1970 Jaguar XKE Convertible

[Pats300zx]

This is a detail of a 1970 Jaguar XKE convertible that was purchased at this years Barrett Jackson auction. Even though the weather was very cold here on the East Coast (44 degrees) I had the opportunity to work on it in a heated gargae. The car was a total joy to work on. The engine has had many modifications including upgraded cams and ignition.

The car was in mint condition and really hadn't been driven since it had arrive from the auction. The car has some mechanical issues that need to be resovled. It was obvious that the car had been recently detailed and maintained as the amount of swirls was minimal. Claying produced next to no bonded contaminants which suggests that it was a garage queen.

This was the first time that I had the chance to use my new Flex and all I can say is that I am in love. I have a Makita 9227 and although I am still getting proficent on it I still don't feel confident to use it on a client's car. The Flex fits the bill perfectly in the interim. Great power and next to no vibration. I was less tired using the Flex all day than I would have if I used a PC or UDM. I feel the movements of the Flex are very similar to the rotary as far as arm movement and trigger control. Its a great machine and I highly recommend it for the enthusiast detailer.

Process: Approximately 6 Hours

Wipe down car with Poorboys Spray and Wipe
Clay with Meguiars Clay and Megs Quick Detailer
Polish via Flex with Megs 8006 pad and Menzerna 106ff at speed 5/6
Polish with PC and 4 inch white pad on hard to reach areas
LSP=Meguiars 26
Polish all exterior metal with Megs NXT Metal Polish
Polish exterior convertible window with Megs Plexus
Interior wiped down with Wooilte (6/1)
Interior dressed with Sonus Total Eclipse
Glass cleaned with Meguiars NXT Glass Cleaner

Engine:

I could have spent several house on the engine but the owner declined for anything more extensive. He says that once the mechanical work is done that more extensive detailing can take place.

Wipe down with Poorboys Spray and Wipe
Polish engine metal with Megs NXT metal polish
Dress with CD-2 engine detailer

[howareb]

Wow!! What a detail and what a classic car. Great Job.

[smprince1]

I'm not a fan of the color ...but the detail looks great

[Blake]

Looks terrific and they are a beautiful car.

[JoshVette]

Patt, that is an absolutely beautiful Jag, one of my favorite Jag's of all time. I love seeing them, they are just sexy, that color is perfect too.

You did an awesome job btw, very nice looking inside and out. Good job.

Question, how does the flex compare to the PC or UDM? I use the rotary alot but also have a stage 1 process I use the PC for, I'm considering upgrading from my PC, is the Flex something comparable but get's more correction accomplished? is it a Orbital machine or rotary? how does it spin exactly?

Thanks,
Josh

[Pats300zx]

Originally Posted by JoshVette

Patt, that is an absolutely beautiful Jag, one of my favorite Jag's of all time. I love seeing them, they are just sexy, that color is perfect too.

You did an awesome job btw, very nice looking inside and out. Good job.

Question, how does the flex compare to the PC or UDM? I use the rotary alot but also have a stage 1 process I use the PC for, I'm considering upgrading from my PC, is the Flex something comparable but get's more correction accomplished? is it a Orbital machine or rotary? how does it spin exactly?

Thanks,
Josh

Thanks for the compliments Josh. Coming from you it means alot. Its my understanding the the Flex is forced rotation. It has a much higher correction potential compared to the PC or UDM. I have a Makita, Flex, PC, and UDM. Even after I get more proficient in the rotary I can see myself using the Flex on all my details.

It was nice to have a PC with a 4 inch backing plate today for those hard to reach areas. Especially on this Jag which had a luggage rack on the trunk.

[Banacheq]

Looks awesome! Like Josh, one of my favorite Jags of all time. I don't usually care for blue cars, but that color fits very nicely.

Did you have much difficulty getting around a lot of the front end trim pieces even with the 4" pads? There looks to be a lot of very tight spots. Do you do some of these areas by hand?

Having to clean those wheels would give me nightmares.

[Lowejackson]

Beautiful car, great detailing

[Pats300zx]

Originally Posted by Banacheq

Looks awesome! Like Josh, one of my favorite Jags of all time. I don't usually care for blue cars, but that color fits very nicely.

Did you have much difficulty getting around a lot of the front end trim pieces even with the 4" pads? There looks to be a lot of very tight spots. Do you do some of these areas by hand?

Having to clean those wheels would give me nightmares.

Actually I had more problems getting around the luggage rack on the trunk. That was a major PITA. I had to tape the head of the PC so that it wouldn't knick the rack when I was polishing with the 4 inch pad. If I had my way I would have removed the whole thing polished and reinstalled.

Those wheels are a nightmare. I polished the lips and center hub. I can't even imagine having to clean or polish them on a regular basis. I hope the client doesn't drive the car that much lol.

[JoshVette]

Originally Posted by Pats300zx

Thanks for the compliments Josh. Coming from you it means alot. Its my understanding the the Flex is forced rotation. It has a much higher correction potential compared to the PC or UDM. I have a Makita, Flex, PC, and UDM. Even after I get more proficient in the rotary I can see myself using the Flex on all my details.

It was nice to have a PC with a 4 inch backing plate today for those hard to reach areas. Especially on this Jag which had a luggage rack on the trunk.

Pat, what's "forced rotation"?? I understand how the rotary spins, and the PC, but curious what's the difference with the flex that gives it more corrective abilities then a PC. Does it generate more heat or something?

Sorry for all the questions.

Still love looking at that Jag, hope I'll be able to work on a vintage XKE like that one day.
Sweet sweet car, you really knocked it out of the ballpark.

[rydawg]

Superb work there Pat on a fine classic! Those use to be my favorite cars to do back in the day.

[tdekany]

What a classic car. I love the detail.