inspires me to get on my camaro wish you lived closer i could hook you up with a job like this on my camaro but regardless major props man the paint looks sick !!
02-11-2007, 10:57 PM
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Kman is the man, no doubt. Just goes to show you that the car culture of helping eachother with the unique skills that we each have is still alive and well. Give me a call for your header install amigo.
02-11-2007, 11:34 PM
#19
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Originally Posted by tmc2k1
Can you link me to each product you used to do this? One mod ive been seriousley needing to do is the !swirl mod.
Check out Auto Detailing Solutions. Google that, I don't want to post a url and get introuble. I get most of my stuff there. Super friendly, fast shipping, and so on. Everything I posted below can be bought at ADS.
Wash your car and then clay bar it.
If you want to remove swirls you need the following:
- M80 (32oz.) http://www.meguiars.com/?pro-cleaner...hs/Speed-Glaze
- M83 (32oz.) http://www.meguiars.com/?pro-cleaner...Cleaner-Polish
- To apply M80 and M83 you need to use 8006 pads.
http://www.meguiars.com/?pro-pad/Sof...Polishing-Pads
If you use M83 on your car you will need to follow that up with M80. Kind of like stepping down to the next level. If you use M80, you don't need to apply a pure polish like #7 before the wax. M80 is a polish and so is M83, they just have abrasives in them to remove the swirls. M80 acts almost like a pure polish. Applying a pure polish after M80 would be wasting your time.
A lot of times people go to fast when applying M80 or M83. I apply it to half of a panel and then move the pad VERY slowly so the M80 and M83 can break down. When you go to remove the M80 or M83, it should almost be gone.
Say after you clay bar your car you just want to make the paint shine and removing swirls really isn't that big of a deal. If I have time, I always apply a pure polish. Again, depending on how you want your car to look, you have some choices. When applying a pure polish apply it thin. Almost to the point you can't see it going on. If you apply it to thick it will be a bitch to take off. Sometimes I apply #7 or DCP by hand since I find it easier. When applying a pure polish you can use either the 8006 pad or 9006 pad.
The pure polishes I use are #7 and Deep Crystal Polish (step 2).
- #7 (16oz.)
http://www.meguiars.com/?pro-pure-po...Show-Car-Glaze
- Deep Crystal Polish (step 2)
http://www.meguiars.com/?car-polishe...-System-Polish
Now, when it comes to wax, you have a lot of choices.
- #26 (16oz.) http://www.meguiars.com/?pro-liquid-...ech-Yellow-Wax
I really like #26 on darker cars like black and Maroon because it gives it that "rich" look. #26 is not as durable as #21.
- #21 (16oz.)
http://www.meguiars.com/?pro-liquid-...thetic-Sealant
#21 is a man made wax...a synthetic. Therefore its called a sealant and not a wax. This is probably Meguiar's most durable wax. It will last the longest. It will give a real nice shine, but not as good as NXT or #26. It will still work if you're going after durability, but #21 really makes lighter cars paint "pop" with shine.
- NXT Paste or liquid is also awesome. It gives the paint more of a "sharp" or "crisp" look. I like #21 and #26 more. But when it comes to detailing cars, it's all based on opinion. No one is right. It's how YOU want your car to look.
- To apply any wax or sealant you need to use 9006 pads.
http://www.meguiars.com/?pro-pad/SOFTBUFF-Finishing-Pad
Here is a picture of my car after NXT paste wax:
Here is a picture of my car after I applied Deep Crystal Polish and then M26:
See how the Deep Crystal Polish and M26 give it more of a "rich" look while the NXT Paste Wax gives it more of a "crisp" and "sharp" look?
Keep in mind Corvette and F-body clear coat tends to be REALLY hard so chances are multiple applications of 83 and 80 will be needed.
I hope this post helps.
02-11-2007, 11:39 PM
#20
Great work Keefus!!!
I did mine based on Keith's advice, this is the link.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/appearance-detailing/654815-recent-pics-my-car-2001-ss.html
Thanks Keith!!!
I got a KICK-*** paint finish, and I appreciated your help!!!
I did mine based on Keith's advice, this is the link.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/appearance-detailing/654815-recent-pics-my-car-2001-ss.html
Thanks Keith!!!
I got a KICK-*** paint finish, and I appreciated your help!!!