Example, my grandmother's van. 130k on the clock and already in need of a top half re-spray. Luckily I know how to make it look better.

Before:







50/50 (this is after the first compound, it was then followed up with a finer compound)







All done and wrapped up for now. There's still some hazing, and the clear is failing in spots.







Out in the sun. I chose not to polish it (which would remove any fine scratches from the compound) simply because I didn't care to use any more product on this free job. I'm cheap!

Austin said:

Example, my grandmother's van. 130k on the clock and already in need of a top half re-spray. Luckily I know how to make it look better.

Before:

50/50 (this is after the first compound, it was then followed up with a finer compound)

All done and wrapped up for now. There's still some hazing, and the clear is failing in spots.

Out in the sun. I chose not to polish it (which would remove any fine scratches from the compound) simply because I didn't care to use any more product on this free job. I'm cheap!

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I never get tired of seeing these transformations! I WANT TO LEARN HOW!

Looks awesome BTW!

Wow...I haven't seen paint that bad on a Chrysler that new.

I remember when they all looked like that, though- fortunately, Mom's was a dull metallic gray anyway, so the oxidation didn't show as much as it might've otherwise.

Nice work.

Do you ever worry that you've taken too much off? Would you consider a new clear coat if that had been your own vehicle?

Ryan

Dodge has always had crap for paint. You did damn good with that thing though.

I wish this was limited to one manufacture, but all of the big three suffer from this problem routinely, mainly do to the EPA restrictions and the factories trying to paint for the lowest cost.

Dodge is the only manufacturer I've seen that has bad paint on a 4 year old vehicle. I don't know what the problem is, but you'd think they'd figure it out over the course of what, 30 years? No excuse....Maybe the problem has been fixed now that they're Italian owned.

flareside_thunder said:

Dodge is the only manufacturer I've seen that has bad paint on a 4 year old vehicle. I don't know what the problem is, but you'd think they'd figure it out over the course of what, 30 years? No excuse....Maybe the problem has been fixed now that they're Italian owned.

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Well just re-painted the hood on my mom's 2006 Grand Marquis, paint was coming off in sheets, have a 1998 Ranger paint is peeling off the hood, cowl & roof. Painted far to many Ford, GM & Chrysler with clear failure & paint lifting & peeling.

Thanks for the compliments fellas.

O'Rattlecan said:

Nice work.

Do you ever worry that you've taken too much off? Would you consider a new clear coat if that had been your own vehicle?

Ryan

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I'm always pretty careful when running my rotary, I actually could achieve better results without my hesitation. (I would love to have the coin for a paint meter) If this was my vehicle, it would definitely be treated to a new clear; there are several spots where the clear is cracking, peeling, and faded down to the paint.

Austin said:

I'm always pretty careful when running my rotary, I actually could achieve better results without my hesitation. (I would love to have the coin for a paint meter) If this was my vehicle, it would definitely be treated to a new clear; there are several spots where the clear is cracking, peeling, and faded down to the paint.

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A paint thickness meter is a nice tool to have but as Austin said they are a little spendy. DeFelsko is the gold standard but prices start at $500 & go up.
www.defelsko.com/applications/paintmeter/automotive-paint-detailing.htm
www.defelsko.com/applications/paintmeter/automotive-paint-meter.htm

The newer the car the thinner the factory paint, the manufactures have the money to invest in computer controlled systems that apply the minimum amount of paint on the car to last at least until the warrranty ends. Saving a few ounces of paint over every unit adds up to big money fast.
Older cars were easier to buff not only because you had more mils of paint to work with but also because single stage paints have the color & shine potnetial all the way through, multistage paints are only buffable until the clear is gone.

Wrapped up a quick exterior wash and cleaned up the two front seats/surrounding area. By quick, I mean this thing is filthy and I wasn't spending 12 hours on a detail.













Squeaky clean!

Interior before:










Interior after:

Just move to Florida already! Looks great Austin, you do damn good work.

I've always wondered how long it takes the person to dirty their vehicle again,hopefully not a day!

amkatt1 said:

I've always wondered how long it takes the person to dirty their vehicle again,hopefully not a day!

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It depends if you have kids or not.

No kids, weeks.

Kids? A single car ride.

taxreliever said:

It depends if you have kids or not.

No kids, weeks.

Kids? A single car ride.

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that's so true Ken, hahaha, I forgot about the kids, mine are 17 already!

New car!!

Ryan

Thanks all!

Ken - you speak the truth!

As for Floridia, I'll be cruising down to Orlando/Lakeland in November. I'll check out your proposed accommodations at that time.