96 Explorer (Mass Turnpike) possibly the worst condition seen on Autopia

[bluej511]

Alright well this car has been with us for 2 month, getting little things fixed (new tail lights, headlights, other minor things). The person who usually details had it for 6 weeks and didn't even touch it so my boss asked me if i wanted to detail on the side, i accepted and this was my first one.



Its a 96 Explorer that belongs to the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority has 168k on it, its been used to follow the sanders on the highway and measure road temperature. Car was in very very very rough shape.



I was very fortunate that my friend came to help do the interior and exterior trims while i was buffing away.



Car Wash: Automagic something we had in the wash bay.

Clay: Wasnt done cuz it would taken me 2 days and for 100$ not worth it.

Compound: Optimum Compound x2 @1400rpm orange pad, x3 in some areas.

Polish: Optimum Polish x2@1400rpm white pad, again x3 in some areas.

LSP: Poli-Seal x1 @1000rpm gray pad.

Exterior/interior trim: Optimum Protectant Plus, first time using it

Exterior Chrome: Meguiars Mag/Aluminum Polish

Interior Carpets: Auto Magic Foam



On to the pics

1 Here she is after the wash

2 Front fender by the hood

3 Hood..OUCH..how do you fix this? YOU DON'T lol This was compounded and polished

4 Untouched hood

5 Fender after 2x OC, 2x OP

6 Door untouched, and fender compounded

7 Passenger door untouched

8 Passenger door 3xOC, 2xOP

 

[bluej511]

9 Part of the door done

10 Rear passenger door compounded.

11 Front chrome before

12 Front chrome after

13 Left side done, right side not (chrome)

14 Rear door after 3xOC 2xOP

15 Passenger side after OC and OP

16 My friend cleaning the all season mats

 

[bluej511]

17 Passenger doors after poli-seal

18 Rear fender after poli-seal

19 Outside

20 Outside

21 Outside

22 Outside

23 Outside hood chips

24 Outside hood

25

 

[Scottwax]

I guess you can polish a turd!



Looks amazing for what you started with.

 

[imported_gusbubba]

Ya' work with what ya' got.

Admirable job.....:2thumbs:

 

[jimtriz]

Nice work!!! that thing was horrible to start with, very nice results!

 

[Ron Harris]

County Cars Suck!



You should look into doing headlight restoration for the PD. Sell it as a safety issue.

If you want to know the process I use PM me. Im sure those Crown Vicks could use it.

 

[bluej511]

actually this state has so much lousy money and so do towns that they trade in 05 crown vics all the time.



Thanks for the comments guys, seems like only the best detailers posted so far which is great.



This was my second time using the rotary to and i had no sun to check for holograms but to tell u the truth it seems like poli-seal w/gray is a great combo to completely get rid of buffer swirls.



Like i said this thing used to follow salt trucks so its not even a county car its a state car which is even worse especially in MA.



i think my next one should be as admirable its gonna be a 99 green malibu with 123k and never ever been detailed.



Price to detail 96 Explorer:100$

Time spent detailing 96 explorer: 8hrs

Experience gained: Priceless



There are some things money can't buy, for everything else theres Optimum Polymer Technologies haha