1958 Kharmin Ghia

Pats300zx

Super Moderator
This is a detail of a 1958 Kharmin Ghia that I did recently. The theme of this detail is "Expect The Unexpected". When I initially received the call from the client and saw pics of the car I thought this would be a fun detail to do. Although the car was small and black it did have a lot of small curves and angles that could be a pain when polishing. All and all this was the most difficult car I have ever worked on.



Upon arrival I met with the client and went over the car with him as he pulled the car out of the garage. I was completely shocked at what I saw. The car was black and looked like someone has washed it with a brillo pad. Swirls were everywhere and I knew I had my work cut out for me. After foaming, washing, and claying, I had a chance to break out my PTG to see how much paint I had to work with. The client said the car had been restored so I wanted to be extra careful and be sure I had plenty of clear to work with. I was shocked at the readings. I was getting 16 mils to 24 mils across the car !!!! I even calibrated by PTG twice to make sure.



I brought this to the client's attention and he stated that "yes they used a special German clear that is supposed to be scratch resistant". After hearing this I knew the day was going to be difficult. I threw everything I had at this car and was still able to remove about 90% of the swirls. Even with using 105 and PFW I was still getting serious holograms. Thankfully Ultra Fina on a 3M pad cleared them up.



Process: 8.5 hours (Exterior Only)



Foam with CG CWG and NXT in Foam Gun

Wash with 2 BM

Clay with Meguiars Clay

Tires Cleaned with Eagle One Tire and Rubber Cleaner

Polish via Makita and Purple Foamed Wool and 105

Poilsh via Makita and Menzernza SIP via Sonus SFX White Pad

Polish via Makita with 3M black waffle weave and 3M Ultra Fina

Interior wiped down and vac'd (Client requested exterior only)

LSP=Zaino Z2 ZFC'd x2

Engine wiped down and dressed with Sonus Total Eclipse and CD2

Glass cleaned with Zep Glass Cleaner

All metal work polished with Meguiars Hot Rims Chrome Polish

Tires dressed with Meguiars Hot Shine Tire Spray



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That looks great man. I have a 69 and the swirls are deep. I am going to have to get a rotary to be able to pull of the work you did. Nice job
 
Absolute Wonderful / Fantastic Detail Work, and Absolute "Teddy Bear" Ghia. 36 HP engine with a dual carb modification....I would love to have it. Everything has a price tag....did your client disclose a figure by any chance?



Thanks,



:usa



Nic
 
Nic Walker said:
Everything has a price tag....did your client disclose a figure by any chance?



Thanks,



:usa



Nic



Being a lowlight and fully restored you're looking at close to 20k if not over. Now if he doesn't want to sell then you are looking at 30+ to get him to want to.
 
Great job on a beautiful car!



Drove one in college. I was racing light-to-light with an MG... beat him off the line... I stopped at the next light... he didn't! The MG climbed the downsloped rear end of the Ghia, coming to rest with his front bumper in my rear window. They looked like they were mating! (Would have produced some interesting "offspring," huh?)
 
Again....Really Awesome Detail Work.....I grew up in my teens and early 20's in Anthricite Gray and Yellow Ghia Convertibles ('64, '70, and '71 - loved the little cars and would love another....if I had a load of expendable income/monies I would spring for a Ghia in the above condition in a heartbeat :).
 
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