2007 Black Z71 Suburban Detail

[65stang]

With all the talk lately about paint correction and detailing, I figure I can throw this up. I do own a part-time detailing business and specialize in corrections and coatings mainly. I am one of four (4) CQuartz Finest installers in the state of PA. We purchased the Suburban last fall and the paint was pretty rough at that time from the dealer. It was covered in swirls and also had its fair share of buffer tails down the side. I decided to wail till spring before I would do anything with it, and the time has finally come.


The Before Pictures

You can clearly see just how rough the paint in even through all the dirt that was built up on the exterior.

Being that this is my personal vehicles I didn't take nearly as many pictures during the wash and decon process, which includes a strong foam pre-soak, followed by a 2 bucket method wash. After that I follow up with an IronX soak followed by a wash again. My last step is go around the vehicle with a fine grade Nanoskin wash mitt. After this the vehicle is dried with waffle weave's and my master blaster.

Compounding and Polishing Process

Tools: Rupes 15 and Rupes 75e
Pads: 5" and 3" Megs MF pads & Blue Buff & Shine Pads
Compound: Americana Car Care IAT 1500
Polish: CarPro Reflect

first step after getting washed and decon'd was to remove most of the badging

picture after removing the badging on the door

a 50/50 shot after compounding with Americana Car Care's new IAT1500 which will be released soon

50/50 after compounding the front part of the hood

the driver side after being compounded and polished

50/50 on the driver rear quarter. this is condition that basically the whole exterior looked like

The Coating Process

after finishing the compounding and polishing the vehicle was wiped down with Eraser to prep the surface for the coating

lots of gloss on the driver side after being coated

The vehicle was left to sit over night then for the coating to cure before going over the final small details.

Final Product Pictures

it now has lots of gloss and a dripping wet looking black finish

I still need to apply DLUX to all the trim, however I needed to get this out of the garage as I had a clients car show up for the weekend. I will apply DLUX and Forte Glass coating at another time.

 

[Jonah52]

Looks excellent! Mine look like the before lol how much time did you have in this?

 

[gibbygsxr]

Very nice! Good work. Black looks fantastic when it's clean. That was one of the reasons I got rid of my '04. I carried a California duster in the back and was touching it up waaay to much.

 

[65stang]

I think I had about 15-16 hours total in this, and 3 hours of that was the wash and decon process.

Yeah we were actually wanting to get a white Z71 this time after having a black tahoe, but this popped up at a price we couldn't pass up so we ended up with black again.

 

[Goodinblack]

You used reflect and iat?

 

[65stang]

Yeah I used IAT1500 for the compounding process (this compound is not on the market yet), which left quite a bit of micro marring on the surface (hazy look). I then followed that up with Reflect which is a fine polish which is great for squeezing out that last extra bit of gloss and refining the finish.

IAT1500 is pretty similar to Menzerna FG400 which is also a great compound that finishes down very nicely.

 

[VA929RR]

Looks awesome!!!

 

[Denarli]

Looks beautiful!

 

[humer101]

Wow I need this guy close to me to do my car ,after brutal winter I have to do something.
Let me know if you are interested in do my car.
You do a master job in your.
[emoji106]

 

[65stang]

Wow I need this guy close to me to do my car ,after brutal winter I have to do something.
Let me know if you are interested in do my car.
You do a master job in your.
[emoji106]

I just sent you a PM.

I have a totally destroyed black Civic coming in this weekend, which is a car I have been looking forward to working on. This will be an excellent before and after car.

 

[Jonah52]

In for pics of the honda lol mine is swirled so bad. Getting a quote today

 

[GalaxyBlackEsky]

Great work! love doing paint corrections more then standard details just because of the turn around that comes from it then adding Cquartz to it makes it stand out from other regular waxes. I just did a Bentley that was from factory wrecked with swrills and bird etchings its crazy. I have a wrecked Mustang from swrill o washes coming in two weeks for full correction and cquartz.

 

[65stang]

Yeah I have really been playing with the idea of completely dropping my standard services. I really don't want to do wash and wax jobs as they completely burn a day for me that I could be working on a correction for a few days. I would still offer maintenance services on vehicles I had corrected and coated but that would be it. Not sure if I will do it not yet. Maybe make the change for next year.

 

[humer101]

You guys know someone in (NJ) who offer this type of services?

 

[aflumb]

so what all do you us from start to end. Im looking to add more stuff to my cabinet to use. Really more interested in the first and sec wash products.

 

[65stang]

You guys know someone in (NJ) who offer this type of services?

If you are looking for some of the best detailers in the industry I would check out CQuartz Finest's website and find the closest person to you. Unlike most of the coatings on the market, they are very selective with who they allow to be installers and you must be highly skilled at what you do.

so what all do you us from start to end. Im looking to add more stuff to my cabinet to use. Really more interested in the first and sec wash products.

Sure I can recommend some things you should definitely have, and some products that I personally like to use.

Some must have items:
Grit Guards : You should have atleast 2 of these, I have 3 as I have a bucket that is only used for wheels in addition to my wash bucket and rinse bucket
Good Wash Mit or Sponge : I personally like to use the Lake Country Grout Sponge.
Wheel Woolies: These make cleaning wheels so easy and quick, and allow you to get the barrels pretty easily also. I say these are pretty much a must have item. They are great for cleaning exhaust tips also.

Products that I personally like to use:

Chemical Guys Citrus Wash & Clear: I use this on most of the cars I work on for both the foam pre-soak with my Foam Lance and also my regular wash.
Reset: I use this for maintenance washes and cars that are coated. This is a very strong shampoo and only take 1 oz. per wash.
IronX:This product breaks down iron deposits on the surface of the vehicle. Stuff smells horrible but works good on vehicles that are driven a lot. It sprays on clear and as it starts working turns purple

Nanoskin Wash Mit: This will replace the clay bar, and is 10x quicker and easier. This is usually my last process in washing the car before drying.

These are just a few things I think are must haves or things that I like to use. If you want any other recommendation or have any other questions about things feel free to PM me and I will try and help you out.

 

[aflumb]

Kool thanks. I'll pm you Tom. I was really wanting to know why you didn't clay bar. That is the biggest time killer for me. I don't mind doing it, but it is time consuming.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[65stang]

Yeah claying a vehicle sucks and takes quite a bit of time. The nanoskin wash mit is a huge time saver and just so much easier. Another thing that sucks with clay is if you would happen to drop it on the ground, the whole thing is junk and needs thrown away. With the nanoskin you simply just wash it off really good and your good to go again.

 

[65stang]

If anyone is interested in seeing pics of current work (Honda Civic) currently feel free to like my facebook page as I post updates on there along with photos of all the cars I work on.

Thanks

 

[Jonah52]

Going to your page now!