I did a thing.

[— kung fu jesus —]

Time for a little update.

I didn't get out on track as much as I wanted in '19, going to change that for '20.

My role in the HPDEs I stage, sometimes it gets to the point where I'm over the event by the time I arrive. There are so many exhausting details to handle leading up to them.

Anyway, besides adjusting plans for upgrades/updates in '20, I found myself with nothing to do between Christmas and New Year. My lovely wife gifted me two complete sets of detail pads and new chemicals. I have been delinquent in maintaining the paint this year, which is sort of the benefit to a white car...it can hide your laziness.

With new gear and supplies, I was tired of the grittiness the finish had. I have switched over to Chemical Guys equipment and chemicals and am extremely pleased.

Here was the rundown on the process over a few days:

Wash > claybar > wash > heavy compound > wash > medium compound > wash > cut polish > wash > polish > wax > wash


Starting with the clay bar (CG medium with luber spray), this is probably the longest step.

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There's no way around it, I just deal with one panel at a time and go at it. It never ceases to amaze me how well this works, and the results on a white car are probably more dramatic than any other color. Mine was pretty bad, because the car was outside in the elements more than before while I was at work this past year. I could HEAR the contaminants lifting with each pass of the clay.

Of course, all the heavy lifting was done with my Porter Cable XP 7424 variable speed polisher.

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This is a must-have tool, IMO. You just cannot get the results you want without something similar. The hobbyist orbitals with 8" bonnets just won't cut it. Trust me, this steps up your game and gives you so many more options. I switched from a 6" velcro flex pad to a 5" (Amazon, ~$8) for maneuverability.

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A package of clean microfiber towels (~$15, Costco) is also a must. Don't be frugal here. Wash them if you run low. I usually use 2 per stage, if I drop it on the ground, I get a fresh one.

The Hex Logic pads, this is my first time using them, and I was impressed.

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I don't know why my wife bought two sets, but I'm glad because the car was pretty bad. I didn't use all of the them, but the ones I did, I swapped out 1/2 through each stage. The included cleaner is REALLY effective and worked great when I finished this.

She also bought me a set of Chemical Guys V Line, which are easy to use and very effective.

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Extra bonus unknown to me, there is a Chemical Guys retail store a couple miles away. My buddy told me after I started this project. Very awesome.

I finished with this CG cleaner wax. I had bought this early last year just to bust out a waxing cycle and call it done because my old pads were getting worn and I was low on other chemicals. I was happy with it then and now, in a pinch.

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I used my old 32" wall-hung LCD TV and old Apple TV to keep me company as a juke box. The whole ordeal was ~8 hours.

After the cut-polish, the rest is anticlimactic on a light-colored car like this, but as the surfaces polishes finer and finer, the definition of the body styling comes into play. Reflection pools and highlights tighten up and the results are really nice.

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