RX-7 disaster...final pics of the exterior

xfire · 08-04-07, 11:07

So, after some hard work and realizing that I cannot help remove some extremely deep scratches/swirls due to the lack of paint on some areas of the car, such as the hood, roof, rear hatch, and rear bumper, I accept what I cannot bring back but am pretty happy with the rest of the car. I'd like to figure out how to get rid of this micromarring that's left over in some areas, I tried everything in my arsenal. I know for the fact that the paint is not 100% perfect, but I am happy that I have turned this faded, worn-looking vehicle into something that has some life in it. Please keep in mind that I will probably make no money in this...I was instructed to do whatever I wanted with it. Here are the final pics after I took her out in the sun. Before those pics though, here's a reminder of how it was before. Thanks for looking and enjoy:

After:

bjlee · 08-04-07, 11:26

failing paint?

bjlee · 08-04-07, 11:31

Actually, thinking about your comments earlier, you should look into a paint gauge to determine the thickness. You said you were concerned that you'd work through the paint, but if you had a gauge and knew how much you had to work with, you might be able to take more of those swirls out without fear of doing damage.

45calmike · 08-05-07, 01:34

It came out well, considering.....good job!

SilentSamurai · 08-05-07, 01:54

You did an excelent job sir! Don't worry to much about the back bumper. I have owned and driven many FD's in my day and the bumper is the first thing to go. That flimsy plastic piece (somewhat of a diffuser) gets thrashed so easily and ends up taking the bumper with it.

Great work. Was this the same car that looked like someone gave 5 dogs EXLAX and threw them in it for a few hours? You did an amazing job on the interior as well. It's a shame cars like this go for $15-30k private party and this owner treats it like a 80's civic.

Cheers.
Adam

xfire · 08-05-07, 08:57

Thanks for the comments. The owner mentioned that there was not much paint or clear on the car. The car was professionally "detailed" a couple of times, and it shows with the lack of clearcoat on the car. I don't have a paint thickness gauge as it is way too expensive, but it would be nice to have and I can certainly see the use of it.

And yes, this is the same RX-7 with the moldy interior. I posted pics of that under a thread in the click-and-brag section called "RX-7 disaster part 1...interior."

JoshVette · 08-05-07, 09:06

Wow, you really did a great job considering that paint is beyond hope. Too bad they let it get so bad before they brought it to you. Most of that probably could have been avoided.

Good work.

mr.ikon · 08-05-07, 09:39

those afters look excellent. great work done there.

G35stilez · 08-05-07, 11:18

For what you were given, that car looks great.

I'm sure you learned a lot on this detail.

kordunas · 08-05-07, 11:40

excellent job

BuffMe · 12-05-07, 04:40

I'd be very happy in how that came out. Yes, the micro-marring left behind could have possibly been alleviated, at least a bit, by some finer polishes, but no biggie. It looks absolutely stellar, considering how it came to you.