Wes_R x GT-R (82 pics)
 

Hi 370zers,





Not my first GT-R to work on but my second write up on one.



I had spoken to this owner over the span of a year and we had finally set up a date to 2 stage polish this Solid Red GT-R some time in the beginning of August. The car was a garage queen and the swirling was not so bad... actually one of the better condition GT-Rs I had worked on but we wanted to get a 9, 9.5 out of 10 correction so we agreed on a 2 stage polish.







Moving on to the write up here is the first walk around the car.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n.../domsgtr/1.jpg

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

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

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

Already noticed a buffer trail that needed to be corrected
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n.../domsgtr/5.jpg

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



As usual starting with the rims, I cleaned the face and behind with a microfiber wash mitt
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n.../domsgtr/7.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n.../domsgtr/8.jpg

Used my brush to clean the calipers
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n.../domsgtr/9.jpg

A stiff brush to clean the tire wall
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/10.jpg

And my EZ Brush to clean the inner barrel
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/11.jpg



The wheel wells were cleaned also with APC and a curved handle brush
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/12.jpg

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



The exhaust was not to bad and was sort of an easy clean up
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/14.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/15.jpg



Moving on to the engine, it was not at all in bad shape but just a little dusty and could use a quick clean up and dressing to make it look new again
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/19.jpg

Dusty
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/20.jpg

All clean and dressed up
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/21.jpg

Artsy Fartsy shot
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/22.jpg

Stop lying
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/23.jpg



I pulled out another detail brush and took care of the tight areas like the vents etc
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/18.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/16.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/17.jpg



Finally getting onto the wash stage the car was foamed down
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/24.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/25.jpg

While the car was foaming I realized I had forgotten to clean the gas tank
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/29.jpg



I 2 Bucket Method washed the car with my natural sea sponge
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/26.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/27.jpg

And rinsed off my sponge in the water only bucket after every panel or half a panel

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/28.jpg



Then dried the car with a plush microfiber towel
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/30.jpg



Brought the car in to clay*
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/31.jpg

And it was not in bad shape at all
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/32.jpg



After the claying I measured the paint to see what levels I was working with
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/33.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/34.jpg

I found a section that was repainted and learned that the car had come with a huge scratch from the factory and this section was repainted under warranty which I guess also explains the buffer trail I first noticed
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/35.jpg

repaint
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/36.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/37.jpg



I masked all the rubber trim
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/38.jpg



And now could begin polishing. The combo I opted for was Menzerna SIP with a Orange Lake Country Pad on a Makita rotary. Here are the befores and afters of a few panels

Before
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/39.jpg

After
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/40.jpg

Before
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/41.jpg

After
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/42.jpg

A quick shot of yours truly polishing
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/43.jpg

Before
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/44.jpg

After
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/45.jpg

Before
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/46.jpg

After
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/47.jpg

I alcohol wiped down the car and begin to prepare for the 2nd stage of polishing. The paint was already shining very well but I wanted to push the gloss a little higher so I jeweled the paint with Menzerna Po85RD a white Lake Country pad and my Flex3401.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/48.jpg

Here is a the gloss I was achieving with this combination
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/49.jpg



I gave the paint a 2nd and final alcohol wipe down to clean off the polishing oils then unmasked the car
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/51.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/52.jpg

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



After unmasking and cleaning off the polishing oils I inspected the paint with my 3M Sun Gun which omits the same spectrum light as the sun.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/60.jpg

Perfect
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/61.jpg



I had to take another shot of the gloss, and this was with no wax on, only polishing
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...omsgtr/62a.jpg



Wax of the day was Swissvax Concorso
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/53.jpg

Applied
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/54.jpg



While the wax was curing I attended to other areas like putting Poor Boys Wheel Sealant on the rims and exhaust
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/57.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/58.jpg

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

Here are a couple after pics of the exhaust
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/55.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/56.jpg

And I cleaned the windows with my Glass Master Pro.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/62.jpg



Unfortunately it had rained but I got a small window to quickly take a few after shots which I don't think turned out that bad and actually it was kind of cool to still see the paint looking very glossy on a cloudy day

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/65.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/66.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/67.jpg

The gloss was looking very nice in this pic
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/69.jpg

Some nice reflections
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/75.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/68.jpg

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

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/72.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/73.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/71.jpg

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

I liked the reflection in this shot
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/77.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/79.jpg

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

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/81.jpg

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

And to complete the walk around
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/64.jpg



Finally my last 2 favorite pics
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/70.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...domsgtr/63.jpg



Not wanting to push my luck with the rain I quickly put away the GT-R in the garage.

Hope you enjoyed the write up and seeing the different steps of the detail.

Best regards!
Wes

WOW....so sexy, I love the GTR and the red and you did an amazing job making it just SHINE!

wow, beautiful work. I need to give some care to my ride this spring when I get some time, but not the kind of care you gave this thing, looks amazing!

You always do such excellent work!

What did you use for the exhaust tips?

Excellent work!

You sir...are an artist!

very thorough, good job. :tup:

Wow, good job. How much do you usually charge for a job like this? If you don't mind me asking. Just being curious.

Wow amazing job! :tup:

That car is back to show room ready. :tiphat:

Thanks!

Any kind of care is better then no care, and the feeling is nice afterwards.

Thanks 0000 steel wool and the wheel cleaner actually but Chemical Guys Grime Reaper works better on tips though.

Thanks!

Call me Wes Da Vinci :)

:tup:

If you don't mind I'll just keep it private.

Thanks!

Better then show room lol