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Ron - Is this the plant in Ypsilanti/Inkster right off of Michigan Ave? We (Travelers Ins) use to go there for Chief training for several years in the mid to late 00`s. Those guys used to have a ball doing all the experimental refinishing. Seemed like a great hideout from the Corporate guys.
As far as doing a "light polishing to remove wash enduced marring", I`d take a guess that you could do it several dozen times before even thinking about harming the clear. This being done with a final polish (85rd) and a finishing pad. Microscopic leveling IMO.
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Hey, I have Travelers car insurance :xyxthumbs
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Then you have Santa Claus in your corner! :biggrin2:
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Back then, it was out by Willow Run in Ypsilanti, the airport industrial park.
We had a ball, for as you pointed out, the "suits` didn`t like driving out there to throw around their "perseved" weight.
But, that is what got John in trouble and why he left Ford.
Gerry is one great person, a real talent, and communicator.
My last year, before I retired, had the region of State Farm send it`s field adjustors to our AI training center for some training, not on paint so much, but corossion concerns, etc.
Grumpy
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Yup, that`s it. Remember the pearl yellow Ford GT they had hiding there that one of the execs crashed into a ditch? They ended up mounting the car to the roof of the Wixom Assembly(Lincoln) building ultimately after rebuilding it. I`ve met John several times as I was the person that was called when they needed bumper covers dropped off for 3M`s platic repair classes. I would have love it if our company would send us to IA for some real world classes. We get the priviledge of going to I-CAR instead. Probably why I can`t remember all that much about corrosion protection? :noidea:
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I was involved in the "yellow" GT.
It was a crash test vehicle,and an excutive decided to have the Tech Center rebuild it for various car shows.
it went all over the country, in a truck, pushed on, pushed off.
It could "not be driven" due to Fed regulations regarding crash test vehicles, so while it was rebuilt perfect, could not be sold, titled or driven.
To my knowledge, it never had fuel put back in it after the rebuild (that`s all I am saying) so it could keep the law of the land in force. (of course a two or three gearheads who had spent months redoing that car would never think of actually driving it)
The paint was SherwinWilliams, When it went to Wixom for it`s last days, drive train was removed and as I understand became a test bed for SVO folks.
I still have some great photos of the rebuild around somewhere.
It drove John nuts getting the "paint markings" required for the high speed cameras off the suspension parts, etc.
Grumpy
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Small world. I remember one class that Spies hosted where we ended up doing a tour of the Wayne Truck plant. Fun stuff. Wonder why they used SW seeing that it`s not a line used in the OEM? I thought GT were painted with PPG at the factory?
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I really don`t recall whose paint system was used on the GT`s.
The SW was used because they wanted to be part of the approved Ford refinish list for dealers and gave John and Gerry all the material they wanted, plus manpower to get some things done.
It was beautiful, the paint was awesome, and if I recall Rob Grey had one of their painters sent in to apply the finish.
Are you aware that there was never a service manual produced for those vehicles, a woman who oversaw the vehicle`s production, etc nixed doing one as she felt the expense was not justified for such a low production vehicle?
Grumpy
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That`s a smart idea? I bet Techs loved that and got ripped off on make believe warranty times?
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They had to call Dearborn and get a number, still do in reality.
And, it was mostly guess work, but Ford had built in a high warranty dollar into each of the vehicles.
Grumpy
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Ron, Are you aware if Saleen painted the FGTs? They did paint the Vipers and some of the the other SRTs for Dodge.
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Who knew.....................man I guess my clients for the last 17 years plus have been extremely "Lucky" as I have been taking away thier UV protection everytime they see me. Maybe it`s time for me to do something else.
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Don`t know but doubt it.
Not saying they couldn`t have.
I`ll put that question on my list and the next time I chat with Bonnani, ask him.
Grumpy
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I remember Rydawg & me researching this and found that Saleen did paint the GTs. (atleast some at 1 time) I`ll see it I can dig up some documentation.