Latest update as of August 25, 2008
pic commings very soon.......
The spark plug cover was painted to match the car, the center black was reprayed with black Spies Hecker base, and all of the lettering was repainted by hand in Spies Hecker Diamond White, and Blue Pearl, then cleared with Armor Coat (a spray on anti-chip, Anti-scratch clear....$150 for about 24 oz.)
The Armor Coat (commonly called clear bra), in and of itself is an amazing product the is the best protection one can have against scratches and rock chips. It's sprayed on as a clear, unlike the 3M or similar stick on type vinyls that yellow over time. It was and is developed and sold/distributed right here in my hometown :) .
Some more pics....
Polishing the car, taking out bigger scratches, cat paw prints....... so much work :(
Step 1: Wash Maxima/I30 with warm water and in the shad or someplace out of the sun perferably. Don't be stingy with the soap, and if you have soft water, well you're already cooler then those of us that don't. And DO NOT half-ass washing your car. It's your car, take care of it. Completely & dry.
Step 2: Sand out major scratches that won't buff out with cutting compound with 1000/2000 grit sandpaper using a sanding block with water. In my case, after my compete paint job on this car, i cut (sanded) every major panel with 800/1000/2000 to remove he orange peel, and any specks of lint or dirt that might have been there from the clear coat.
Step 3: Wipe off water and clear residue with damp non-scratching towel. Buff with a wool pad & 3M cutting compound. If the entire car is being polished, the whole car MUST be rinsed with HIGH PRESSURE, and dried yet again....panels that are being polished are to be completely free of any water throught the entire process.
Step 4: After finishing step 3, wipe area clean with clean microfiber or detailing towel. (DO NOT use 100% cotton, it WILL scratch) Using a differnt 3M pad, a dark grey foam one, apply quarter size amount of Glaze compund to seperate panels (fender, door, quarter, roof, hood gets 2-3) and so on... This step will take out any micro scratches left from the wool pad. It is very important to watch you speed and direction of the polishing pad, and to wipe area clean after you're done. Once it dries it is almosy impossible to remove.
Step 5: Proceed to wax the car, unless the entire car was buffed with Glaze. In that case RINSE the car a 3rd time :) . Rinse very well, especially in and around panel jams, trim and mouldings, mirrors. Dry off the car completely with a damp microfiber water absorbent towel (shammy as we call 'em). Water will ruin the wax's ability to stick to the freshly polished surface. Using a soft foam pad, apply the wax in circular motion untill one panel is covered, then retrace the whole panel in long lines back and forth o even out the wax and make sure every part is covered. Let dry a moment or untill it starts to haze a little. Using CLEAN, lint-free microfiber towels, wipe off the wax in a circular motion untill GLOSS finish appears. Use a clean towel for every panel.
Step 6: Step back and enjoy the 8 hours you just put into your beauiful Maxima/I30 :) Then, watch your buddies drool over your orange peel, and scratch free paint and beat them with a stick if the try to touch it haha. Jokes. But they will drool over it. And hot girlies will use it as a mirror!!
Future Upgrades:
