Dr_Pain
Certified Finest Installer
Here is a little eye candy for you guys.
Subject: 2014 Mercedes CLA45 AMG
Condition: Brand New with a little more than 2000 miles on the speedometer
Requested Detail: Complete enhancement and protection using CQuartz Finest
The Story: This gentlemen contacted me out of the blue after researching ways to protect his new investment. After much forum reading and an few days of searching the internet for local options, he contacted me to set up an appointment. He described how he came to select us and gave me much details on his new car, which sounded a little too good to be true. I do have to say that I was extremely skeptical at first considered that 98% of my business is word of mouth and local (within a 30 mile radius), and considering the fact that he would be driving 2 1/2 hrs to drop off his car. Well, we did set the appointment and on the day in question we met in a hotel parking lot (where I was to take possession of the car and drive it back to my shop). He was scheduled to go offshore for 2 weeks and left his new car with me to take care of and store until he came back. The whole start of this experience was surreal!?!?! An offshore worker, contacting me out of thin air, driving 2 1/2 hrs to drop off his car.... well, you get the picture!! I guess sometimes "too good to be true" actually come true
Here is what the car looked like when it arrived at the shop:
The process of taking care of this car started exactly the same as any other project. In order to do a proper inspection, a through wash was in order
After the wash came the IronX treatment followed by the claying. This was followed by another wash. The clay process was done using the Nanoskin wash mitt (light grade).
Then came the drying process for which we used a combination of waffle weave microfiber towels and forced air
Then came the inspection. Knowing that it was a new vehicle I was expecting minor defects and was pleased to see that even though he had other "detailers" take care of his car that he was able to keep the damage to a minimum. As you can see from the pictures below you can see mild water spots and mild scratches, a combination of the neglect at the dealership and the mishandling by the prior "detailer".
We are dealing with a high price tag vehicle, wouldn't you say? A marvel of German engineering, right? Then what is up with those thin paint reading I was getting. Measurements varied throughout between 78-102 microns with random areas exceeding 110 micron (and not the areas you cared to have that much paint).
Having this knowledge in mind and understanding that I was dealing with minor defects I did a couple of test passes and settled on a combination of Orange LC flat pads and Menzerna PF2500 on my Rupes 21. Following the polishing came a complete wipedown using CarPro Eraser. The key to great results is in the prep. We actually had to do a double wipedown to ensure a "surgically clean" substrate to apply the coating, which in this case was CQuartz Finest.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1.0-9/10330460_701680423227668_9020502897285511445_n.jpg
The Finest product was used on the paint only, receiving a triple layering in key areas. We read a lot of "claims" of how much product is actually add to the clear, so I decided to do the leg work and show my "before and after" to prove (to myself) that we were actually adding something "significant". The measurements prior to compounding measured 86 microns (4 readings taken and averaged), after the compounding I averaged 84 microns, and after 3 "generous" laying of Finest on the hood the measurement was 89 microns
In addition to the paint coating, the glass, headlight and taillight lenses, hard plastic were all coated with surface specific coating by CarPro (DLux) and Pinnacle Black Label (surface specific). Each received 2 layers (except the DLux).
The engine bay was detailed and dressed using CarPro PERL.
The interior was meticulously detailed and protected
.... and now to unveil the "Gloss Fest"
Tools:
3 Bucket (2 bucket technique for the paint and 1 bucket for the wheels)
Foam Cannon w/ Karcher PW
Nanoskin AutoScrub Fine Grade Wash Mitt
Speed Master Brushes
Mother's wheel brushes
Boar's hair lug brush
Master Blaster
Defelsko combo PTG
Rupes 21es w/ interchangeable 5" backing plate
Tornador black Z-020
Variety of Microfiber cleaning, drying, polishing and multi-purpose products
Products
Dawn Soap (blue)
CG Honeydew Snow Foam
CarPro IronX
Menzerna PF2500 Menzerna
Lake Country 5.5" flat pads
CarPro Eraser Intense Oil & Polish Cleanser
CQuartz DLux Plastic & Wheel Coating
CarPro PERL
Pinnacle Black Label coatings for glass and rims
Blackfire Interior Protectant
I do hope this covers it all!! If you have questions or comments, please feel free to post them up. I promise to answer them to the best of my abilities. Before someone asks... total amount of hours invested in this car was right at 22 man hours.
Subject: 2014 Mercedes CLA45 AMG
Condition: Brand New with a little more than 2000 miles on the speedometer
Requested Detail: Complete enhancement and protection using CQuartz Finest
The Story: This gentlemen contacted me out of the blue after researching ways to protect his new investment. After much forum reading and an few days of searching the internet for local options, he contacted me to set up an appointment. He described how he came to select us and gave me much details on his new car, which sounded a little too good to be true. I do have to say that I was extremely skeptical at first considered that 98% of my business is word of mouth and local (within a 30 mile radius), and considering the fact that he would be driving 2 1/2 hrs to drop off his car. Well, we did set the appointment and on the day in question we met in a hotel parking lot (where I was to take possession of the car and drive it back to my shop). He was scheduled to go offshore for 2 weeks and left his new car with me to take care of and store until he came back. The whole start of this experience was surreal!?!?! An offshore worker, contacting me out of thin air, driving 2 1/2 hrs to drop off his car.... well, you get the picture!! I guess sometimes "too good to be true" actually come true
Here is what the car looked like when it arrived at the shop:
The process of taking care of this car started exactly the same as any other project. In order to do a proper inspection, a through wash was in order
After the wash came the IronX treatment followed by the claying. This was followed by another wash. The clay process was done using the Nanoskin wash mitt (light grade).
Then came the drying process for which we used a combination of waffle weave microfiber towels and forced air
Then came the inspection. Knowing that it was a new vehicle I was expecting minor defects and was pleased to see that even though he had other "detailers" take care of his car that he was able to keep the damage to a minimum. As you can see from the pictures below you can see mild water spots and mild scratches, a combination of the neglect at the dealership and the mishandling by the prior "detailer".
We are dealing with a high price tag vehicle, wouldn't you say? A marvel of German engineering, right? Then what is up with those thin paint reading I was getting. Measurements varied throughout between 78-102 microns with random areas exceeding 110 micron (and not the areas you cared to have that much paint).
Having this knowledge in mind and understanding that I was dealing with minor defects I did a couple of test passes and settled on a combination of Orange LC flat pads and Menzerna PF2500 on my Rupes 21. Following the polishing came a complete wipedown using CarPro Eraser. The key to great results is in the prep. We actually had to do a double wipedown to ensure a "surgically clean" substrate to apply the coating, which in this case was CQuartz Finest.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1.0-9/10330460_701680423227668_9020502897285511445_n.jpg
The Finest product was used on the paint only, receiving a triple layering in key areas. We read a lot of "claims" of how much product is actually add to the clear, so I decided to do the leg work and show my "before and after" to prove (to myself) that we were actually adding something "significant". The measurements prior to compounding measured 86 microns (4 readings taken and averaged), after the compounding I averaged 84 microns, and after 3 "generous" laying of Finest on the hood the measurement was 89 microns
In addition to the paint coating, the glass, headlight and taillight lenses, hard plastic were all coated with surface specific coating by CarPro (DLux) and Pinnacle Black Label (surface specific). Each received 2 layers (except the DLux).
The engine bay was detailed and dressed using CarPro PERL.
The interior was meticulously detailed and protected
.... and now to unveil the "Gloss Fest"
Tools:
3 Bucket (2 bucket technique for the paint and 1 bucket for the wheels)
Foam Cannon w/ Karcher PW
Nanoskin AutoScrub Fine Grade Wash Mitt
Speed Master Brushes
Mother's wheel brushes
Boar's hair lug brush
Master Blaster
Defelsko combo PTG
Rupes 21es w/ interchangeable 5" backing plate
Tornador black Z-020
Variety of Microfiber cleaning, drying, polishing and multi-purpose products
Products
Dawn Soap (blue)
CG Honeydew Snow Foam
CarPro IronX
Menzerna PF2500 Menzerna
Lake Country 5.5" flat pads
CarPro Eraser Intense Oil & Polish Cleanser
CQuartz DLux Plastic & Wheel Coating
CarPro PERL
Pinnacle Black Label coatings for glass and rims
Blackfire Interior Protectant
I do hope this covers it all!! If you have questions or comments, please feel free to post them up. I promise to answer them to the best of my abilities. Before someone asks... total amount of hours invested in this car was right at 22 man hours.
