Serious Advice Needed for Lamborghini Countach paint

[Totoland Mach]

I've got a chance to quote a paint correction to this wonderful car that someone has really hurt in a previous attempt. The car has original paint with some serious chips and scratches. But, the biggest problem is the condition of the paint (see pics). It appears to have suffered severe rotary burns and swirls.

Questions to my fellow Autogeeker's:

Can this paint be corrected? I have both a pc and a Cyclo with appropriate pads and products.

I told the owner I'd prefer to "test" a portion of the car like the roof before I give a final price. My initial estimate is 12-14 hours to correct this mess.

You Pro's holler before I step into a job that might not work!

Overall 10' shot looks ok ... right?

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/Countach_FrontShot.jpg

Now: here's the roof...it's in very bad condition

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/Countach_RoofShot.jpg

Next is an engine scoop: this gives an accurate picture of the rest of the car

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/Countach_ScoopShot.jpg

This is the hood just below the windshield area...very bad condition

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/Countach_TopOfHood.jpg

The paint on this Countach is original (probably single stage laquer being Italian)

The owner is pretty pessimistic about bringing the paint back to good condition...I'd like to prove him in error.

Holler when you can folks!

Toto

[Rapidity]

hah.... trade him a test drive!

[Kelso]

i think it can be done... i dunno for sure though...give it a try, couldnt hurt!

[supercharged]

Single stage paints can be corrected. If you have not seen a DVD how to use a PC by Mike Phillips, I strongly recommend that you do see it. In there, he is working on 60's Corvette, with a single stage black paint. Keep in mind that your pads will turn red (some paint removal) when you will be working on it. The main secret of his is to use Meguiar's # 7 show car glaze right after you wash and dry a car. Let it sit there for 15-30 minutes. This will a little make it easier for imperfections removal. But again to a test spot first, see how it will come out. And yeah, son't show pads to the owner, or I doubt that he will want correction done.

[joe.p]

Although the paint looks terrible it looks more like hazing,why in the four the word in my worst pissed off voice would he trust just anyone to put a ROTORY to his car without having any reference from this guy.

Justin is the guy to get in touch with he has posted pics of many high end vehicles he has worked on.TexasTB also mobiles not sure if he has had this type of problem. Man I'm so sorry not to be able to help you,whatever you do i wish you the best of luck.

Going on Meguiars would be an option and probaly get you a faster response.

[ScottB]

Unfortunately this is what happens with neglected single stage paint. Relatively easy to remove the oxidation, problem is how much paint is still available ?? I would tread lightly without a paint meter as you dont wanna breach to the primer ....

[FloridaNative]

Wow!! That is a friggin shame!! I hope all goes well with your detail and that you can bring that car back to its former glory. Good luck.

[Totoland Mach]

I finally reached an agreement with the Lambo owner to do the car Thursday evening the 28th and Friday the 29th. I told him I was going to do a test panel and make a decision whether to proceed with the rest of the car.

I examined the car closely this afternoon and it appears the paint is not as faded as the pictures show. Moreover, the splotches are a previous wax/glaze job that was applied in direct sun and allowed to dry. The the person used a rotary in a vain attempt to remove the product. I "think" the paint can be repaired to "good - very good levels).

I don't have a rotary, but have a Cyclo and pc, so those will be my tools. I also have plenty of #83, SSR 2.5, Wolfgang Swirl Remover, #7 Glaze and Adams Revive.

I'll keep you folks posted with pics and process Thursday night and let you know my decision then.

Thanks for all the ideas and tips...if this one turns out good, it will be a great advertising tool for me.

Toto

[FloridaNative]

Best of luck Toto!!! I just know you'll get that Lambo turned around!! Oh I 'm so excited to see the after pics!! :D Can I hope that it is going to get some Souveran for LSP?? :)

[Totoland Mach]

Thanks FloridaNative: my goal is to get the paint to the point where it needs a good Souveran job! :D

[Reddwarf]

Looking forward to seeing the after photos. What fun it would be to do a Countach! Legendary!

[justin_murphy]

Remember the EVO I did with the half and half hood shot?
Megs #80 has oils that love single stage paints. Worked like a breeze!

[Totoland Mach]

Well folks...it's done! After 12 hours of work and throwing lots of product at the poor condition finish, it came out pretty good. The roof is beyond detailing repair as well as several other places on the car (that engine scoop being another). Other than that, it's not an easy car to polish with lots of tight angles and laying on your back to get the bottom portion of the car.

Process:
Wash with ONR (the best stuff out there IMO)
Cyclo with Orange pads and: #83, Wolfgang Total Swirl Remover, #7...u-name-it, I used it.
PC: I ended up using a product that I haven't used in a couple of years that was in my aresenal. Meguiars Color X. Great stuff for bringing out color and put a good finish on a rough car.

Pics: Engine Scoop (see before shot) came out so-so. You can see some paint degradation and I didn't go farther due to primer showing through on an edge.

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/photopost/data/500/medium/Lambo_Scoop_After.jpg

Roof: The roof was done for! I got as much as I could, but the paint is checking badly and this is definitely a candidate for a re-shoot.
http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/photopost/data/500/medium/Lambo_Roof_All_That_CanBeDone.jpg

Overall Shot: It's a good 10' car, but I wouldn't want to get closer LOL.
http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/photopost/data/500/medium/Lambo_After_1.jpg

One Tired Old Man after 12 hours!
http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/photopost/data/500/medium/Dickie_NextTo_Lambo.jpg

I think if the owner gets a partial re-shoot of the bad paint, it will be a decent car.

Toto

[ScottB]

Nice work .... and all in all, the owner still gets to say he owns a Lamborghini !!

[kellyinkc]

Good job! Nutz missed ya at 7:30.
If I have time I'll get out to Oak Grove later today.