First Exterior Detail- Removing Light Oxidation by Hand (1980 Volvo)

[volvie!]

Hi Everyone,



I hope you are all well!



I`m an exterior detailing newbie and posted a question back in June 2008 asking for product recommendations to correct my (original) thin single-stage paint by hand:

http://www.autopia.org/forum/car-det...own-volvo.html

Thanks again to everyone who responded!



And, after viewing numerous paint correction threads, I finally worked up the courage to actually try to tackle my own paint. :laugh:



So, I set up my shade tent on a nice cool day and got all my supplies ready.



Process and Products:

Wash- Meg`s Gold Class Car Wash Shampoo and Conditioner

Clay- Meg`s Smooth Surface Clay Kit

Wash- as above

Clean- Meg`s Deep Crystal System Paint Cleaner #1

Polish- 1Z Einszett Metallic PolishWax

Wash- as above

Wax- Collinite 476S



Additionally, I polished and waxed the beauty rims as they tend to spot rust:

Polish- TurtleWax Chrome Polish (and rust remover)

Wax- Collinite 476S







Before (sun photos):

Most of the oxidation was on the hood and trunk. After washing and drying the paint, the oxidation was more dramatic in person than in the photos, but hopefully you can see it (I`ve also included the links to the larger images below each photo).



Hood:



http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3215/...38f9c5db_b.jpg





http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3143/...cca12baa_b.jpg





http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3028/...f86dbd3d_b.jpg



Roof:



http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3290/...44977930_b.jpg



Trunk:



http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3092/...19fb9f86_b.jpg





http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3250/...a7e08585_b.jpg





http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3156/...48f8859d_b.jpg



In addition to the oxidation, my paint also has some other issues...

A tree I parked under sneezed tons of little sap droplets which ate through some of the paint (hood only):



http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3143/...4a318d72_b.jpg



And, some bird poo etchings (also on hood):



http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3238/...696910ec_b.jpg



But the main order of the day was to remove as much oxidation as I could while still preserving what is left of the "good" original paint.



Since the hood had the most "issues," I spent the most time working here.

I started at 10:30A and didn`t finish until the sun was setting (around 5:00P), so I had to wait until the next morning to get some after-detail sun shots.

I intended to take photos of the process as I went along, but it didn`t quite work out that way so the pictures are a little out of order.



The Mess:

Clay:





Cleaning:





Polishing:





The Results:

As the sun was setting:

Hood:



http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3281/...77533fe8_b.jpg





http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3052/...870cd87a_b.jpg



Roof:



http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3188/...3a82c2dc_b.jpg



Trunk:



http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3252/...125bf147_b.jpg



Sap spots:



http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3113/...a06c12a1_b.jpg



Bird Poo:



http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3064/...43838c2c_b.jpg



The next morning (sun photos):

Hood:



http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3072/...d4cec168_b.jpg



Trunk:



http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3182/...46e5c4b4_b.jpg



And, last but not least, the polished and waxed beauty rims:



http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3234/...1bc22f26_b.jpg



While not perfect, the paint is about 70% better than it was when I started. There is still more work to be done, but, in the meantime, I am very pleased with the results! :dance



Thanks again to everyone for their advice and recommendations! :hifive:

[Garry Dean]

Looks good. If you really want even better results than that invest in a PC, but I`m sure you knew that. Nice work!

[volvie!]

Looks good. If you really want even better results than that invest in a PC, but I`m sure you knew that. Nice work!

Hi Premium,



Thanks!



Yeah, I`m aware that PCs make the work quicker, easier, and nicer, but I`ve been told by my (professional) detailer that my paint is too thin to be buffed again (and I`m trying to delay a re-paint as long as possible), so I thought I`d try to do it by hand and see what the results were.



Obviously, I`ve got some more work to do-- especially on the hood...

But, I`m optimistic and don`t mind putting in the time.



Take care,

volvie!

[imported_edschwab1]

Looking good.

[imported_bigfoot]

Beautiful job!

[David703]

that car brings back memories.. GREAT JOB!!Lets see some full body shots!

[Awsomeshine]

Good job, my Dad had one of those in the 80`s.



The wife is from Sac, we used to go to that English Bar for Fish n Chips when I was over there, I think it`s called The Streets of Sacramento near J Street I think.



How are the Kings doing???

[volvie!]

that car brings back memories.. GREAT JOB!!Lets see some full body shots!

Its been cold and foggy around here, so as an added bonus, I have water beading shots:













And, all dried off:

Good job, my Dad had one of those in the 80`s.

Awesome!

The wife is from Sac, we used to go to that English Bar for Fish n Chips when I was over there, I think it`s called The Streets of Sacramento near J Street I think.

I haven`t tried that one yet-- I`ll have to try it! Thanks for the tip!

How are the Kings doing???

Not so good. Goes to check website...

12.5 games back (5 and 16), but we still love `em and root for them anyway! Go Kings!

[V_Eight]

That has to be the cleanest 240 i`ve ever seen. Congrats!

[Old Pirate]

Nice job, :usa

[Awsomeshine]

I got the name wrong, it`s The Streets of London Pub and her in doors says it`s 1804 J street.



Do good English beer as well.

[volvie!]

Hi everyone,



Thanks for all the compliments!

I got the name wrong, it`s The Streets of London Pub and her in doors says it`s 1804 J street.



Do good English beer as well.

Ah, yes! Now that one I have tried!

Sooo good!



Thanks for the follow-up! :up

[Danspeed1]

I don`t care for Volvo`s at all, but yours is really cool for some reason. I haven`t seen one like that around in a while. Amazing working considering you did it all by hand.



DG

[Jeroen]

A very well kept Volvo, good job!:xyxthumbs

[P1et]

Beautiful Volvo, jealous! Want a 242 myself...