Auto-Genie showroom

Post by **Stuart** » Fri Nov 23, 2012 9:08 pm

So, the first run of the more aggressive compound on one side of the roof

Loads less marks and oxidisation but still a long way to go. This section of the roof took over two hours by the way!
This next photo showed the a similar section but with a finer compound run over the top to improve the finish

I was delighted with the reflection, and to be honest it's only seeing these photos as I review the work that has highlighted the difference

So the roof was completed as best as possible. I even called the rep that supplied the materials, and he was kind enough to come and have a look for me. He took one look, after three hours of work, and said "It's fucked, it needs to be painted" Er, thanks for that

With that back breaker done, it was time to polish the rest of the car so I masked up the old rubber trim to stop marks from polishing and got stuck in. This photo shows the polish as it's drying

The rear wing is PU so needed tackling in a different fashion to the steel roof (i.e. less forceful!) but it was also faded badly so out came the compound again

A before and after shot (left hand side being polished, right being raw)

With the wing complete, it was time to take the rest of the polish off the whole car and this was a doddle indoors in the warm with good lighting and reasonable paintwork.

The roof before and afterwards

Nowhere near perfect but much better than it was beforehand; at least it reflects something now!

We then fitted Danny's replacement bonnet and although this was a big improvement, there was no way I could settle for the packaging scratches, scuffs and holograms!

More compound, more finishing glaze and then more wax and it ended up like this

Danny has assured me that if there is any dry weather over the next few days he'll take some daylight photos and hopefully they will show the finish a bit better

I didn't take photos but as usual the wheels, tyres, wheel arches and exhaust were all cleaned and treated or polished accordingly.

Roll on the next challenge.....after the Escort, can I have an easy one please?

TonyB · Post by **TonyB** » Fri Nov 23, 2012 9:39 pm

Wow, nice one Stuart, you really are going to have a pleasant day out when you come over to do mine in comparison

Danny, you must be very pleased with that!

Rob S · Post by **Rob S** » Fri Nov 23, 2012 9:40 pm

If the paint is as thin as it looks, there's little you can do with that.
The machine polishers are great for cutting through oxidation, but I fear with that little paint , it'd be through to the primer in no time. You're always welcome to mine mate. Save your ageing joints

Post by **Stuart** » Fri Nov 23, 2012 9:50 pm

Thanks Tony. I hope so

Rob, the rep's got thirty years of experience and he literally said I was wasting my time with anything; manual or machine. He used one of their all singing and dancing polishers and made no noticeable improvement over my work, but he did it in about ten minutes whereas it had taken my hours by that stage

I will invest in one but not yet. It seems daft to spend money on kit when this kind of work is not what I want to get into at this stage.

The main thing is that Danny's happy, the car is now protected properly and looks a whole heap smarter. With a 235hp engine hiding beneath this sleeper's exterior, it now has a cared for appearance to match the power.

Rob S · Post by **Rob S** » Fri Nov 23, 2012 10:12 pm

Good effort though mate, I know from the old Volvo how demoralising trying to polish a matt, dead paintwork is. 230 odd brake in a Escort must be epic

Post by **Stuart** » Fri Nov 23, 2012 10:21 pm

It's a light car mate, that's for sure. Even lighter with all of that paint removed

Danny@APT · Post by **Danny@APT** » Sat Nov 24, 2012 9:42 am

TonyB wrote:
Danny, you must be very pleased with that!

Without a doubt mate!

I'd been told numerous times the paint was beyond repair, but Stuart was keen to give it a shot, and I've got to say the indoor pics don't do his mammoth efforts justice- there's a huge improvement over the bleached mess that was there before.

Granted, fresh paint is the only option to get it 100%, but until I'm decided on what I do about the common rotten sunroof tray issue, this will make the car much more presentable for now. I was saving the fresher bonnet and rear lamps for if/when it goes, but I felt I would have broken Stu if he'd had to tackle the original faded bonnet as well, so I nipped home to get the replacement.

Once again, massive thanks to Stuart for the brilliant job he's done in resurrecting the old Ford's paint- the finished work is beyond any expectations I ever had.

pablo · Post by **pablo** » Sat Nov 24, 2012 2:52 pm

Stu, I have to say i'm very impressed and surprised with your work and talent. Every one of those cars looks top draw:thumbs:

Post by **Stuart** » Sat Nov 24, 2012 2:58 pm

Thank you Danny; both for letting me have a go and your kind words

(If you can send me some daytime photos that would be great).

Pabs......."surprised with your work and talent". Not sure how to take that?

I'll accept the compliment about the work though. Thank you.

pablo · Post by **pablo** » Sat Nov 24, 2012 3:27 pm

Stuart wrote:Pabs......."surprised with your work and talent". Not sure how to take that? I'll accept the compliment about the work though. Thank you.

Before this thread I never knew that you were into valeting cars. I mainly knew of your skills in being able to strip any car and get them set for track work. All of which have been function over form.