Some simple detailing

[Falcon_LS]

Today was one of the nicer days, considered there were no sandstorms, so I decided to do a basic detailing job on the Grand Marquis. Nothing too advanced, took me about 6 hours and consisting of the following:

- Wash twice using 3 times the recommended strength of Sonax Auto Shampoo

- 2 applications of 3M Clay Bar

- 1 application of 3M Scratch Remover

- 1 application of 3M Super Duty Rubbing Compound

- 1 application of Meguiar's #20 Polymer Sealant

- 1 application of Sonax Paintwork Gloss

It sure felt like a lot more than 6 hours though. It was roughly 34 C (93 F) when I started at 6 AM, and it was 48 C (118 F) when I was packing up. Having said that, the paint job on this car is not exactly the best and I'm trying to make do for the time being. Once I gather all my Marauder parts together, it will be getting a fresh paint job with Glasurit's water-based Line 90.

My camera's battery was low, so I snapped a few pictures as fast I could before it finally died.

 

[FirstNissan]

Clean enough to eat off, nothing simple about this detail job. Looks great, has inspired me to wax my car later on this week.

 

[Colt45ws]

I love your car.
I wish I had the drive to do something like that to mine. Last time I did mine was in '08 right after I got it..
It took me 3 days and the result lasted...3 days. Since then my bumpers have been tagged three times! The header panel is chipping paint so bad under the grille (you know the spot Im talking about) its almost white; then, on top of that, is the door scrape it had when I bought it..
Bleh.
Ill probably end up repainting mine as well, so I just take it through a touchless car wash whenever just to keep the dirt and the bugs off...

 

[Falcon_LS]

Originally Posted By: FirstNissan
Clean enough to eat off, nothing simple about this detail job. Looks great, has inspired me to wax my car later on this week.


Delighted to hear it was inspiring!

I learned detailing in the UK (where it's actually called valeting), when I picked up a part time job as a student. Always had an interest and this was an opportunity to get paid to learn, and I enjoyed every moment of it. A job like this was referred to as a "Basic Valet" by the shop I used to work for, and that's where the word simple came from. Although "Basic" didn't include 2 clay bar applications or polymer sealant.

Originally Posted By: Colt45ws
I love your car.
I wish I had the drive to do something like that to mine. Last time I did mine was in '08 right after I got it..
It took me 3 days and the result lasted...3 days. Since then my bumpers have been tagged three times! The header panel is chipping paint so bad under the grille (you know the spot Im talking about) its almost white; then, on top of that, is the door scrape it had when I bought it..
Bleh.
Ill probably end up repainting mine as well, so I just take it through a touchless car wash whenever just to keep the dirt and the bugs off...


Thanks, Colt!

Believe me, it isn't an easy job to keep a vehicle clean in this climate. You start washing the car, and by the time you're done, there's already dust on the car. The heat also makes it difficult to work outside, and I really wish I had an air conditioned basement garage. I take every opportunity I can to detail when the weather is good. But once a week (usually Thursdays), I spend a good 3-4 hours cleaning her up (engine bay, interior and exterior).

 

[Scum_Frog]

Super job in tuff conditions!!!!!!!

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: FirstNissan
Clean enough to eat off,

Definitely. Heck, even my dinner plates don't get the amount of love and attention that his GM does.

 

[Spazdog]

Nice

I need to quit complaining about the 100°F temps (and 50% humidity) and show my car some love this weekend.

 

[aquariuscsm]

Good looking car!

 

[GROUCHO MARX]

Don't put anything breakable on top, it will slide right off!

 

[CROWNVIC4LIFE]

That is the best looking Grand Marquis I ever came across..There are tons of them down here but none as nice as that..I really without a doubt like those dog dish wheels on it!

 

[rshunter]

Originally Posted By: CROWNVIC4LIFE
That is the best looking Grand Marquis I ever came across..There are tons of them down here but none as nice as that..I really without a doubt like those dog dish wheels on it!

+1, on all counts.

 

[mustang]

I have one word too say...SWEET!

 

[Falcon_LS]

Thanks very much for the kind words!