[Bretster]

Hey NAGTROC,

My name is Bret, I'm 16 years old and I'm a hobbyist detailer out in North Jersey. I started detailing just about 3 months ago and still have a lot to learn about the detail game and looking to get out there, especially in the GT-R world.

I'll list my write-ups from my first ever detail this summer until my most recent. Let me know how I'm doing

First ever full customer detail: 2004 Silver Gray M3 Vert

Forum member ///Mtreezy messaged me almost a month ago inquiring on the detail, and between conflicting schedules and numerous vacations we both settled on a 3 day detail spanning from July 27-29. Nish, ///Mtreezy, is getting married tomorrow on the 30th and is driving away in the M so the pressure was on to do a fantastic job :rulaiz:

What was done:
- Before pictures :taser:
- Wheels hit with Sonax full effect
- Tires treated with Adams APC and sonax tire gel
- Engine cleaned with adams apc and in n out spray
- exterior wash using lusso auto bathe
- convertible top cleaned using raggtopp cleaner and protectant
- door jambs cleaned as well as hood and trunk jambs
- 303 aerospace on undercarriage
- clayed entire exterior including windows
- taped up
- paint measurement
- 3 step - m105 -> optimum polish -> menz powerlock
- inspection with 3m sungun
- rubber and vinyl cleaned
- exhaust tips cleaned
- windows clayed again and cleaned

Interior:
- leather cleaned with sonax leather foam
- vacuum
- trims treated with 303 aerospace and in n out spray
- interior glass cleaned

Products used:
Exterior wash:
- Lusso auto bath
- Grit guards
- Uber wool wash mitt
- Blue microfiber wash mitt
- Uber super drying microfiber towel
- 303 aerospace on undercarriage

Convertible top:
- Raggtopp cleaner
- Raggtopp Protectant

Engine:
- Adams All purpose cleaner
- Adams In n out spray

Interior:
- Sonax leather foam
- Uber leather cleaning brush
- In n out and 303 aerospace to clean the trims

Paint correction:
- Deflesko paint meter
- 3m sun gun
- Porter Cable PC 7424XP
- Flex XC3401
- Uber green and blue 5.5 pads
- Surbuf pads 5.5
- Megs 105
- Optimum polish
- Menz PO106FA
- Menzerna powerlock

Wax:
- Sonax Nano Tech Wax

Now for the pictures :thumbsup2:

Exterior before

exterior weapons of choice

it was my first time using lusso auto bathe and i may say, i am impressed. the soap and water mixture was milky and it grabbed the dirt right off

sonax full effect on the wheels

paint beading already, exceptionally clean car

raggtopp convertible cleaner on top

pizza break time i'm tired already

raggtopp convertible top protectant, 3 coats

taping up

clay

the car was very clean, few contaminants

clayed and dried gas area

paint examination. literally great condition, camera couldnt capture the imperfections

prima clarity on the glass

mirror finish glass

reflection picture

vert top down, cleaning interior and exterior at the same time :taser:

interior care

cleaning the wind deflector with in n out

trunk jambs cleaned

trunk keyhole cleaned

more leather cleaning

 

[Bretster]

carpet cleaning

cockpit half cleaned, didn't do trims or dash yet

polishing the sagging bumper, rattled like crazy

compounding the hood with m105 and surbuf pads

tires dressed

getting bored, starting to take pictures of the car to pass time haha

okay back to work, finish the hood!

taillights corrected

finishing the trunk lid

sorry no pictures of post polish cleaning, it was too dark

sonax wax

applied with lake country 5.5 red pad and pcxp

wax hazing

upside down reflection picture after wax

more hazing

cleaning side gills using prima clarity and q tips

top cleaned, bottom not

done

interior

finishing touches

cooling engine to complete cold to apply in n out

engine before

in n out to the rescue

ready for pick up! :thumbsup2:

next to project s52 swap

nish and his friend come by to pick it up

left with nish to get a ride and take some pictures, and as we're pulling away it starts to rain :thumbsdown:

beading pictures, sonax nano tech wax going to work :thumbsup2:

alright it stopped raining get outta here haha

3 day detail over

 

[Bretster]

Up next is a buddy of mine's new-to-him 2001 Tornado Red Jetta. This was my first "paint correction" though it wasn't much of a paint correction haha

I learned a lot from this detail though so here's the write up:

Post-purchase detail for a buddy of mine. It was in pretty bad condition inside and out. I underestimated the little jetta, had a lot of pep for a 4 banger and it was fun to detail it :thumbsup2: i only really got about 80% correction with it at first. I went over my work and got them all out really but didnt have pictures so the 5050 pictures werent final.

What was done:
- Before pictures :taser:
- Wheels hit with Sonax full effect
- Tires treated with Adams APC and sonax tire gel
- Engine cleaned with adams apc and in n out spray
- exterior wash using lusso auto bathe

- door jambs cleaned as well as hood and trunk jambs
- 303 aerospace on undercarriage
- clayed entire exterior including windows
- taped up
- paint measurement
- 3 step - m105 -> optimum polish -> menz powerlock
- inspection with 3m sungun
- rubber and vinyl cleaned
- windows clayed again and cleaned

Interior:
- leather cleaned with sonax leather foam
- vacuum
- trims treated with 303 aerospace and in n out spray
- interior glass cleaned

Products used:
Exterior wash:
- Lusso auto bath
- Grit guards
- Uber wool wash mitt
- Blue microfiber wash mitt
- Uber super drying microfiber towel
- 303 aerospace on undercarriage

Engine:
- Adams All purpose cleaner
- Adams In n out spray

Interior:
- thorough vacuum
- adams carpet and upholstery
- In n out and 303 aerospace to clean the trims

Paint correction:
- Deflesko paint meter
- 3m sun gun
- Porter Cable PC 7424XP
- Flex XC3401
- Uber green and blue 5.5 pads
- Surbuf pads 5.5
- Megs 105
- Optimum polish
- Menz PO106FA
- Menzerna powerlock

Wax:
- Sonax Nano Tech Wax

Now for the pictures

extremely faded headlights

bird etchings

water sheeting instead of beading is :thumbsdown:

post wash

clay is pretty contaminated

project e36

trying out surbuf pads for the first time

hood before

after m105 with surbuf

some 5050 shots

unfortunately, no before interior pictures but it was in pretty bad shape, now much better :thumbsup2:

I attempted to fix up the headlights but i had no more sandpaper to grind them down so i resorted to claying and hitting with strongest compound pad combo.

after

done!

thanks for looking

 

[Bretster]

Up next is a 2005 ML500 Special Edition, pretty quick truck and I only had 3 hours to work with on this detail so I had to speed through it

This car was previously fully corrected by me about 3 months ago. The car was losing its shine and the customer wanted a fresh polish, seal, and wax job as well as interior refreshing. Enjoy

What was done:
- Before pictures
- Wheels hit with Sonax full effect
- Tires treated with Adams APC and sonax tire gel
- Engine cleaned with adams apc and in n out spray
- exterior wash using lusso auto bathe and foamed with CG MSii
- door jambs cleaned as well as hood and trunk jambs
- 303 aerospace on undercarriage
- clayed entire exterior including windows
- taped up
- paint measurement
- 2 step - optimum poliseal-> menz powerlock
- inspection with 3m sungun
- interior leather cleaned and conditioned
- rubber and vinyl cleaned
- windows clayed again and cleaned

Interior:
- leather cleaned with sonax leather foam
- vacuum
- trims treated with 303 aerospace and in n out spray
- interior glass cleaned

Products used:
Exterior wash:
- Lusso auto bath
- Grit guards
- gilmour foamaster w/ CG MaxiSuds II
- Uber wool wash mitt
- Blue microfiber wash mitt
- Uber super drying microfiber towel
- 303 aerospace on undercarriage

Engine:
- Adams All purpose cleaner
- Adams In n out spray

Interior:
- Sonax Leather Foam
- Uber leather cleaning brush
- In n out and 303 aerospace to clean the trims

Paint maintenance:
- Porter Cable PC 7424XP
- Uber orange and black 5.5 pads
- Optimum poliseal
- Menzerna powerlock

Wax:
- Swissvax Mirage

Picture time

it was raining, so no outdoor reflection pictures

thanks for looking

 

[Bretster]

Another time restrained paint correction, this one I had 6 hours to do though. It's a 2001 A4 Cab and all I have to say is audi clear's are pretty hard to work with Here's the write up:

Customer emphasized a full interior detail last minute when it was dropped off, so I had to go local over the counter parts and pick up some lexol and carpet cleaner. Everything turned out well though, I was under a tight time restraint too. I got the work done in about 6 hours. Thanks for looking

What was done:
- Before pictures
- Wheels hit with Sonax full effect
- Tires treated with Adams APC and sonax tire gel
- Engine cleaned with adams apc and in n out spray
- exterior wash using lusso auto bathe and foamed with CG MSii
- convertible top cleaned using raggtopp cleaner and protectant
- door jambs cleaned as well as hood and trunk jambs
- 303 aerospace on undercarriage
- clayed entire exterior including windows
- taped up
- paint measurement
- 3 step - m105 -> optimum polish -> menz powerlock
- inspection with 3m sungun
- interior leather cleaned and conditioned
- rubber and vinyl cleaned
- exhaust tips cleaned
- windows clayed again and cleaned

Interior:
- leather cleaned with lexol cleaner and conditioner
- vacuum
- trims treated with 303 aerospace and in n out spray
- interior glass cleaned

Products used:
Exterior wash:
- Lusso auto bath
- Grit guards
- gilmour foamaster w/ CG MaxiSuds II
- Uber wool wash mitt
- Blue microfiber wash mitt
- Uber super drying microfiber towel
- 303 aerospace on undercarriage

Convertible top:
- Raggtopp cleaner
- Raggtopp Protectant

Engine:
- Adams All purpose cleaner
- Adams In n out spray

Interior:
- Lexol Leather cleaner and conditioner
- Uber leather cleaning brush
- In n out and 303 aerospace to clean the trims

Paint correction:
- Deflesko paint meter
- 3m sun gun
- Porter Cable PC 7424XP
- Uber green and blue 5.5 pads
- Surbuf pads 5.5
- Megs 105
- Optimum polish
- Menz PO106FA
- Menzerna powerlock

Wax:
- Sonax Nano Tech Wax

Now for the pictures :thumbsup2:

pretty badly swirled and oxidized

foam gun

no pictures of clay straight to paint correction we go

before

5050

result of leather cleaner

finished

reflection picture time!

metallic flakes ftw

thanks for looking

 

[Bretster]

New used CLS 550 paint prep for the same customer with the ML500, A4, and soon to be written up escalade coming up next and E63 sometime before winter

Customer wanted full paint correction but no interior cleaning, I was told to do interior on a later date in the week.

What was done:
- Before pictures
- Wheels hit with Sonax full effect
- Tires treated with Adams APC and sonax tire gel
- Engine cleaned with adams apc and in n out spray
- exterior wash using lusso auto bathe + gilmour foam gun
- door jambs cleaned as well as hood and trunk jambs
- 303 aerospace on undercarriage
- clayed entire exterior including windows
- taped up
- paint measurement
- 3 step - m105 -> optimum poliseal -> menz powerlock
- inspection with 3m sungun
- rubber and vinyl cleaned
- exhaust tips cleaned
- windows clayed again and cleaned

Interior:
- trims treated with 303 aerospace and in n out spray
- interior glass cleaned

Products used:
Exterior wash:
- Lusso auto bath
- gilmour foamaster
- Grit guards
- Uber wool wash mitt
- Blue microfiber wash mitt
- Uber super drying microfiber towel
- 303 aerospace on undercarriage

Engine:
- Adams All purpose cleaner
- Adams In n out spray

Interior:
- In n out and 303 aerospace to clean the trims
- Prima clarity on windows and again over trims

Paint correction:
- Deflesko paint meter
- 3m sun gun
- Porter Cable PC 7424XP
- Uber green and blue 5.5 pads
- Surbuf pads 5.5
- Megs 105
- Optimum poliseal
- Menz PO106FA
- Menzerna powerlock

Wax:
- Sonax Nano Tech Wax

Now for the pictures

looked clean, wasnt really lol

sonax ftw

new foam gun, alot of fun

paint inspection

severe swirls

taping up

all done. spent a full hour taping the car

reflection pictures

awesome interior

finished

thanks for looking

 

[Bretster]

Escalade ESV New used car prep again, this car was extremely difficult to work with and I had no time to take good enough pictures as it was too hot to even sit down next to the car to work. Here's the write up anyways and forgive the picture quality

What was done:
- Before pictures
- Wheels hit with Sonax full effect but didn't work out very well so i followed with a meguiars wheel brightener and adams APC mixture, 2oz each and that mixture was diluted 4:1 with water
- Tires treated with Adams APC and sonax tire gel
- Engine cleaned with adams apc and in n out spray
- exterior wash using lusso auto bathe + gilmour foam gun
- door jambs cleaned as well as hood and trunk jambs
- 303 aerospace on undercarriage
- clayed entire exterior including windows
- taped up
- paint measurement
- 3 step - m105 -> optimum poliseal -> menz powerlock
- inspection with 3m sungun
- rubber and vinyl cleaned
- exhaust tips cleaned
- windows clayed again and cleaned with prima clarity

Interior:
- vacuum
- trims treated with 303 aerospace and in n out spray
- interior glass cleaned

Products used:
Exterior wash:
- Lusso auto bath
- gilmour foamaster
- Grit guards
- Uber wool wash mitt
- Blue microfiber wash mitt
- Uber super drying microfiber towel
- 303 aerospace on undercarriage
- adams clay

Engine:
- Adams All purpose cleaner
- Adams In n out spray

Interior:
- In n out and 303 aerospace to clean the trims
- Prima clarity on windows and again over trims

Paint correction:
- Deflesko paint meter
- 3m sun gun
- Porter Cable PC 7424XP
- Uber green and blue 5.5 pads
- Surbuf pads 5.5
- Megs 105
- Optimum poliseal
- Menz PO106FA
- Menzerna powerlock

Wax:
- Sonax Nano Tech Wax

Now for the pictures

it was so sunny outside it was hard to foam the whole car without it drying, let alone getting around to it with the wash mitt

paint before

corrected

rocker panel before

somewhat 5050

after

in n out on engine bay before

sadly it was raining outside so no ambulance reflection shots outside haha

thanks for looking

 

[Bretster]

Back to my garage for a stretch of BMW details Up next is a 1 of 1 Individual color 540i. It was in pretty bad shape when it first came by but after 2 days of constantly going at it, it came out very nice and the color was beautiful. Heres the write up:

Here's my nearly 120 picture write-up on a 1995 Individual 540i. Forum member StaySlackin messaged me about it and after conflicting schedules we managed to squeeze this one in. It was a great car to work on and a truly beautiful color. Onto the write up

What was done:
- Before pictures
- Wheels hit with Sonax full effect and meguiars wheel brightener
- Tires treated with Adams APC and prima nero
- Engine treated with in and out spray
- exterior wash using lusso auto bathe and foam gun w/ CG MSii
- door jambs cleaned as well as hood and trunk jambs
- Prima nero on undercarriage
- clayed entire exterior including windows
- taped up
- 3 step - m105 -> menz sip -> menz super finish -> menz powerlock
- rubber and vinyl cleaned w/ In and Out, Prima nero
- exhaust tips cleaned and polished
- windows clayed again and cleaned with prima clarity
- wheels polished with meguiars wheel polish

Interior:
- leather cleaned with lexol
- vacuum
- trims treated with prima nero and in n out spray
- interior glass cleaned with clarity

Products used:
Exterior wash:
- Lusso auto bath
- Gilmour Foam gun w/ CG MaxiSuds
- Uber wool wash mitt
- Blue microfiber wash mitt
- Uber super drying microfiber towel
- Prima nero on undercarriage

Engine:
- Adams In n out spray

Interior:
- Lexol Cleaner and Conditioner
- Uber leather cleaning brush
- In n out and Prima Clarity and Nero to clean the trims

Paint correction:
- Porter Cable PC 7424XP
- Flex PE-14
- Uber green and orange 5.5 pads
- Surbuf pads 5.5
- Megs 105
- Menz superfinish
- Menz SIP
- Menz Powerlock

Now for the pictures

Megs wheel brightener followed by sonax

foam

it ate my tape

clay was pretty contaminated

action shot haha

interior time

and now onto after sealant pictures

delivery

another happy customer

Thanks for looking

 

[Bretster]

Up next was a detail the day after the 540i, I had the 540i and the M3 in the garage simultaneously, made me feel like a pro haha. Anyways, heres the E92 M3 Sparkling Graphite detail :

Forum member Cam22 came from the Hudson Valley parts of NY and with all the destruction from Irene it took almost two hours to get here He endured the just about 9 hour detail in the garage while it was being done but it came out real nice. Onto the write up

What was done:
- Before pictures
- Wheels hit with Sonax full effect
- Tires treated with Adams APC and prima nero
- Engine treated with in and out spray
- exterior wash using lusso auto bathe and foam gun w/ CG MSii
- door jambs cleaned as well as hood and trunk jambs
- Prima nero on undercarriage
- clayed entire exterior including windows
- taped up
- 3 step - m105 -> menz sip -> blackfire wet diamond
- rubber and vinyl cleaned w/ In and Out, Prima nero
- exhaust tips cleaned and polished
- windows clayed again and cleaned with prima clarity

Interior:
- leather cleaned with lexol
- vacuum
- trims treated with prima clarity and in n out spray
- interior glass cleaned

Products used:
Exterior wash:
- Lusso auto bath
- Gilmour Foam gun w/ CG MaxiSuds
- Uber wool wash mitt
- Blue microfiber wash mitt
- Uber super drying microfiber towel
- Prima nero on undercarriage

Engine:
- Adams In n out spray

Interior:
- Lexol Cleaner and Conditioner
- Uber leather cleaning brush
- In n out and Prima Clarity and Nero to clean the trims

Paint correction:
- Porter Cable PC 7424XP
- Flex PE-14
- Uber green and orange 5.5 pads
- Surbuf pads 5.5
- Megs 105
- Optimum polish
- Menz SIP

LSP
- Blackfire Wet Diamond Sealant

Now for the pictures

The individual 540i that was previously detailed, waiting for pickup

claying the glass

action shot of polishing with uber orange pad and menz sip

taping up the hood

compounding hood with surbuf and m105

cleaning the beautiful fox red interior

540i picked up by happy owner

plastic front fenders ftl

polishing up the carbon roof was a first and was quite rewarding

protecting the door sills while doing the roof

reflections after menz sip

ready for post polish wash to clean dust and polishing oils

applying blackfire wet diamond

hazing

after reflections

carbon roof reflection

trunk reflection. craig went of his way to get this shot hahaha

wheel fully dressed

not much sun but trying to maximize reflections

cleeean

leaving

Thanks for looking

 

[Bretster]

More new used car prep at the ambulance warehouse, this time a 2008 X5 4.8i. Beautiful truck, only had 6 hours to get it done though but I think it came out nice. Heres the write up:

This was a rather quick job, time restrained to 6 hours. I got the most i could out of the time i had and this was the first time I used the PE14, no correction today though. Man, this machine is awesome but the makita still is on top, i haven't used the PE14 enough to decide. enjoy

What was done:
- Before pictures
- Wheels hit with Sonax full effect and meguiars wheel brightener
- Tires treated with Adams APC and prima nero
- Engine treated with in and out spray
- exterior wash using lusso auto bathe and foam gun w/ CG MSii
- door jambs cleaned as well as hood and trunk jambs
- Prima nero on undercarriage
- clayed entire exterior including windows
- taped up
- 2 step - menz sip -> menz super finish -> menz powerlock
- rubber and vinyl cleaned w/ In and Out, Prima nero
- exhaust tips cleaned and polished with 3m metal polish
- windows clayed again and cleaned with prima clarity
- wheels polished with meguiars wheel polish

Interior:
- leather cleaned with lexol
- vacuum
- trims treated with prima nero and in n out spray
- interior glass cleaned with clarity

Products used:
Exterior wash:
- Lusso auto bath
- Gilmour Foam gun w/ CG MaxiSuds
- Uber wool wash mitt
- Blue microfiber wash mitt
- Uber super drying microfiber towel
- Prima nero on undercarriage

Engine:
- Adams In n out spray

Interior:
- Lexol Cleaner and Conditioner
- Uber leather cleaning brush
- In n out and Prima Clarity and Nero to clean the trims

Paint correction:
- Porter Cable PC 7424XP
- Flex PE-14
- Uber green and orange 6.5 pads
- Menz superfinish
- Menz SIP
- Menz Powerlock

Onto the pictures

after sip

engine dressed

pillars polished

crazy reflections

prima nero dressing the wheels

Prima clarity is by far my favorite window cleaner ever. removes any window imperfections without streaks (with the correct microfiber) and it's very affordable. highly recommended

before

after

example of in and out

finally finished, quick reflections while there is a little sun left

this is an example of sonax and megs wheel brightener WITHOUT any agitation

and a bonus, my work about 6 hours later while looking for a defender

thanks for looking

 

[Bretster]

My most recent job was a E36 Stage 2 Supercharged M3, damn was it fast. I got to get a ride in it after the detail and it inspired me to aspire to get an e46 m haha anyways, here's my write up for probably my favorite detail yet:

Here's my nearly 200 picture write-up on a 1997 Stage 2 Supercharged E36. Nick and I exchanged messages over bf.c over a couple of weeks before this detail and between hurricanes and earthquakes we finally got it done. He requested to really work on the wheels and get the hood perfect as it had no reflection or clarity at all after getting a "clear" done. Onto the write-up

What was done:
- Before pictures
- Wheels hit with Sonax full effect and meguiars wheel brightener
- Tires treated with Adams APC and prima nero
- Engine treated with in and out spray
- exterior wash using lusso auto bathe and foam gun w/ CG MSii
- door jambs cleaned as well as hood and trunk jambs
- Prima nero on undercarriage
- clayed entire exterior including windows
- taped up
- 3 step - m105 -> menz sip -> menz super finish -> menz powerlock
- rubber and vinyl cleaned w/ In and Out, Prima nero
- exhaust tips cleaned and polished
- windows clayed again and cleaned with prima clarity
- wheels polished with meguiars wheel polish

Interior:
- leather cleaned with lexol
- vacuum
- trims treated with prima nero and in n out spray
- interior glass cleaned with clarity

Products used:
Exterior wash:
- Lusso auto bath
- Gilmour Foam gun w/ CG MaxiSuds
- Uber wool wash mitt
- Blue microfiber wash mitt
- Uber super drying microfiber towel
- Prima nero on undercarriage

Engine:
- Adams In n out spray

Interior:
- Lexol Cleaner and Conditioner
- Uber leather cleaning brush
- In n out and Prima Clarity and Nero to clean the trims

Paint correction:
- Porter Cable PC 7424XP
- Flex PE-14
- Uber green and orange 5.5 pads
- Surbuf pads 5.5
- Megs 105
- Menz superfinish
- Menz SIP
- Menz Powerlock

Now for the pictures

adams apc on the tires did a real good job cleaning them up

note the stained barrel

sheeting the car with open ended hose to make drying easier

clay

polishing out with menz sip

SoGood

before interior pictures

afters in the interior

back to paint correction

 

[Bretster]

testing wheel polish

bootleg wheel polish 5050, can really see the difference here though

microfiber was nasty after this

onto the hood, which had no clarity and needed alot of help. took about 3 compounding swings with 105 and surbuf but i eventually got a real good shine out of it

before

after

finishing the hood the next morning

new PC polisher comes mid detail, breaks it out following my compounding marks

post polish wash

foam washed to strip polishing oils

pre-sealant/wax shine and reflection

menz powerlock ftmfw

finishing up the rest of the wheels while the car cures

cooling the engine before applying in and out

before

after

finished, waiting for delivery

finally, sun pictures

another happy customer

Thanks for looking

 

[Bretster]

I have a 4 runner detail at the ambulance warehouse and a camaro write up to post as well, will update this thread or may create a new one, who knows

thanks for looking and feedback is welcome

-Bret

 

[monEmakindave]

Pm me your package pricing

My wifes Honda pilot could use a polish before the winter

 

[Bretster]

PM sent

 

[SELVERGTR7]

damn this is awesome

good job

 

[Bretster]

thanks man

 

[Bretster]

Finished an A4 today as well, detail coming soon

 

[Thujone]

Excellent work dude.

 

[Bretster]

Excellent work dude.

Thank you sir