2002 Red Tahoe Extreme Makeover

[Elite M.D.]

Last Saturday (April 24) I detail my family friends Tahoe that I have known my entire life. It is a 2002 and his son and I used to take it to Lake Tahoe snowboarding. As some may know, going to the mountains just tears up vehicles and the paint. I used to wash it but for a long time there kids have been washing it to make some money so you probably know what happens there. When I had my red truck, our trucks looked like they had 2 different paint jobs even though they were the same. They have done a lot for my business and me and are setting me up pretty big here soon at a new office complex they are building that’s almost done. That’s pretty much the story, so here is the good part.

-2002 Chevy Tahoe Victory Red
-Never detailed
-Washed about once a week but not properly
-Lots of deep swirls and scratches
-Light Oxidation
-Lots of dirt in the paint
-Dried out trim
-Carpets and seats not too bad
-Door panels/dash/panels need a little work.

Here are the before pictures.
http://www.elitedetails.com/images/2002%20Tahoe/DSC03358.JPG
http://www.elitedetails.com/images/2002%20Tahoe/DSC03357.JPG
http://www.elitedetails.com/images/2002%20Tahoe/DSC03359.JPG
http://www.elitedetails.com/images/2002%20Tahoe/DSC03354.JPG
http://www.elitedetails.com/images/2002%20Tahoe/DSC03355.JPG
http://www.elitedetails.com/images/2002%20Tahoe/DSC03356.JPG

First thing on the agenda was to give the truck a very good cleaning. First I acid washed the back of the rims and rims to get them completely clean (lug nuts and in there), degrease wheel wells, degrease and spray adhesive remover to lower panels to remove dirt/tar/road grim and gum. I then pressure washed the entire vehicle and washed with dawn. We then Chamois dried the truck and pulled it into the garage.

I had my employee start claying with Clay Magic and Quik Detail (using up CM to get Meguiar's clay) and tape off some plastic parts.
http://www.elitedetails.com/images/2002%20Tahoe/DSC03363.JPG

I pulled out the DeWalt Rotary and put on a SOFTBUFF Cutting Pad W-7000. I got out Dual Action Cleaner Polish #83 and tested out a small section of the hood to see if it would get all the swirls out. I set the rotary to 1800 rpms and used moderate pressure and worked the product in. Here is a picture.
http://www.elitedetails.com/images/2002%20Tahoe/DSC03360.JPG

Everything looked good so I followed my employee (Daniel) while he was claying and taping off. He was having some problems with the clay smearing all over the place so he added some water that helped a little but it took a little longer then normal.
http://www.elitedetails.com/images/2002%20Tahoe/DSC03364.JPG

After using the rotary with #83 we washed the truck with normal car soap. Daniel used my New Porter Cable with my new Meguiars Pads. He used Swirl Free Polish #82 with a SOFTBUFF Finishing Pad W-9006 at speed setting of 4.5 and moderate pressure.
http://www.elitedetails.com/images/2002%20Tahoe/DSC03366.JPG

While washing the truck their youngest kid wanted to help us out but I wouldn’t let him since I just spent the last hour and a half cutting the exterior. After washing we dried it and I had him dry the rims, he he. While drying them he said they don’t look good so I said you could polish them if you want, and he said ok, ha-ha. So here he is polishing the rims.
http://www.elitedetails.com/images/2002%20Tahoe/DSC03367.JPG

While Daniel was polishing the truck and he was polishing the rims I followed Daniel and removed the Swirl Free Polish. I used a micro-fiber towel then applied NXT Tech Wax. I used my DeWalt Orbital with a final polishing pad to apply NXT (not Meguiars).
http://www.elitedetails.com/images/2002%20Tahoe/DSC03368.JPG

After that I applied a sealant to the windows, dressed the trim/tires/wheel wells and removed NXT.
http://www.elitedetails.com/images/2002%20Tahoe/DSC03369.JPG http://www.elitedetails.com/images/2002%20Tahoe/DSC03370.JPG http://www.elitedetails.com/images/2002%20Tahoe/DSC03371.JPG http://www.elitedetails.com/images/2002%20Tahoe/DSC03372.JPG http://www.elitedetails.com/images/2002%20Tahoe/DSC03375.JPG http://www.elitedetails.com/images/2002%20Tahoe/DSC03377.JPG http://www.elitedetails.com/images/2002%20Tahoe/DSC03378.JPG http://www.elitedetails.com/images/2002%20Tahoe/DSC03380.JPG

Next was the interior.
The interior before pictures didn’t really show the condition so I wont post them. Here is what I did.

-Steam Cleaned Seats/Carpets and Mats
-Clean and dressed all trim/dash/panels

Here are the after pictures.
http://www.elitedetails.com/images/2002%20Tahoe/DSC03405.JPG http://www.elitedetails.com/images/2002%20Tahoe/DSC03406.JPG http://www.elitedetails.com/images/2002%20Tahoe/DSC03407.JPG http://www.elitedetails.com/images/2002%20Tahoe/DSC03408.JPG http://www.elitedetails.com/images/2002%20Tahoe/DSC03409.JPG

And that was it. Took us about 8 1/2 hours. Long day and I still had more work after that but it was worth it to get this truck back into shape, especially since I see it all the time. I did do the engine buy forgot to take pictures.

Thanks for looking. Let me know what you think. Thanks.

[2000]

great job!:bigups thanks for taking all those pixs!:xyxthumbs
what did you use on the dash?


While washing the truck their youngest kid wanted to help us out but I wouldn’t let him since I just spent the last hour and a half cutting the exterior. After washing we dried it and I had him dry the rims, he he. While drying them he said they don’t look good so I said you could polish them if you want, and he said ok, ha-ha. So here he is polishing the rims.


be careful....I'm sure N.C. has child labor laws!::LOLOL:

[Slats]

Nice job and pics. Yeah, watch out for the young kids! When I was little I used to wash our F-250 and I wouldn't pre-rinse, I'd just wash the whole thing (letting the soap dry along the way) and then rinse. Oh well.

BTW, you mentioned that you used a "glass sealant". What is that? Can you tell me about it?

Thanks,
Slats

P.S. Did you give the kid a buck or two for doing the rims?

[Vandelete]

Did a graet Job Elite....

Keep up that good work!:)

[Airborne Ranger]

Hey Elite M.D

Tahoe looks awesome man!! Those rims look great with the red paint. those rims 20's?? mind me asking?

C'mon man give the kid a buck or 2, hehe Excellent work and write up:xyxthumbs :cool: ,,,deadman98

[George Wax]

Great Job..What is the going rate for a job like that?

[doubleL]

Awesome !!!

I would add the word that begins with F and ends with ING before awesome if I could. :bow

[George Wax]

How much for a job like that?

[Mike Phillips]

Great job Elite M.D. :bigups

I'm getting ready to start the same thing on a brand new Pilot...

If you were closer, I'd let you do it for me!

Mike

[mxman]

I am also interested in what was used on the dash and interior trim. Also - what was used on the outside trim? I love the shine and reflections. Excellent ride too!

[FlaresideLariat]

Elite,

Wow,, those tires look SO good! :db: The whole thing looks like a juicy tomato.

What kind of tape is that, that you used?

[Bri9801]

Great job :db:


Originally posted by Elite M.D.
I pulled out the DeWalt Rotary and put on a SOFTBUFF Finishing Pad W-7000.

Isn't the W-7000 a cutting pad though. It's looks like it in the picture.

[Elite M.D.]

Originally posted by 2000
great job!:bigups thanks for taking all those pixs!:xyxthumbs
what did you use on the dash?




be careful....I'm sure N.C. has child labor laws!::LOLOL:

Thanks, I used Malco Cleaner then 303 on the dash and panels.

[Elite M.D.]

Originally posted by Slats
Nice job and pics. Yeah, watch out for the young kids! When I was little I used to wash our F-250 and I wouldn't pre-rinse, I'd just wash the whole thing (letting the soap dry along the way) and then rinse. Oh well.

BTW, you mentioned that you used a "glass sealant". What is that? Can you tell me about it?

Thanks,
Slats

P.S. Did you give the kid a buck or two for doing the rims?

Yeah no kidding. I kept my eye out on him, but he is pretty smart and watches what I do.

It is actually a paint quick sealant that I used to use on paint. I bought a gallon of it but after doing tests and using other products I dont like to use it on paint. But it works awesome on windows. Doesnt water spot and helps make the windows dry really nice. Its made by Car Brite and is called Quick Sealer I believe.

Yeah I gave him a couple dollars, he was a happy kid.

[Elite M.D.]

Originally posted by deadman98
Hey Elite M.D

Tahoe looks awesome man!! Those rims look great with the red paint. those rims 20's?? mind me asking?

C'mon man give the kid a buck or 2, hehe Excellent work and write up:xyxthumbs :cool: ,,,deadman98

Thank you!

Yeah they are 20s.

[Elite M.D.]

Originally posted by George Wax
Great Job..What is the going rate for a job like that?

I charged $270 for it. He gave us a VERY Large tip also.

[Elite M.D.]

Originally posted by Mike Phillips
Great job Elite M.D. :bigups

I'm getting ready to start the same thing on a brand new Pilot...

If you were closer, I'd let you do it for me!

Mike

Thanks Mike, I wish I was closer to so I could go to a Detail Day:wall: Have fun with the Pilot, I wont ask for pictures cause I know you will post them. :coolgleam

[Elite M.D.]

Originally posted by mxman
I am also interested in what was used on the dash and interior trim. Also - what was used on the outside trim? I love the shine and reflections. Excellent ride too!

Malco cleaner was used on the interior and dressed with 303. Exterior was dressed with 303 also. Once its gone, I will be using Meguiar's. :)

[Elite M.D.]

Originally posted by FlaresideLariat
Elite,

Wow,, those tires look SO good! :db: The whole thing looks like a juicy tomato.

What kind of tape is that, that you used?

Thank you!

It is 3M Masking tape.

[Elite M.D.]

Originally posted by Bri9801
Great job :db:




Isn't the W-7000 a cutting pad though. It's looks like it in the picture.

Thank You. You are correct. I made a typo. I used the SOFTBUFF Cutting Pad W-7000.

[DevilDog]

That looks awesome. Thanks for the pics:xyxthumbs

[scrub]

Nice work and outstanding results. Thanks for the great pics too.

[zey]

Hi Elite. May I know are you owning a DeWALT DW443 orbital polisher? May I know how's the performance? Does the original 6" backing plate match with MG W-9006 pad? Do you feel at speed setting 1, it's too fast to apply NXT? Thanks!

[GSRstilez]

:cool:

Excellent, thorough write up and detail!

Truck looks amazing! Nice choice on the mods too :xyxthumbs