First Exterior Detail- Removing Light Oxidation by Hand (1980 Volvo)

[volvie!]

Hi Everyone,



I hope you are all well!



I'm an exterior detailing newbie and posted a question back in June 2008 asking for product recommendations to correct my (original) thin single-stage paint by hand:

http://www.autopia.org/forum/car-de...n-hand-thin-single-coat-1980-brown-volvo.html

Thanks again to everyone who responded! :bigups



And, after viewing numerous paint correction threads, I finally worked up the courage to actually try to tackle my own paint. :laugh:



So, I set up my shade tent on a nice cool day and got all my supplies ready.



Process and Products:

Wash- Meg's Gold Class Car Wash Shampoo and Conditioner

Clay- Meg's Smooth Surface Clay Kit

Wash- as above

Clean- Meg's Deep Crystal System Paint Cleaner #1

Polish- 1Z Einszett Metallic PolishWax

Wash- as above

Wax- Collinite 476S



Additionally, I polished and waxed the beauty rims as they tend to spot rust:

Polish- TurtleWax Chrome Polish (and rust remover)

Wax- Collinite 476S

Before (sun photos):

Most of the oxidation was on the hood and trunk. After washing and drying the paint, the oxidation was more dramatic in person than in the photos, but hopefully you can see it (I've also included the links to the larger images below each photo).



Hood:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3215/3085179221_3438f9c5db_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3143/3086018678_8dcca12baa_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3028/3086020280_a7f86dbd3d_b.jpg



Roof:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3290/3086020046_fd44977930_b.jpg



Trunk:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3092/3085180029_a519fb9f86_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3250/3086019566_36a7e08585_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3156/3086019840_b248f8859d_b.jpg



In addition to the oxidation, my paint also has some other issues...

A tree I parked under sneezed tons of little sap droplets which ate through some of the paint (hood only):

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3143/3086020802_664a318d72_b.jpg



And, some bird poo etchings (also on hood):

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3238/3085182449_16696910ec_b.jpg



But the main order of the day was to remove as much oxidation as I could while still preserving what is left of the "good" original paint.



Since the hood had the most "issues," I spent the most time working here.

I started at 10:30A and didn't finish until the sun was setting (around 5:00P), so I had to wait until the next morning to get some after-detail sun shots.

I intended to take photos of the process as I went along, but it didn't quite work out that way so the pictures are a little out of order.



The Mess:

Clay:

Cleaning:

Polishing:

The Results:

As the sun was setting:

Hood:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3281/3086030210_a477533fe8_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3052/3086031262_44870cd87a_b.jpg



Roof:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3188/3085194111_653a82c2dc_b.jpg



Trunk:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3252/3085190591_66125bf147_b.jpg



Sap spots:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3113/3086030648_0da06c12a1_b.jpg



Bird Poo:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3064/3085192919_3443838c2c_b.jpg



The next morning (sun photos):

Hood:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3072/3085200625_5bd4cec168_b.jpg



Trunk:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3182/3086038888_6b46e5c4b4_b.jpg



And, last but not least, the polished and waxed beauty rims:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3234/3086040088_131bc22f26_b.jpg



While not perfect, the paint is about 70% better than it was when I started. There is still more work to be done, but, in the meantime, I am very pleased with the results! :dance



Thanks again to everyone for their advice and recommendations! :hifive:

 

[Garry Dean]

Looks good. If you really want even better results than that invest in a PC, but I'm sure you knew that. Nice work!

 

[volvie!]

Looks good. If you really want even better results than that invest in a PC, but I'm sure you knew that. Nice work!

Hi Premium,



Thanks!



Yeah, I'm aware that PCs make the work quicker, easier, and nicer, but I've been told by my (professional) detailer that my paint is too thin to be buffed again (and I'm trying to delay a re-paint as long as possible), so I thought I'd try to do it by hand and see what the results were.



Obviously, I've got some more work to do-- especially on the hood...

But, I'm optimistic and don't mind putting in the time.



Take care,

volvie!

 

[imported_edschwab1]

Looking good.

 

[imported_bigfoot1]

Beautiful job!

 

[David703]

that car brings back memories.. GREAT JOB!!Lets see some full body shots!

 

[Awsomeshine]

Good job, my Dad had one of those in the 80's.



The wife is from Sac, we used to go to that English Bar for Fish n Chips when I was over there, I think it's called The Streets of Sacramento near J Street I think.



How are the Kings doing???

 

[volvie!]

that car brings back memories.. GREAT JOB!!Lets see some full body shots!

Its been cold and foggy around here, so as an added bonus, I have water beading shots:

And, all dried off:

Good job, my Dad had one of those in the 80's.

Awesome!

The wife is from Sac, we used to go to that English Bar for Fish n Chips when I was over there, I think it's called The Streets of Sacramento near J Street I think.

I haven't tried that one yet-- I'll have to try it! Thanks for the tip!

How are the Kings doing???

Not so good. Goes to check website...

12.5 games back (5 and 16), but we still love 'em and root for them anyway! Go Kings!

 

[V_Eight]

That has to be the cleanest 240 i've ever seen. Congrats!

 

[Old Pirate]

Nice job, :usa

 

[Awsomeshine]

I got the name wrong, it's The Streets of London Pub and her in doors says it's 1804 J street.



Do good English beer as well.

 

[volvie!]

Hi everyone,



Thanks for all the compliments!

I got the name wrong, it's The Streets of London Pub and her in doors says it's 1804 J street.



Do good English beer as well.

Ah, yes! Now that one I have tried!

Sooo good!



Thanks for the follow-up! :up

 

[Danspeed1]

I don't care for Volvo's at all, but yours is really cool for some reason. I haven't seen one like that around in a while. Amazing working considering you did it all by hand.



DG

 

[Jeroen]

A very well kept Volvo, good job!:xyxthumbs

 

[P1et]

Beautiful Volvo, jealous! Want a 242 myself...

 

[volvie!]

I don't care for Volvo's at all, but yours is really cool for some reason.

:rofl

Most people just see a "clean old car" or a "UPS-brown box."



If you think mine is cool, you should see what some other Volvo enthusiasts have done with their cars.

If you're interested, just let me know and I'll send you some links to photo galleries.

You may just not have found a model you like yet...

I haven't seen one like that around in a while.

Unfortunately, Volvo discontinued the brown color and quad round headlights in the early eighty's, so I'm rockin' it old school style!

Amazing working considering you did it all by hand.

A very well kept Volvo, good job!:xyxthumbs

Thanks!

Beautiful Volvo, jealous! Want a 242 myself...

I wouldn't mind having a 242 myself!



I'm not sure where you are in the process (information finding versus serious searching), but feel free to send me a PM if you'd like to hear about my experience, would like some information/advice, or would just like someone with a 240 to bounce ideas off of...



I hope you find one you like!

Good luck with your search! :up

 

[David Fermani]

Wow, your complete body must be trashed after that workout! I must admit, this is the 1st Click N Brag I've seen done by hand. Great work.

 

[Mortil]

nice condition most volvo 240 here in sweden is dead or on their way to die



i owned 4 of those one of them ended up in a tree with its endpart



also have one now but its not near that nice condition and i will kill it this winter (fun car to play around with in the snow)



that one has a B21 engine?

 

[volvie!]

Wow, your complete body must be trashed after that workout! I must admit, this is the 1st Click N Brag I've seen done by hand. Great work.

Thanks!

Surprisingly, I wasn't that sore as I frequently switched hands and took mini-breaks to stand-up, walk around, and stretch during the process. In the end, I just had a little back and neck ache from leaning over the hood and inspecting the progress.

nice condition most volvo 240 here in sweden is dead or on their way to die



i owned 4 of those one of them ended up in a tree with its endpart



also have one now but its not near that nice condition and i will kill it this winter (fun car to play around with in the snow)



that one has a B21 engine?

I'm surprised to hear that so many are dying in Sweden-- the American Volvo forums are usually posting links to the Swedish car shows because they are so well taken care of and/or have cool modifications. Here's a couple of links I was able to find:

Bilar » Volvo - GARAGET - www.garaget.org

vallis06



And, yes, you are correct-- my 240 has a B21F engine:

Volvo Engine Page