SScam68

iTrader: (20)

Tore the car down to do some more work and to FINALLY detail my car. Started hanging around the "appearance" section on the board and saw how awesome some of the cars looked and realized how much I neglected mine. So I decided to do something about it.

I decided to tear down the car, removed the spoiler, side skirts, rear view mirrors (held trapped dirt) and side marker housings.


Dirt and salt from commuting to Santa Fe to work (1hr each way). The rocksalt laid over the winter sandblasted the front end of the car So I didn't even bother with it, needs to be repainted.


Before


after


Don't know who or how this happened
before


after (still needs some work)


The paint cracks are from some old lady in a caddy that gave me a love tap the 2nd day I owned the car

before


after (only SSR 2.5, Zaino not applied yet)


before


after

SScam68

iTrader: (20)

before

after






The car took a lot of TLC to get her back in shape. ZaneO warned me I needed to be patient and he wasn't kidding. You're looking at about 35+hrs of work (no joke). I really took my time but it was well worth it. I took the car to fill it up and it was just gleaming in under the lights at night. Looked like a brand new car.

Questions, comments, criticism (constructive) welcome.

I primarily used Zaino and Poorboys.

Process was as follows

Z7 Wash with microfiber mit
Z18 claybar (used Z7 as lubricant)
PB's SSR 2.5 with Orange pad
PB's SSR 1 with Black pad
Z5 with ZFX
Z6
Z2 with ZFX
Z6

I followed the manufacturers recommendations.

Used a Porter Cable to work in the SSR, everything else was done by hand. Used microfiber towels to buff and waffle weave towls to dry the car.

Depending on the area I needed to make 3 or 4 passes with SSR2.5 before I got the major swirls out and it was good enough for SSR1. The rear area for the most part took 3 passes, the doors took 1 and 2 in some areas and 3 for the front quarters.

I started using SSR1 with a white pad but found better results with the black pad.

BTW this is the first time I ever do anything like this. Didn't turn out too bad IMO. I owe a big thanks to ZaneO, John@Brilex, Chuprakobra (sp?) for all their writeups and advice.

There is still more work to be done but racing season is coming to a close and want to concentrate on that for now. I'll save the rest as a winter project.

Frank

NxLS1496

iTrader: (1)

wow man, you really brought that paint back to life. congrats on a great job! first time you ever used the porter cable?

bjamick

iTrader: (31)

dang man that looks good so did you use a buffer? and some rubbing compound?

SScam68

iTrader: (20)

Yeah it was the first time I used the porter cable.

I tried to read up as many how to's as possible to try and alleviate some of the anxiety about doing something like this. The PC really does do all the work and does make it easy.

The front and rear bumpers need to be repainted so I started in the rear. I figured if I screwed up I was going to get it repainted anyways.

After the first pass of SSR 2.5 I instantly saw the results.

Just a note, I started to use the 1000W craftsman halogen light setup so I could really see the swirl marks. It was amazing how much it revealed when the right light hits the area your working. I was using a flourescent light at first but it was kinda hard to tell how much work was needed, thats when I started to use the halogen.

Fabian

iTrader: (5)

Great work man, I cant wait to see it You're gonna be in the 11 second club on Friday!

Silver02TA

iTrader: (6)

great work

SScam68

iTrader: (20)

We'll see

I bought a lightweight battery, and this



I'm working on the brackets for my aluminum seat.

If I can get it mounted I will have knocked another 70lbs off the car.

Fabian

iTrader: (5)

Awesome! Man, I can't wait!

TA adam

wow great job, it looks amazing

ZaneO

Looks like you did a very good job!

SScam68

iTrader: (20)

Thanks!

There is definitely some more work to be done but I'm pretty happy.

Thanks for your help.

On another note, can the rear taillights be worked in the same fashion? i.e. SSR 2.5 etc?

Frank

ZaneO

It's probably best to use a good plastic polish or even a metal polish on them. If they're really bad, they can be lightly wetsanded, compounded, and polished.

Gipraw

iTrader: (10)

I would suggest using Meguiar's PlastX on the tail lights .. very easy product to use, just follow the directions , and it will provide great results..

Here is a pic of what PlastX did for my third brake light.

Pic of PlastX results on third brake light


the car looks really good .. you did some very nice work ..

VENOMIZED03

iTrader: (21)

That is a huge difference. Looks great man

Black98Z28

iTrader: (8)

Awesome Frank! My PC 7424 and products show up Thursday, i cant wait to clean her up!

dirtybird22

looks great

2001somws.6

iTrader: (1)

great job.

gavspurplez

iTrader: (6)

you had better results with the 2.5 than i did,

awesome job,

you do not drive with the skinny's to work do ya ??

SScam68

iTrader: (20)

What problems did you have?

This is the side skirt


The left is untouched (just after claybar), towards the right is after SSR2.5

Nah, the car isn't a daily driver although I did drive a few weeks on them. Just have to change your driving habits.

And NEVER drive on ET streets in the rain, spun out on the freeway when I got caught in a freak storm