shane@detailedreflections

No need to put the wax on with a machine. It can be done, but at no real time savings. Americana goes on easy and comes off simply. I think it would take me longer to apply that product with a machine.

So I've got some time off from work after having surgery to remove a few bone spurs from my ankle. I decided it was time to give my Lotus Evora some proper love. It only has 4,000 miles on it but it's had some swirls from the dealer I just hadn't gotten to taking care of yet. Most people wouldn't even notice them, but I know they're there and it's enough to bother me.
 
The car wasn't horribly dirty before, but figured I'd document the process a little bit. Here's a few before pics...so far I've gotten it strip washed and decontaminated with DWC. Just getting ready to start claying, but ended up starting a thread while I grabbed a bite to eat. It might take me a few days before the final product is really done. But I'll update here and there as I go! Enjoy!
 
And if anyone knows why my photos post at different roatations from my phone, I'd love to know why. And more importantly how to fix it.

No need to put the wax on with a machine. It can be done, but at no real time savings. Americana goes on easy and comes off simply. I think it would take me longer to apply that product with a machine.

The deep wheel cleaner when sprayed on the vehicles paint will dissolve a lot of the metal contamination that's on the paint making the clay process quicker and easier.
 
Spray deep wheel cleaner on. Let it work. And rinse off. Do that prior to using clay with the regular technique. It will do a lot of the heavy decontamination for you.
 
I've read that the deep wheel cleaner can be diluted at 1:1 for decontamination purposes. I have not tried it diluted yet though.

I honestly don't know what type of film it is. It was applied from the factory by Lotus. Best course of action might simply be sealant and wax on it rather than risk damage.

Great to hear it worked out for you.  Any before/after pictures?

What pirahnah3 said about the Grey Utility. The texture of the Grey Utility makes it very useful for anything that needs "scrubbing". I also use them for "dirty work" such when a door jam is particularly grubby, wheels/brake calipers...

 

Between the previous Single Soft/Double Soft, a folded single soft works better for me removing LPS and wax. The folded Double Soft is just too thick for me to apply concentrated pressure, when needed, to remove residue. I greatly prefer single soft (and folded Waterless Towels) for "Garry Dean" bucket washes...the Double Soft simply soaks up too much product. For Quick Detail, Double Soft is my favorite...LOVE the feel of that towel! 

 

I dedicate Borderless Grey to HG&G. 

 

I use Blue Waterless Towels for, well...Waterless!  Also use them for Rinseless, and as a drying towel when drying smaller vehicles (personal watercraft, all terrain vehicle, snowmobile...)

Welcome from another Connecticut guy. And I agree, sounds like a solid plan.

To make taping less involved I typically will apply VRT to any trim before polishing or layering. With a fresh coat of VRT, any excess product simply wipes away. Once I'm done I reapply a coat of VRT to even it out make sure I didn't miss any spots or product.

To make taping less involved I typically will apply VRT to any trim before polishing or layering. With a fresh coat of VRT, any excess product simply wipes away. Once I'm done I reapply a coat of VRT to even it out make sure I didn't miss any spots or product.

Nice!

Make sure to let the LPS cure for about 24 hours before applying anything else. I learned this lesson the hard way, and on tux black paint too. 
 
I was told by Dan Wolf that you can apply the LPS one wash, and then just wait til your next wash to continue your regiment. So at that point after your next thorough wash, you can apply HGG and then Americana.

I think one of the biggest obstacles to pricing work is being willing to walk away from a job which is sometimes easier said than done.  I know I've priced jobs and had customer say no over the price.  It's tempting to see what they would pay, but if I don't value my time and effort, who will? 
 
Shane