“GT-R from Hell”
Before pictures
Like most of new GT-Rs, this one sat in port for several months while Nissan scrambled to train its technicians on how to repair and service the car. Apparently this vacation has taken a severe toll on the finish of these automobiles (this being the second I have seen in this condition).
This owner of this car lives in St. Croix and actually waited several months to purchase his car in North Carolina. It was driven here (to Orlando) and after I am down detailing it and getting sorted, it will be shipped to the Caribbean will it will do battle (hopefully looking stunning) against pirates.
From the factory these cars are covered in plastic over the hood, B-pillars, trunk, and roof. The paint that was not covered is severely etched and faded. Combine this damage with a host of paint runs, defects, and what areas to be deep scratches from them pulling the plastic, and this GT-R is going to need a lot of attention. I had originally inspected it in the sun two days ago, but it had gotten wet, so I assumed (NEVER assume) that the water spots where recent and shouldn’t pose a problem, how wrong I was….
Process to this point.
-Wash with ONR, drying with two towels
-Clay with
Meguiars’ Blue (MILD) Clay using CG Speed Shine as lube
-Rewash with ONR to remove residue
On each door, near the door handle, the paint has a unique defect that is milky pearl in appearance and slightly textured. It almost “sinks” into the paint (in the sun it has a more translucent pearl appearance). I have no idea what this is at this point and if it is even repairable.
This picture, of the passenger side rear of the roof, shows the difference in paint color between the unprotected paint and the paint that was covered by plastic.
The roof also has some deeper scratches that will likely need to be sanded out (2000,2500,3000
Meguiars’
Unigrit is soaking as well as Micro Abrasives 4000, 6000, and 8000 grits).
Some of the water etching or spotting is visible in this rather poor picture. I believe most of this will come of with a (gasp) acid wash or vinegar wash, but some of it is clearly etching.
This picture from the passenger side of the roof shows not only the visible water etching and spotting on the unprotected area, but also the color difference, and several deep scratches in the protected area.
Another, perhaps better, picture of the same…
IMG]http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/GTRBEFORE/a6.jpg[/IMG]
Deep scratches in front of the rear spoiler (guess which side/color was covered with film).
Runs on the hood….
IMG]http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/GTRBEFORE/a9.jpg[/IMG]
This picture of the rear spoiler clearly shows the water etching. It appears as if the dealer tried to correct this with a machine buffer as there is hologramming (appears as hazing directly above the lights) and a rotary buffer mark on the outside lip of the spoiler (bottom right).
More water etching on the trim piece above the door on the outside edge of the roof. This picture is from the driver’s side.
Scratches, rids, and severe hologramming describe the condition of the rear fender above the wheel compartment.
Another picture of the driver’s side rear quarter panel… You can see the difference in color (again) as well as a host of defects including some deeper RIDS, some lighter marring, and another milky defect.
I am appalled that such a cool car could be delivered in this condition, but I will use my skills and talents to try to bring this car back to the condition it should have been delivered in… Perfect. Wish me luck; I think I will be spending the next few days in Hell…
Linear Mode
