Autobahn Detailing: 2000 Dodge Viper

autobahnshine

New member
After this vehicle was scheduled on the calendar, I was very excited to begin working on it. This 2000 Dodge Viper had a complete make-over last year and was heavily modded in the process. Supercharger, Custom CCW Wheels, Rockers, full race suspension, 2008 Viper brake system, roll cage, 5-point harnesses... etc. In addition to the modifications, the shop also painted the vehicle. Bad idea. The shop didn't do the greatest job in the world in terms of fit and finish, little details etc. There were many drips under the clear, and the thickness levels on the rocker panels were all over the map. The swirls were minimal, partly due in part to the fact that the owner doesn't wash the car often- let alone drive it. It was the buffer trails, and holograms that were the worst part. Here's the process:



The wheels weren't too dirty, here are a coule of before pictures:





The wheels were first rinsed using filtered water



Then, P21S Wheel Gel was applied using a Swissvax Brush



Making certain to get the calipers, as well



The barrels were cleaned with p21s and an EZ Detail Brush



The fenderwells weren't as easy. Asphalt was cacked on, both to the fenderwells and the painted surfaces below the bumper. Meg's Super Degreaser 10:1 and lots of patience, and gentle picking was necessary to fully remove it.





The vehicle was then washed using CG CWG in a foam gun. This picture was taken by the owner, using his iphone.



The vehicle was also rinsed, washed, rinsed, and then dried using waffle weave towels.





These pictures should give you an idea of the condition of the paintwork







The paintwork was clayed using Meg's Pro Aggressive along with Meg's Last Touch



Paint measurements were attempted, but all of the panels are fiberglass, except for the rocker panels :aww: Judging by the condition, I decided not to put my trust in the shop's paintjob, and instead I decided to take a less aggressive, safe route. Plus, the panels are composite anyway, so I was going to be keeping heat to a minimum.

Note to self: Save up $2,000 for a new PTG



A couple of different setups were attempted using the PC, 106FF, the Rotary, SIP, white, orange, etc. I ended up sticking with the Makita/1400-1500 (to keep heat down), using a white pad, with Menzerna SIP. This combo worked very well, although some panels received two passes.



Here is a compilation of before/after shots:

Before



After



Before



After



Before



After



Before



After



Before



After



Before



After



Before



After



Before: Discoloring from exhaust



After:

 
The lights were also polished



After



The refining stage consisted of the a black pad, combined with PO85RD and worked at around 1100 RPMS





Massaging Rejuvenator Oil into the pre-warmed leather seats, followed by Prestine Clean. The vinyl surfaces received 1Z Einszett's Cockpit Premium.



The paintwork was given a wipe down with Menzerna Top Inspection to remove any oils from the polishes, prior to applying Z-5 Pro. I forgot to take pictures directly of the wheels (and the engine!), but they were polished using Meguiar's NXT Polysh, and that was followed with P21S Cleansing Lotion. Same procedure for the exhaust tips. Tires were dressed using Optimum's Tire Shine.



Here are some after shots from the next day...











Then, the client took me for a spin in it to a nearby park for better photos







And what's a detail without a little burnout?

 
Nice job.



You don't see too many RT10's with stripes. I always thought that RRT10's look better without stripes and GTS's look better with them. That 2000 Steel Gray is one of the nicest colors Vipers come in.
 
F.Y.I what you are holding in your hand and what is caked in the wells

is not Asphalt but tire rubber and you can bet after that burnout they are all messed up again!



is it me ot are the tires undersized(rears looks way small)



but the detail looks great:bigups



one problem you talked about the engine but no pic:nono
 
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