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<span style="font-size:14px;">Now nothing makes me happier then when I see a older lady, who looks the same way she did when she came off the line ( I'm talking about cars here folks 
). Don't get me wrong, individual expression in someones ride when it comes to customizing is important to me, BUT when I see an antique sitting there, unchanged, the same exact look it had when it was purchased at the dealer or even when it rolled off the factory floor, I naturally get excited. It's like looking into the past, you get to see how designers envisioned the next big thing, and the best part is that you're seeing it in person. Pictures and videos don't compare. So naturally when a new customer strolled into my shop looking for some info on pricing to detail his car, we went outside to see what I was getting getting into.
<span style="font-size:18px;">Background
This customer was looking for a shop that would be able to detail his 77' Mercedes-Benz 300D so that he would be able to sell it to a potential discerning buyer. Upon viewing the lady, it became evident the paint needed alot of love. Everything else was in great shape, the trim was on the dryer side, but the chrome, interior, wheels, and engine were in great shape. Upon talking to the gentleman more, he mentioned that his family had owned this car since 1979 and that the exterior had been done once before.
We then proceeded to go about the process that I believed would be the best route for the Benz, and from my tone, and the knowledge we had on how to restore the luster to his oxidized paint, he booked with us. His only request, do not damage the paint, respraying is not an option. Whatever money this is worth is largely in part from the fact that everything on it is original.
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Upon getting her into the shop, we were able to do examine the paint fully under our lights, point out areas of concern, and the areas that were more sever than others, and how far we could go.
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Upon our evaluation, we performed a test spot with Menzerna FG400 and finished down with Meguiars M205, both of which are higher in "lubrication" that help to allow proper working time to go slow and easy on the single stage paint and still remove the oxidation, swirls, and any other defects that we are able to eliminate without damaging the paint.
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As you can see, the oxidation is removed, but it reveals just how deep the scratches are.Now chasing defects was not an option for me, with the unknowns of the history of the paint, I did not want to take the chance of burning the paint and turning a original paint into a resprayed paint.
Here's some 50/50 shots. The doors, as well as all the other tight spots too small for a 3" polisher or in other hard to reach areas were hand polished, the good ol' fashioned way.
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Here is the finished product: Compound, Polish, Sealed with Powerlock, and topped with CG Celeste.
ONR to give her a proper wash without getting water it impossible to reach areas, Black Wow Pro to restore the dried out and tired looking trim.
Rupes 21 with a 5" Plate and my trusty PC with a 3" Plate. All Foam used.Final Product
Here is the final product, and how it looked for the customer upon pickup.
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Outside shots
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And hands down, my favorite shot of this job.
Took this one by playing with the filters on the phone, give it a real nice aged look in my opinion.That wraps up this job, customer was very happy, I was very happy from being able to work on her and get this older lady back to her best. Hope you enjoy reading this one and the pics as much as I enjoyed doing it.
). Don't get me wrong, individual expression in someones ride when it comes to customizing is important to me, BUT when I see an antique sitting there, unchanged, the same exact look it had when it was purchased at the dealer or even when it rolled off the factory floor, I naturally get excited. It's like looking into the past, you get to see how designers envisioned the next big thing, and the best part is that you're seeing it in person. Pictures and videos don't compare. So naturally when a new customer strolled into my shop looking for some info on pricing to detail his car, we went outside to see what I was getting getting into.<span style="font-size:18px;">Background
This customer was looking for a shop that would be able to detail his 77' Mercedes-Benz 300D so that he would be able to sell it to a potential discerning buyer. Upon viewing the lady, it became evident the paint needed alot of love. Everything else was in great shape, the trim was on the dryer side, but the chrome, interior, wheels, and engine were in great shape. Upon talking to the gentleman more, he mentioned that his family had owned this car since 1979 and that the exterior had been done once before.
We then proceeded to go about the process that I believed would be the best route for the Benz, and from my tone, and the knowledge we had on how to restore the luster to his oxidized paint, he booked with us. His only request, do not damage the paint, respraying is not an option. Whatever money this is worth is largely in part from the fact that everything on it is original.
<p class="bbc_center">
Upon getting her into the shop, we were able to do examine the paint fully under our lights, point out areas of concern, and the areas that were more sever than others, and how far we could go.
<p class="bbc_center">
Upon our evaluation, we performed a test spot with Menzerna FG400 and finished down with Meguiars M205, both of which are higher in "lubrication" that help to allow proper working time to go slow and easy on the single stage paint and still remove the oxidation, swirls, and any other defects that we are able to eliminate without damaging the paint.
<p class="bbc_center">
As you can see, the oxidation is removed, but it reveals just how deep the scratches are.Now chasing defects was not an option for me, with the unknowns of the history of the paint, I did not want to take the chance of burning the paint and turning a original paint into a resprayed paint.
Here's some 50/50 shots. The doors, as well as all the other tight spots too small for a 3" polisher or in other hard to reach areas were hand polished, the good ol' fashioned way.
<p class="bbc_center">
Here is the finished product: Compound, Polish, Sealed with Powerlock, and topped with CG Celeste.
ONR to give her a proper wash without getting water it impossible to reach areas, Black Wow Pro to restore the dried out and tired looking trim.
Rupes 21 with a 5" Plate and my trusty PC with a 3" Plate. All Foam used.Final Product
Here is the final product, and how it looked for the customer upon pickup.
<p class="bbc_center">
<p class="bbc_center">
And hands down, my favorite shot of this job.
Took this one by playing with the filters on the phone, give it a real nice aged look in my opinion.That wraps up this job, customer was very happy, I was very happy from being able to work on her and get this older lady back to her best. Hope you enjoy reading this one and the pics as much as I enjoyed doing it.
