It may be a beater, but...

I

imported_animes2k

New member
...that doesn't prevent me from giving it some TLC for the gf...



perhaps "test car" would be a more honest evaluation :D



Basically we'll be getting rid of this car soon so that the little lady can drive the WRX wagon full-time. In the meantime, I'll take my time prepping the 1997 Tercel for sale later this fall... She has always taken pretty good care of the car, but it certainly could use some help:



sun_before.jpg




So, I decided to do...

- IP, Orange Pad, 1500rpm

- FP2, White Pad, 1200rpm

- AIO, Green Pad, 4.5 (PC) (including all trim, rubber, plastic, metal)

- EX-P, Blue Pad, 3-4 (PC) (including all trim, rubber, plastic, metal)

- Sonus Trim & Motor Kote (1/2 bumpers, wheel wells)



Really impressed with the Trim & Motor Kote. I actually applied that last week... PERFECT solution for wheel wells - doesn't wash off, looks great, but for the price I'll only do MY OWN wheel wells with this product.



A few after shots...

sun_after.jpg


(that's the sun there...)



angle.jpg




side.jpg




bumper.jpg


(that's not photoshop - that's a masking job :) )



ww.jpg


(left side w/Sonus TMK, right side nothing)



Fun stuff. REALLY getting comfortable with the Metabo and loving it. Thanks for looking.



edit: yes, the front fender has been repainted, hence the slightly different color/shade/reflectivity...
 
That's great work, especially at the plastic bumpers, which is a aestetically challenged area for econo daily drivers.



My beater now benefits from many of the detailing tricks that I give to car #1. It is hard (to me) to detail one car and not have the benefit of driving a nicely detailed car on a daily basis (to work). IMO you either detail all of your cars or not detail any of them.
 
thanks! the GF is complaining that I have to finish the bumpers (that's a masked-off job in the photos) :) Now that I've got the photos, I think I'll do that :)



lbls1: I know how you feel. Even if I had my own total beater, I think I'd have to detail it the best I could. I wonder if there's a market in flipping used cars like people do with houses :)



The neighbors have an older Benz that's swirled and hazed all to hell, but it's their commuter car... It would look sooo fantastic if they'd just have me clean it up :D
 
it seems so odd to see a tercel that has paint that looks that good. I've never seen a tercel without a rust spot haha
 
animes2k said:
I wonder if there's a market in flipping used cars like people do with houses :)
Click to expand...



I think there is, if you can find the right car. Something with some interior stains that make it less attractive, bad paint (repairable) on the exterior. I have been looking at cars in the <$500 range to try it out on durring the winter. Learn to use my PC better, and hopefully make a profit.
 
maybe not a bad plan... of course the car has to run well enough to be marketable (and be able to pass inspection here in Maryland), but I can turn a wrench pretty well. I'd just need the garage space....



Chang: well, maybe we'll get a good price for it then! :) It definitely needs a solid interior detailing... *ugh*
 
Can anybody tell me howe you fix your bumper like that? i Guess that it´s not wax, but what is it? I´m a real newb. do you use a machine to do the work?

/Andreas
 
You use a vinyl or plastic cleaner and a semi-gentle brush or some apc diluted might work also to clean it first .

Rinse / dry and then a trim restorer product . No machine on plastic or vinyl



Post a pic of your bumper
 
Ivil said:
Can anybody tell me howe you fix your bumper like that? i Guess that it´s not wax, but what is it? I´m a real newb. do you use a machine to do the work?

/Andreas
Click to expand...



As I mentioned in the initial post, all I did was wash the bumper, dry it thoroughly, then spray on two coats of Sonus Trim & Motor Kote, which dried to a nice shine, as you can see in the photos.



Mystic Can't really think of any tips or tricks specific to the Metabo, just keeping with the basic rotary techniques still. I have found that you can hold it by the near end and let it work itself over hard-to-reach areas, though. I also don't use the handle, just grip the top of the machine - if it starts hopping, you're probably gripping too hard :)
 
That bumper shot is one of the best side by sides I've ever seen on here. Nice work. I am another person who has never seen a Tercel that wasn't a total bomb. Can't believe how good yours looks.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top