Complete Detailing of 07' WK Limited

[Joe in PA]

Finally got started on the detailing of my WK today and didn't get nearly as far as I had hoped to. Managed to remove a bunch of trim pieces (rear step pad, roof rack mounts, front lip, lic plate) to make buffing a little easier without a lot of taping. Next up was using a highly concentrated APC to clean up the wheel wells, the rear bumper where the step pad was removed, the lower front pumper and rockers. Also used the same APC at a lower concentration to clean up the door jams and around the rear hatch. After all that, finally got around to actually washing the Jeep and after blowing off the excess water and towel drying, I was ready to call it a day.

First thing tomorrow I hope to be able to clay bar the entire Jeep (paint, windows, lights, plastic and every other square inch) and then take a good look at the condition of the paint before deciding how to proceed. I was hoping to get away with just a single polish, sealer and wax. Judging by some of the pics below, I might be in for a full 3 stage polishing. Some of the damage is going to have to wait till I get touch-up paint before it can be addressed properly. :(

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p214/joe_hepp/07Grand/Sept2010Detail/01RoofRackBefore.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p214/joe_hepp/07Grand/Sept2010Detail/03RearStepBefore.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p214/joe_hepp/07Grand/Sept2010Detail/04RearStepAfter.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p214/joe_hepp/07Grand/Sept2010Detail/07Grill.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p214/joe_hepp/07Grand/Sept2010Detail/05WheelwellBefore.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p214/joe_hepp/07Grand/Sept2010Detail/06WheelwellAfter.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p214/joe_hepp/07Grand/Sept2010Detail/09RoofChipsDamageBefore.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p214/joe_hepp/07Grand/Sept2010Detail/08HoodChipBefore.jpg

[GR33N D3M0N]

thats a LOT of work! btw wats APC??

[Scottina06]

all purpose cleaner

[Joe in PA]

APC is All Purpose Cleaner and most brands that sell detailing products have some sort of APC in their lineup.

I tend to use meguiar's APC+ which I purchase by the gallon. It can be diluted 4:1 with water for use as a degreaser and tar remover or mixed up at 10:1 as a mild strength cleaner. I also throw a couple oz in the wash bucket when I want to remove all the existing wax/sealant on a vehicle in prep for polishing the paint.

[Scottina06]

your wife must drive that jeep Joe......LOL

Thats the dirtiest step pad ive ever seen......

[DAVY27]

cant wait to see the final results!

[GR33N D3M0N]

thanks! i need to get me some...

[Joe in PA]

Thats the dirtiest step pad ive ever seen......

I am seriously thinking about picking up a new one and maybe attempting to wrap the old one in vinyl and clear coat at some point over the winter months .....

[Scottina06]

do it....I have an inferno painted one on my Jeep right now...but im not sure it looks right. i may have it sprayed black clear....

[DJ BoNiOmArIo]

wow Joe that is a lot of work

[Joe in PA]

Almost forgot just how deceptively big the outside of a WK really is! Almost got the entire thing clayed but have fallen way behind the schedule I'd set for getting this done. :D

No doubt now, this is going to take a full 3 step polishing and even that won't eliminate some of the existing paint damage.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p214/joe_hepp/07Grand/Sept2010Detail/ClayLubeMF.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p214/joe_hepp/07Grand/Sept2010Detail/FrontLeftFenderBefore.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p214/joe_hepp/07Grand/Sept2010Detail/LeftFrontBumperBefore.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p214/joe_hepp/07Grand/Sept2010Detail/RearLeftBumper.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p214/joe_hepp/07Grand/Sept2010Detail/RearLeftFenderBefore.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p214/joe_hepp/07Grand/Sept2010Detail/RightFrontFenderBefore.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p214/joe_hepp/07Grand/Sept2010Detail/RightRockerBefore01.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p214/joe_hepp/07Grand/Sept2010Detail/RightRockerBefore02.jpg

[Scottina06]

M105 would get most of that out

[dubwarren]

what does running a clay bar over the glass do? i hope you say it would get rid of rain spot stains. if that doesnt do it, any idea what would?

[Joe in PA]

I prefer Meguiar's Ultimate Compound over the 105 as I find it has a longer working time. I generally can't get past 3 or 4 panel passes with the 105.

I do the glass while claying to remove whatever isn't removed during the washing. Makes it a lot easier to clean the glass after all the paint correction is done with little more than a good glass cleaner and microfiber towels. Good news about water spots on glass is that they don't tend to etch the glass like they can on clear coat. A clay bar will take them off as will vinegar. I would suggest using a microfiber towel dampened with vinegar to wipe the spots away. You really don't want to spray or pour the vinegar and risk having any end up on you paint or trim.

[dubwarren]

thanks joe. white vinegar? or the other kind...??

[Joe in PA]

A cheap one! :D

All you really want is the acidity of the vinegar, which will help to dissolve the mineral deposits that make up a water spot, long enough to wipe them off the glass.

[muellge]

while your at it, move the hemi badge from the door. Looks out of place and poorly placed, in my opinion. front quarter panel where euro running light is or somewhere else other than the door. maybe the hood like the challengers. door = jcwhitney exploded on car.

[Walt]

.... long enough to wipe them off the glass.
You left the wiping cloths on your avatar. Please rectify this lack of attention to detail in future posts. :D

Nice work though.

[dubwarren]

thanks joe. its been driving me crazy.

[Joe in PA]

while your at it, move the hemi badge from the door.
I've been thinking of taking those and the trail rated badge off the side of the Jeep. The JEEP badges on the hood and l**tgate will remain as they have a long brand history. ;)

[Joe in PA]

I f (f that tbj!) I had the ability to remove the cloth from my avatar or take pics of the lady topless, chances are I wouldn't be spending my time detailing the Jeeps or even posting on JG! :eek:

Did a test spot on the hood using M105, M205 and BlackFire's Gloss Enhancing Polish. Had to use the M105 as it turns out my bottle of the Meguiar's Ultimate Compound was pretty much empty. Things turned out pretty good and left me feeling like I'd be able to correct just about every thing but the nasty scrape along the left rocker and rear door. Using the M105 reminded me again why I won't be buying any more, so I ran out to autozone for a fresh bottle of UC.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p214/joe_hepp/07Grand/Sept2010Detail/100_5687.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p214/joe_hepp/07Grand/Sept2010Detail/100_5693.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p214/joe_hepp/07Grand/Sept2010Detail/100_5706.jpg

[Jim Hef]

...if that doesnt do it, any idea what would?
I use Bar Keeper's Friend, a polishing cleanser that can be found at the home supply shops or at Sears. Spray Windex or similar, sprinkle with the cleanser, and then work onto the glass like you were using rubbing polish. It's meant for these kind of surfaces, and will completely remove all the road debris and bug parts in a simple application.

[Joe in PA]

The first round of polishing is complete (Meguiar's Ultimate Coumpond) and things are looking pretty good so far .....

Before:
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p214/joe_hepp/07Grand/Sept2010Detail/LeftFrontBumperBefore.jpg

After:
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p214/joe_hepp/07Grand/Sept2010Detail/100_5709.jpg

Before:
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p214/joe_hepp/07Grand/Sept2010Detail/FrontLeftFenderBefore.jpg

After:
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p214/joe_hepp/07Grand/Sept2010Detail/100_5711.jpg

Before:
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p214/joe_hepp/07Grand/Sept2010Detail/RearLeftBumper.jpg

After:
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p214/joe_hepp/07Grand/Sept2010Detail/100_5713.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p214/joe_hepp/07Grand/Sept2010Detail/100_5714.jpg

Before:
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p214/joe_hepp/07Grand/Sept2010Detail/RightRockerBefore01.jpg

After:
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p214/joe_hepp/07Grand/Sept2010Detail/100_5719.jpg

Before:
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p214/joe_hepp/07Grand/Sept2010Detail/RightRockerBefore02.jpg

After:
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p214/joe_hepp/07Grand/Sept2010Detail/100_5718.jpg

[Joe in PA]

I have now but in between 2 & 5 hrs a day for a week on this detail and things are starting to come together. All that is left is to treat all the rubber weatherstripping, one last coat of wax, clean the glass (inside & out) and reinstall the grill, bumper pad, rood rack, front air dam and rear wiper hold down. I can then turn my attention to the interior which shouldn't take nearly as long.

Hey Scott, how's my rear bumper pad looking now? :D

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p214/joe_hepp/07Grand/Sept2010Detail/100_5727.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p214/joe_hepp/07Grand/Sept2010Detail/100_5728.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p214/joe_hepp/07Grand/Sept2010Detail/100_5733.jpg

[DJ BoNiOmArIo]

wow Joe that is nice and clean

[Joe in PA]

Still need to clean/wax the wheels and dress the tires .....

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p214/joe_hepp/07Grand/Sept2010Detail/100_5745.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p214/joe_hepp/07Grand/Sept2010Detail/100_5744.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p214/joe_hepp/07Grand/Sept2010Detail/100_5743.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p214/joe_hepp/07Grand/Sept2010Detail/100_5739.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p214/joe_hepp/07Grand/Sept2010Detail/100_5738.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p214/joe_hepp/07Grand/Sept2010Detail/100_5737.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p214/joe_hepp/07Grand/Sept2010Detail/100_5735.jpg

[Scottina06]

nice job Joe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jim Hef]

Looking good, and that heat gun treatment to the step really worked well!

[Chaoul1]

Wow! I'm not kidding Joe! That looks great! Awesome job! THe paint looks sooooooooo clean!

[Hemi_05]

Nice job Joe

[Megatron]

Looks immaculate

[GR33N D3M0N]

damn joe, lookin good.....btw in the picture where u can see ur reflection, u look like the most interesting man in the world, from the dos eqius commercials lol

[Jim Hef]

Any guy from SW PA will tell you that he is!!! :lol:

[Joe in PA]

Thanks guys! The Jeep just made a 450 mile round trip to upstate NY and has a nice coating of bugs on the front bumper, windshield and mirrors that need to be removed today. The fall foliage sure did look nice along the northern tier of PA and southern tier of NY.

If only I had the women of that old dude in the dos eqius commercials ..... :D