Santa Beads

[zckid]

My tools:

Washing & claying:
Local car shampoo and APC mix,
Uber clay + ONR

Washed and clayed:



Paintwork:
Makita rotary
Menz Power Gloss 34A, 203s
Meguiars M80
LC pads: Orange, White, Black
Menz PowerLock Sealant

Glass:
Menz PG and LC orange pad
Stoner Invisible glass

Plastics:
CG New look trim gel
Some cotton swabs and a dressing applicator

Headlights:
Menz PG and LC orange pad
Menz PowerLock Sealant


Polishing:
I started off with Menz PG on LC orange pad, followed by Menz 203s on LC white pad. Actually, I stopped this combination shortly.

I simply jumped to 203s on LC white pad then got a little more aggressive as needed. The change paid.

For the deeper RIDS, I resorted to wet sanding. But it proved very dangerous. The paint came out as powder paint, like the one used by kids in schools. So I stopped. I did want to correct all defects (RIDS) as I would unnecessarily remove paint. Remember there’s no clear coat on this paint.

Even my wife (though she’s against me detailing cars) remarked: “Aren't you removing his paint?”

I spot buffed the RIDS using PG on LC orange, significantly reducing my section. I just rounded the majority of the RIDS. They are hardly noticeable. The parts I detailed months ago got a touch of Megs M80 and LC white pad followed by same polish and LC black.

Let the pictures do the talking:

















Blood Bath

This is my white pad!

I can’t have IPA here. So, I used a wet towel to wipe over the polished areas followed by a complete wash.

Then I proceeded to the final steps:
Plastics were treated with CG new look trim gel.



This was one the most time consuming part. I didn’t want to leave any spot untouched. I was wondering how it could be done, how others do it. And thanks God, I got an idea: “Use cotton swabs”. It was time consuming but at last I was happy with the outcome.

Menz sealant was applied to the paint with a CCS red applicator. Too big IMO for sealant application. Headlights got their share too.

Headlights after

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Some reflection pics

A new style Toyota Corolla!



Now look at this pic very well.
Toyota versus Honda



Cartoonized
Woody Woodpecker vs Dapper Denver Dooley



It’s the effect of watching cartoons with my kids

The photographer photographed







The work was completed early morning on the 26th following Xmas. All I got was beads. So I named these Santa beads.











And I dedicate the Santa beads to all those who share their skills and abilities in the nicest way, and from whom I learn so much.

Your comments and advice are most welcome.

Wish you all a very happy new year 2012 (better late than never!)

Zaid