Chevrolet Impala SS.. Forum Member

slicknickis3 · 05-18-09, 03:45

Like the title states, a forum member (Rick) contacted me to take care of his Chevy Impala SS. While Rick certainly takes pride in maintaining and cleaning the car, whomever owned the car previously certainly couldn't care less about the paint. It had come to a point where there wasn't much he could do to make the car look better, so he contacted me.

We devised a plan for the car that would clear things up 90-95% and greatly improve shine, clarity and depth. The end result was exactly what we were looking for. I apologize for a few of the blurry pictures, lighting isn't the greatest and I didn't get to take any when we pulled it out...it'd been a long day!

Process was:
Wash
Rinse
Foam
Clay
Rinse
Megs M105 via Orange 6.5" Cobra pad via Flex Speed 6; worked with pressure.
Menzerna 106fa via Black 6.5" Cobra pad via Flex Speed 5/6
Optimum Opti-Seal
Pinnacle Souveran

On to the before pictures:

50/50 AFTER just M105

After M105/106fa; No LSP

Afters:

Again, sorry for the so-so quality, I really need to invest in a tripod!!
Earlier in the day I got to work on this gem:

Didn't have time to take many pics of that detail though, the owner was in a hurry to get somewhere...

Thanks for looking!

Nick

Pats300zx · 05-18-09, 04:16

Nice work Nick. It looks like business is great at the new shop.

backwoods_lex · 05-18-09, 10:20

My favorite modern version of the impala (I forget what the torque and hp specs are on those models). Huge improvement!

Accumulator · 05-19-09, 11:12

slicknickis3- Thanks for posting this, I always enjoy B-body transformations

Great job, I bet the Flex/M105 combo makes the job a *lot* easier than it woulda been a few years ago!

Quote:

Originally Posted by backwoods_lex

My favorite modern version of the impala (I forget what the torque and hp specs are on those models). Huge improvement!

I must be getting old...can't remember the torque spec. The HP is either 260 or265, sheesh I can't remember *that* either

Doesn't take much to really wake 'em up though, a few little mods make a big difference if somebody wants more.

rickssimpala · 05-19-09, 02:35

Yeah,nick does ok work

. No but really, He did an awsome job especially for the way my car looked before. I tried everything,except the $80. details advertised on craigslist. When i picked up my car I thought he repainted it and it wasn't dry yet. Thats how good and wet it looked. I'm afraid to wash it because i dont want to mess it up.Nick was the rite choice and I'm very happy with the outcome

I will post outdoor pix as soon as i figure it out.
As for specs its got 260hp and 335 lb.ft torque.

slicknickis3 · 05-19-09, 02:39

Thanks for the kind words Rick, it was a pleasure! I'm just happy we finally got a good weekend to do it!

And thanks for all the comments guys!

Accumulator · 05-19-09, 04:22

Heh heh, sounds like you two make for a good pair

rickssimpala- I understand completely about being leery of washing it! You might want to get a foamgun and study up on some of the threads about marring-free washing.

Thanks for the reminder about the HP/torque specs. Is that a'95 or '96? I still have a real softspot for those B-bodies, though I was more of a Caprice 9C1 guy.

rickssimpala · 05-19-09, 04:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Accumulator

Heh heh, sounds like you two make for a good pair

rickssimpala- I understand completely about being leery of washing it! You might want to get a foamgun and study up on some of the threads about marring-free washing.

Thanks for the reminder about the HP/torque specs. Is that a'95 or '96? I still have a real softspot for those B-bodies, though I was more of a Caprice 9C1 guy.

It's a 96. Traded a 99 camaro for it(needed more room-have four kids LOL)
Nick gave me some pointers on how to clean it I just don't want to wash it.I hope it doesn't get dirty!

Hopefully it wont rain for the rest of the year

Accumulator · 05-19-09, 05:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickssimpala

It's a 96. Traded a 99 camaro for it(needed more room-have four kids LOL)..

Ah, a final-year one. Yikes, with four kinds you *do* need more room than an F-body!

Quote:

..Nick gave me some pointers on how to clean it I just don't want to wash it.I hope it doesn't get dirty!

Hopefully it wont rain for the rest of the year

Heh heh, maybe slicknickis3 could walk you through a wash sometime to show you the ropes. I haul my dogs around in a carbon metallic Denali, and it's possible to use a black vehicle like a real car once you get the wash sorted out.

slicknickis3 · 05-20-09, 04:39

We went over the 2-bucket method of washing. But hey, Rick, if you don't want to risk washing it, just run it over to the shop whenever you want and we'll give it a nice foaming/wash.