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sandt38

SSA Tech Team
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Everything posted by sandt38

  1. sandt38

    Welcome to the IHoP v.2

    Tell me about it. it's already a mess (holy fuckin' pollen batman!), but damn it washes clean and like new shiny so easily.
  2. sandt38

    Welcome to the IHoP v.2

    I'm biting my tongue here...
  3. sandt38

    Welcome to the IHoP v.2

    Prepping the windshield and back glass for coating. This coating provides exceptional water repellency at speeds as low as 30 mph to allow for safe and clear vision. It also helps reduce wiper blade friction for a smooth and quiet wiper glide. The coating provides a barrier against bugs, road oil/contamination, environmental fall out, and water spots from adhering to the glass and makes cleaning them easy.
  4. sandt38

    Welcome to the IHoP v.2

    Lug nuts cleaned up and wheel wells deep cleaned so time for the wheels to go back on and torqued to spec.
  5. sandt38

    Welcome to the IHoP v.2

    After he goes paint decontamination he uses this, then he coats.
  6. sandt38

    Welcome to the IHoP v.2

    Sorry I have been gone this week. We were busy at the shop and preparing for our trip next week. I doubt I will get on much for a couple weeks, but I'll do a thread on his processes as promised. Mike, a coating would work to a certain extent. Mark still recommends washing once every couple of weeks to prevent staining from bird shit and other organics. Before preforming any coating surfaces must be perfected. Thorough paint correction and cleaning is imperative, or else imperfections will be greatly magnified. Special care products are also required. I was told to use CarPro Reset Intensive Shampoo for washes. 1 Oz is enough for 5 gallons of water, and it costs ~$30 a liter shipped to my door. Mark recommends using a booster (the booster for my coating is effectively like a spray detailer in application) every 8-12 months to prolong the life and beauty of the coating. I have already set appointments up for fall for a boost and refresh, and spring for the same. The coatings he used are listed above, plus a luster enhancer that I will include below for you. He buys most of his stuff at Autogeek.net
  7. sandt38

    Welcome to the IHoP v.2

    41 Hours was put into the complete and thorough detail of this 2017 Subaru Impreza! The paint was perfected through a one stage paint correction which removed any swirls and paint defects that may have incured at the factory/dealership. This in turn brought out even more gloss and clarity to the Lapis Blue paint. It was then coated with 22ple VX PRO2 for protection that last years, not months. The hydrophobic capabilities of the coating will make cleaning it easier as well as helping to keep it clean longer. It will also provide some mar resistance to help keep the paint looking its best. The complete list of services it received: - One stage paint correction - Paint and lights coated with 22ple VX PRO2 - Trim/grills deep cleaned and coated with CarPro DLUX - Wheels FULLY polished (barrels, face, and lips) and coated with 2 layers of 22ple VR1 - Tires coated - Windshield and back glass polished and coated - Wheel wells deep cleaned - Paint decontamination via chemical and mechanical means - Interior thoroughly cleaned including hatch - Door jambs and inside gas door cleaned - door jambs received a light polish and inside gas door was coated with CarPro DLUX - Engine bay cleaned
  8. sandt38

    Welcome to the IHoP v.2

    Thanks, fellas! And Mike, he has a recommendation in Amarillo if that is close by.
  9. sandt38

    Welcome to the IHoP v.2

    Thanks. It looks better then the day I took possession of it with 6 miles on the odo.
  10. sandt38

    Welcome to the IHoP v.2

    Not elites, unfortunately. Just Ti12D subs. One is unopened, still sealed in the bag. I may just keep them.
  11. sandt38

    Welcome to the IHoP v.2

    Sky Reflection in the hood.
  12. sandt38

    Welcome to the IHoP v.2

    OK, so I have a pair of Phoenix Gold Ti 12D subs from ~2003. They are barely used, in nearly perfect shape, come in original boxes with all original paperwork. What do you guys think they are worth?
  13. sandt38

    Welcome to the IHoP v.2

    I guess I could do that. It could give people a better idea of the depths a real detail, and detailer, will go to make a car look like new. I can also grab other pics and info to share from him. He works on everything from Teslas, to Porsches, down to measly Subarus and Honda Oddesseys. Where should I put it?
  14. sandt38

    Welcome to the IHoP v.2

    Driver's side door handle and well before and after Mark worked his magic. You can see the pearl flake in these pics
  15. sandt38

    Welcome to the IHoP v.2

    Little balance weight is a sign of a well built tire, Neal. Killer deal!
  16. sandt38

    Welcome to the IHoP v.2

    Thanks guys. I know I am fortunate, beyond belief. I actually met Mark 15 years ago on a car audio forum meet up in NC. I've seen him build some impressive vehicles. He's in to lowriders. All are featured in magazines. Then he sells them. He currently has a newish slammed Miata. His work is truly stunning. Like me he trusts very few people with his cars. It makes me proud that he trusts no one with his vehicles but me, and it has been that way since he saw me work well over a decade ago. I'm dying to pick it up tomorrow!
  17. sandt38

    Welcome to the IHoP v.2

    Before polishing begins, a thorough inspection of the paint is performed using various lights and a paint depth gauge to assess the condition of the paint and look for defects. In my opinion, what makes a true professional detailer is someone who has the tools and knowledge to fully assess a vehicles paint, use that info to correct paint defects, and at the same time leave as much clear coat as possible. This paint depth gauge allows me to accurately assess the current condition and history of the paint. These readings will tell me if there are any areas where the clear coat is thin (due to heavy sanding/compounding or even sprayed at the factory) and to be very cautious working that area or avoid alltogether. It will also indicate if a spot or panel has been repaired/repainted which may react differently to the correction process used on the rest of the vehicle. So why am I even bothering using it on a brand new vehicle that the owner has never had detailed? Well, I believe you can never be too cautious and repairs DO happen to brand new vehicles at dealerships. Mark only has one tool box... like a damn mirror!
  18. sandt38

    Welcome to the IHoP v.2

    I don't think I could do that. I admire the amount of effort and detail that goes into this kind of work, I also admire the skill and patience, but it is not for me.
  19. sandt38

    Welcome to the IHoP v.2

    Wheels polished and tires are prepped for coating. Matte finish tire coating is cured and completely dry to the touch. This coating is a polymer-based semi-permanent dressing that will last 3-6 months under normal driving conditions!! It forms a flexible dry film that will not smudge, sling, or attract dirt/dust like traditional tire dressings do. Once treated this coating is NOT damaged by detergents, pressure washers, car washes, acids, alkalis, or road salt. First layer of 22PLE VM1 Extreme applied to wheel lips, faces, and barrels. The second coat will be applied after they have fully cured. The semi-pernament protective coating will protect the wheels from harmful road grime and brake dust build up. The high silica-content glass barrier provides an amazing level of gloss and will provide up to 2-3 years of protection! Also makes cleaning the wheels easier and helps keep them clean longer as well!
  20. sandt38

    Welcome to the IHoP v.2

    That's why I trust my car to him.
  21. sandt38

    Welcome to the IHoP v.2

    The barrel of the wheels, before and after polishing, ready for coating. Polishing Before and after pics of before polishing the wheels and after.
  22. sandt38

    Welcome to the IHoP v.2

    Aside from what he is sending me, I don't know much of his methods. The coating is something that has been seeing the rounds for about 7 or 8 years. It is applied like a epoxy, but it is super slippery, and extremely hydrophobic. Any damage that occurs to it can be fixed with a simple wet sand and polish, similar to any painted surface, without reducing the properties of the coating. It can also be stripped and reapplied when it shows signs of wear. Effectively it becomes a barrier to avoid damage to the paint. Since the paint on Subarus is so soft, I wanted the best protection I could get. The coating eliminates the need for waxing, and really the ability to wax. Until it starts to receive scratches after a year or 2, it will be so slippery that it will cause wax to roll off it. Locally, a shop called The Shine Shop charges roughly $1500 for the paint correction and coating alone! The cost of the total detail for my car from Mark, as I am presenting it here, is $1200. He doesn't have the overhead that a place like The Shine Shop has, and he passes it on to his customers. He is fully accredited, and insured. He is charging me $200. Effectively his cost for just for the coating. He has a Ranger that needed heads, brakes, a water pump, tune up, and ABS light fixed. I did that work in trade, plus I get a free freshen up before winter. He is involved in the detailing community. I could ask him for recommendations in Texas. What city center should I ask about?
  23. sandt38

    Welcome to the IHoP v.2

    If I'm boring you guys, let me know. Just wanting to show the stages my buddy uses for his detail work... and how damn well he is treating my car. I'm really fortunate that I have a friend who does this as well as he does.
  24. sandt38

    Welcome to the IHoP v.2

    I was hoping the 2018 WRXs would be based on the new global platform. I was considering buying one. It got good reviews. I'm going to wait for the 2019s.
  25. sandt38

    Welcome to the IHoP v.2

    Thanks! It is darker in person. There is a ridiculous amount of pearl fleck in it too.
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