1970 Plymouth Cuda Vitamin C Orange - Detailed by Mike Phillips

[Mike Phillips]

1970 Plymouth Cuda Vitamin C Orange - Detailed by Mike Phillips (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-mike-phillips-your-detailing-questions/105860-1970-plymouth-cuda-vitamin-c-orange-detailed-mike-phillips.html)


I have two cars to prep for car shows this week plus test out NEW products being announced at SEMA. One is a 1970 Plymouth 'Cuda fresh out of museum for the last 15+ years. The other is a 1940 Pointiac 5-Window Coupe Streetrod. Both are filled with swirls, scratches, holograms and oxidation. They are no where near ready for display.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3236/1940_Pontiac_1970_Cuda_001.jpg




So we begin...


Second thing I did was a waterless wash.

Next I did was the baggie test. The paint felt rough.

Next I clayed a section on the front of the hood. I like to use clay when I'm curious to see the color of the contaminants on the paint. Other methods work great to remove contaminants but clay can show you what's coming off the paint.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3236/1970_Cuda_340_001.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3236/1970_Cuda_340_002.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3236/1970_Cuda_340_003.jpg



Sometimes I like to place the clay on a white microfiber towel to show the contrast...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3236/1970_Cuda_340_004.jpg



Gloss comes from a smooth surface
Years ago I wrote an article that explains that gloss starts with a smooth surface. In order to create a super high gloss finish you must make the paint as smooth as possible and this starts with removing the contaminants like you see on the clay patty above.


After removing all the contaminants off all of the paint you can see the gloss has definitely amped up.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3236/1970_Cuda_340_005.jpg




Pictures can be deceiving

The paint in the picture below looks pretty good huh?

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3236/1970_Cuda_340_006.jpg



Here's what the paint really looks like when I light it up using the FLASH off my camera.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3236/1970_Cuda_340_007.jpg



Besides the swirls, you can also see the paint has a splotchy stain over it.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3236/1970_Cuda_340_008.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3236/1970_Cuda_340_009.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3236/1970_Cuda_340_010.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3236/1970_Cuda_340_011.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3236/1970_Cuda_340_012.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3236/1970_Cuda_340_013.jpg



Here I'll frame up the shot so you can see the section of paint I'm revealing with my camera's flash.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3236/1970_Cuda_340_014.jpg



Now we zoom in a little - I left a little bit of the number 0 from the 340 for perspective...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3236/1970_Cuda_340_015.jpg



And here's a 800 pixel wide section cropped out of the original.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3236/1970_Cuda_340_016.jpg




To the average person, this car looked great when it arrived to Autogeek. To the trained eye there's a show car finish hiding under the swirls and stains.



More to come....


Oh yeah, here's the link to the original article I wrote on where gloss comes from...


Gloss starts first with a smooth surface... (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/43190-gloss-starts-first-smooth-surface.html)


:)

[adamgayton81]

Definitely can't wait to see the finished product.

Here's a question, my Camaro looked very close to the same with swirls. I typically use Chemical Guys products...so I started with V36 cutting compound and a medium cutting pad. The car turned out great with a gloss shine and very smooth...


I ran out of time and didn't get to polish so I just went ahead and threw wax on it and was happy. Should I have went ahead and used the V38 polish and a finishing pad and then waxed or am I ok with what I did?


:dunno:

[Mike Phillips]

Definitely can't wait to see the finished product.




Hi Adam,

I moved your pictures and created you your own thread here,

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/105862-camaro-detailed-using-chemical-guys.html


As to your questions?

"Yes" if it were me and I was using CG products I would have definitley finished out with their finest/best finishing polish before sealing the paint.


I'll post my answer to your thread too...


:)

[davidc]

Very good description of showing defects Mike. I would imagine there are many including myself that can benefit from your technique. Love the cuda and the vitamin c also.

Dave

[rbss]

Very nice can't wait to see this one when your done!

[Mike Phillips]

***Update***



Just finished compounding, polishing and waxing the roof and the sail panel.

Here's the results.


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3236/1970_Cuda_340_017.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3236/1970_Cuda_340_018.jpg


I explain why to knock out the roof first, (before doing the rest of the car), all the way from start to finish here,

Knock out painted roofs first, then tackle the rest of the car... (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/tricks-tips-techniques/29746-knock-out-painted-roofs-first-then-tackle-rest-car.html)



:)

[adamgayton81]

Looks great, how bout a closer shot? I couldn't get your link to why the roof first to work...


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[parshooter]

... why the roof first to work...


Probably the same reason you work from the top to the bottom on any washings.

BTW, that Cuda looks great. Love to see cars in their original state.

[Eldorado2k]

why the roof first to work...

My 1st thought was because you wouldn't want your clothes to possibly rub up against the sides of the finished vehicle while trying to do the roof.. If you finish the roof 1st you'll never need to reach over the side of the vehicle again. [however that wasn't 1 of the reasons]

In reply to the linked thread about why to finish the roof 1st: I like to finish the wheels & tires 1st for that very same reason. Helps things look alot better:)

[57BORNTORUN]

Was color left on the pads?

[1EdgeKilla]

That roof looks beautiful, Mike.

I assume you're going to wait till you're completely finished to do a full write-up of products and tools used?

Keep it up!

-Chris

[Mike Phillips]

***Update***


The hood and trunk lid are done all the way through to LSP. All that's left now are the 6 side panels.


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3236/1970_Cuda_340_019.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3236/1970_Cuda_340_020.jpg



:)

[adamgayton81]

Holy [emoji90]that looks dang good!


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[damaged442]

What a beautiful car! Awesome!

[Rsurfer]

Excellente!