This is a copy of a review of a makeover that I did on my wife's 2004 Eddie Bauer Explorer. It was originally posted at meguiarsonline.com to highlight a few products utilized. Feel free to browse and ask questions. I'll be happy to answer anything that I can.




This is my wife’s new 2004 Eddie Bauer Explorer. We purchased this vehicle on February 3, 2005 used from a dealership. Per my request, the dealership didn’t do the standard dealership pre-delivery detail on it thus, most likely, eliminating some problems that would typically be encountered on a used dealership vehicle. It did, however, need some TLC after several test drives and several washes from a car wash at the dealership.

Here’s the vehicle in ‘delivery’ condition…

Salty grime extended front to back and everywhere in-between…






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While the swirling was moderate to light, being a CAR CRAZY GURU, I wanted to take them out and bring the paint back to par…






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I started by washing with Gold Class Car Wash Shampoo & Conditioner and the ‘two-bucket’ method. I utilized a Grit Guard Insert in my rinse water bucket. Starting at the top of the vehicle, I worked downward with the Lambs Wool Wash Mitt I was using. I utilized the ‘late/great’ Citri-Gel as the product of choice to clean my wheel wells and Gold Class All Wheel Cleaner on the wheels themselves. After a complete wash and a complete dry with my Microfiber Drying Towels (from PAC and Meg's), it was time to clay the entire vehicle.

I opted to use Professional Detailing Clay (actually, the old Body Shop Professional Clay – I’ve got to use old stock first!) lubricated with Final Inspection. The vehicles finish really didn’t have much bonded contamination and thus, this step went fairly quickly.

I next moved to wheels, wells, and tires. Using Hot Shine High Gloss Tire Spray, I carefully coated all of the tires. Using an applicator pad, I evened out the product and followed with a shop towel to remove any excess product. After that, I applied a liberal amount of Hot Shine to the black coatings in the wheel wells to bring out the gloss and black out the wells (this is often a step that is overlooked by many folks detailing a vehicle and is a personal pet-peeve of mine. Make sure those wells look good before sending it out to the road!!).

After getting the wheels, the wells, and the tires in good shape and a top to bottom clay, I went straight to #80 Speed Glaze applied with a polishing pad on my PC set at 4. Working the product slowly, I progressed from top to bottom, side to side until the entire vehicle was complete. I pulled the vehicle back out into the sun to assess the finish and needed to go back over one or two panels as it appeared that I got a bit too quick with the machine movement. After the second application, all was well and the paint was, generally, swirl-free.

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Switching pads to a finishing pad, I applied a coat of NXT to the entire vehicle (PC set at 3). Utilizing my free help (AKA: My Wife), we removed all of the NXT residue and opted to go for a second coat to ensure uniform coverage as well as uniform protection. After going through the same process, we pulled it back out into the sun to assess the application once more. We removed the remaining tiny spots of residue that we missed while in the low-light garage and enjoyed the swirl-free reflection…








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As I mentioned, the two main products that were utilized during this detail were, #80 Speed Glaze and NXT Generation Tech Wax Paste.



Summary of Products Utilized:

Gold Class Rich Leather Aloe Cleaner
Gold Class Rich Leather Aloe Conditioner
#39 Heavy Duty Vinyl Cleaner
Quik Interior Detailer
NXT Generation Glass Cleaner
Citri-Gel
Hot Shine High Gloss Tire Spray
Professional Detailing Clay
#80 Speed Glaze
Gold Class All Wheel Cleaner
NXT Generation Tech Wax Paste
APC+
Gold Class Car Wash Shampoo & Conditioner


Thanks for reading!


RP



DISCLAIMER: Use all products according to the manufacturers recommendations. Never use a product in a way that is not intended.

 

RP,

Nice............ Very Nice!

So how do you like the #80?

 

It's been one of my favorite products for a while (since snagging a bottle the middle of last year). It's very similar, IMO, to #9 (which is much more readily available) but may break down a bit slower requiring more 'work' time.

RP

 

Great job RP !!

 

Ya'll will probably laugh at me but....when I saw the first pic I was like..."what's wrong with that?". After seeing the end result, all I can say is WOW!! That looks awesome RP!

I'm starting to get fired up about doing mine. This thread will be very helpful THANKS!!

 

Nice job Rock and an excellent and detailed write up on your procedure. Have you ever used Clearkotes Vanilla Moose Glaze before your LSP? I've found it to be excellent to bring out that little more depth that can be had. Explorer looks awesome.

 

WOW! I couldn't beleive your results, almost like 2 different vehicles. I know what I will be doing to my truck and the old lady's car when I get a free weekend. Great job RP!

 

Thanks guys!

MT-Nope, I haven't tried that one but I have been seeing more chatter about it. I may have to check that one out... What colors do you find it to be most successful on?

RP

 

So, I'm just another guy now? ? Is that flattering or should I be insulted??

 

LOL! You know I love ya WMR!