2006 Mitsu Evo ready for cars and coffee

[TTQ B4U]

So a senior member of a local group I'm in took delivery of a real gem. With only 66k on the clock it's no doubt pretty clean for it's age. Clean overall but paint wise, it appears to have been cleaned with brillo pads and a bag of gravel.

Needless to say the owner was kind enough to contact me for assistance and while we've never met he trusted in my work and for that I'm appreciative.

It was late when I got around to pulling it in and looking it over so I didn't really bother taking man before pics. Let's just say it wasn't pretty and once washed and ready to meet the buffer, the one thing that stood out was that it was covered in lots of medium depth random scratches. Almost like a kid with stick just went to town on it. The good news was they weren't through the clear but needless to say weren't going to just wipe away with polish.

Knowing the owners goal was to remove the swirls that covered up the metallic flake and were very noticeable, I couldn't just leave the scratches but to fix them would require more than we initially looked at. With a phone call and a couple test spots via cell pics I dialed in what was needed and was given the green light to bring her back to life. He has old winter wheels that have rough plasti-dip on them but I did what I could getting them all cleaned up and sealed.

I finished up very late today and wasn't able to catch the sun which was a bummer. Friday is pick up day but hopefully the sun will break through the clouds to show off the flake in this paint. If not I'll improvise with some lighting if I can. Until then here are a few teasers.



Drop off Day: Yeah, she needs a bath and then some...


http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah133/PDQS4/OLD%20Gallary%20of%20Images/2006%20Mitsubishi%20Evo/20161228_134654%20web_zpstwrmlhbv.jpg (http://s1379.photobucket.com/user/PDQS4/media/OLD%20Gallary%20of%20Images/2006%20Mitsubishi%20Evo/20161228_134654%20web_zpstwrmlhbv.jpg.html)



Years of improper washing and drying lead to swirls that hide the true beauty of metallic paint:


http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah133/PDQS4/OLD%20Gallary%20of%20Images/2006%20Mitsubishi%20Evo/20161228_153329%20web_zpsiplt1fsi.jpg (http://s1379.photobucket.com/user/PDQS4/media/OLD%20Gallary%20of%20Images/2006%20Mitsubishi%20Evo/20161228_153329%20web_zpsiplt1fsi.jpg.html)

http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah133/PDQS4/OLD%20Gallary%20of%20Images/2006%20Mitsubishi%20Evo/20161229_112652%20web_zpssplvhl42.jpg (http://s1379.photobucket.com/user/PDQS4/media/OLD%20Gallary%20of%20Images/2006%20Mitsubishi%20Evo/20161229_112652%20web_zpssplvhl42.jpg.html)



Another Item I couldn't let go unaddressed was the trim. Much of it was faded but the wiper cowl area and trim around the mirrors was faded to gray fairly badly was blotchy and not even in color. Back to original color and smooth and even in tone.


http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah133/PDQS4/OLD%20Gallary%20of%20Images/2006%20Mitsubishi%20Evo/P1050271%20web_zpswya0ujem.jpg (http://s1379.photobucket.com/user/PDQS4/media/OLD%20Gallary%20of%20Images/2006%20Mitsubishi%20Evo/P1050271%20web_zpswya0ujem.jpg.html)

http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah133/PDQS4/OLD%20Gallary%20of%20Images/2006%20Mitsubishi%20Evo/P1050272%20web_zpswpfoh1hu.jpg (http://s1379.photobucket.com/user/PDQS4/media/OLD%20Gallary%20of%20Images/2006%20Mitsubishi%20Evo/P1050272%20web_zpswpfoh1hu.jpg.html)



Compounded, polished and ceramic coating the paint now reflects like a mirror. Too bad the sun was not high enough to hit my driveway. The cowl area by the wipers is now nice and dark and restored too.


http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah133/PDQS4/OLD%20Gallary%20of%20Images/2006%20Mitsubishi%20Evo/P1050263%20web_zps3i4enw0n.jpg (http://s1379.photobucket.com/user/PDQS4/media/OLD%20Gallary%20of%20Images/2006%20Mitsubishi%20Evo/P1050263%20web_zps3i4enw0n.jpg.html)

http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah133/PDQS4/OLD%20Gallary%20of%20Images/2006%20Mitsubishi%20Evo/P1050258%20web_zpsh5sjg9rf.jpg (http://s1379.photobucket.com/user/PDQS4/media/OLD%20Gallary%20of%20Images/2006%20Mitsubishi%20Evo/P1050258%20web_zpsh5sjg9rf.jpg.html)



Again, these initial pics don't do it justice but they are better than nothing. Hopefully some better ones by Friday.


http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah133/PDQS4/OLD%20Gallary%20of%20Images/2006%20Mitsubishi%20Evo/P1050253%20web_zpslnohxrsw.jpg (http://s1379.photobucket.com/user/PDQS4/media/OLD%20Gallary%20of%20Images/2006%20Mitsubishi%20Evo/P1050253%20web_zpslnohxrsw.jpg.html)

http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah133/PDQS4/OLD%20Gallary%20of%20Images/2006%20Mitsubishi%20Evo/20161229_164519%20web_zpsba6uzpjx.jpg




Meg's Gold Class Wash
CarPro Iron-X
Medium Grade Nano Sponge
Polished with a Flex 3401 Buffer
Meg's 101 Compound with Griot's Garage MF Cutting Pads
Meg's Ultimate Polish with White LC Hybrid Force Pads
McKee's 37 Paint Coating
Solution Finish Trim Restorer
Stoners More Shine Tire Dressing
WETS for various trim

[Sicoupe]

Beautiful job my friend!

[VISITOR]

love that color, great job...

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Nice work transforming that Mitsu.

I see you compounded with the 3401 equipped with mf pads. How did that combo work out? I have found it too grabby for my liking.

Thanks for sharing.

[GSKR]

So a senior member of a local group I'm in took delivery of a real gem. With only 66k on the clock it's no doubt pretty clean for it's age. Clean overall but paint wise, it appears to have been cleaned with brillo pads and a bag of gravel.

Needless to say the owner was kind enough to contact me for assistance and while we've never met he trusted in my work and for that I'm appreciative.

It was late when I got around to pulling it in and looking it over so I didn't really bother taking man before pics. Let's just say it wasn't pretty and once washed and ready to meet the buffer, the one thing that stood out was that it was covered in lots of medium depth random scratches. Almost like a kid with stick just went to town on it. The good news was they weren't through the clear but needless to say weren't going to just wipe away with polish.

Knowing the owners goal was to remove the swirls that covered up the metallic flake and were very noticeable, I couldn't just leave the scratches but to fix them would require more than we initially looked at. With a phone call and a couple test spots via cell pics I dialed in what was needed and was given the green light to bring her back to life. He has old winter wheels that have rough plasti-dip on them but I did what I could getting them all cleaned up and sealed.

I finished up very late today and wasn't able to catch the sun which was a bummer. Friday is pick up day but hopefully the sun will break through the clouds to show off the flake in this paint. If not I'll improvise with some lighting if I can. Until then here are a few teasers.



Drop off Day: Yeah, she needs a bath and then some...


http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah133/PDQS4/OLD%20Gallary%20of%20Images/2006%20Mitsubishi%20Evo/20161228_134654%20web_zpstwrmlhbv.jpg (http://s1379.photobucket.com/user/PDQS4/media/OLD%20Gallary%20of%20Images/2006%20Mitsubishi%20Evo/20161228_134654%20web_zpstwrmlhbv.jpg.html)



Years of improper washing and drying lead to swirls that hide the true beauty of metallic paint:


http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah133/PDQS4/OLD%20Gallary%20of%20Images/2006%20Mitsubishi%20Evo/20161228_153329%20web_zpsiplt1fsi.jpg (http://s1379.photobucket.com/user/PDQS4/media/OLD%20Gallary%20of%20Images/2006%20Mitsubishi%20Evo/20161228_153329%20web_zpsiplt1fsi.jpg.html)

http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah133/PDQS4/OLD%20Gallary%20of%20Images/2006%20Mitsubishi%20Evo/20161229_112652%20web_zpssplvhl42.jpg (http://s1379.photobucket.com/user/PDQS4/media/OLD%20Gallary%20of%20Images/2006%20Mitsubishi%20Evo/20161229_112652%20web_zpssplvhl42.jpg.html)



Another Item I couldn't let go unaddressed was the trim. Much of it was faded but the wiper cowl area and trim around the mirrors was faded to gray fairly badly was blotchy and not even in color. Back to original color and smooth and even in tone.


http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah133/PDQS4/OLD%20Gallary%20of%20Images/2006%20Mitsubishi%20Evo/P1050271%20web_zpswya0ujem.jpg (http://s1379.photobucket.com/user/PDQS4/media/OLD%20Gallary%20of%20Images/2006%20Mitsubishi%20Evo/P1050271%20web_zpswya0ujem.jpg.html)

http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah133/PDQS4/OLD%20Gallary%20of%20Images/2006%20Mitsubishi%20Evo/P1050272%20web_zpswpfoh1hu.jpg (http://s1379.photobucket.com/user/PDQS4/media/OLD%20Gallary%20of%20Images/2006%20Mitsubishi%20Evo/P1050272%20web_zpswpfoh1hu.jpg.html)



Compounded, polished and ceramic coating the paint now reflects like a mirror. Too bad the sun was not high enough to hit my driveway. The cowl area by the wipers is now nice and dark and restored too.


http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah133/PDQS4/OLD%20Gallary%20of%20Images/2006%20Mitsubishi%20Evo/P1050263%20web_zps3i4enw0n.jpg (http://s1379.photobucket.com/user/PDQS4/media/OLD%20Gallary%20of%20Images/2006%20Mitsubishi%20Evo/P1050263%20web_zps3i4enw0n.jpg.html)

http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah133/PDQS4/OLD%20Gallary%20of%20Images/2006%20Mitsubishi%20Evo/P1050258%20web_zpsh5sjg9rf.jpg (http://s1379.photobucket.com/user/PDQS4/media/OLD%20Gallary%20of%20Images/2006%20Mitsubishi%20Evo/P1050258%20web_zpsh5sjg9rf.jpg.html)



Again, these initial pics don't do it justice but they are better than nothing. Hopefully some better ones by Friday.


http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah133/PDQS4/OLD%20Gallary%20of%20Images/2006%20Mitsubishi%20Evo/P1050253%20web_zpslnohxrsw.jpg (http://s1379.photobucket.com/user/PDQS4/media/OLD%20Gallary%20of%20Images/2006%20Mitsubishi%20Evo/P1050253%20web_zpslnohxrsw.jpg.html)

http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah133/PDQS4/OLD%20Gallary%20of%20Images/2006%20Mitsubishi%20Evo/20161229_164519%20web_zpsba6uzpjx.jpg




Meg's Gold Class Wash
CarPro Iron-X
Medium Grade Nano Sponge
Polished with a Flex 3401 Buffer
Meg's 101 Compound with Griot's Garage MF Cutting Pads
Meg's Ultimate Polish with White LC Hybrid Force Pads
McKee's 37 Paint Coating
Solution Finish Trim Restorer
Stoners More Shine Tire Dressing
WETS for various trim


That car is a absolute blast to drive so much power and torque in a split second.

[Paul A.]

Nice work, pdq! I like your idea of texting some test panel pics to the customer.

[TTQ B4U]

Nice work transforming that Mitsu. I see you compounded with the 3401 equipped with mf pads. How did that combo work out? I have found it too grabby for my liking.

They can be. I've found it depends on the product. I use the thin Griot's MF Pads. I know Mike posted about the LC ones with blue foam but I did not care for them. The fibers matt up and lay flat inside doing just one panel and they too become just as grabby. The Griot's ones stay fluffy much much longer and after each 1-2 passes or when needed, I just rotate the buffer and go back and forth with an old toothbrush to fluff them up.

What I've found is on Meg Ult. Cmpd it will become grabby much quicker than say Meg's 101 or 105. I use 101 as it's lower dusting. Works great.



Nice work, pdq! I like your idea of texting some test panel pics to the customer.

Yeah, I've done this a few times and found it effective at keeping the communication on options flowing. Most agree on one of my packages and offerings but in cases like this where they brought a pretty dirty car to me, I really couldn't assess the paint by just doing a quick wipe down of a test panel while they were there.

What we did is agreed on a price and package with the idea that I suspected it would need more but would advise them. I also included the trim restoration as I saw an opportunity they passed on while in person with me. I did the cowl area as my test and they were floored. Even if they would have passed, I would have completed the cowl area as sort of "a little something extra" for them. I tend to do silly things like that for customers. Trim, windshield coating, wheel coating or perhaps even working a little more magic on the hood and decklid of even basic details since those areas tend to really show off what it can look like to those that perhaps don't go all-out.

I've had a couple people leave their cars upon pick up for me to upgrade their packages when they see things like that. :)

Weather today is going to be very cold, we have a dusting of snow and nothing but blah white/gray clouds so defintely not sparkle weather for this metallic paint :( I'll see what I can do to capture it in my garage though.

[GSKR]

They can be. I've found it depends on the product. I use the thin Griot's MF Pads. I know Mike posted about the LC ones with blue foam but I did not care for them. The fibers matt up and lay flat inside doing just one panel and they too become just as grabby. The Griot's ones stay fluffy much much longer and after each 1-2 passes or when needed, I just rotate the buffer and go back and forth with an old toothbrush to fluff them up.

What I've found is on Meg Ult. Cmpd it will become grabby much quicker than say Meg's 101 or 105. I use 101 as it's lower dusting. Works great.




Yeah, I've done this a few times and found it effective at keeping the communication on options flowing. Most agree on one of my packages and offerings but in cases like this where they brought a pretty dirty car to me, I really couldn't assess the paint by just doing a quick wipe down of a test panel while they were there.

What we did is agreed on a price and package with the idea that I suspected it would need more but would advise them. I also included the trim restoration as I saw an opportunity they passed on while in person with me. I did the cowl area as my test and they were floored. Even if they would have passed, I would have completed the cowl area as sort of "a little something extra" for them. I tend to do silly things like that for customers. Trim, windshield coating, wheel coating or perhaps even working a little more magic on the hood and decklid of even basic details since those areas tend to really show off what it can look like to those that perhaps don't go all-out.

I've had a couple people leave their cars upon pick up for me to upgrade their packages when they see things like that. :)

Weather today is going to be very cold, we have a dusting of snow and nothing but blah white/gray clouds so defintely not sparkle weather for this metallic paint :( I'll see what I can do to capture it in my garage though.I did a hammered gl 350 and it came out beautiful.I called the owner outside to tell him the untreated trim needed to be treated with c4 to tighten up the job.He agreed as well I charged him 75.00 extra to do all the black trim that runs with the running boards.

[Sizzle Chest]

Very nice work! Your description of how it was previously washed/cared for made me LOL!!! Nice job!

[fly07sti]

Great save on that EVO.
Quick question on the MF pads. Were they the black GG MF's or the BOSS MF's? I recently acquired some of the BOSS MF's but have yet to use them.

[TTQ B4U]

Great save on that EVO.
Quick question on the MF pads. Were they the black GG MF's or the BOSS MF's? I recently acquired some of the BOSS MF's but have yet to use them.

Black Griot's MF Pads. Here is one side by side with the Lake Country that I'm not a fan of now. The ones shown here are after equal amount of use.

http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah133/PDQS4/Misc%20Fun/20161228_164436%20web_zpsswpirovs.jpg (http://s1379.photobucket.com/user/PDQS4/media/Misc%20Fun/20161228_164436%20web_zpsswpirovs.jpg.html)

[fly07sti]

Thanks for the response. Will put some in my next order.