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Todd@RUPES
05-12-2008, 07:51 AM
The Jaguar E-Type is considered a work of art, literally. It is the only car chosen by New York’s Museum of Modern Art to be on permanent display. This 1974 Series 3 model features a 5.3 liter Jaguar V12 producing 290 horsepower and gobs of low end torque. This particular E-Type belongs to one of our favorite clients and a man who demands concours level work on his daily drivers! (Not to mention great taste in cars as his Titanium Ferrari 360, Grigio Silverstone Ferrari F430, Tour De France Blue Ferrari 456, and Nero Maserati Quattroporte have all received our full treatment and have been the subjects of write ups on this site)



The plan of attack with this beautiful example of art was simple; bring it to Pebble Beach standard by taking each area of the cat to its highest potential.



Upon initial inspect, I was shocked to see how deep and reflective the paint was, and further shocked to see the amount of damage in the clear coat’s surface. Since we know that perfectly polished and jeweled paint will always reflect more light, we knew the car could look better… but we didn’t believe it. This car has an extremely high quality paint job, and we knew it would be a pleasure and an honor to see it right.



Initial inspect did reveal a significant amount of flaws in the paint’s surface, holograms, swirl marks, and R.I.D.S. Taking paint depth readings proved rather frustrating and useless and it was obvious by the variations in readings that the body had been mudded with a filler (such as bondo) and block sanded straight. Paint depth readings ranged from 11.5 mils to over 35 mils in some area’s, again indicative of mudding process. However the finish definitely had high quality clear coat and a lot of it (judging by the depth of the bare paint).



General Procedure and Process Outline



Exterior Paint Work



Wash entire car with P21s Total Body wash using two bucket method



Clay paintwork, glass, and trim using Sonus Gray clay using Zaino Z7 cut as lubricant



Rinse



Dry car using Ultimate Microfibers Waffle Weave’s and 2 220 MPH leaf blowers



Inspect paint and measure paint thickness



Polish Correction

- Meguiars M95 on a Meguiars So1o Yellow Wool pad at 2000 RPM x 2-4

- Menzerna PO85 3.02 on a Lake Country Green German Foam CCS Pad at

1700 RPM burnished down to 1200 RPM

- Menzerna PO85u on a Meguiars So1o Foam Finishing Pad @ 1500 rpm

jeweled down to 1000 RPM

4 inch spot pads where used in numerous areas to achieve 100 percent correction using the following steps

- Meguiars M95 on a Lake Country 4inch Purple Foam Wool Pad at 2000

RPM x 2-4

- 1Z Intensive Paste on a Lake Country 4inch Orange CCS pad at 1200 RPM

- Menzerna PO85u on a Lake Country 4inch Gray CCS pad at 1500 RPM

burnished down to 1000 RPM

Also certain areas required hand polishing (headlight buckets for example).

- Meguiars M105 by hand using Lake Country Yellow Foam (custom cut into

hand applicator)

- 1Z Intensive Paste by hand using Lake Country White Foam (custom cut)

- Meguiars ScratchX by hand using Lake Country Gray Foam (custom cut)



All chrome and trim on the exterior was hand polished using DeepFinish Deep Chrome and protected with Meguiars #16



The original top was washed with Meguiars APC 10:1 and topped with two coats of 303 Aerospace Protectant



After polishing the paint was rewashed then treated with Meguiars #7 to enrich the depth and wetness of the paint.



P21s 100% was used as the LSP for two coats



Tires/Wheels/Wheel Arch Process



The tires where scrubbed using Eminn Fabrik Tire Cleaner



The wheels where cleaned with Griot’s Garage Wheel Cleaner using the EZ Detail Brush and Swissvax Wheel Brush



The wheels where polished using Eagle One’s Never Dull and topped with Zaino Z-AIO



The tires where dressed with 2 coats of Zaino Z16 Tire Dressing



The wheel wheels where scrubbed with Meguiars APC 10:1 and dressed with Meguiars Hyperdressing 4:1



Interior Process



The interior was blown up using compressed air and various boars’ hair brushes to remove loose dirt.



The carpet was removed, and stains where spot treated with Folex before the being shampooed using Meguiars ACP 10:1



The leather was treated with Leatherique Rejuvenator Oil, which was left to dwell for 6 hours before being wiped clean with Leatherique Pristine Clean



The interior vinyl and hard surfaces where cleaned using 1Z Cockpit Premium



All interior surfaces where treated with 303 Aerospace Protectant



The glass was cleaned with Meguiars ProLine Window Cleaner and sealed with Zaino Z-AIO



All interior metal was hand polished with Flitz



Engine Compartment and Trunk Process



The engine was wiped down using Meguiars APC 20:1 and damp cloth



All metal was polished using Mother Mag and Aluminum Polish using Lake Country Green Foam



All paint work under hood was polished with Meguiars #7 and topped with Meguiars #16



Meguiars Hyperdressing 4:1 and 2:1 was used on all black work under the engine compartment



Misc Processes



All jambs received Meguiars #7 topped with Meguiars #16



All weather stripping was cleaned using Meguiars #39 and topped with 1Z’s Gummi Phledge



Total Working Time: 23 Man Hours, non-stop



Okay let’s start with the pictures.



Some before pictures of the interior. The original carpets had 34 years worth of stains and grime and the leather was in need of cleaning.



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a001.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a002.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a003.jpg



Initial inspection of the paint revealed significant marring.



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a004.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a006.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a007.jpg



50/50`s working toward perfection. Given the initial gloss and color of the paint I was pleasantly surprised to see how much improvement could be made.



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a009.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a010.jpg



I had Brian apply Leatherique to the interior leather surfaces and massaging a liberal amount of Rejuvinator Oil into the hides by hand.



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a011.jpg



A couple more 50/50`s



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a014.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a015.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a016.jpg

Todd@RUPES
05-12-2008, 07:52 AM
Some pictures of us polishing. Most work was done inside the garage, although we where able to polish outside in the early morning. By 11 AM the sun was over head and the temperature was climbing past 90 so we had to bring it in.



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a012.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a018.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a020.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a022.jpg



When Bella Macchina perfects paint, we do not miss any spots. Perfection is only complete when every area of the paint has been brought to its highest potential, no matter how small the area or insignificant it seems.





http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a025.jpg



Here is a picture of Zaino Z18 clay after being used on the rear window (which is original and had 38 year`s of grime, soot, and nasty stuff on it). I love this picture because the clay resembles The Rolling Stone`s lips logo.



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a028.jpg



Some pictures inside the garage, after all the polishing has been done and the reflections are at their sharpest, courtesty of Bella Macchina and Menzerna`s P085u.



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a030.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a032.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a033.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a035.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a036.jpg



After polishing we drove the Jaguar back outside for a wash and to inspect for any swirls.



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a039.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a040.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a041.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a042.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a043.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a045.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a046.jpg



Some area`s with RIDS where identified then repolished. Then we washed the car and snapped some more pictures.



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a047.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a049.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a050.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a051.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a052.jpg



The engine compartment was very clean to begin with so I did not take any before pictures. However a lot of hand polishing went into the various metal parts, the frame rails where hand polished and waxed, the various rubber`s recieved various dressing, etc...



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a054.jpg



The Stromberg carburetors took at least 25 minutes a piece of hand polishing to restore the original shine.



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a055.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a056.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a058.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a059.jpg

Todd@RUPES
05-12-2008, 07:53 AM
The Jag was pulled into the garage and all final detailing steps where completed including removing the Leatherique with Pristine Clean, polishing the paint with #7 topped with P21s100% for two coats, sealing the glass, finishing the carpets, dressing the tires, polishing rims, etc, etc, etc...



With the sun going down we took some pictures of the cat outside.



The paint was absolutely glowing and honestly, the pictures do not do this car justice. The combination of artful body lines, high quality aftermarket paint, and about 18 hours of paint correction and perfection probably mark this car as the high light of my detailing career.



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a064.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a065.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a066.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a067.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a068.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a069.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a070.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a071.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a073.jpg



Some after`s of the interior.



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a075.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a076.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a080.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a081.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a084.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a086.jpg



After a night of sound sleep, we returned in the morning to finish up a few details and capture some sun shots.



The early morning South Florida sun...



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a088.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a090.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a091.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a092.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a094.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a096.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a097.jpg



The headlight buckets after a lot of hand polishing with copious amounts of passion.



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a099.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a100.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a101.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a102.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a104.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a107.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a113.jpg



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a108.jpg

Way2SSlow
05-12-2008, 08:04 AM
Wow. That is an incredible machine with an unmatched shine. Great work!

Setec Astronomy
05-12-2008, 08:18 AM
Hey, great job! You might want to check your lens or something, there is a dark spot that shows up middle-left in most of those photos. It shows up on the side of the console in the last picture in from the passenger side; after you see it there you can pick it up in many of the other shots.



Fabulous car, fabulous detail!

imported_JoshVette
05-12-2008, 08:25 AM
Very nice work as always. I like how you get that little painted part under the windshield, that really shows your dedication to quality and thoroughness.



Nice job on one of the best looking Jags ever made IMO.



Josh

Todd@RUPES
05-12-2008, 09:16 AM
Wow. That is an incredible machine with an unmatched shine. Great work!



Thanks!




Hey, great job! You might want to check your lens or something, there is a dark spot that shows up middle-left in most of those photos. It shows up on the side of the console in the last picture in from the passenger side; after you see it there you can pick it up in many of the other shots.



Fabulous car, fabulous detail!



Thanks. The sensor needs to be cleaned, there is a piece of dirt or something that only shows up in bright pictures and is driving me nuts.




Very nice work as always. I like how you get that little painted part under the windshield, that really shows your dedication to quality and thoroughness.



Nice job on one of the best looking Jags ever made IMO.



Josh



Thanks Josh. We leave no stone untouched (or no paint un buffed). :D

Alex Boyce
05-12-2008, 09:25 AM
Great work you bring a new meaning to perfection in all of your C&B`s.



Got any pics of the Lake Country pad you converted to a hand applicator?

AP2TUDE
05-12-2008, 09:28 AM
Wow. To see the amount of improvement that came from a car that already looked good is simply staggering.



How did you go about polishing the louvers on the hood?



Awesome job as always Todd.

Slik560
05-12-2008, 09:31 AM
Very nice indeed. Good to see such a classic get the TLC it deserves. I can only imagine doing those wheels; spoke by spoke by spoke....:help: The car redefines RED. :)



I still love the pics. My D70s was so prone to sensor dust that I got one of those 18-200mm VR lenses so that I don`t have to change lenses as often! I`m too much of a coward to clean the sensor myself, but I have a local guy that does it for a reasonable $$.

99blackSE
05-12-2008, 09:43 AM
I don`t know what to say, the car, the work, simply phenomenal!



Much love for the older Jaguars.

joyriiide1113
05-12-2008, 09:52 AM
Awesome work!



You`ve transformed yourself a lot from these prior details.



Funny pic too!

http://archive.meguiarsonline.com/gallery/data/500/6854DCFC0009-med.JPG





F150 Extreme - Car Care Forums: Meguiar`s Online (http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13073)



Pictures don`t do it justice (I swear!) - Car Care Forums: Meguiar`s Online (http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13077)



consder this the my official roast of Todd Helme.

Keep the those perfect details coming!

Pats300zx
05-12-2008, 10:06 AM
Eh...I guess it came out ok...:doh



Seriously....awesome work as always. You keep taking these details to new levels. Congrats...:spot

charlesaferg
05-12-2008, 10:33 AM
hat kind of pad are you using in this photo...?

4inch foamed wool?



http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x121/tropicaldetailing/barryjag/a012.jpg

imported_fishbonezken
05-12-2008, 10:40 AM
Todd,



YOU are THE... MASTER!!!:bow:bow:bow



I have some questions if you don`t mind:dance



1. why the use of M95 and not M105 or other compounds? how do you like the M95? (compared to M85)...



2. For the headlight buckets, what about polishing those areas with the 4" CCS pads? will they fit?





Brilliant work man, the photos, the dedication,:bow