Prep your own - stig's DIB detail

[05STNG]

didnt the dealer detail it before delivery? or is that not standard practice

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[stiggy]

didnt the dealer detail it before delivery? or is that not standard practice

Dealer's don't 'detail', they pay minimum wage workers to clean the car as quickly and cost effectively as possible. The result is paintwork that, whilst on the face of it looks 'clean', is a mess of swirl marks, fine scratches and general bodgery. I specifically asked them NOT to prep it for this reason.

Some dealers offer a full valet or even paint protection 'autobrite' etc. but not only do you pay more, I've yet to see a job that's even close to a pro detailer (I'm not one by the way, just a hobby detailer with a bit of OCD who likes the process of cleaning the car and making it the best it can be). I've invested it the right kit, products, tools and knowledge to be able to do it because, frankly, I enjoy it!

If I do it - it's done right. Same with servicing, mods and general maintenance. I will take the time because time isn't money to me, it's the quality of the end result.

 

[StarWarsJez]

Great thread, very interesting and informative. Love the detail!
Cheers Jez

 

[Kristian87]

Great post...I think your photos show how much effort you put in. I have a lot to learn!

 

[Ian Magnetic]

Nice job and would you like to do mine when it arrives ? ;)

 

[slowhand99]

Plates removed for this because, ermm... I like it to be clean behind the plates too ;)

Ahhhh! Now it all makes sense.

Nice job, mate.

 

[stiggy]

Right - now that the car is fundamentally 'clean' it's time for the proper work - that's paint correction and seal.

First off, as you can see, it helps if you have an armoury of product at your disposal (accrued over several years). This isn't my first Rodeo - so to speak

 

[stiggy]

Whilst I have and use a rotary, given the pain on a new car is relatively 'green' and it was uncharted territory in terms of how mile or aggressive the cut (for correction) needed to be, I opted for a DA (Dual Action polisher) with a medium polishing pad and Meguairs 83 Dual Action Cleaner/Polisher which is a medium cut compound.

 

[stiggy]

First job is to mask out. Whilst time consuming, that's nothing compared to removal of polish residue on plastics and trim if you neglect to do it!

 

[stiggy]

On to the correction. Overall, the car is pretty good - but found a few defects, some of which can be corrected by compounding, others I'll just have to live with as the only way to correct would be respray.

First was a bunch of scratches on the top of the A pillar. I expect someone has rested their arm on the top of the car in a rough coat. Probably whilst in Baltimore or being moved around by the logistics drivers.

 

[stiggy]

Well, no going back now, so time to apply compound and see how much cut is required to correct.

 

[stiggy]

First pass and buff and it's softened the edges of the scratch. The polish tends to fill it too, but doesn't actually correct the defect, just mask it.

More cutting required...

 

[stiggy]

Two further passes and scratches removed

 

[stiggy]

That small one done, time to move onto the roof. As the car was going to be ceramic sealed, I couldn't just correct the scratches, I decided to do the entire car :doh:

 

[stiggy]

The roof is pretty good. But there is a small area of contamination near the middle. It's only anally retentives like me who would ever notice, but if a job's worth doing...

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