690 Pics|JDM Clears + Detail Pics + Beauty Shots
Guys, thanks so much for the positive comments. It was a pleasure getting this car back in tip-top.
I'm going to move slow with this one. My ultimate goal would be a 3.8L stroker. I don't know if I want to do some of the basic bolt-on's first or just go for the whole package in one pop.
Thank ya thank ya! It only had 6300 miles when I purchased it. I honestly don't know what the previous owner was doing, but I wish I could contact him/her to prevent them from butchering another car...just glad I could save this one.
This detail actually took me around 20+ hours...lots of hard work to create a finish like that, given what I started with. The car's paint actually looked pretty good unless under lighting like that...no real damage...just tons of swirls and marring.
Check the first post...several "after" pics to show the correction.
Correct...only one owner before me, so it had to be them. Certainly wasn't me.
I'm going to move slow with this one. My ultimate goal would be a 3.8L stroker. I don't know if I want to do some of the basic bolt-on's first or just go for the whole package in one pop.
Excellent work ginger, but holy are you right, that paint was in HORRIBLE condition for the age of the car... how many miles are on that? He must have automatic car washed that thing... weekly, jesus. Nothing causes swirls like THAT without other aesthetic damage.. what a moron, espesially considering the bodykit.
To anyone that's never done a full detail, I highly recommend you do one, if you're scared to try it on the nismo, use another one of your cars or a friends, but it's not hard... it's just rediculously time consuming if you're a perfectionist.
The real reason you should try is so you can appreciate it for what it is. That is... 6-7 hours by yourself no problem. If you did it in less, congrats, honestly.
To anyone that's never done a full detail, I highly recommend you do one, if you're scared to try it on the nismo, use another one of your cars or a friends, but it's not hard... it's just rediculously time consuming if you're a perfectionist.
The real reason you should try is so you can appreciate it for what it is. That is... 6-7 hours by yourself no problem. If you did it in less, congrats, honestly.
This detail actually took me around 20+ hours...lots of hard work to create a finish like that, given what I started with. The car's paint actually looked pretty good unless under lighting like that...no real damage...just tons of swirls and marring.
Correct...only one owner before me, so it had to be them. Certainly wasn't me.
Thanks for my new wallpaper
Took the shot from above.
My car just went through a rough winter, and when I got to washing it by hand as opposed to the touchless car wash over the winter I noticed no matter how thourough I was there was still some spots where the dirt, sand, snow, salt, and what have you, marred the car a little and was sort of ground into the paint.
I'm contemplating buying a flex buffer and polishing the car, but I'm quite nervous about screwing it up. Plus between the cost of the buffer and polishes, do you think it would be worth while for me to just pay $150-200 to get it professionally detailed?
Thanks
Took the shot from above.My car just went through a rough winter, and when I got to washing it by hand as opposed to the touchless car wash over the winter I noticed no matter how thourough I was there was still some spots where the dirt, sand, snow, salt, and what have you, marred the car a little and was sort of ground into the paint.
I'm contemplating buying a flex buffer and polishing the car, but I'm quite nervous about screwing it up. Plus between the cost of the buffer and polishes, do you think it would be worth while for me to just pay $150-200 to get it professionally detailed?
Thanks
Last edited by Lento; Mar 22, 2010 at 01:04 PM.
Thanks for my new wallpaper
Took the shot from above.
My car just went through a rough winter, and when I got to washing it by hand as opposed to the touchless car wash over the winder I noticed no matter how thourough I was there was still some spots where the dirt, sand, snow, salt, and what have you, marred the car a little and was sort of ground into the paint.
I'm contemplating buying a flex buffer and polishing the car, but I'm quite nervous about screwing it up. Plus between the cost of the buffer and polishes, do you think it would be worth while for me to just pay $150-200 to get it professionally detailed?
Thanks
Took the shot from above.My car just went through a rough winter, and when I got to washing it by hand as opposed to the touchless car wash over the winder I noticed no matter how thourough I was there was still some spots where the dirt, sand, snow, salt, and what have you, marred the car a little and was sort of ground into the paint.
I'm contemplating buying a flex buffer and polishing the car, but I'm quite nervous about screwing it up. Plus between the cost of the buffer and polishes, do you think it would be worth while for me to just pay $150-200 to get it professionally detailed?
Thanks

Make sure you're using two buckets (one with clean water and one with soapy water), a quality car wash soap and sheepskin mit for washing. I also like to hose off my mit and squeeze it out for every panel...especially if there's a lot of grime that has collected on the paint.
Don't be nervous...just be careful. Whether to pay someone or do it yourself is completely up to you. The supplies to do the correction on my car (including the polisher) cost north of $500. A full detail from a reputable shop would have cost less, but having the equipment allows you to do touch-ups in the future. You also get the personal satisfaction of doing it yourself.
And if you get good enough, you could do some cars for other people on the side and recoup some of the costs. Ultimately though, you just have to look at it as a hobby where you're probably going to lose money.
Just for reference, a quality detailer is probably going to charge at least $250. Don't take it to a dealership.
Nice weather's right around the corner...been lovely here this weekend.
Last edited by teh_ginger; Mar 21, 2010 at 12:02 PM.
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Oct 29, 2020 07:44 PM



nice pics
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