Return from Afghanistan (2006 F-150)

[imported_Sludge]

This one is kind of interesting. A female coworker that I`ve known for years has been keeping her brother`s F-150 at her house while he is in Afghanistan with the 82nd Airborne. Her brother is an infantry type and I`ve seen photos of him carrying a SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon). Earlier this week we were discussing his return in October and how he was going to kill her because she had allowed her dog to ride in his truck. I volunteered to help her (she is 8 months pregnant) and figured to schedule a couple days in late September to knock the work out. This Friday she called and said her brother was returning early and would be here the weekend after Labor day. I cleared a day with my wife and today was it.



The interior was nasty, but not as bad as I thought it would be. The outside doesn`t look too bad, but had a nasty mix of gunk, pine tar, dead bugs, etc. The bed of the pickup had decaying leaves, pine straw, and what I hope were chicken bones.



Befores:

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d164/Sludge55/Truck/IMG_0408.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d164/Sludge55/Truck/IMG_0407.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d164/Sludge55/Truck/IMG_0406.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d164/Sludge55/Truck/IMG_0404.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d164/Sludge55/Truck/IMG_0402.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d164/Sludge55/Truck/IMG_0399.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d164/Sludge55/Truck/IMG_0401.jpg



I started by spraying the tires and wheels with Eagle One Tire & Wheel cleaner. I agitated the tires and wheels with an assortment of brushes. I also sprayed Simple Green 10:1 in the wheel wells and agitated with a brush. I then rinsed the wheel well, wheel and tires.

Dressed wheel wells with Stoners More Shine.

Tires : Stoners More Shine

Wheels: XMT 360 by hand



Wash: ONR

Clay: Horizontal surface and tailgate with ONR clay strength and some blue clay (forgot the name)

Dryed: Cobra Guzzlers.



I then vacuumed the interior with my Ridgid vacuum and used duct tape to pick up the dog hair (which wasn`t that bad).

Cleaned the plastic surfaces: Meguiar Quik Interior Detailer.

Shampooed (lightly) upholstery and carpet with Woolite 10:1.

Finally I buffed the vehicle with XMT 360 using the Cyclo and Propel 2 green pads.

Windows cleaned with Stoners Invisible Glass.

Afters:

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d164/Sludge55/Truck/IMG_0424.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d164/Sludge55/Truck/IMG_0423.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d164/Sludge55/Truck/IMG_0417.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d164/Sludge55/Truck/IMG_0416.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d164/Sludge55/Truck/IMG_0412.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d164/Sludge55/Truck/IMG_0420.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d164/Sludge55/Truck/IMG_0418.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d164/Sludge55/Truck/IMG_0410.jpg



So with one detail I honored a returning warrior and may have saved a young lady and her unborn child. I also netted 69 cents off the floor. :lol

[Old Pirate]

Bet he be happy to be back in the states and also will be surprise to see his truck looking great!:2thumbs: I was gone for one yr and the wife didn`t have the time for my ranger and it was totally badly etch from water spots and have about 1/4 inch of dirt on it.:usa

[dave40co]

Nice way to honor a hero and help a pregnant lady.

[imported_Sludge]

I think he will be happy to be back. Like many in the 82nd, this is the completion of his third combat tour. This is his second tour to Afghanistan and he has also been to Iraq. Hopefully he will not go back again soon. I don`t recall meeting him, but have seen pictures and he is a tough looking soldier. Being an Army retiree myself, I was tickled to help his sister and try to spruce up his vehicle. My total pay was the 69 cents I scrounged off the floor. :)

[Old Pirate]

Great deed you have done for her and if pays back in pride:usa ........USAF RET E7 Combat Controller.....:usa

[mgm2003]

Great job! That was very kind of you. :usa

[gmblack3]

Sludge, you are a great American and a very good person! Just a small thank you from me for helping these folks out. Truck looks great!

[lambostealth]

I would be happy to return home to that.



USAF E4 AeroMed

[imported_Sludge]

Thanks for the kind words. I used the Meguiar`s Quik detailer cause he had called his sister and said " I don`t want any of that Armorall crap on my dash". Cracked me up. :LOLOL

[Scottwax]

Looks terrific! :)



Especially nice interior work, that seat fabric is a stain magnet.