2001 Chevy Astro | Photoshoot

[Bis]

Well, this is not so much of a step by step description of how I prepared the vehicle but more of true "brag" post. lol

I love minivans, probably because they are excellent for my line of work (I carry a lot of stuff in the back). Earlier this year and due to a sort of unlucky situation I had to go out and look for something to replace my crappy-looking 1994 Ford Aerostar. I came upon this two-tone, 2001 Astro that appeared to be in great mechanical condition and fairly good exterior shape as well. One look and I kind of knew this was going to be mine. So far its served me well. I even ended up putting some nicer wheels on it as I never felt that any of my previous Aerostars were really fit for such an upgrade.



You guys have served me so well in my quest to learning some of the basics of detailing over the summer, so I just wanted to post this here to show you the overall look of the vehicle and also to thank you. After a summer of experimentation with the Zaino Triplets (Z-AIO, Z-CS, Z8), and more recently, my switch over to Collinite Double Coat wax, I could not be happier with the results, and I know that I still have so much more to learn so I already can't wait for this winter to end.



The paint is NOT perfect, though it seems pretty good for a 2001 model. A few nasty stone chips on the hood, swirls, some water spots that may have etched the paint on the hood, scratches here and there and plenty of carelessly inflicted dings in the rear section of the vehicle (the previous owner must have carried construction materials or something! lol). I do believe it was repainted at some point, probably part of the reason why I struggled with Zaino over the summer (budget paint job? Who knows...). One day I hope to do my own correction work on the old mini van and at that time I will post a step by step on what I did. After all it is my work horse, it is going to take a beating constantly as long as I own it, probably one of the main reasons why I wanted to capture it before it gets worse.



For now please accept some simple photos from her current state. No photoshop on the paint or anywhere else. The photographer ( [url]www.TheTomHarmon.com [/url]) took the freedom to produce some color/photographic effects though.



Cheers, Bis.



Full album here: https://picasaweb.google.com/118127591222363671685/TomHarmonAstroShoot



"Before and After"

Main Care Products utilized for this shoot:



• Optimum Car Wash

• Mothers California Gold Clay Bar Kit

• Einszett Anti-Insekt Pre-Cleaner (on paint)

• Lifter-1 - Bug And Tar Remover (on cladding/rockers)

• Mothers Quick Detailer

• Collinite Double Coat 476

• Mother's Chrome Polish

• Zaino Z8 (final touch up)

• 3M Headlight Lens Restoration Kit

• Blue Magic Headlight Lens Sealer

• Mother's Back To Black

• Westley's Bleche White

• ArmorAll Extreme Tire Shine Gel

• 3M Plastic Polish (for mirrors)



Some of my favorites:

From my crappy camera and "Behind the Scenes":

"Fresh Collinite" a couple of weeks before the shoot:

 

[Woody Wax]

Nice work,



And I must say awesome pictures

 

[DeanSweet]

Honestly, that's the 1st astro van I have ever seen that makes me think.. 'Id drive that!'.

Full chrome IROC wheels are a nice touch.



Cannot believe that's a 2001. Those around here are all beat up and rusting away.

 

[dschribs]

Hey, if you HAVE to drive a min-van that one is not bad...

 

[hamza7]

Nice Van, Man...unfortunately I also love mini-vans for me Dodge Caravan does it, sadly our current one slowing dieing after 600,000 KM it should be. So were looking for another one, probably a dodge or a odyssey..we will see, for now were just waiting for it to die.

 

[Accumulator]

Bis- Looking good! Having followed your efforts on that for a while now, I think it's great that your Astro is getting properly taken care of :xyxthumbs

 

[Mitsubater]

Great results! I miss my old Safari van now

 

[lostdaytomorrow]

Very nice Van there, looks in great condition for being that old.

 

[Brad B]

This is cool. I like the behind the scenes shots. My favorite pic is the side shot where the mirror reflection of the surrounding field. Great location. The yellow colors compliment the green Astro, too. Awesome!

 

[C. Charles Hahn]

Your photographer did a great job on those shots!

 

[Bis]

Thanks for the comments guys. I feel like a proud father. No lie.

 

[Bis]

Hello guys.



I have been MIA for a while. Today I come with sad news. I will share with you this closing chapter in the life of my Green Astro LS.

I am so sad at the fact that this little van did me so well. It really took care of me. It made me so happy.

I will never find another one like it, but the search begins to trying to find something similar. YES, another ASTRO.



Thank you for all the support and compliments always. I will be back soon I hope.

Toast to a lost work horse: "My Green Minivan"



Here's to my pride and joy: Something I only dreamed as a little boy.

Cheers’s to a hard-working man’s favorite toy.

I hoped that you would ignore always being the butt of the joke.

Hahaaa!... Soccer moms did stare, but grown men would choke.



Here’s to the main option that kept me rocking steady.

To a cavernous interior, rear-wheel drive, and plain aesthetic.

For the raw knuckles during hours of hand-polish, wax, and scrubbing.

Months of grinding spent to make sure your tires were not rubbing.



Here's to cramped legs, gas guzzling trips and after parties.

To remaining awake while driving no matter what happened.

Reflecting on vivid memories, the music was loud and clear.

Though keep your eyes peeled she said: watch out for early morning deer!



Here’s to goals unaccomplished, and places we won’t reach together.

To the songs we could not sing, in good or bad weather.

A “rolling diary”, always a record of my life’s puzzling parts.

I count hours, days and nights at the sight of your paint swirls and marks.



Here’s to a myth, a truly rare automotive legend!

Please, give me luck before you reach minivan heaven.

Forever thankful of valuables protected and lives you preserved.

Here's to a year-and-a-half of excitement and miles well served.



Here’s to an unspoken romance. Here's to Man And Machine.

Here's to a bloodied bond of plastic, metal and flakes of green.

For who says a man can't love his car?!

A car loved me, reliably, with every start.



~ Bis



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On the night of September 12th, 2012 there were various forces at play that kept my wife and I from potentially losing our lives in a car accident. My vehicle, a Chevy minivan over 10 years old which I had bought, customized, and used for almost a year and half, was totaled in the collision with an irresponsible driver that caused it.



Now after a few days I am able to appreciate the luck we had in being able to "walk away" from the crash and recover some of the DJ equipment I was carrying in the back at the time.



I look back with much emotion at the experiences I had during the ownership of the vehicle and the sweat and tears that it took to create the work car I always dreamed of having. By far the nicest minivan I have ever owned (and still paying for it!). Minivans are a guilty pleasure for me. All minivans are special in their own way, and I know I won’t find another one like it. Just like losing a dear pet of sorts.



It's curious to admit the emotional attachment I usually have with things like this. There is something about working on a car, caring for it, learning how it behaves, etc that makes the connection to its owner even stronger. It becomes a part of you. Like a work of art that you created or a piece of music you wrote and you love to play, you are one with your “ride” as you drive. Yet unlike a work of art that sit in a gallery, a driver of a beloved car puts his “art” in danger with every mile. A car develops character as time goes by, and that character is what makes us so fond of the car we drive. Then at any time in the blink of an eye, through no fault of yours, all that work can be scrapped. Can it be replaced? The metal, the plastic, the rubber, the glass... maybe, but the soul of your car and the experiences attached to it never will be replaced.



A few days later after the accident I would find out that it was only by a miracle that the car did not catch on fire immediately after the collision. This saved all of the precious contents of the van, both human and material. The losses are grand but we are still here to tell the tale.



Minivan or not, don’t disregard the maintenance of your car, wear your seatbelt, do not drive under the influence or tired and make sure that if your car is equipped with airbags that they are in good operating condition and set to “ON”. They are truly life-saving devices!

 

[DeanSweet]

That sucks... Glad you and the Mrs. are okay.

What are you driving now? Assume you are still working with yours/their insurance to get a satisfactory result?!

What happened? What kind of car hit you? Are they ok? Post Pics if you got 'em.

 

[Accumulator]

Bis- Sorry to hear what happened, but I'm sure glad that the Astro protected you. Can't ask much more than that (of anything or anyone), giving its life to preserve yours.

 

[C. Charles Hahn]

Jeez, what happened? Glad to hear you're safe, at least.

 

[David Fermani]

That really sucks! Do you have pictures of your van after the accident you can post?

 

[Bis]

Bis- Sorry to hear what happened, but I'm sure glad that the Astro protected you. Can't ask much more than that (of anything or anyone), giving its life to preserve yours.

Thank you. You are completely right. Therefore I grew the need to write a freaking poem about its demise.

 

[Bis]

82 year old lady in a 2010 Chrysler Sebring (Convertible) tried to cross 2 lanes of traffic and the median. She suddenly decided to come out of a parking lot, we were northbound, she wanted to get on the southbound lanes we assume. My wife had barely enough time to touch the brake when we saw her jump in the middle of the road. It was like a deer that came out of nowhere! Can't understand why she decided to drive out into oncoming traffic. We don't know if she made out ok or not.



I am still trying to deal with insurance companies. My wife is still unable to walk. I'm so mad at the whole situation.

 

[Bis]

^ Side panel slightly buckled!

 

[Bis]