So I finally finished up this car today. Long hood + long doors + short arms = a very tired and sore LittlemissGTO. I also wished that I had picked up some Mezerna before I started this particular detail. I feel like I didn't do a really good job getting the correction done. This car has never been polished and it was very difficult to polish. Lesson learned and now I've got some Mezerna ready for the next vehicle. :applause2: Process: P21S on the wheels ONR wash (can't wait until it's warm enough to use my foam gun) Z8 Clay w/PB S&W as lubricant PB's SSR 2.5 w/Orange pad PB's SSR1 w/White Pad PWS Leather wipedown with PB's leather Stuff Zaino Z2 Pro Zaino Z8 wipe down Z16 on the tires Enough with the typing here are some before and after photos. Engine Bay Before: After: Before ONR: After ONR: Before SSR2.5: After: Aftger SSR1: Interior Before: Interior After: Some shots outside: I need to pick up some trim restorer something fierce. Come on spring.
wow, is it really number 001? I thought only the GNX were numbered? Looks like it could use a little touch up in some areas. Someone should restore that, its going to be worth some coin regardless.
No, my friend has 3 Grand Nationals that I'm detailing. All of them have the original GM paint, and none of them have ever been polished.
That one looks like it may benefited with a longer or a second pass with SSR 2.5. Clean that hood emblem and around the mirror bases with a toothbrush or trimmed paint brush. They will clean up nice. Your friend can order NOS emblems online if they are shot.
There are a few spots that are screaming I need a new paint job. I didn't consider doing a second pass of SSR 2.5. I did get smart and call the local Mezerna supplier and picked up some SIP and 106 today. I'll finish up getting rid of the built up wax around the mirrors and emblems before they get back home. I wish I would have known these guys 15 years ago when the bought the cars. They'd be in much better shape than they are now. He's not concerned with emblems. In fact he'd rather debadge the car. You have no idea. I will have to talk to these guys about how often to polish and who gets to wash and wax their cars from now on...LOL
SIP may not work well on that paint. You may be better off with IP, give it a shot. The SIP may cake up on that, making more work for you. Are you using a Porter Cable, I see a little evidence of micro-marring. You will get that with the PC as it shimmy's instead of powers through the compounds. If so, put it down and pick up the rotary, that paint will come up like gem
I'm using a UDM. It's time to move to a Flex and to learn how to use a rotary. I'm positive that if I had a rotary the paint correction would have turned out MUCH nicer.
Good job on the detail! Kind of a shame that a collectable, future classic like a Grand National would be driven in that conition though. :shakehead:
It is a slow go with a orbital buffer and those deep swirls. It can be done but it usuallydoes not come with jsut one pass. With all of the steps that youlisted it is no wonder that youare tired. Step up to a inexpensive rotary to learn and you will find correction will come easier. I wish that I had a Metabo or Hitachi but my Vector seems to do all the work of the expensive ones at a fraction of the cost. If you have time I would like to hear your comments on the use of PwS after SSR1. Was this step necessary? Do you think that the PwS will have any effect on the Zaino used for your LSP? Another thing to consider is the fact that using an orbital with any swirl remover will cause frustration. I will be surprised if the Menzerna products fair any better than the SSR's that you were using in correcting those deep swirls. I look forward to reading your comments on the Menzerna products.
Mechanically the car is in tip top shape. It would not surprise me one bit if the car is repainted in the next couple of years. Wheelchairs and time take their toll on vehicles. Oh man I just realized I listed the wrong step. I didn't use the PwS. I used Professional Polish w/Caranauba. I probably could have just done PP and went right to the Zaino, but I wanted to see if I could clear up any of the micromarring that happened. I'm going to give the Mezerna a try tomorrow on a 70 GTO. It does not have the original paint. Heck it doesn't have the original hood or front bumper either. The hood and bumper are now fiberglass to help reduce weight.
Very nice work! The results you got from using SSR2.5 and SSR1 are very similar to what I am seeing on my own truck when I polished it with the PC. Little micromarring left and right. Invest in the Flex and some Menzerna (like you mentioned) and it will be looking like a million dollars!
I've always love them cars. I had one out run me years ago around 1989. I had a 5.0 Mustang GT 5.0. Not by much LOL..... Awesome turn around on the paint...
I'm glad that he's got so many cars. Gives me an opportunity to practice techniques. This GN was only the fourth time I've done paint correction.
