Silver Protege, Zaino, Crippled Old Man

[imported_Sludge1]

I'm a noob, be easy on me. These photos are the result of about 3 weekends of work, therefore there are no before pictures. The car is a 2000 Protege with 77,000 miles on it, I am the original owner. Last year at this time the trunk lid was growing a dark grayish mildew so this is quite an improvement. I'm 55 with a bad back so thats why the work has been drawn out.

The exterior (previously sealed with Zaino, no prep!) was polished using PB SSR2.5 with LC orange pad, followed by Menzerna FPII with LC green pad applied with a PC 7424 (Merry Christmas!). This was following a Z7 wash with double bucket. The finish was then wiped down with Z6, Z5 x2 with Z6 between coats, Z2pro x1 all using ZFX with a final Z8 wipe down. Trim was treated with PB Trim Restore. Tires were treated a week ago with Wolfgang's black diamond tire gel ( a sample from Autogeek ).

The interior was cleaned with 1:10 solution of Woolite and nasty areas were cleaned with Folex. Vinyl was treated with PB Natural Look.

The engine was misted, sprayed with Simple green at 1:10 strength, scrubbed with a brush and MF towels, misted and a strong stream of water directed at a few trouble spots. Engine was sealed with Meguiars #40.

I've learned a lot lurking at Autopia. Thanks to all who contribute their knowledge.

Gordon

PS: My camera is an old 2 megapixel Kodak. I have no camera skills.

 

[imported_Sludge1]

A couple hood pictures under the trees, the sun just came out again :bigups

 

[imported_truzoom]

Looks good! We've got a member here with a very similar ride.

 

[imported_Sludge1]

Thanks. You mean White95Max. He is an inspiration to me and I'm not joking.

 

[SpoiledMan]

Good work! You've learned a lot and used it well.

 

[Pats300zx]

Beautiful work.... :woot:

 

[Spilchy]

:welcome Looking real good! You may want to treat yourself to a new driver's floor mat.



Here's a great thread on another silver Protege as it goes throught the transformation to Autopian standards. He'll chime in soon, I guarantee it. I think you'll like reading this.



http://autopia.org/forum/showthread.php?t=59381&highlight=transformation+watch

 

[Setec Astronomy]

Sludge, I think you sell yourself short on both your detailing and camera skills. Both the car and the pictures came out great!

 

[imported_Sludge1]

Thanks all,



I lurked for 2-3 months before starting this project. I have seen White95Max's work on both his silver and his buddies red Proteges and used these as benchmarks. Spilchy, you are right, the driver side floor mat is kaput. Thanks for the kind comments. Next I hope to do my son's badly neglected 2004 Honda Element in Galapagos Green. Should be a nightmare taping off all the plastic panels. If I do it I will get before and after pics.



Thanks again,



Gordon :spot

 

[stilez]

Lookin good!





Paul, where the hell are ya ?

 

[SilverLexus]

Nice job. :bow



Zaino on silver is quite special...

 

[White95Max]

Thanks. You mean White95Max. He is an inspiration to me and I'm not joking.

*sniff*...I'm touched.



Lookin' good! I just did a little detailing of my own this morning!



A few suggestions:



Get some metal polish and shine up the metal lines around the engine bay, and the valve cover.

There's also an aluminum bar between the valve cover and the intake manifold that looks awesome when polished. If you have a Dremel tool, it will very much come in handy for this piece.



I'll see if I can dig up a picture of it.



Oh, and your coolant reservoir looks a bit low?

 

[imported_Sludge1]

White95Max,



Thanks for the suggestions. I have a Dremel and have a pretty good idea what bar your talking about. It is a long, rectangular bar parallel to the valve cover. Will work on it next clear weekend.

By the way, my mother's family is from Janesville, Wisconsin. I've been there in the summer as a child, but have been spared a Wisconsin winter.



Gordon

 

[White95Max]

Heh, summer is the right time to visit Wisconsin. The winter is terrible. It's pathetic that I get excited about a 35* day so that I can do a little detailing. And it'll be another couple months at least, before I can install my alloys again.



We've got more snow forecasted for tonight. I hope your car stays clean longer than mine will!

 

[Scottwax]

Beautiful! Your car looks terrific!

 

[gmblack3]

Excellent work!!!



You will be proud when you are driving around town. :dance

 

[imported_Sludge1]

Thanks guys. My head will be too large to fit through the door. :lol

 

[White95Max]

I finally found a picture of the bar I was talking about. You can see how much improvement there is to be made.

That was done by hand with Mothers mag/aluminum polish and a terry cloth, but it's not complete yet. The right side of the bar is hidden behind wires and stuff, so I'll be looking into buying a Dremel tool soon.





And don't forget to polish and seal the exhaust tip! This is after polishing with Mothers mag/alum polish (or was it 1Z Chromepflege ), AIO, and #16.

 

[imported_Sludge1]

Thanks Paul, will work on those areas.



Gordon

 

[klnyc]

Great job! Wow, are you sure thats a 2 Mega camera?

We have a Wonder Twin in this board. Yo, Paul post some of your ride.



EDIT: Oops abit too late.