Detailing the V

[norahcrv]

I finally took a Friday off work in order to have three days to dedicate to the long overdue summer prep of my 2004 CR-V. The summer sun has already started beating down here in AZ - over 100 degrees Friday, Saturday & expected to continue through the coming week.

I started Thursday night with a wash (PB`s Super Slick`nSuds in the foam gun), hit the tires with Purple Power APC (cut 10:1) & a scrub brush to remove old dressing remnants), and used Clay Magic lube & clay. I didn`t take any before pics, because it was still looking "good", but it hasn`t felt "slick" for some time. Now I could feel the slickness returning

Friday I spent six hours in the garage, starting with a once over with Klasse AIO applied with a Megs Polishing Pad on the PC on 2, then boosted to 5. After wiping it off with a PB`s Green Ultra m/f (St. Patrick`s Day special), I went over the two year old paint very carefully & could not find a scratch or swirl anywhere. So I passed on my planned SSR1 step, and went directly to CK Vanilla Moose applied by hand with a m/f covered foam applicator. Using a DC Prestige Polishing cloth, the VM removed like butter, and the few times the towel folded on itself, it was nice not to have to worry about any edges to cause marring.

Here are two shots taken in the garage after the VM was removed.



Yes, I removed the spare tire before I began




Then it was time to start on the trim . . . working in small sections, I bathed it in PB`s Trim Restore, applying it with a 1" foam paintbrush & going over & over to keep it even, then leaving it for 10 minutes, and buffing with an old m/f. On the harder plastic on the doors, I topped it with VM to see if it would help it hold up to the AZ sun.

Then it was on to applying the first layer of PB`s EX-P with a Megs Foam Finishing Pad on the PC set on 2. I removed it with PB`s DMT ("sister towel" to Dwaynes PPC), the EX-P wiped off like butter.

After that, I quickly treated the tires to a rubdown with PB`s Bold `n Bright tire dressing, backed the V out into the driveway for the following pictures:



Yes, those really were clouds up in the sky!!




Saturday morning I got up early & applied the second coat of EX-P (yes, I know, only 12 hours "cure" time), but I wanted it there before I took the V out for the day Once again, I used Megs foam finishing pad with the PC set on 2 & this time I removed it with a SMP Soft Edge MicroFiber towel - another winner in my book


A very pleasing combo

When we got home from our Saturday morning errands, I stopped in the driveway for the following pics of the V with two coats of EX-P.










Today I`ll give it the third coat of EX-P (24 hours cure time this time) and start counting the days til "waxing season"

[cwcad]

What a nice thread. I appreciate the pictures more since I have seen the vehicle personally. Believe it or not the vehicle looks better. I thought that the vehicle looked great when I saaw it a few months ago.

Your attention to the details stands out. Nice touch on the removal of the spare tire. I am not sure if I am deidcated enough to do that sort of thing but the work pays off in spades....of that I am sure.

The entire detail is scintillating!!!

[Big Leegr]

Oooo! Aaah!
When are you doing the interior?

[jaybs02]

Great job... you not only got the depth, but that flake is really popping too

[norahcrv]

Oooo! Aaah!
When are you doing the interior?

Geez, give a Mom a break!!!
Actually, the interior is pretty good, just needs a quick once over with the vac `n blo & a wipe down with PB`s NL cut 3:1 - maybe later today??

[The Chee]

Mine next??
Fantastic job on the V Norah.
what are those boxes at the back ?(pic 2)

[Scott P]

Looks nice Norah. I`ll be expecting your call for the RMG tomorrow.

[hook]

Looks great Norah! The work on the trim looks to have definitely paid off, so nice and dark.

Andrew

[joyriide1113]

If you weren`t a thousand miles away, older, a mother, and probably married, I`d take you out to dinner! Great job on the detail, but even better job on describing your processes. It really lets me know how the detail went.

I wish there were more women detailers. Sadly its just a bunch of sweaty guys.

[97F1504x4]

Very nice. Great job.

Richard

[JaredPointer]

Lookin` good Norah.

[milky]

nice one norah that`s the wettest V I`ve seen!!!!

[C. Charles Hahn]

If you weren`t a thousand miles away, older, a mother, and probably married, I`d take you out to dinner! Great job on the detail, but even better job on describing your processes. It really lets me know how the detail went.

I wish there were more women detailers. Sadly its just a bunch of sweaty guys.

I agree -- I need to find a girlfriend who likes detailing as much as I do...

[mgm2003]

Your Honda looks immaculate -absolutely spotless!

[GregCavi]

The V looks excellent!! Great flake pop!

Greg