This 2004 Rally Red Evo VIII was a successful revival, from a very near critical condition as you will clearly be able to see for yourselves. When I first saw the car in it's pink very faded state, I almost feared we were witnessing failure, but I didn't give up on it then and there. After performing a quick test panel on the seemingly most deteriorated part of the car and seeing hope, it was deemed recoverable. Over 3 days, and many many pads and polish later - due to the rally red Evo VIIIs being SS paint - the final result was more than rewarding. More time being spent on the rear quarter panels as they were not properly refinished after being resprayed, so we wet sanded them smooth and re polished them. However, this particular car wasn't completely revived yet, as we kind of went reverse on the process....It's awaiting a heart transplant for it's blown motor, meaning we performed the cosmetic surgery before it was able to walk again. I personally would want to revive looking good again and ready to go, but that's just me! Hope you all dont mind the medical references, this particular Evo belonged to a Med Student, and just continuing with the theme! The Products used throughout the process: CG CitrusWash P21S TAW Sonax Green Clay CG Clay Lube Meguiars 105 - Purple Foam Wool Menzerna SIP - Yellow Foam Menzerna 106FA - Green Foam P21S Paintworks Cleanser Blackfire Wet Diamond Paint Sealant Wolfgang Fuzion Wax 2500-3000 grit - headlights 3000 grit - Rear quarter panels Diablo Wheel Gel Meguiars Wheel Brightener Rejex Sealant on wheels Trauma Pictures: You can just see there is no gloss to be found on this car as we arrived to it. 5. So we prepped it fully, two full degreasing washes and clay, completely dried it, all edges and such. Corrected the wing then removed it, tape up the car and the following pics are post prep. Can really see what we were working with now, just look in the light reflections on the paint, or lack of so to speak, to really get an idea of how dull it was. 10. 15. The following pictures are mix of 50/50 and before/after shots to show the difference as we worked through the car, they really speak for themselves. Fender 50/50 We didn't just get rid of the dullness, all defects were removed on the car, like here on the quarter panel Hood 50/50 20. A-Pillar 50/50 Trunk 50/50 Before/After shots of the Hood. Shot in the same lighting conditions, no flash or enhancement made to any of these pictures 25. Before/After of Passenger side doors Headlight Before/After 30. Direct sunlight Photos 35. Reflection Photos - Gloss returned 40. Finished Full Vehicle Photos: 45. 50. Feedback appreciated! Thank you for looking!
looks great man. I did a lancer one time, same exact thing. For some reason it seems like red & white oxidize faster then any other color. It's amazing to see the difference between a dull oxidized finish and one that has just freshly been polished. Great save, great work and nice pics!
yeah ill see about coming in october, this trip cost me almost $50 in tolls and gas. red and white seem to be popular SS paints
single stage paints are the only ones that oxidize, correct? BTW what's going on in October? Anyone wanna pick me up in Hawaii? I'll chip in for some gas too.:
Unbelievable turnaround!!! Great job!! Your 50/50 pictures are mind blowing!! I can't believe you were able to revive the paint at its worst condition! Did it stain all the pads that you used? Were you able to wash it out?
Great save. I would have expected the previous owner to taken greater care with this great car. thnx for sharing. You pumped life back into it
i wonder how Phil going to top this one. im sure more guys will be able to make it since not many ppl on vacations in fall Thanks Bendan i dont know if only single stage does that but its more prone to oxydation becouse elements come in direct contact with actual paint, i dont know about laquer paints though belive it or not its not that hard to get oxydation off since its more like a film, scratches are harder to remove then oxydation in my experience. yeah pads are all stained(once that came in contact with original paint, since back quarters and bumper was resprayed poorly), no i was not able to completely wash them out Thanks not sure if that was original owner or not but in anyhow not many ppl know how to take care of their cars and even less how to take car of SS paint, owner thought it needs to be completely repainted
Exceptional work and as always your photography skills show it off well. No doubt the owner was enjoying the "new" car.
most of those pics are teken by Nick, i took couple with that camera, at that time my camera was for sale so i was not using it. cant wait to take pics iwth new camera ill post couple of my pics that i just uploaded