'67 Chevelle SS Convertible, extensive exterior detail - Rasky's Auto Detailing

[RaskyR1]

This car went through a thorough body off restoration about 2 years ago and the owner of the vehicle has been in contact with me for about a year now. He had originally found me through the DI blog and was inquiring on how to tackle some issues he was having with water spots on the new paint as well as some etching on his high polished aluminum wheels. I had given his some advice which had helped, but he still wasn't seeing the results he had hoped for. Since it was late in the summer when we last spoke and unfortunately my busy schedule would not allow for me to take the car on anyway, we had decide to wait until this year to do the car. During that time the owner had sourced another (closer) detailer to remove the water spots and when he called me a few weeks ago he just wanting to get it freshened up a bit and have the wheels taken care of. After evaluating the car though it was clear there was much more work to be done then the owner had thought.

Car as it arrived...looks good out of the light and the color does hide things well.


Wheels


Close up shows etching from an improper cleaner being used....once.


All emblems were removed for two reasons, to remove all the wax/compound from "the other" detailer, and to ensure all swirls/scratches are fully removed around and under them.




There were actually several areas where the other detailer left behind his signature...

Wheel well trim...these were loosened to help get the wax/compound out.












Emblems themselves had compound in them...these were NEW after the car had been painted and wet sanded!


All taped up and top protected.



Holograms were over the entire car from either the body shop of the other detailer.


One of several test spots...holograms removed but pig tails were then revealed....


The entire car had lots of deep pig tails through the paint from when the body shop had originally wet sanded it. The paint has since hardened, very hard actually, and their removal was difficult and time consuming. Several areas still had visible sanding marks too...




After making two passes with M101 on the rotary with a wool pad, it was clear this paint was VERY hard and I actually ended up wet sanding these areas with 3000 grit to help with their removal.


Even after wet sanding it still took multiple passes with M101 and a wool pad, but I was able to remove close to 99% of the defects.


Many of the edges had sanding marks remaining....


after


Carefully removing more sanding marks near the edge with a 3" MF pad.


There was a deep scratch above the trunk which easily caught my finger nail


Improved but not removed....I'm sure I could have pushed it further but it simply was not worth the risk of a strike though and I had no idea how much clear was used or that remained.


Raised car to clean wheel wells and to polish wheels


before


After


Etched wheel after polishing with Blackfire and Meguiar's aluminum polishes.




We had 100 degree temps the entire time I was working on the car so I hung towels to keep sunlight out...my A/C is way undersized for the garage but it still kept temps around 78 degrees. Here is the car complete as I left for the day...I arranged for the owner to take the car to a local park for better pics the next day.

[RaskyR1]

Finished pics






I picked up a Circular Polarized Filter to try out as it's supposed to help reduce glare and many pros photographers seem to recommend them for shooting cars....not sure if I like it or not but I'l play around with it more. The pic before is about the same shot without the filter.












Love his plates! the SS in MUSSCLE almost lines up with the emblems.






I love the cloud reflections in these next ones.











My first attempt at panning






Not the best light for an engine pic...I just wiped the engine bay down and polished the chrome.





Thanks for looking!

Rasky

[Jokeman]

Nice! Great work as usual.

[MachNU]

Amazing work as always Rasky!

Top up = ugliest convt style car...

Top down = looks so much better!

lol

Btw Rasky, what lift unit is that and how much did it set you back if you dont mind saying?

[C. Charles Hahn]

That looks spectacular, Chad!

Any idea what paint system was used that cured up so hard?

[Scottwax]

The paint looks amazing in the after shots!

[RaskyR1]

Nice! Great work as usual.

Thanks Bryan!

Amazing work as always Rasky!

Top up = ugliest convt style car...

Top down = looks so much better!

lol

Btw Rasky, what lift unit is that and how much did it set you back if you dont mind saying?

Thanks buddy!

It's a Direct-Lift Pro 6MR and it was $1800 delivered.

That looks spectacular, Chad!

Any idea what paint system was used that cured up so hard?

The paint looks amazing in the after shots!

Thanks Scott!



Thanks Charlie! I'd have to ask the owner to get in touch with the guy that restored it....I've worked on much harder than this before though.

[Deep Gloss Auto Salon]

Just awesome chad!

[ww2717]

Hey Chad:
Did you optiguard the rims to help with the water spotting issue.

[RaskyR1]

Just awesome chad!

Thanks Jason!

Hey Chad:
Did you optiguard the rims to help with the water spotting issue.

I did not. I had thought about it originally but I had already invested way more time in the car then I was charging him for. The spotting or etching was from the owner mistakenly using a chrome cleaner on them. Going forward he will mainly be using ONR or Opti-Clean on the car and it likely will never see rain. I set him up with the products and towels and gave him a run down on how to use them.

[maxepr1]

Looks great chad! I miss my '69! How do you like the D7000?

[RaskyR1]

Looks great chad! I miss my '69! How do you like the D7000?

I'm really liking it so far! It has so much more functions and control over my XSi. The colors seem way better too. Still a lot to learn with it though!

Thanks!