This car is owned by the same friends who own the FX35. I had previously corrected and coated this 350z with Optimum Opti-Coat 2.0 back in October 2013.
This time, it is getting detailed because some areas needed some additional attention. The owner also took advantage of this opportunity to remove the Opti-Coat 2.0 for something that is slicker and glossier.
This time, I decided to take pictures of the car both after the paint correction was done (but before coating) and also after the coating was applied. I posted both sets of pictures below and I am really curious as to what you folks think. This particular paint coating, CarPro CQuartz UK, adds a very glass-like or "glassy" look to the paint – and I am curious if you folks like this look compared to the “natural” look of the paint.
Lastly, during my last two details, I have been using 3D/HD's polishes. If you have not looked at their line, I would highly encourage you to do so. Their polishes wipe-up easily, work quickly and are priced very competitively. They are also not too oily, which makes them a great choice for a detail that will be receiving a paint coating.
Prep:
Wash – Meguiars D110 + Microfiber Madness Incredisponge
Wheels – Wheel Woolies Large + Meguiars D110, followed by Iron-X to remove the stubborn deposits. The owner did not allow me to use wheel cleaner.
Clay – Nanoskin Wash Mitt, medium grade
Paint Correction:
Correction Step:
Polishers – Rupes Bigfoot LHR21ES
Pads – Buff & Shine Orange Medium Cut Foam Pad, 6.25"
Product – HD Adapt
Note: both the pillars and the painted strip above the windshield, were hand-compounded using Meguiars M101 and a foam applicator pad. Also, after this correction step, the finish was already 90% LSP ready -- HD Adapt performed EXTREMELY well!
Finishing Step:
Polishers – Rupes Bigfoot LHR21ES and Rupes LHR75E Mini
Pads – Rupes Yellow Polishing Foam Pads, 7” and 3”
Product – HD Polish
Protection:
Pre-coating wipedown - CarPro Eraser
Paint – Two coats of CarPro CQuartz UK, 2013 edition. This was followed-up with CarPro Reload.
Wheels – Wiped down with Sonax Brilliant Shine Detailer
Tires – Optimum Opti-Bond
Trim – Blackwow Pro
Time spent: 15 hours. It is still not completely done – there are a few streaks and high spots that will need to be fixed once the coating has cured.
These pictures were taken after the paint correction was done, but before the coating was applied.
DSC_0165 by thecritic89, on Flickr
DSC_0163 by thecritic89, on Flickr
DSC_0160 by thecritic89, on Flickr
DSC_0159 by thecritic89, on Flickr
Now, take a look at these pictures – these were taken after two coats of CarPro CQuartz UK were applied.
DSC_0173 by thecritic89, on Flickr
DSC_0174 by thecritic89, on Flickr
DSC_0172 by thecritic89, on Flickr
DSC_0169 by thecritic89, on Flickr
Which look do you prefer -- natural or super-duper glossy?
Happy Detailing,
The Critic
This time, it is getting detailed because some areas needed some additional attention. The owner also took advantage of this opportunity to remove the Opti-Coat 2.0 for something that is slicker and glossier.
This time, I decided to take pictures of the car both after the paint correction was done (but before coating) and also after the coating was applied. I posted both sets of pictures below and I am really curious as to what you folks think. This particular paint coating, CarPro CQuartz UK, adds a very glass-like or "glassy" look to the paint – and I am curious if you folks like this look compared to the “natural” look of the paint.
Lastly, during my last two details, I have been using 3D/HD's polishes. If you have not looked at their line, I would highly encourage you to do so. Their polishes wipe-up easily, work quickly and are priced very competitively. They are also not too oily, which makes them a great choice for a detail that will be receiving a paint coating.
Prep:
Wash – Meguiars D110 + Microfiber Madness Incredisponge
Wheels – Wheel Woolies Large + Meguiars D110, followed by Iron-X to remove the stubborn deposits. The owner did not allow me to use wheel cleaner.
Clay – Nanoskin Wash Mitt, medium grade
Paint Correction:
Correction Step:
Polishers – Rupes Bigfoot LHR21ES
Pads – Buff & Shine Orange Medium Cut Foam Pad, 6.25"
Product – HD Adapt
Note: both the pillars and the painted strip above the windshield, were hand-compounded using Meguiars M101 and a foam applicator pad. Also, after this correction step, the finish was already 90% LSP ready -- HD Adapt performed EXTREMELY well!
Finishing Step:
Polishers – Rupes Bigfoot LHR21ES and Rupes LHR75E Mini
Pads – Rupes Yellow Polishing Foam Pads, 7” and 3”
Product – HD Polish
Protection:
Pre-coating wipedown - CarPro Eraser
Paint – Two coats of CarPro CQuartz UK, 2013 edition. This was followed-up with CarPro Reload.
Wheels – Wiped down with Sonax Brilliant Shine Detailer
Tires – Optimum Opti-Bond
Trim – Blackwow Pro
Time spent: 15 hours. It is still not completely done – there are a few streaks and high spots that will need to be fixed once the coating has cured.
These pictures were taken after the paint correction was done, but before the coating was applied.
DSC_0165 by thecritic89, on Flickr
DSC_0163 by thecritic89, on Flickr
DSC_0160 by thecritic89, on Flickr
DSC_0159 by thecritic89, on Flickr
Now, take a look at these pictures – these were taken after two coats of CarPro CQuartz UK were applied.
DSC_0173 by thecritic89, on Flickr
DSC_0174 by thecritic89, on Flickr
DSC_0172 by thecritic89, on Flickr
DSC_0169 by thecritic89, on Flickr
Which look do you prefer -- natural or super-duper glossy?
Happy Detailing,
The Critic