CU2MIKE

Today's write up is an older Q45, it took approximately 7 hours to complete between 2 people. The paint is quite old and abused (Thin measurements @ between 70-80 microns). There were many scratches because the previous owner has a dog, and we decided to not chase those scratches. It was dark out when we were done so no sun shots unfortunately.

Tools used:
1 Festool rotary polisher
2 Griot's 6 inch DA
1 Griot's 3 inch DA
Festool CT 26E Vacuum
Optima steamer
Kranzle K 1120T pressure washer
Metal Halide light
3M Sun Gun
Autobrite UK Snow Foam
Mguiar APC+
Optimum car wash soap
ONR
Meguiar's C2000 clay
Dodo Juice born slippery
Electric sprayer
Raceglaze mitt
Chenille mitt
2 bucket method with grit guards
Buff n Shine pads
Lake Country pads
Scholl Concepts A15
Scholl Concepts S40
Meguiar's D300 compound
Menzerna S500 compound
Swissvax brush
Various MF towels
Prima Epic

Now onto the before pictures:










Washing:
Since these are aftermarket rims with uncoated polish lip, we decided to not use any wheel cleaner. Instead, we steamed it














at this point the owner looked and said, crap my car's white

CU2MIKE

Wheels being thoroughly cleaned:








Time to rinse off the soap!




Car getting its' second bath by little old me, soap mixed with APC to strip wax:








True condition of the paint:

CU2MIKE

Steaming the interior:








Owner complained about a vinegar-ish smell in the smell, so we steamed the AC vents as well:


Sorry guys no during pictures as we were both very busy polishing!

Car getting another rinse here to get rid of oil and and polishing dust:










Finally, a few finished shots!

v|nsan|ty

Looking good Mike. Tag teaming details FTW!

I noticed in your product list you have both the raceglaze mitt and a chenille mitt. Was there a particular reason to use both for the detail? I have a GTechniq mitt myself but lately I've been swaying back over to sponges for their ease of use.

CU2MIKE

My detailing partner prefers the raceglaze for some reason. I dislike them because they suck up too much water and becomes really heavy. So I was using my chenille mitts.

v|nsan|ty

Oh okay makes sense. I was looking at picking up a few of those chenille mitts to try out. I won't be getting those until next year though since detailing season is just about over up here in the north. Weather forecast predicts snow this Sunday. Fuuuuuuuuuuuu

CU2MIKE

Time to offer "Winter protection package" buddy

v|nsan|ty

Haha nah I think I'll only do the winter protection package on my own car. I only do detailing on the weekends as a hobby so I'm most likely done until next year.

CU2MIKE

Me too, but the money is nice. Gotta keep at it!

M.I.N.O.

iTrader: (1)

That Q45 is straight PIMP! . Nice job on the detail!

I never thought of steam cleaning my leather seats. Is that safe for the leather on the TL? And is it just as effective as using one of the various leather cleaners out there (lexol, leatherique, etc..)? Also, is there any chance that steam cleaning the vents would cause condensation and possible short-circuiting of the nearby electronic components (radio, nav system)?

Sorry if these questions seem dumb, but i'm not a detailer so don't want to take any chances damaging my interior.

Thanks!

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Whoa....look at that gloss!

03tLsNBP

iTrader: (9)

I've always had a thing for that gen Q. Nice job

CU2MIKE

It's safe on leather seats if you dont point the attachment too close and have a rag in the other hand to wipe things down immediately. As far as vents go, the AC system is running while the steam is being blast down the vents, plus the hose we were using was the "standard power" hose, so it produced very little moisture.

CU2MIKE

haha thank you!

CU2MIKE

Thank you!

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

Looks good, Mike!

saucy

Great recovery Mike. Ecspecially on that interior. That owner must have flipped his shiz when he saw the finished product.

terdonal

Great job!

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

Thanks for sharing...never thought of using my steam machine to clean my interior but that's a great idea.

Awesome end results!

myron

iTrader: (4)

damn that's a clean car. After not before off course haha. i like that Q a lot.

65 Fury Convert

Holy crap nice job!!

CU2MIKE

Thanks, Scott!

CU2MIKE

Thanks! Yeah the owner flipped out when he saw how much dirt was coming out of the leather and how clean it got afterwards!

CU2MIKE

Thank you!

CU2MIKE

Well, you gotta check to see if the steamer leaves a lot of moisture behind, the steamer we were using was meant for interior&exterior, it barely leaves any moisture behind when used with the standard power hose. Also, just use common sense and not hold the hose too close/hold it in place too long to avoid de-lam of certain interior parts.

CU2MIKE

Thanks guys!