Old School 300Z Brought Back To Life

**imported_JoshVette** · 08-22-2007, 12:41 PM

I`ve always loved the look of the old 300Z`s and finally got do restore one.

It was repainted about 5-6 years ago so I really wasn`t sure what to expect.

The clear was moderate to soft so correcting it wasn`t too difficult. I did a lot of touch up painting on the front bumper chips and such. They all turned out well.

The interior was really beyond help but I did what I could and scrubbed the mess out of it, but a lot of the stains remained.

This car has 146,000 miles on it and still running good.

Process:

Dawn Wash and Bug and Tar remover on Front bumper

Claybar

Rotary, White LC Pad and Menzerna IP @ 1500 x 2 passes

PC (cant` remember the pad and chemical combo though, sorry, this was a month or so back)

Zaino Clear Seal

I have only one shot of the swirls that turned out, they were very hard to see on the white paint.

before

after

Decient reflections for white paint.

Some after pics in the sun. Notice how clear the headlights are after buffing them out.

more pics to come, more reflection shots as well.....

**imported_memnuts** · 08-22-2007, 12:47 PM

You do excellent work Josh!!!

**SilentSamurai** · 08-22-2007, 12:48 PM

Wow. I am greatly impressed sir. You see some white cars on this forum and as hard as it is to make em shine. You proved it. great detail, very wet indeed. Keep it up!

Adam

**imported_JoshVette** · 08-22-2007, 12:49 PM

Whoever repainted this car did a good job as you can see the orange peel is very minimal.

Josh

**Old Pirate** · 08-22-2007, 01:13 PM

Awesome return of the white shine and wetness on the 300Z Josh! :goodjob so how long did you wait after you use the IP to put on the zanio clear seal? Just asking because i`m would like to try the clear seal after i use my menzerna polishes............Angelo

**imported_memnuts** · 08-22-2007, 01:17 PM

Originally Posted by SilentSamurai

Wow. I am greatly impressed sir. You see some white cars on this forum and as hard as it is to make em shine. You proved it. great detail, very wet indeed. Keep it up!

Adam

Yes, Josh did prove a point. With a proper prep a light colored finish can be glossy, deep and wet and not exclude reflectivity.

**stiffdogg06** · 08-22-2007, 01:19 PM

I love the wetness you were able to give to the white!:woot:

**imported_JoshVette** · 08-22-2007, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by zoomzoom mazda5

Awesome return of the white shine and wetness on the 300Z Josh! :goodjob so how long did you wait after you use the IP to put on the zanio clear seal? Just asking because i`m would like to try the clear seal after i use my menzerna polishes............Angelo

If I`m doing a total swirl removal process like on this 300Z, I usually rewash it to get rid of excess powder build up and remove any lubricants the Menzerna leaves behind. Then I Clear Seal it.

But typically, I`ll only wait a couple minutes to catch my breath and start sealing. Zaino is pretty good when it comes to bonding with the surfaces. The Clear Seal is supposed to be able to go over any other wax, sealant or what have you. It`s good stuff.

Josh

**Old Pirate** · 08-22-2007, 02:30 PM

Thank you for the return question.:thx

**imported_JoshVette** · 08-23-2007, 08:55 AM

[quote name=`blkZ28Conv`]Yes, Josh did prove a point. With a proper prep a light colored finish can be glossy, deep and wet and not exclude reflectivity.

Yes, I`ve done a few white vehicles and they can look deep and wet with the proper prep work. Typically takes a good claybaring and buffing over at least once though.

**imported_memnuts** · 08-23-2007, 09:07 AM

Originally Posted by JoshVette

[quote name=`blkZ28Conv`]Yes, Josh did prove a point. With a proper prep a light colored finish can be glossy, deep and wet and not exclude reflectivity.

Yes, I`ve done a few white vehicles and they can look deep and wet with the proper prep work. Typically takes a good claybaring and buffing over at least once though.

Don`t be so modest.

It also takes skill. Obviously you have such.:clap:

**Smithule** · 08-23-2007, 02:58 PM

That looks great. I`m waiting for my PC to attempt something similar on my white car.

**imported_JoshVette** · 08-23-2007, 04:21 PM

Originally Posted by Smithule

That looks great. I`m waiting for my PC to attempt something similar on my white car.

Well to remove swirls I had to use my Makita Rotary and then follow up with the PC incase of any holograms. Either way, I`m sure your white car will turn out sparkling.:hifive: