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My First Detail - Red 05 Acura TL


DaytonaJae

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I felt like doing my very first detail write up, so I went looking for a friend with a car that needed some proper TLC. It didn't take me long to get a volunteer.

This is my first full paint correction detail for someone other than myself. Overall it was a lot of fun and I learned quite a few things that will help me in my next one.

 

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My buddy delivered it to me and said I could have it for two days. Here is the target:

 

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Initial Inspection:

It's the usual daily driver: swirls on every panel, some really distinct scratches, marring and scuffs.

 

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One headlamp was more faded than the other:

 

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The interior wasn't bad, only a few scary looking spots.

 

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When I first saw this, I thought maybe I might have to go find myself a new cow.

 

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Damage from loading something:

 

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Let's get to it: Cleaning the Wheels: I chose Adam's Green Wheel Cleaner for the wheels and Adam's APC to get whatever used to be on it off. I followed it up with Stoner's Tarminator on the tires to get a real deep clean.

 

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Adam's Green Wheel Cleaner attacking the grime while APC gets on the tires. The runoff was just gross.

 

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Adam's Lug Nut Brush - an invaluable tool:

 

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After Tarminator, a quick APC scrub with the Adam's Fender brush to avoid discoloration from the Tarminator's residue:

 

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Clean Wheel

 

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Wash/Strip:

 

I loaded up my pressure washer's reservoir with Adam's APC and spritzed down the whole car. I let it sit for about 2 minutes.

 

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Next up, with the APC still on the car, I loaded up my Foam Gun with a mixture of Adam's APC, and Adam's Car Shampoo.

 

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My neighbors think I'm crazy.

 

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Adam's Great White Drying Towel - first time I've had a chance to use it since I got it a few weeks ago. Very absorbent and nice to use!

 

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Engine Bay

 

As I didn't hose down the engine, I chose Adam's Waterless Wash to wipe down the covers, then dressed them with Super VRT and In and Out Spray.

 

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Finished Engine Bay

 

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This clay bar was brand new before I clayed only 1/2 the hood...

 

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The casualties of war: 3 strips of clay bar destroyed on this car - (1 full package) In the car's defense, I did use the dirtiest one on the rocker panels, and yes, I have to avoid black trim in the future lol...

 

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Now that the car has been completely clayed, I assessed the paint condition:

 

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Good photos of the scratches are harder to take than it looks without a manual focus-able lens, I found out.

 

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First 50/50 of front fender:

 

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Driver's Door:

 

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Trunk Lid:

 

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B-Pillars:

 

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Before

 

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After

 

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The car's true color starting to show

 

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The reflections are starting to come to life.

 

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The flake is really starting to pop

 

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This was the result of having a sunroof deflector installed by the previous owner:

 

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I mean, WTF

 

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Ok here we go

 

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What deflector?

 

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Emblems - as taking them off to properly clean the edges and reapplying wasn't an option (time constraint and no tape) I had to get down and dirty:

 

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Q-Tips with Adam's APC and lots of micro scrubbing!

 

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Rear bumper must have seen a lot of luggage (and dirty towels, lol):

 

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Everything polished out real nice:

 

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Interior:

 

Some of the leather was peeled and beyond saving but at least it's clean now.

 

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Armrest came out nice:

 

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Before

 

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After

 

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LSP Time:

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Finished Shots:

 

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Wheels were sealed with Adam's Quick Sealant Spray, and Tires were dressed with Adam's Super VRT, 2 coats:

 

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Interior was treated to a generous helping of Adam's Leather Conditioner:

 

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Passenger Headlamp Before:

 

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After:

 

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I had lots of fun over the past two days doing my first real detail for someone.

 

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Funny Lesson Learned:

 

Upon an inspection between compounding panels, I noticed a big scratch that I had missed above where the two doors meet. I got my tape out, and spent about 15 minutes taping off everything meticulously. Then I changed pad sizes to a 4" pad on the PC, moved the extension cords to the other side of the garage to where the scratch was, aligned the light so I could see, and right before I began,

 

... it wiped right off.

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The customers were extremely happy when they picked it up! (especially since it was free haha)

 

Thanks for looking!

 

-Jae

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Awesome save! Very thorough detail and an enjoyable read. I appreciate the time it takes to do all those before/after shots.

Great work on the microscratching from the sunroof deflector too.

 

What was your process on the B-pillars? Mine are very similar on the A8: black plastic and similar size/shape. It's one of the few places I haven't corrected on the car yet.

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" The customer was extremely happy when they picked it up."

I would say that is the understatement of the year. Looks like a different car and they should have given you a nice tip.

Jae you do very good work someday I hope to offer my detailing services as you have. You have made a great start.

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Funny Lesson Learned:

 

Upon an inspection between compounding panels, I noticed a big scratch that I had missed above where the two doors meet. I got my tape out, and spent about 15 minutes taping off everything meticulously. Then I changed pad sizes to a 4" pad on the PC, moved the extension cords to the other side of the garage to where the scratch was, aligned the light so I could see, and right before I began,

 

... it wiped right off.

 

 

 

LOL

 

very nice man

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Awesome job, did you use a PC or Flex?

 

Thanks for everyone's compliments! I only have a PC at this time, but hope to have a Flex soon.

 

I'm going to do a couple more of these charity details for my portfolio, and to iron out the kinks in my time usage so I can get a bit more efficient.

 

I've never detailed a black car before, I think that may be next.

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  • 5 months later...

Great detail dude!!!

 

I like the write up as well. Photos of before andafter are great. Why? Because the same angle was used for both, this I like as it it is a true representation on the area in question.

 

Incredible :2thumbs:

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