Born 1983, de-swirled 2006!

F

finerdetails

New member
Paul contacted me some time ago, we also met to have a discussion about his car and what i could do to bring it back to the condition he wanted.



The car is a 1983 VW Golf Gti MK1, a total show car, used for meets, shows and nothing else....:eek:



He's paul getting stuck in with the foam gun at 9am, just rinsing off the GTi to remove the fine dust it had acquired, arches and alloys sprayed with APC:

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The sun (very briefly) decided to show its face so I captured this little moment of pain for paul and his Showing attempts:

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Next we covered and taped anything that was likely to be hinded by the polished which were to follow (only managed to use three rolls:doublesho and take an hour and half!!):

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With everything covered and prepped we then captured some of the defects hinding paul's showing Competitions:

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Next the PDG readings all round - note the blow over readings, and the replacement wings readings, obivously wont be using DACP on the wings ;) :

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After various testing combos, I had to settle on the 6inch medium cut pad, and Megs DACP. The bonnet needing two passes on each section. here are the half and half shots of the bonnet after two passes of DACP, one pass with Pinnacle SR (light cut 7.5 pad), and then Megs #80 (7.5 polishing pad):

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I then worked my way round the whole car with the DACP, removing swirls from all panels. Changing to a 4inch pad for the boot and smaller areas.

Next using the light cut pad and Pinnacle SR I completed the whole car again, removing the monir swirling inflicted by the Medium Pad and DACP.



Paul then applied the #80, me following shot gun wiping clear. This took us until 3pm in the afternoon. Not bad from a 9am start:o



Next I used the PC and a finshing pad to apply a layer of Acrylic Sealant (10mins cure time), locking in the #80 to mask the RDS's which were too deep to be removed.

I used another pad to then apply XMT finishing Glaze over this, Paul following four panels behind wiping clear.

Next was the second layer of Acrylic, again 10 mins cure time. :thumb: We then removed all tape and paper.



With the car now looking somewhat glossy I applied a layer of CG Wet Wet Wet with the PC and a finishing pad. 10 mins cure before Paul wiped clear. As Paul cleared each panel I applied Pinnacle Souveran, wiping after two panels. This was then just lightly followed with pinnacle Crystal mist.



All Glass cleaned with NXT Glass spray, Plastics with AG Bumper and trim, Tyres with megs Endurance. 5.30pm, job done!

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thanks to paul for a great day, and also for meeting up the next day at VW North West and promoting my work:

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thanks for reading, comments welcome.
 
First, very nice detail and write up.



As far as why it would take to tape the car 90 minutes - you guys were working on the left side of the windshield for an our!!! :D



Your pictures are too small to really appreciate your hard work. Can you post larger ones?





:2thumbs: :2thumbs: :2thumbs:
 
Very nice work. Lot's of steps really paid off in the end.



But I see your motivation on the front windshield. Good idea having girls on there.



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It's not so much that they didn't build all that many, but rather that so few have survived, let alone in such great condition. Those first-generation GTis have a unique personality (that I suppose you either appreciate or you don't) and there aren't many nice ones left after so many years. To see one with all the trim/etc. in such great shape is almost unheard of, they were one of those cars that could deteriorate before your very eyes if you didn't take good care of them.
 
thanks guys, appreciate everyones comments.



I havent posted any larger pics as they tend to clutter forums.... I can make the hosting album available if you wish so you can see all the pics incluign the ones I havent posted?



regards



Iain
 
very nice job! being a vw guy... i appreciate that this mk1 gti is still around and looking as good as it is. i'm not feeling the p-slot wheels though - a nice set of original snowflake wheels or teardrops would really set it off



regardless :2thumbs: on the detailing
 
Yes, really nice work! I once owned an '83 GTI (white). Bought it new, drove it for six years and 100K miles, had to sell it in favor of a kid-hauler.



I do not recall the P-slot wheels being available at that time in the US. They might have been available later on (in conjunction with the Pirelli tires VW used on the model). Mine had the snowflakes.



And, the US cars had rectangular headlights back then. Our GTIs were being built at VW's old Pennsylvania plant at the time.



But, I reminisce. Anyway, nice job, and thanks for taking me back in time!
 
Not only is your paint reconditioning top notch, your taping up of the car is a work of art.





O4cobra said:
Very nice work. Lot's of steps really paid off in the end.



But I see your motivation on the front windshield. Good idea having girls on there.



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Page 3 girls. :getdown
 
96snake said:
I guess I will be the first to ask. What makes it so special? Limited production or?



Paint looks great.



Lorne
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Beats me...they weren't exciting when they were new, and I don't think they're any more exciting now...but GREAT detail job!
 
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