13 yrs old + 160k miles, never been waxed

[wizardofahs]

Now we all know it's fun to detail vipers, and vette's and ferarris, but old regular cars need love too. They might look like this:

They might even have REALLY bad swirls like this:



(notice that that is like 1/2 the hood)

But that doesn't mean they can't shine:

Those swirls don't have to stay either:



(notice how much closer up this pic is)

Adopt an older vehicle. There are lots of them out there that need help. You too can make a difference in the life of an older car.

 

[Mantic6t9]

All that work, making a post, taking pics, and not listing what you used????? What's up with that

 

[chris0626]

The "senior citizens" among us thank you, Dr. Jones. :rofl



But, seriously, that looks like an amazing transformation on such an old car. Good for you! :bigups



You must have had a "spring thaw" up there to take those pix outdoors. C'mon spring!!

 

[wizardofahs]

Stated with Dawn wash and clay, then rotary with cutting pad and diamond cut to get those swirls (they needed it). Then PC + orange pad with AIO to get the haze left from the rotary (can kind of see it in the last pic, 2nd to last is after AIO). Next was 3x SG, then 3x p21s. Both of those applied by hand.

 

[spetulla]

diamond cut whoa

 

[Gonzo]

Dr. Jones,

Will you share the information about the lights seen in the reflections - make, model, maker, vendor, wattage, portable?? etc. I'm considering on getting some



Thanks

 

[thinksnow]

I have an identical light from what I can see in the pic. They were at Home Depot for @ $35. Double halogen, 500 watt output per light. They had single halogen 500w units for $10 but the double unit has the telescoping base (up to @ 5' or so). As Comic Book Guy would say, Best Purchase Ever.

Dr. Jones,

Will you share the information about the lights seen in the reflections - make, model, maker, vendor, wattage, portable?? etc. I'm considering on getting some



Thanks

Dr. Jones. Very impressive recovery of the GM paint. I find it more fulfilling to bring back the supposed dead than to add a topper to a well-maintained ride.

 

[fieval_72]

WOW!!!...possible hall of fame stuff here

 

[tom p.]

Dr. jones, what year is that ol' buggy? I have become a fan of GM's H body car for my daily driver...they have worked quite well.



'95 Buick w/130k:

 

[andriver]

Nice work.

 

[Jake11375]

Big difference on the hood. Great job!:up

 

[Joe K -- 01 Green]

I Think it's amazing that the technology of the last 10-15 years can give you a gem that's neglected in appearance but with a bit if effort, not out of the ordinary for an Autopian, produce a diamond. Had a similar experience with my daily driver that was never waxed, seldom washed. Hazy, swirls, looked faded. Did a first pass last year with PIII, #7, #26 with an old orbital--amazing, it's all there just needs some lovin'.



This year I plan on gong to another level, similar to above (my practice car). Thing is when you get ready to sell--it all comes back.

 

[wizardofahs]

Those lights are very helpfull. I have those two big ones that I can mount to help see defects, I also have a smaller one I can hold in my hand (same light just without the stand) that I can use to get close to the paint and see exactly where the problems are. It's great to find those spots you missed. Best hardware purchase i've made next to my PC.

 

[Mr. Clean]

Good work on your part Dr. Jones, but honestly I must give a big:xyxthumbs to the quality of that GM paint job. 13 years old obviously not a garage queen with 160K+ miles, never been waxed and look a the amazingly clear reflections off the hood in the second photo. Pretty impressive in its own right!

 

[Gonzo]

Thanks for the info, snow

 

[imported_ajbarnes]

Nice work! :xyxthumbs

 

[Gonzo]

Extracted from another thread



Got some other goodies at HD this morning, however:



1) Gorilla Ladders Aluminum Work Platform, about 3 ft long and 20" high (thanks to NozeBleedSpeed for that one)



2) Single portable 500 Watt lamp from Commercial Electric



3) Contractor level 1000 Watt on tripod stand, dual lamp ( the lime green one), telescoping pole extending to 7 feet. It was the display model and the last one in the store. Manager must have wanted to get rid of it and gave me $50 off on an $80 list price. Got not only the lamp, but about a years work of dust on it for a measley $30.



All 3 for under $100 -- WOO HOO

 

[Brad B]

You transformed that Bonneville into a Berlinetta! Great job!:up

 

[Accumulator]

Dr. Jones- That must've been very satisfying, give yourself a pat on the back :xyxthumbs

 

[imported_edschwab1]

Dr. Jones:

Good work. Yes everyone needs to find an older neglected car to work on.



Question:

Why did you not use an intermediate step in between DC #85 and AIO?



Eric