Restored/polished/painted/cleared wheels

R

Ron Ketcham

Active member
Finished up one wheel. Wanted to make sure that my process would work before going to far.

Was necessary to work down the curb rash deep marks on the edge of the rims, remove all the years of built up corrosion, etc before polishing and then painting and clearing.

These will go on a 1956 Pontiac Safari wagon the owner is making into a custom tourer.

The blue is the main color of the car, with a cream color accent.

I can not seem to be able to add the photo of two wheels, one done, the other after only the curb rash being removed, so put them in my Gallery.

Grumpy
 
pontiacwheels_001.jpg




There you go.... looks good!
 
It is a ways from being finished.

I did all the exterior stainless trim for it this spring.

He's got way too many project cars, finishing up a 55 Chev convert with a crate motor, custom interior, disc brakes, etc, a street custom, he just bought another 55 Chev convert, but it is just getting started, will stay a classic, no custom stuff for it.

I will do the stainless for both of them later.

He also has a 55 Nomad that was done 13 years ago, clearcoated and looks bad from setting. I will do a wet sand and buff on it in Oct.

As they get finished, will put up some pictures.

All this work for a retired old fart is not leaving me time to do my own vehicles.

Grumpy
 
Ron Ketcham said:
It is a ways from being finished.

I did all the exterior stainless trim for it this spring.

He's got way too many project cars, finishing up a 55 Chev convert with a crate motor, custom interior, disc brakes, etc, a street custom, he just bought another 55 Chev convert, but it is just getting started, will stay a classic, no custom stuff for it.

I will do the stainless for both of them later.

He also has a 55 Nomad that was done 13 years ago, clearcoated and looks bad from setting. I will do a wet sand and buff on it in Oct.

As they get finished, will put up some pictures.

All this work for a retired old fart is not leaving me time to do my own vehicles.

Grumpy
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Isn't that how the story always goes though? The mechanics car doesn't run, the body mans cars is rusty and damaged, and the detailers car is filthy! ;)
 
They are done!

Total time for four wheels, 11.5 hours.

He's coming to pick them up this evening and bringing the stainless trim for both of the 55 Chev converts.

However, a guy wandered into the shop this morning who wants a quick, cheap repaint of the front fascia on his Sebring convert, nothing fancy, just sanded with some color and clear on it.

He wants it done next week, so the stainless will have to wait a bit, no biggy as both cars are a month at least away from needing the trim ready.

I am retired, damn-it, what is it with all this work coming in????

Cuts down on my bar time.

Grumpy
 
Ron Ketcham said:
They are done!

Total time for four wheels, 11.5 hours.

He's coming to pick them up this evening and bringing the stainless trim for both of the 55 Chev converts.

However, a guy wandered into the shop this morning who wants a quick, cheap repaint of the front fascia on his Sebring convert, nothing fancy, just sanded with some color and clear on it.

He wants it done next week, so the stainless will have to wait a bit, no biggy as both cars are a month at least away from needing the trim ready.

I am retired, damn-it, what is it with all this work coming in????

Cuts down on my bar time.

Grumpy
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I'm the same way....I have a hard time telling them no. I've been taking cars on during the week lately after my FT job, which is something I hate doing, but my weekends are booked so far out that I almost feel obligated to do it.
 
Ron Ketcham said:
I am retired, damn-it, what is it with all this work coming in????
Click to expand...



RaskyR1 said:
I'm the same way....I have a hard time telling them no. I've been taking cars on during the week lately after my FT job, which is something I hate doing, but my weekends are booked so far out that I almost feel obligated to do it.
Click to expand...



Guys, that's what happens when you're one of the best at what you do and have enough of a market around to support your efforts.
 
Yeah, if one takes the time, does work that is above what the rest are doing, it comes to you.

Not overnight, but it comes.

Now real market around here for more than two or three detailers in the whole area.

One makes a little bit, the other, just hangs on, makes some money twice a year for doing work for the people who put on the collector car auctions.

Most of the older guys remember my 48 Plymouth convert in it's day, plus a few other cars I had and built, painted, etc.

Slowly they are becoming aware I am back in the area and are starting to seek me out.

I guess, since I don't do "details', the work is coming from my being retired here for 4 years, my cars, my connections, like the guy with all the "restoring/flipping" cars and that creates "word of mouth".

Sometimes, I wish he would just shut up, too much for this old fart!

Not really, but it does sometimes become more than I want.

He picked up the wheels tonight, cash money, dropped off one set of the stainless.

Wants me to do the Nomad next week, so ---Woo-Woo, the Summer's Over Bash at the KYC will be real fun with the cash.

LOL!

Grumpy
 
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