40th Anni 370z - wash/clay/wax
 

Hi folks. Was finally able to spend some time with the car. This process was done over three days after work before the sun went down.

I got the FinishKare "ABC" decontamination supplies delivered. I found the process a bit intimidating...so I only did the first step. I think I'll try all three on a different car.

http://www.half-fastracing.com/detai...x/DSC_0274.jpg

Here's a shot of the step 1 mixed 4 parts water to 1 part #1119. If it's hard to see the liquid, it's because it's white like milk. It's petroleum based, so use a dedicated wash mitt if possible (I say this because the one I used now smells like gasoline...even after two laundry sessions).

http://www.half-fastracing.com/detai...x/DSC_0277.jpg

I did maybe two panels before rinsing it off thoroughly. I then washed it 2 bucket style which resulted in these two pics:

http://www.half-fastracing.com/detai...x/DSC_0279.jpg

and

http://www.half-fastracing.com/detai...x/DSC_0280.jpg

I then dried and applied my Meguiar's Gold Class paste wax.

http://www.half-fastracing.com/detai...x/DSC_0282.jpg

After removing the wax, I tucked it into the garage for the night:

http://www.half-fastracing.com/detai...x/DSC_0283.jpg

Day 2

I bought wheel locks with the car, but hadn't put them on yet. So I thought it was a good time to pull the wheels. Once off, I cleaned the wells with water and an old mf. I then dressed the plastics with 303 Aerospace. I waxed the calipers. I washed, clayed, and waxed the wheels.

The rear wheel dirty and without any locking lugs:

http://www.half-fastracing.com/detai...x/DSC_0285.jpg

Wheel removed:

http://www.half-fastracing.com/detai...x/DSC_0286.jpg

Dirty plastic:

http://www.half-fastracing.com/detai...x/DSC_0287.jpg

Dirty caliper:

http://www.half-fastracing.com/detai...x/DSC_0288.jpg

Wheel well and components all clean:

http://www.half-fastracing.com/detai...x/DSC_0298.jpg

Dirty wheel... I wasn't impressed with the "paint-job" on these wheels. The face is painted the same as the car. The inside is painted black and you can see they didn't paint the back of the spokes or inner rim. Seems lazy :sadwavey:

http://www.half-fastracing.com/detai...x/DSC_0293.jpg

Meguiar's Wheel Brightener dwelling (don't let it dry!):

http://www.half-fastracing.com/detai...x/DSC_0294.jpg

Wheel clayed and dried. Super smooth since they only have 30 odd miles on them:

http://www.half-fastracing.com/detai...x/DSC_0295.jpg

Wheel waxed and ready for install:

http://www.half-fastracing.com/detai...x/DSC_0299.jpg

Wheel installed with locking lug:

http://www.half-fastracing.com/detai...x/DSC_0300.jpg

Day 3

Dirty front wheel well:

http://www.half-fastracing.com/detai...x/DSC_0302.jpg

Clean:

http://www.half-fastracing.com/detai...x/DSC_0304.jpg

Wheel washed/clayed/waxed and installed with locking lug:

http://www.half-fastracing.com/detai...x/DSC_0306.jpg

Cleaned up the engine
Before:

http://www.half-fastracing.com/detai...x/DSC_5071.jpg

After (I know, subtle difference):

http://www.half-fastracing.com/detai...x/DSC_5072.jpg

Next up...clear bra installed. Pics will follow.

Thanks for looking!

Super clean and shiny! Don't you wish it could stay like that forever?

Nice attention to detail!

Yes I do! That's mostly the reason I'm trying this "clear bra" thing. I'm going to get it covered door sill to antenna.

At this year's local car show one vendor's booth had a black GT-R completely covered with that 3M stuff. Another option is vinyl wrapping, which will protect from light scratches but with such a nice quartz color, it's such a bad idea. :-)

nice ride

You'll turn a lot of heads driving up to a location shoot for sure...I'm a photographer as well. The only thing that'll suck is not having much room to bring much more than the basic lighting gear to a shoot in the 370z. Itlooks like trunk space is less than a 350z with its higher load floor. Part and parcel for such a car. But you'll look awesome pulling up anyway. :-)

wow. i am so impressed with the work you did on the wheels. such a perfectionist :)

Funny - I'll try to leave the strobes at home. Just roll out with a tripod and a bounce. Everything else will be left up to luck. - Adam

Wow...looks great. Awesome job on the wheels! You just used gold class on the wheels as well?

damn this thread is reminding me of how lazy ive gotten with my z.

Hell, I don't even was my body if I have that little dirt on me, let alone wash and wax my car if it has that little dirt on it. You my friend, are OCD...... and I like it!!! Looks great.

Yeah, I'm trying to slowly improve my collection. So maybe some Poorboys wheel sealant autogeek when I get the money.

who u taking ur car for the clear bra?

I'm dropping it off tomorrow morning. Tim at MotoFX (formerly Plastic Surgeons...get it?). I'll do a right up of the results with before and afters. Stay tuned