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Detailing a Tank (Land Rover D3 content)
07-05-2010, 10:57 AM
Post: #1
Detailing a Tank (Land Rover D3 content)
As mentioned in my thread about the Polo, the owner was so impressed that he asked me to also detail his other car. Now on weekends this bra rolls in a fairly new Land Rover Discovery V8 HSE, while listening to Jack Parow... Rofl

This was the most expensive car I have detailed to date and I must admit, trying my hand on a R650k vehicle was a bit intimidating...

I did this detail towards the mid of March, while I was battling to finish off my work at my previous employer before moving to Cape Town. In hind sight, I did not really have the time to do this job, but I promised the owner and I had to do it before I left JHB. I also did not realise how big this car really was – specially compared to a 2 door Polo!

As always, advice, feedback or comments very welcome.

IIRC, the vehicle had about 25k km’s on the clock when I got it, which meant it was still very new, but was nicely run in (including a few off road trips and rally spectating excursion which I also attended) and could therefore do with a nice clean.

The biggest problems were on the bonnet and driver door. The former was scratched by the dealership during a service (looked like they rubbed it down with some 400 grit paper) and the latter was “attacked” by a very friendly dog which left some serious scratches on the paint work. (Unfortunately my photographic skills are still lacking and these scratches are not shown clearly.)

Firstly some random before pics

Exterior
Nothing serious apart from some road grime and the mentioned scratches...

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The engine bay showed signs of going off road...

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Interior
The interior did not look too bad for an 8 month old car and the only real dirt was at the front seating positions.

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Detailing:
1. Chassis & Wheels

And so the fun starts. While jacking the front of the vehicle up I could feel my 2.5 ton trolley jack was struggling. I decided to just do 2 wheels at a time on this car as I did not want to risk it falling down (on my newly tarred driveway). This is one heavy mother of a car...

I first removed the front wheels and cleaned and waxed them and the wheel arches (similar process as with the Polo) and then repeated this step for the rear.

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This step took much longer than planned and I had to call it a day.
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2. 1st Wash Down

The next day I gave the car a complete was down using a diluted APC solution and Meg Gold Class Shampoo - again still using the Karcher Foaming Lance...

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3. Interior Clean
The next day, I first vacuumed the complete car, where after I cleaned the carpets with Adams Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner and the trim panels and seats with Adams Leather Cleaner. I finished them off with CG - Leather Conditioner Restore. I also cleaned the loose rubber carpets.

4. Polishing & Waxing
The day after, I inspected the paint work under some fluorescent lights. Not too bad apart for the scratches on the door and bonnet...

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After taping the car up with some blue tape, I followed a similar 4 step process as on the Polo: I first clayed the complete car using a clay bar and lube. Thereafter I applied two Menz products (SIP & Final Finish) using the Megs G220 DA polisher and LC pads. Finally, I gave it a good layer of Collonite wax by hand.

5. Final touches
I again used Megs Gold Class Trim Detailer, Megs Plasti-X and Mothers® Glass Cleaner for the final touches.

Final condition of the D3 - before it left my house...

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Thank you for looking!
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07-05-2010, 11:25 AM
Post: #2
RE: Detailing a Tank (Land Rover D3 content)
WOW, awesome work once again man.... ClapClap The tanl looks awesome...
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07-05-2010, 12:30 PM
Post: #3
RE: Detailing a Tank (Land Rover D3 content)
Awesome work there PaulVW ... last time the wheels of the Polo was transformed and stood out ... this time the engine area stood out for me ... Well done!!! Clap

So you moved down to CPT ... looks like another one for Cape Town ...
still longing for that Cape Town Detail Day ....
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07-05-2010, 01:08 PM
Post: #4
RE: Detailing a Tank (Land Rover D3 content)
Nicely done Paul....SUV's are always the pits in terms of their sheer size. You did this girl proud and I am sure the owner was well pleased with the results Thumb

David : 083 642 2118
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07-05-2010, 03:25 PM (This post was last modified: 07-05-2010 03:27 PM by jagged.)
Post: #5
RE: Detailing a Tank (Land Rover D3 content)
Car looks awesome...again..your work is inspiring... Excited Thumbsup2

I see now, from your example, that my main mistake is trying to do all I can in a few matter of hours on one afternoon after work and burning myself out... instead of perhaps splitting up my work into two days i.e. clean inside and tyres on one day and wash, polish and wax the next...as time nowadays is in short supply and with winter creeping around the corner the sun sets a bit more early Thinkerg
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07-05-2010, 03:35 PM
Post: #6
RE: Detailing a Tank (Land Rover D3 content)
[Image: Steve.jpg]

[Image: Waxonwaxoff2.jpg]
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07-05-2010, 04:18 PM (This post was last modified: 07-05-2010 04:28 PM by PaulVW.)
Post: #7
RE: Detailing a Tank (Land Rover D3 content)
(07-05-2010 11:25 AM)Wayno Wrote:  WOW, awesome work once again man.... ClapClap The tanl looks awesome...

Thanks Wayno Thumb
(07-05-2010 12:30 PM)Jughead Wrote:  Awesome work there PaulVW ... last time the wheels of the Polo was transformed and stood out ... this time the engine area stood out for me ... Well done!!! Clap

So you moved down to CPT ... looks like another one for Cape Town ...
still longing for that Cape Town Detail Day ....

Thanks Jughead Thumb
Yes, I must say the engine bay did come out nice.

Yes, I am still in the process of moving. I plan to be staying in the Blouberg / Melkbos area. We must definitely have a detail day - the only problem is that I will most probably only move my kit down here in July / August.

As a side note - I will need a bigger garage here - no way one can work outside in this wind Nono
(07-05-2010 01:08 PM)Carn Wrote:  Nicely done Paul....SUV's are always the pits in terms of their sheer size. You did this girl proud and I am sure the owner was well pleased with the results Thumb

Thanks David!
Yes, the size of this thing was so big, I battled to get the complete car in the pics (even with my camera completely zoomed out) Rofl
(07-05-2010 03:25 PM)jagged Wrote:  Car looks awesome...again..your work is inspiring... Excited Thumbsup2

I see now, from your example, that my main mistake is trying to do all I can in a few matter of hours on one afternoon after work and burning myself out... instead of perhaps splitting up my work into two days i.e. clean inside and tyres on one day and wash, polish and wax the next...as time nowadays is in short supply and with winter creeping around the corner the sun sets a bit more early Thinkerg

Thanks jagged! Yes, you really must not rush these jobs. Idealy you need the car stationary for at least 2 to 3 days but this is normally difficult, unless the guy owns 2 cars.
(07-05-2010 03:35 PM)onyx Wrote:  [Image: Steve.jpg]

RoflRoflRofl Thanks onyx Thumb
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07-05-2010, 06:08 PM
Post: #8
RE: Detailing a Tank (Land Rover D3 content)
Brilliant job again

what is your process for the engine bay?

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07-05-2010, 06:10 PM
Post: #9
RE: Detailing a Tank (Land Rover D3 content)
Great work, sharp finish and the engine work looks awesome.
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07-05-2010, 06:23 PM (This post was last modified: 07-05-2010 06:25 PM by PaulVW.)
Post: #10
RE: Detailing a Tank (Land Rover D3 content)
(07-05-2010 06:08 PM)dood786 Wrote:  Brilliant job again

what is your process for the engine bay?

Thanks Dood!
Basically I just clean everything - spraying on an APC and engine cleaner (if required). I then give it a good rinse down with the Karcher and let it dry. Once dried, I dress all the black plastic parts with a generous amount of Megs GC Trim Detailer and I spray the rubber hoses with Autoglym Rubber & Vinyl Care (not sure about the full name).
(07-05-2010 06:10 PM)calypso Wrote:  Great work, sharp finish and the engine work looks awesome.

Thanks calypso Thumb
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07-05-2010, 09:36 PM
Post: #11
RE: Detailing a Tank (Land Rover D3 content)
Very Nice Paul !!!!

Carn u better watch ur back China !!!!!Bluebiggrin

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07-05-2010, 10:09 PM
Post: #12
RE: Detailing a Tank (Land Rover D3 content)
Perfect

thanx

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07-05-2010, 11:55 PM
Post: #13
RE: Detailing a Tank (Land Rover D3 content)
Great job. So now you know what it's like trying to detail in this CT wind. You gauties are spoilt.

I like the finish you get on the wheels.
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08-05-2010, 12:47 AM
Post: #14
RE: Detailing a Tank (Land Rover D3 content)
Dudes i can host the detail day, its about getting all the guys together
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08-05-2010, 06:54 AM
Post: #15
RE: Detailing a Tank (Land Rover D3 content)
Your work is of an excellent standard Paul. The attention to detail is brilliant and your customers are truly spoiled.

Another great detail Clap


(07-05-2010 09:36 PM)Lambchop Wrote:  Carn u better watch ur back China !!!!!Bluebiggrin

Did you really think Paul was leaving town on his own accord. Rumour has it that there was a duel at dawn with foam guns as weapons of choice. Carn, as the sole distributor of high quality foam guns was at an advantage against the plain Karcher foam lance of Paul and it apparently wasn't a pretty sight.

Well battled brave Paul, but this town simply isn't big enough for both of you - but Jhb's loss is CT's gain. Bluebiggrin
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08-05-2010, 09:14 AM
Post: #16
RE: Detailing a Tank (Land Rover D3 content)
(07-05-2010 09:36 PM)Lambchop Wrote:  Carn u better watch ur back China !!!!!Bluebiggrin
I see so Icon9

Paul can have all the SUV's with the greatest of pleasure Rofl


On a more serious note, the auto aficionado's of the mother city are fast becoming spoilt for choice when it comes to detailing products and services Clap

David : 083 642 2118
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08-05-2010, 10:14 AM
Post: #17
RE: Detailing a Tank (Land Rover D3 content)
(08-05-2010 09:14 AM)Carn Wrote:  
(07-05-2010 09:36 PM)Lambchop Wrote:  Carn u better watch ur back China !!!!!Bluebiggrin
I see so Icon9

Paul can have all the SUV's with the greatest of pleasure Rofl


On a more serious note, the auto aficionado's of the mother city are fast becoming spoilt for choice when it comes to detailing products and services Clap

Hmmmmmm im moving to CPT Bluebiggrin

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10-05-2010, 07:07 AM
Post: #18
RE: Detailing a Tank (Land Rover D3 content)
(08-05-2010 10:14 AM)Lambchop Wrote:  
(08-05-2010 09:14 AM)Carn Wrote:  
(07-05-2010 09:36 PM)Lambchop Wrote:  Carn u better watch ur back China !!!!!Bluebiggrin
I see so Icon9

Paul can have all the SUV's with the greatest of pleasure Rofl


On a more serious note, the auto aficionado's of the mother city are fast becoming spoilt for choice when it comes to detailing products and services Clap

Hmmmmmm im moving to CPT Bluebiggrin

New_shocked
Thanks for the kind words Lambchop, springbok & Woodie Bluebiggrin

But I still have a lot to learn from the master Carn and you other detailing guru's Worshippy Worshippy Worshippy

Thinkerg While I wait for my detail kit to arrive and this Cape Winter rain to pass, I will revert to reading some of your older detail threads for more tips and advice Thumbsup2
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06-03-2011, 12:42 PM
Post: #19
RE: Detailing a Tank (Land Rover D3 content)
Talk about a blast from the past.

Sadly, this past week one of my favourite cars detailed was transformed by a truck while stationary at a traffic light Bawling Argue

Not the sort of scars that will buff out and unfortunately the car is in JHB so not even Dents 'N All can assist...

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06-03-2011, 01:06 PM
Post: #20
RE: Detailing a Tank (Land Rover D3 content)
OMG! It's not only dents, but the panels have been torn. Thinking
You've got so much to replace before you can work this ride out.

Btw, you did a fine job on the Land Rover, esp. the engine and the arches were stunning Clap (Better than showroom).

You've got some real work to do now. Bon courage Thumb.
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