Wes_R x RSX type S (84 pics)
 

So this is my first thread and post in the Car Care / Detailing / Paint / Visual Mods section so I would like to introduce myself first. My name is Wes Robles and I have been detailing for about 5 years now. I started out as a car jockey/wash guy at a high end indie dealership here in Toronto for the summer. I then slowly got into detailing and worked with equipment and products like Auto Magic, Presta, Worlds Best Wax, a Makita Rotary, and the good old sun to check my work. For the past two summers I have been detailing friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, and etc. cars for side money but this year decided to take the plunge and start my own mobile detailing business. Anyway here is my first official costumer and his RSX type S which was in for a full paint correction and the interior aswell, enjoy!!!

ps. I've tried to make my write up somewhat educational so the non pro guys can hopefully get some tips, so hence the many pics which I apologize for. I look forward to sharing more write ups with you guys, discussing detailing, giving and receiving advice, and much more.


So here is the car upon arrival. Had an overcast day here in Toronto and hail in June... go figure.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...ohansrsx/1.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...ohansrsx/2.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...ohansrsx/3.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...ohansrsx/4.jpg



First up is soak the wheels and wheel well.

The wheel cleaner was Menzerna Gel 7.5 Wheel and Tire Cleaner. I don't usually use this stuff, as it is a little more expensive but bought a little to try out and see if it is any better then the usual p21s Wheel Gel. Verdict: good but does the same work as p21s.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...ohansrsx/5.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...ohansrsx/6.jpg

Soaked the wheel well with Meguairs Super Degreaser.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...ohansrsx/7.jpg



While those were soaking I moved on to the engine.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...ohansrsx/8.jpg

Soaked that with Meguiars Super Degreaser and let it sit while I went back to the tires and wheels.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...ohansrsx/9.jpg



I got at the inner rims with my EZ-Brush, did the wheel faces with a micro fibre mitt, and used both to agitate inside the wheel well. After all that rinsed everything.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/12.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/13.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/14.jpg



I agitated some dirty spots on the engine, rinsed, then dryed off with a blower. Also dryed the rims to with the blower.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/10.jpg

Turned on the engine and let it run for a bit.
Here is a final pic that was taken later on with the engine dressed with 303 Aerospace Protectant.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/11.jpg



Now on to the washing.

I washed the car using the two bucket method(one bucket soapy water and the other just plain water for cleaning your mitt).
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/15.jpg

Today I decided to use the Natural Sea Sponge on the right.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/16.jpg

Car soap was Chemical Guys Citrus Wash & Gloss.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/17.jpg

And started washing, rinsing my sponge after every panel.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/18.jpg



Dryed the car with my waffle weave towel.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/19.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/20.jpg

The sun popped out for a little bit with enough for me to catch a glimpse of what I was in for.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/21.jpg



Clayed the car with good old canadian brand Riccardo Clay.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/22.jpg

Meguairs Last Touch was my lubricant.

Clayed the paint
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/23.jpg

and the windows.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/24.jpg

Would have clayed the rims too, but they were new and did not need it.



So after one more rinse and drying I took measurements of the paint.
I have it set to microns which I believe is .0001 of a millimeter.

The average was 90-120 microns
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/25.jpg

but..

there were some highs
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/26.jpg

and lows.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/27.jpg



So with an idea of what I was working with I began to tape up. The reason you mask up certain parts of the car is because around the edges paint is very thin and it is easy to burn through. Also emblems, rubber parts, etc don't get damaged either. I used 3M blue tape, there's two types the 2090 which can stay on for 16 days and leave no residue at all and the even more sensitive 2080 which can stay on for 60 days. The one used here is the 2090.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/28.jpg



Inside clean and under the halogens I finally got a full view of what I was in for.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/29.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/30.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/31.jpg



Out came the boys.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/32.jpg

Generally you should start with the least abrasive and work your way up but since this isn't my first time and I know that anything lighter then a meduim polish is not going to do anything to those kind of swirls I started out with the Makita, 5.5" orange Lake Country pad, and Meguairs #83 at around 1500-1800rpm.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/33.jpg

Tested it out on the hood and here is 50/50 pic of the results. Please forgive the stone chips and dust.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/34.jpg

And a bigger view.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/35.jpg

Me in action.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/36.jpg

Also polished the headlights.

Passenger not polished.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/37.jpg

Drivers polished.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/38.jpg



The car was left with me overnight and so with all the swirl removal out of the way I put some tiger balm on my back and called it a night.



Day 2



Got up the next morning and washed the car with Hi Temp Prep Wash. Mixed it about 4:1 with water in a spray bottle, sprayed the car let it sit for a bit then washed like I would naturally do. Rinsed and dryed. The reason I wash with this stuff is because I have learnt that this stuff eats up the polish residue and is great for getting the stuff in the cracks and stone chips too. Touched up the left over stuff and the car was ready for the refining polish. (sorry no pics of this whole step)



On this soft Honda paint I finished with the Porter Cable, 5.5"white Lake County pad, and Menzerna Final Polish 2 at speed 5. Now the reason you finish with a finishing polish and finishing pad is because this burnishes the paint and refines it to provide that deep gloss.

Here I am at work cold on a June morning.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/39.jpg

After finishing the whole car I check over my work for anything I might have missed with a 3M Sun Gun which omits the same spectrum light as the sun. I find this tool pretty handy because some days the sun is just not out like this morning and if it is depending on the time of day it does not shine at the angle you want it to.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/40.jpg

Here is the only decent before and after I was able to get.

before
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/41.jpg

after
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/42.jpg


I wiped and dusted the car down and applied Danase Wet Glaze by Porter Cable and a grey 5.5" Lake Country pad at speed 2. Sorry no pics I just wanted to get the car done as the customer was coming in the next couple hours.



Put the exterior on hold and on to the interior.

Started off by dusting the crevices and build up areas
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/43.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/44.jpg

The vents too.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/45.jpg



Gave it an all purpose cleaner wipe down and brought out the q-tips to get the gunk in the crevices areas, like the underside of the power window buttons and in tight areas of the cup/tray holder.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/46.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/47.jpg



Onto the leather cleaning and conditioning with the Gliptone Leather Cleaner and Conditoner.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/48.jpg

Here is the leather cleaner foamed up and scrubbed with my Swissvax leather brush.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/49.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/50.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/51.jpg

After
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/52.jpg

For perforated leather and in general, I apply the leather conditioner by hand so that build up does not get caught in the little holes.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/53.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/54.jpg

After
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/55.jpg

Backseat also.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/56.jpg



Finally with everything cleaned, dusted, and no gunk I dressed the interior with 303 Aerospace Protectant. I love this stuff because the shine it gives is just right not to shiny and not dull at all, plus it is a UV protectant.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/57.jpg

The door panels dressed up.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/58.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/59.jpg



Cleaned the windows with Stoners Invisible Glass then finally vacuumed.

Me getting in those tight spot inbetween the center console and the front seats. I hate seeing stuff in there.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/60.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/61.jpg



Some before and afters of the interior.

Before back seat
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/63.jpg

After back seat
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/64.jpg

Before drivers side
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/65.jpg

After drivers side
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/66.jpg

Before passengers side
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/69.jpg

After passengers side
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/70.jpg



So back on the outside of things gave the car a light dusting and applied..

p21s 100% wax
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/71.jpg

While that was curing, I applied Poor Boys Wheel Sealant to the rims which helps keep brake dust etc. from caking on.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/72.jpg

Also dressed the wheel well with some left over Meguairs Hyper Dressing cut 4:1 with water for a not too shiny shine and applied Black Fire Long Lasting Tyre Gel to the tires.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/73.jpg



Wiped off the wax and finally took a couple after pics.

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/74.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/75.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/76.jpg

Check out the clouds.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/77.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/78.jpg

Check out the clouds pt.2
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/79.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/80.jpg

Look at the flake. I love Nighthawk Black.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/81.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/82.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/83.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/84.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/86.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/85.jpg



And the money shot.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...hansrsx/87.jpg



Overall I got the paint correction to about 95% except for the few random deep scratches and stone chips.

Thank you for reading.
All comments good, bad, and ugly are welcome.

damn good work how much u charging bud??

awesome job

very nice work i like, car looks very good

absolutely beautiful im seriously interested in your service, I have a 03 Spec v that looks worse than that car did when it came in, let me know how much you charge

amazing work im really interested i have 2 rides i need done let me know the prices

1. 2002 toyota sienna
2. 1999 Honda Accord

btw the family van is in horrible condition in terms of int and ext

red 04 lancer ralliart in desperate need of a clay and buff

pm me with some prices!

I have 2 integras that need all that exterior work done really bad!... pm me with your prices please.

dude...please dont tell me you disappeared on us...im still waiting for a reply my rides are in need of some serious detailing..

LOL I just seen this, I was checking this thing for a couple days and had only one reply so I figured it was dead. I am sending PMs now and thank you guys for the great comments and interest.

Awesome job Wes_R :biggthump

defintely a good write-up, very very helpful!!

great job, this thread is sure to help out people detailing there own cars who aren't pro's

hey, great job, I'm also interested in your work, how much would it be for a 1995 2 door integra, but only the exterior.

how much would it be for a full paint correction and interior on a 2000 cavalier 2 door