Neglected 2002 Lincoln LS (50+ Pictures)

[ScubaStevo]

Here is a repeat customer, who I hadn`t been able to fit into the schedule for two years. Beautiful car, but it DEFINATLY needed some major work.



The exterior was horrendous, littered with swirls and such from two previous "detailers". Very faded as well. Interior wasn`t too bad, and then engine bay was simply a wipe down so I didn`t bother with pictures.



Exterior process:

XP Compound via wool at 1000 RPM

Power Cut Plus via cutting pad at 1400RPM

" " " via polishing pad at 1000RPM

Ultrafina via finishing pad at 1000-1800-800 RPM

Insulator wax topped by souveran



The wax seemed to streak a lot, so that is what you`re seeing in the after pictures. The owner didn`t pick it up till about 15 mintues ago, so I managed to get the left over once the haze cured.



Interior was steamed, bioguarded and topped with natural look. Leather was fed with autovalet leather conditioner.



PICTURES! :)



During to show you what I was up against!



First up was to make a test panel, to which the condition of the paint was consistant with the majority of the car. Paint depth reading was pretty low, so I needed to keep the polishing to a minimum; thus some minimal RID`s remained, but I`d say 99%. After the power cut stages, I was left with this:



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/Zach4u2c/003-2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/Zach4u2c/007-2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/Zach4u2c/005-3.jpg



And after I did my process and sealants. I was comfortable with the work it took and the outcome it produced.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/Zach4u2c/043.jpg



So I set to work and steamed the carpets, then passed the torch to my girlfriend to help with the interior. Here she is cleaning the plastics with some APC.



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/Zach4u2c/008-2.jpg



After about 8 hours of polishing, it was time to see what my results were. I wiped down the surface:



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/Zach4u2c/012.jpg



Looked good to me, so I did the happy dance.



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/Zach4u2c/015-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/Zach4u2c/013-1.jpg



With most of the polishing done, and insulator wax curing on the surface for a while, I helped my girlfriend on the interior and it led to this:



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/Zach4u2c/035.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/Zach4u2c/047.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/Zach4u2c/069.jpg

[ScubaStevo]

I through it on the hoist to correct the lower lip of the body kit:



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/Zach4u2c/106.jpg



Next I dressed the tires with some Dress It Right and polished the rims with some blue magic polishing creame.



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/Zach4u2c/029-2.jpg



Pulled the vehicle outside to inspect for holograms and discovered a couple, but it was cloud cover and could only get some pictures with some sun coming in once in a while. Notice the birds reflecting...



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/Zach4u2c/101.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/Zach4u2c/092.jpg



I then looked at the tires in more detail...holy crap... here was my reaction:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/Zach4u2c/096.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/Zach4u2c/097.jpg





The face behind Steve`s Auto Detailing:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/Zach4u2c/099.jpg

[ScubaStevo]

And here are some glamour shots:



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/Zach4u2c/069.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/Zach4u2c/070-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/Zach4u2c/082.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/Zach4u2c/084.jpg



Exterior:



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/Zach4u2c/019-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/Zach4u2c/026-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/Zach4u2c/034-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/Zach4u2c/036-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/Zach4u2c/049.jpg



SUN SHOTS!:)



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/Zach4u2c/109.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/Zach4u2c/112.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/Zach4u2c/114.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/Zach4u2c/119.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/Zach4u2c/120.jpg



THANKS FOR LOOKING FOLKS! COMMENTS ARE WELCOME AND ENCOURAGED :)

[Thomas Dekany]

Excellent work Steve!!!!

[ScubaStevo]

Excellent work Steve!!!!



Thanks man! When I had the customer here to pick the vehicle up, he asked me how much he owed me, I told him $160. He was like "whoa, pfftt...160?" and passed me 2 bills. I sure felt like a million bucks. :dance

[Thomas Dekany]

You are still undercharging!



That should have been a $400 detail. You are very talented. Charge what you are worth.



Glad to hear about the large tip. Well deserved.

[ScubaStevo]

You are still undercharging!



That should have been a $400 detail. You are very talented. Charge what you are worth.



Glad to hear about the large tip. Well deserved.



I`m not in it to make money. I just like what I do. :)

[ajnavo61490]

I`m not in it to make money. I just like what I do. :)



if thats the case, thats fine! just make sure you cover your expenses at least! :waxing:

[dmw2692004]

those rims are perfect on the car.



great job on the detail!

[dmw2692004]

sorry for the double post, but where do you get those automagic paper floor covers?

[DaGonz]

sorry for the double post, but where do you get those automagic paper floor covers?





You buy them from the AutoMagic jobber! :grinno:

[stilez]

Nice work, Steve.



Those 50/50 shots paint the picture well. Paint looked rather dull, swirled, and lifeless. 3 steps of polishing and 2 layers of wax and it looks killer.



Do you and your girl have the same glasses?

[GlossyTundra]

Wow, detail looks great man, but those wheels are terrible. G-H-E-T-T-O lol.



And I hear you on the cost, i`d be lucky to get $160 in my area on a car like that. But fantastic job anyway.

[bookeem]

yeah 160 is cheap..that wouldnt have covered the exterior detail cost, let alone interior and exterior



great job though, your work is awesome..

[howareb]

The detail NICE!!!!!

The face behind the detail....Well!!! (Just Kidding) :laugh:



Great work Steve.