2007 Lexus IS250 Detail
 

Hopefully some of these details that I post are helpful to members who are looking to do details of their own. Please dont hesitate to ask about a process or technique if you have one, I'll gladly do my best to help out :)

Now, this one was cut short b/c of weather. I thought I'd have it for a couple days, but due to some rain (in nj? rain? NO!) the owner decided to pick it up a day early in order to garage it and bring it back early next week to complete the interior.

The paint wasn't in the best shape. Loads of swirls. Fair amount of contamination on the paint too.

I started this one w/ the wheels. Optimum Power Clean on the tires and P21s Wheel Gel on the rims, which I let sit for about 25-30 minutes before washing. Used the EZ Detail Brush to get the inner barrels (how did I ever clean wheels w/o this thing before!? It fits in the tightest areas w/ no problems). Wheels cleaned up nicely, but the road rash was still going to be noticeable unfortunately.

From here, moved on to the paint. Hit it w/ Poorboys Bug Squash and P21s Total Auto Wash to pretreat. Using a foam gun on the garden hose, foamed it up using Citrus Wash n Gloss and washed away the dirt w/ an Ultimitt. Grit Guards were of course in the bucket :)

Clayed using a gray, light cut bar and some Luber for the clay to slide on.

From here it was time to start polishing. I did 2 passes of Meguiars 105 on an orange light cut pad before doing a pass of Meguiars 205 on a white polishing pad. This whole process seemed to have knocked out about 90-95% of defects. After just the initial pass of M105 it was at almost 90%. nice.

Topped off the paint w/ P21s Concours Look Carnauba Wax (man, I forgot how easy this stuff is to use!)

Tires got treated w/ OPtimum Tire Shine (owner wanted a dry look, and I think OTS is the closest to this). Bare Bones in the wheel wells.

And that pretty much covers it! Heres the pics to correspond to the process. I ran out of sun and daylight to get any good afters... hence the reason theres only 4 after pics :(

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/b...arrier/1-3.jpg

bleh. dirt does accumulate behind license plates!
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/b...barrier/94.jpg

There was some gum or something that kicked up here. Used 3M GPAC here.
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/b...arrier/2-3.jpg

P21s TAW at work
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/b...arrier/4-3.jpg

After being foamed down, the soap was doing its thing.
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/b...arrier/5-3.jpg

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/b...arrier/3-3.jpg

Claying is important!!
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/b...arrier/6-3.jpg

Lots of swirls! oh my
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/b...arrier/7-3.jpg

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/b...arrier/8-3.jpg

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/b...barrier/91.jpg

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/b...arrier/9-2.jpg

After just one pass of M105, things were looking up. still did a second one after this before the 205.
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/b...barrier/92.jpg

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/b...barrier/93.jpg


Now, all cleaned up! Looks much better this way :)

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/b...rrier/a1-1.jpg

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/b...barrier/a2.jpg

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/b...barrier/a3.jpg

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/b...barrier/a4.jpg

Very nice!! your hard work is rubbing off on me:facepalm::sm0: I'm getting motivated to get out there and get the results you have:thumbsup: good looking work!

How do you like the p21s gel? Is it mild enough for our Camaro wheels?

-bobby

thanks :) I'm going to have to start adding a disclaimer stating that I cant be held responsible for any prolonged detail sessions you start :laugh:.

Hey Bobby, The p21s wheel gel is great. It quickly became one of my favorite wheel cleaners once I started using it. It clings best if you adjust the sprayer to a wide mist and pull the trigger quickly. imo, this helps the product come out in more of a foam state. If you spray it in a stream, it wont cling as well.
I've used this on a lot of different wheels (factory and aftermarket) and never once had an issue. I think you would be just fine to use this on the camaro wheels. P21s understands that their products are being used on higher end accessories, and I believe they adjust their products to make sure they're safe for just about any application.
Just remember, never apply this or any wheel cleaner to a hot wheel. Make sure the wheels are cool to the touch.
If you're concerned about it being too strong though, the high performance cleaner is a more mild wheel cleaner. (not a gel however)
Hope this helps :)

i must say great work chris, do you do house calls. i live in mississippi. lol

Nice writeup... thanks for sharing...:thumbsup:

hmm, I've never been to mississippi. Road trip! :rolling5thgen:

Anytime! I'm glad you enjoyed it! :thumbsup:
(btw, I miss eating over at Carmelitas :cry: I gotta get back down your way!)

love the carbon fiber hood but come on its a 250

Wasn't happy at all with P21S gel...:(
You still have to mitt/brush them clean, might was well use soap and water.

PIC #1 Only a week of brake dust. Not very dirty at all
PIC#2 Cleaner applied for about 5min
PIC #3 Results from only cleaner
PIC #4 Results from using a Mitt.

=Bobby