"Saving" my daughters car

[rdorman]

Let me start off by saying I am not a professional detailer, just an avid car guy. The car in question we have had for over seven years and it used to be my daily driver. A few years back I handed over to my teenage daughter. It lost its comfy spot in the garage only to be parked outside, year round, under a tree or in the highschool parking lot. And it showed. It is a 1995 Infiniti J30 with 195,000 miles. The car has been reliable to the point of boredom, so it was worthy of some attention.



Now my daughter is off to college for her Sophmore year and it taking the car with her for the first time. So, I wanted to make sure the car was in good condition both mechanically and in appearence. After a few weeks at the mechanics shop, it was our turn. My daughter, Grace, helped out each step of the way.



Up first was the trunk. There is no before pictures because it was so disgusting that the moment I opened the lid, I wanted to rip it out. What I found, was a large stereo rack that had ripped the mounts out of the rear deck along with most of the wiring. Totally non functioning. Broken power antenea, a major leak, mold, three inches of rusted water standing in the spare tire well. A total mess. Everything fixed up, and put back in as best as could be.



http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/data/500/medium/trunk6.jpg

[rdorman]

On to the engine. As you can tell, really dirty



http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/data/500/medium/engine_before.jpg



There where leaves in every nook and cranny on the entire car. Suffice to say, NONE of the body drains worked and they all had to be de-clogged.



http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/data/500/medium/leaves.jpg



Attack with AutoGlym engine and machine cleaner, top with Sonus trim and motor coat. Now that is much better!



http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/data/500/medium/engine_after.jpg

[rdorman]

The interior was the saddest of all. No amount of cleaning was going to save this.



http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/data/500/medium/seat_before.jpg



http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/data/500/medium/floor_before.jpg



http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/data/500/medium/door_before.jpg

[rdorman]

So, a phone call to Leatherique and I get one of their interior kits to bring the leather back to life. The mats got the love they deserved, a proper burial.



Interior out and being recolored



http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/data/500/medium/interior_on_floor.jpg



Seat after and before install



http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/data/500/medium/seat_after.jpg



Door after



http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/data/500/medium/door_after.jpg



Back seat after



http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/data/500/medium/back_seat_after.jpg



Front interior after



http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/data/500/medium/front_interior_after.jpg

[rdorman]

Once the car wash washed, clayed, IPA wipedown I got it under the lights. The entire car was covered with swirls, deep RIDs, etching of all kinds



http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/data/500/medium/paint_rids.jpg

[rdorman]

Now, lets face it, the car is off to college where it will sit on a college street. The goal here was not to bring it back 100%, besides, only a new paint job was going to do that. The goal was to bring back some of the shine and add some protection. I went with Meg`s 151 and their 21 LSP because it has a little fill qualities. A little 50-50 after the 151



http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/data/500/medium/hood_5050.jpg



The shine is coming back!



http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/data/500/medium/paint_after.jpg



Now, that is more like it



http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/data/500/medium/better_car_after.jpg

[tssdetailing]

HOLY COW, nicely done, Rick!!!

[Accumulator]

rdorman- WOW!! I always enjoy beater-car ...uhm, I mean daily-driver ;) reconditioning jobs, and this one is simply amazing. I bet your daughter really appreciates it.



I`ll be interested to hear how the Leatherique stuff holds up, please post back with updates if you get a chance. I`m guessing that you won`t see the car again until maybe Thanksgiving, right?

[rdorman]

Thanks guys. As you know, many hours went into the job and I gained an increased appreciation for what you do for a living.interesting that the first two replies come from people also from Ohio.

[imported_Sludge]

Really nice job on the daughters car. Great save on the interior and trunk. Looks like a great college car. :2thumbs:

[Accumulator]

rdorman- Hey, just noticed that the wheels appear to be in decent shape!



I went back through the pics after your last post, thinking "gee, I shoulda spotted some clue that he was in Ohio, like the car`s plates" :D

[rdorman]

rdorman- Hey, just noticed that the wheels appear to be in decent shape!



I went back through the pics after your last post, thinking "gee, I shoulda spotted some clue that he was in Ohio, like the car`s plates" :D



They look better in the picture then they do in person. Lots of clear coat failure and flaking of the coating on the center caps. I to am eager to see how the leather coating holds up. But for now, it looks great!

[Alexshimshimhae]

i dont see any pictures =[

[rdorman]

Yeah it looks like the host I used for the pictures is down at the moment.

[Alexshimshimhae]

Eager to see the craftsmanship