Nasty Ford Explorer, transformed into something suitable.

imported_dl9589

New member
Detailed a 96 Ford Explorer last weekend. Tar EVERYWHERE on this poor truck. Inside was as bad as the outside, but I didn't get any pics of the inside.



This truck has 135,000 miles on it and the owner bought it new and informed me that it has been washed ONCE in it's entire life.



Here's a few of the pics I managed getting.



Bottom rear quarter panel with tar. (BEFORE):



2003_1019_091842AA.jpg






Bottom rear quarter panel without tar. (AFTER):



2003_1019_171835AA.jpg




Wheel/Tire. (BEFORE):



2003_1019_091909AA.jpg




Wheel/Tire. (AFTER):



2003_1019_171935AA.jpg




Just some after shots.



2003_1019_171822AA.jpg




2003_1019_171947AA.jpg




Glamour shot with my car.:xyxthumbs



2003_1019_171848AA.jpg
 
Nice Start on bringing your expoder back to life. One thing I could recomend, go have your tires rebalanced, the picture indicates a case of counter balancing. This is an incorect way to have them it can cause vibration.
 
That's not a 1996. The badging, wheels, door handles, tail lamps and rear hatch are all wrong for a 1996. It's a 1998 at least.
 
Def. a 1998. The 96 has an entirely different rear end, dif wheels. The 99s and up had a different front bumper. Definately a 96 ;)



Awesome work!
 
What did you use on the wheels? A cleaner and lots of elbow grease or what? IMO wheel cleanin is the least discussed and most important factor with a clean car. If they shine, then DAMN the car looks SOOO much better. Anyways, i need a cleaner that will get everything off, i havent been able to get the real stubborn stuff off. Thanks



PS. LOOKS great, what did you use for the tar as well? I love it when it looks like crap and then you make it all beautiful. Nothing like a satisfied customer when they see a completly new car.
 
Gonzo said:
Nice restoration, but if I may, next time clean the inside of the wheel too



I won't take the wheels off the vehicle and clean it for the price I did it for, and the owner knew it.



Door jambs got cleaned after I got the pics. I had to take pics of just the outside because the wife was taking the camera for something, that's why I didn't get any pics of the interior....which is when I hit the door jambs.



98 Explorer, don't know why I put 96'. So it's only been washed once in 6 years...still unacceptable and unheard of around here.



Doubt the owner has learned any kind of lesson. I did a previous vehicle of his that was in the same condition.
 
135,000 miles and washed once?! No rust?! Lucky people.



I think it came out beautiful. Nice work! That thing was a wreck! I have had vehicles like that before, its never fun but they always look a HELLUVA lot better.
 
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