Neglected Black 350Z

I

imported_gusbubba

New member
Hi, all.

This is my first attempt at posting pics , so please bear with any miscues.



The car is a 2003 350Z owned by a friend of my wife's.

It has been parked under a tree and basically unwashed for the past 3 years.



You also may notice the custom key job running from the front to the rear fender.

This was merely the most obvious of the hedonism perpetrated upon this car :

the hood was loaded with rock chips , the front bumper was cracked and chipped from

where he rear-ended someone...plus, the usual tree-sap , swirls and oxidation.



I'll post the process , then get on to the pics.



Exterior:

-wash with Meg's GC

-clay w/ clay magic red medium bar

-attacked the key line with 3M compound and yellow 4" LC pad via PC @ 5-6

-worked the rock chips with Langka

-OC via Rotex in forced rotation (FR) @ speed 4.5 w/ Orange P2

-SSR 2.5 via Rotex in random mode (RM) @ 5 w/ Orange P2

-OP via Rotex in RM @ 5 w/ green P2

-OP via Rotex in RM @ 5 w/ white LC polishing pad

-Menzrna FTG via Rotex in RM @ 3.5 w/ red LC glazing pad

-Collinite 845 IW buffed w/ OCW



Engine:

-cleaned and degreased with Hi-Temp APC 10:1

-dressed with AA foam



Wheels:

-cleaned insides with H-T APC 5:1 and a soapy Brillo pad (please don't hate me).

-sealed w/ AIO & 845

-cleaned outsides w/ H-T 10:1 --- sealed same as inside (no Brillo).

-AA foam in fenderwells



Now on to the pics (FINALLY!) :



Engine before

2005_0910Image0005.JPG




After

2005_0910Image0029.JPG




2005_0910Image0028.JPG
 
NickMach1 said:
Poor 350z :( Why do people spend all kinds of money just to not take care of something?
Click to expand...



:werd: My car is worth far less and I still want it to look good.



Outstanding work bringing back one hideously neglected Z. Probably hasn't looked that good since it left the assmebly line. :)
 
NickMach1 said:
Poor 350z :( Why do people spend all kinds of money just to not take care of something?
Click to expand...



+2



It is such a shame that someone would let such a nice car get like that. Great job on the detail though, the paint looks 10x better! :up
 
The Z looks awesome now! :2thumbs:



How deep was the keying, it appears it was down to the primer since it shows up as white in the pics. You did a great job at removing it!



I wonder how long until the trees sweat sap all over it again. At least it ensures continuing business right!



Did the Brillo pad scratch up the inside of the wheels? Seems it would be a bit too harsh to me. Either way those wheels were gross!
 
Thanks everyone for the good words, I appreciate it.



audicoupej : Yes , the scratch was down to the primer. I was surprised at how well the 4" pads performed. I didn't expect those results.

The insides of wheels are generally pretty rough anyway , so any light marring among the milling

marks is negligible.



As I was killing myself on this car , my wife kept telling me not to be so meticulous with it because

it would likely go right back under the tree from where it came.

I'm certain she was right.

The owner left it at my house for three days after I let him know it was finished.

My wife and I were out of town when he picked it up after 2 straight days of heavy rain , so

he never saw it in pristine condition....he hasn't even seen the pics ! I didn't get to go over it with him and tell him what was done and get his reaction.



Sort of a kick in the nuts because it's not just about the money ( and ,yes, he paid dearly) , you would like to be appreciated for your work and shown some gratitude by the owner.

If I hadnt've contacted him to follow up on it , I would've never heard from him about it.

The whole transaction was just too 'soul-less' for my taste.

But , it's his car and he can do what he wants with it. I do my best on all of 'em regardless.



Thanks again , guys, for the kind responses.
 
Excellent work - I am sure most of us understand about the "soul-less" client. I dislike those ones too; I'd rather get to see the owner flip out about the transformation than get $50 more for doing it. :)
 
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