1998 Tahoe with 68,500 miles on the clock.
This belongs to a buddy at work. He left to go out of town and asked if I could take care of doing the detail.
Process –
I’m not really sure where to start on this part as I tried many different combinations of machines, pads and products.

Exterior –
This puppy was badly swirled, marred and scratched.
I feel like I did well in reducing the defects by at least 75%.
Wash with Meguiars Gold Class Shampoo and a light sheepskin mit.
Clay using fine grade Blue Magic clay.
Re-wash.
Tried several methods and settled on a Hitachi Rotary with a White CCS pad and a mix of High Temp Extreme Cut and Optimum Polish (EC/OP).
Follow with PC and an Orange pad with SSR2.
IPA wipe down.
Apply Jeff’s Werkstat Acrylic Jett (AJ) twice.
Pulled the Tahoe outside and found buffer trails on the right side where I had used the PC and Green pad with Poorboys SSR1.
Bryan came by and we re-polished the right side with the PC an Orange pad and some Menzerna Intensive Polish (IP).
IPA wipe down.
Applied Jeff’s Werkstat “Trigger”.
Chrome and wheels got Blue Magic metal polish.
Exterior black plastic got Mothers Back to Black.

Interior –
You just have to love interiors this nice.
Vacuum.
Spot treat carpet.
Plastic trim got APC wipe down at 10:1.
Front seats got APC 10:1 and Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.
Back seats got APC 10:1.
Plastic trim was dressed with Aerospace Protectant 303.
Seats got Poorboys Leather Stuff.
All glass got Stoner Invisible Glass from the pump bottle.
The tires got “No Touch” as the owner will be replacing them shortly and said not to worry about them.
Click for the bigger pic.
Arrival and pre-wash.
http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/medium/02-26-07_98_Tahoe_016.jpg (http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/02-26-07_98_Tahoe_016.jpg)
Left Pillar aft of passenger door.
http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/medium/02-26-07_98_Tahoe_034.jpg (http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/02-26-07_98_Tahoe_034.jpg)
Looks like the drivers door has been repainted. It also had some strange marring that was painted over as well.
The left front fender was also repainted and had the same type of marring.
http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/medium/02-26-07_98_Tahoe_049.jpg (http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/02-26-07_98_Tahoe_049.jpg)
http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/medium/02-26-07_98_Tahoe_050.jpg (http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/02-26-07_98_Tahoe_050.jpg)
http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/medium/02-26-07_98_Tahoe_061.jpg (http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/02-26-07_98_Tahoe_061.jpg)
Close up of painted over marring on left front fender.
http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/medium/02-26-07_98_Tahoe_065.jpg (http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/02-26-07_98_Tahoe_065.jpg)
Comparison shot of drivers door. Left side polished.
http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/medium/02-26-07_98_Tahoe_089.jpg (http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/02-26-07_98_Tahoe_089.jpg)
All Done.
http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/medium/02-28-07_PT3_98_Tahoe_005.jpg (http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/02-28-07_PT3_98_Tahoe_005.jpg)
http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/medium/02-28-07_PT3_98_Tahoe_009.jpg (http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/02-28-07_PT3_98_Tahoe_009.jpg)
http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/medium/02-28-07_PT3_98_Tahoe_018.jpg (http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/02-28-07_PT3_98_Tahoe_018.jpg)
http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/medium/02-28-07_PT3_98_Tahoe_020.jpg (http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/02-28-07_PT3_98_Tahoe_020.jpg)
http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/medium/02-28-07_PT3_98_Tahoe_021.jpg (http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/02-28-07_PT3_98_Tahoe_021.jpg)
http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/medium/02-28-07_PT3_98_Tahoe_008.jpg (http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/02-28-07_PT3_98_Tahoe_008.jpg)
http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/medium/02-28-07_PT3_98_Tahoe_017.jpg (http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/02-28-07_PT3_98_Tahoe_017.jpg)

Another great detail Jim!

Thanks Justin.
This one wore me out. It was a tough one for sure.

Yeah I bet it did wear you out! There is a lot of area to cover. Are you starting to become more comfortable with the Hitachi?

It was the first time to use it exclusively. I've run one a little bit before but not to this extent.
I like the Hitachi as it is light weight compared to other rotarys. My experience with others is VERY limited but I know I like the Hitachi best so far. It is quiter than the PC too, which I like.
I don't like the fact that you can do damage with it. I continue to read odds and ends about procedures for the rotary.

Dude, that rig looks great...bet you got enough exercise to last you for a while....:)

ORIGINAL: TPony

Dude, that rig looks great...bet you got enough exercise to last you for a while....:)


Thanks TPony.
I sure did get a work out. Sort of like going to the gym for 10 hours when you have not been there in months. :D

Ha..know the feeling exactly...got an expedition, not as big as the tahoe, but big enough to poop me out specially after doing the Stang...[sm=roll.gif]