Detailed: Lexus RX300 w/ new product reviews

W

Whitethunder46

New member
This is owned by the owner of the two Jags I posted last week.



Vehicle:

2001? 2002? Lexus RX300



Price:

$175 Base

Upgrade to Sealant: +$25

Total: $200



Time: 6 hours



Interior:

Tons of mini stains, a few large stains as well. Leather was in terrible shape, all the vinyl was ok. Basically, needed lots of love. About 95% better.



APC+ 10:1 for carpet and vinyl

Folex for spot stains

WG leather cleaner

Megs Leather Cleaner/conditioner

Optimum Protectant Plus

Doorjams cleaned w/ APC+ 10:1

Stoners Invisible Glass

DP Plex-All for plastic covered wood and instrument panel



Exterior:

Wash w/ 3gallons water and 3 oz. NXT

Wheels cleaned w/ Megs WB 4:1

Tires and Fenderwells cleaned w/ Purple Pwr 1:1

Tires shined w/ Megs silicone free dressing (tires were a little sensitive to browning)

Fenderwells shined w/ Stoner's More shine

Bugs/Tar cleaned w/ Tarminator and/or Megs Body solvent and safe scrub

Glass pre-dried w/ Guzzler and spritz of water/vinegar mix

Glass cleaned w/ Stoners Invisible Glass

Clayed w/ EBay clay and DP 4n1 mix clay lube



Paint Correction:

Rotary and 6" Edge green pad/OHC bad spots at 1500RPM

Rotary and 6" edge green pad and/OC entire car at 1300RPM

LSP DG#105



Reviews:

Metabo Rotary:

Wow, talk about buttery smooth. I've never used a rotary before until a few days ago, so nothing to compare w/ except a PC (which there is no comparison). I prefer flat 6" pads over 8" wave pads as of now, easier to control and the wave pads give a lot of "pad hop." The rotary is definitely something not to be feared like some make it sound, but there is definately a lot of power there. Be careful around plastic areas. The Lexus had minor minor blemishes for being a 6 year old car, but that's expected w/ an extremely hard clear coat. I am now going to order some Menzerna P106FF.



DP Plex-All:

Receieved this from Autogeek. I was so happy when I got it, since I was about to order some myself. This stuff is AWESOME. Worked GREAT for any plastic areas. Really took off some light oxidation the headlights/taillights had. Also, it took care of any bugs on the headlights in a matter of seconds. I will absolutely buy this again when I run out. This is a great addition to my full details since I didn't really have anything to use if the customer didn't choose polishing of the headlights for an upgrade.

Let me just say, I have no reason to try Plexus or any other kinds now.



Stoners Invisible Glass:

I've used DP Krystal Vision in the past, and wanted to try something new before I order a gallon of it. Well, I'm glad I waited, because I'm going to buy a case of this Invisible glass (aersol version). With a Cobra WW Glass towel, this stuff was incredible. IMO, better than DP's KV. It didn't streak at all on any windows, even in the 75* sun. Very, very pleased.





Pictures:

My Set-Up for the detail:

SL554741.jpg


SL554742.jpg




Water Filter:

SL554743.jpg






Before/Afters:

Clay after only HALF of the hood:

ClayBefore.jpg


ClayAfter.jpg




Floormat:

FloormatBefore.jpg


FloormatAfter.jpg




DP Plex-ALL On Headlights after 2 easy and quick coats:

DPPlexAllBefore.jpg


DPPlexAllAfter.jpg




Before of the Vehicle:

LexSUVBefore5.jpg


LexSUVBefore4.jpg


LexSUVBefore6.jpg


LexSUVBefore7.jpg


LexSUVBefore9.jpg


LexSUVBefore8.jpg


LexSUVBefore.jpg


LexSUVBefore10.jpg




Afters:

LexSUVAfter3.jpg


LexSUVAfter5.jpg


(I worked on these stains on the back of the seat for at least 20 min)

LexSUVAfter4.jpg


LexSUVAfter-1.jpg


LexSUVAfter1.jpg


LexSUVAfter2.jpg
 
First off, great organization.



I LOVE that interior job, I really have to learn how to do those stripes, it looks so damn good. How did you clean those floormats? What was your process?



Car looks amazing, glad to hear you are comfortable with the rotary. What made you choose the metabo over the hitachi or makita?



Oh and one more thing, why the extra $25 for a sealant? If you have a good reason for this I may have to start using this tactic, is it for durability purposes?



Great work again!!



Jim
 
Whitethunder46 said:
Paint Correction:

Rotary and 6" Edge green pad/OHC bad spots at 1500RPM

Rotary and 6" edge green pad and/OC entire car at 1300RPM

LSP DG#105



Reviews:

Metabo Rotary:

Wow, talk about buttery smooth. I've never used a rotary before until a few days ago, so nothing to compare w/ except a PC (which there is no comparison). I prefer flat 6" pads over 8" wave pads as of now, easier to control and the wave pads give a lot of "pad hop." The rotary is definitely something not to be feared like some make it sound, but there is definately a lot of power there. Be careful around plastic areas. The Lexus had minor minor blemishes for being a 6 year old car, but that's expected w/ an extremely hard clear coat. I am now going to order some Menzerna P106FF.
Click to expand...



glad to hear that your first rotary experiences have went well, good job buddy! :2thumbs:
 
Plex-All is a new offering from the DP line over at AG. It's similar to Plexus and a few of the other likings. I've never used anything like this before, so it was new to me also.

I simply spray a little on the headlights (it foams up real nice similar to a tire shine foam) and then wipe real good w/ a MF towel. Flip over and buff off. It removed a lot of oxidation and bugs/tar to bring back some shine.





Jim:

My procedure for my floormats is this:

Vacuum

Spot spray the stains w/ Folex

Spray entire mat w/ APC+ 10:1

Scrub until I feel clean w/ a Megs carpet/upholstery brush

Rub my finger on the spot stains and add more Folex if needed

Scrub the mat again in ONE direction, usually upwards

Turn mat around and wet vac the entire floormat in the same direction as I made my one wac scrub

Turn mat around again and vacuum the "lines" that you would like to make. Doing it this way I can choose how thick I want the lines to be



I've never used a rotary before, so I had no comparisions to make. From reading a lotttt of reviews, comparing prices, and warranties, I decided to go w/ Metabo and I'm glad I did. I also have the 3 year warranty as well.







My base full package prices are $150-$200 depending on size.

This of course includes a wax, but you can upgrade to a sealant for $25. The idea of doing a full detail for a customer, is to get their business back, so a returning customer (which the owner of the Lexus now is). Since it's a sealant, I don't HAVE to do anything additional to the exterior for abuout 6 months. Therefore, i'm technically losing money buy not getting the extra money for adding a wax every other month that would be required if there was a wax.



Let's put it this way:



Here's a break down of cost w/ a sealant compared to cost w/ wax for my basic washing prices:



Option A (Wax)

Initial wash: Wash n' Wax $60

next month: Wash n' Spray Wax $50

next time: Wash n' Wax $60

next month: Wash n' Spray Wax $50

next time: Wash n' Wax $60

next month: Wash n' Spray Wax $50

Total for those 6 months: $330



Option B (sealant):

Initial wash: Wash n' Sealant $75

next month: Wash n' spray wax $50

next month: Wash n' Spray Wax $50

next month: Wash n' Spray Wax $50

next month: Wash n' Spray Wax $50

next month: Wash n' Spray Wax $50

Total: $325 (Save $5)





So, the reason I charge more for the sealant is too get most of the money back I eventually lose by not adding a wax that I normally would do w/ wash n' waxes.



A very large number of my full details get the sealant upgrade, since I really persuade them into it since most of their vehicles are a daily driver.



I really hope that all made sense.
 
I might add for my basic washings:

Prices start at $30-$40 depending on size



For all sizes the following add-ons cost as follows:

Spray Wax: +$15

Carnauba Wax: +$25

Sealant: +$40



These prices drop for the next few packages since one of these will be included in the packages.
 
Thanks alot for the detailed post Whitethunder! I will have to try that procedure on floormats next time, I will take some pics and hopefully they turn out like yours!



Is your procedure the same on the carpets as it is on the mats?



Thanks for breaking down why you charge extra for a sealant, I figured that is why, but I just wanted to know. I think I am going to start doing that as well.



Good to hear things are going well for you, business is just starting to pick up for me, hope it stays that way.



How are you drumming up new business when referrals are slow?



Jim
 
Hey Diesel, I have the same exact vacuum and I REALLY like it. Well worth the investment! I believe i got it for $69 at Home Depot.



Jim
 
I wanna know how you got away with this:



"Rotary and 6" edge green pad and/OC entire car at 1300RPM"



Heck i wanna know how you can even control the pad.
 
Coupe said:
I wanna know how you got away with this:



"Rotary and 6" edge green pad and/OC entire car at 1300RPM"



Heck i wanna know how you can even control the pad.
Click to expand...



Well, I'm still new w/ the rotary, but as far as the control issue, there wasn't one. It was very easy to control. IMO, much easier than an 8", much less a waved 8". Again, I'm still learning w/ it. The green Edge pad is their middle aggressive pad, so nothing super major. The paint was very hard, and I don't own any Menzerna 106FF yet (my next order).



The wet/dry vac is a Ridgid 5HP/4gal vac WITH the 1 7/8" accessory car detailing kit. It came w/ a 11' 1 7/8" hose and a three accessories. I like it more than the larger 2 1/2" kit. This kit cost me only $20. The vac was $69 at HD.



Kleraudio... Actually, yesterday when doing the Lexus, I picked up three more details from a neighbor. Today, I did a detail somewhere else and picked up another detail from a neighbor.

I also work at a local country club, so I'm always staying busy when not detailing.



O, and yes, this is a similar procedure for the carpets, but I do not do lines.
 
All i use is the 6" edge2k also and i cannot control any of the cutting pads on my rotary. They jump, skip and do what they want, i cant control them.
 
Thanks for your help WhiteThunder!



I wonder if it would be good advertising to get a stand up sign to put at the end of a customers driveway with your business name and number? anyone else ever do this?



Jim
 
Great workmanship and pride on your work! on the sign for Jim , a lot of painters and other type of contractors use signs to drum up more business in the neighborhood.:goodjob
 
Angelo...I think I might try that.



I just took my bike (not motorcycle) out for a ride and stumbled upon some decent homes with nice cars in the driveways. I think I'm gonna print up some flyers and go post them on their mailboxes. Maybe I will get a bite or two??



Jim
 
kleraudio said:
Thanks for your help WhiteThunder!



I wonder if it would be good advertising to get a stand up sign to put at the end of a customers driveway with your business name and number? anyone else ever do this?



Jim
Click to expand...



Wow bro, I was thinking this EXACT same thing. I just hope it wouldn't be tacky though.

Any ideas on where to get something like this? I also thought about getting these and putting them on some busier street corners. If they aren't too expensive that is, that way if they get taken down or stolen, no biggy.
 
Were on the same level WhiteThunder!



Any sign shop should be able to make you one. I was thinking a sign like a stand up one, kind of like the wet floor signs you see in restaurants.



I dont know about street corners, I though of it, but in reality, it actually takes someone to see your work before they commit to hiring you IME. I probably wouldnt call a number I saw on the street for a detail, plus the cost of them getting taken down/stolen doesnt justify doing this for me.



If you think it might drum up some business, by all means give it a shot, it cant hurt!



Jim
 
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