1968 Firebird, by Rasky`s Auto Detailing

**imported_memnuts** · 12-12-2001, 09:02 AM

Now that the new activator (ZFX) for Z2/Z3/Z5 is available is there any advantage to use Z1 ( in order to use up ) more often. Is it okay to use every 2-3 coats or every coat of Z2/Z5? I realize the drying time will increase but the car is in hiberation in a close to dust-free environment. Is there anyone who has tried any of these procedures?Is the Z1 redundant after acquiring ZFX?

I feel an experiment coming on!!

**DETAILKING** · 12-12-2001, 09:37 AM

You can use it when you dont plan to do multiple coats in one day or when doing a fresh car and only plan on doing one coat.....

**Brad B** · 12-12-2001, 11:03 AM

But, technically, ZFX eliminates the need for Z1. I just checked with Sal Zaino to be sure.

**Lemonxxs** · 12-12-2001, 11:23 AM

Send all bottles of Z1 to me please. Thanks!

**imported_memnuts** · 12-12-2001, 11:28 AM

Does anyone use Z1 with every coat of Z2 or Z5?

**Lemonxxs** · 12-12-2001, 11:36 AM

I use Z1 every 4-5 coats of Z2 & Z5 for me.

**Brad B** · 12-12-2001, 11:43 AM

No. It`s not necessary if the surface is clean and prepped with the Z6 Gloss Enhancer first.

I would only apply Z1 after 8-10 or so coats of regular Z2 or Z5. It is necessary to give the surface some "bite" so the new layer can adhere. Zaino is so slick that after a while it has difficulty sticking to itself.

**Don2000g** · 12-12-2001, 08:28 PM

Brad is correct. I do think, though, that he meant to say after 8-10 coats of Z-2 or Z-5. Laters

......That`s right, thanks, Don.

Brad

**imported_RaskyR1** · 08-01-2010, 04:53 PM

1968 Firebird, Exterior correction and engine touch up.

So about twenty years ago I took a job at a local high volume detail shop. The supervising manager there at the time, unbeknownst to me, would end up being one of my greatest influences on both my work ethic, and my eye for detail. Today that same individual is now of my best friends and for him to entrust one of his most prized possessions with me really says a lot. This 1968 Firebird was purchased when he was 15 years old and he worked his tail off to save up the money to restore it into the condition you see here. It has been over twenty years now since it underwent that restoration and IMO is still in excellent shape. He is a very busy and hard working individual and 99% of the time he just has one of his employees wash the car since he doesn?t have the time. Now we all know high volume shops don?t all use the 2BM, so I wasn?t at all surprised to see a fair amount of swirling/marring in the paint. Either way, it has been a few years since it was last polished and he wanted me to give her a little love.

Car as it arrived

Quick shot of the interior, though all I did was vacuum it out.

Marring in the paint

Claying of the hood showed a fair amount of bonded surface contaminants

I decided to remove some of the emblems for easier buffing and I also removed the tach and hood scoop inserts. The tach had recently been replaced and the painter never wet sanded it. The scoop inserts had never been sanded from day one and I wanted to make them better match the rest of the car.

As you can see the orange peel on these pieces was horrible

Sanding and polishing was done by hand with 1000 and 2000 grit papers.

Here you can see I have a way to go as we want to knock down all the high points.

This is how it should look once it?s all leveled?(sorry pic is a little out of focus)

All buffed out using M105 and M205

The hood scoops were a little harder to buff so I didn?t get to crazy with them. You should still see an improvement though.

Engine before was not too bad, just a little dusty.

The process for paint correction was as follows:

Meguiar?s M105 via PCXP with LC Cyan Hydro pads (Speed 6)
Meguiar?s M205 via PCXP with LC Tangerine Hydro pads (Speed 6)
Menzerna PO85RD via rotary with LC Crimson Hydro pads (900-1500-900rpms)

**imported_RaskyR1** · 08-01-2010, 04:54 PM

After pics! I had a hard time getting accurate color with my camera so I took pics at different times of the day. After speaking with some fellow detailers I think I finally found the proper settings.

Brinkmann

Icing on the cake?.Supernatural!

Engine after

Video walk around?.go easy on me as this was my first real go at doing a video.

YouTube - 1968 Firebird

Thanks for taking the time to view my work,
Rasky

**Old Pirate** · 08-01-2010, 06:29 PM

Great correction work Rasky! wow 20 yrs ago I was in the gulf state of Saudi Arabia. Has time fly by so fast! The finish looks better then new, thanks for sharing.

**bmw5541** · 08-01-2010, 06:45 PM

Beautiful job on a classic Chad!!!!!!:notworthy:

**imported_Dubbin1** · 08-01-2010, 08:10 PM

OMG this looks just like the one someone posted on another forum today

:

**imported_RaskyR1** · 08-02-2010, 09:16 AM

Originally Posted by zoomzoom mazda5

Great correction work Rasky! wow 20 yrs ago I was in the gulf state of Saudi Arabia. Has time fly by so fast! The finish looks better then new, thanks for sharing.

Thanks Angelo! Yeah, it`s hard to believe it`s been 20 years already! Man we are getting old!

Originally Posted by bmw5541

Beautiful job on a classic Chad!!!!!!:notworthy:

Thanks Barry!

Originally Posted by Dubbin1

OMG this looks just like the one someone posted on another forum today

:

LOL! :-B