Nero Black Alfa GT - Detailed by Lawrence

[lawrenceSA]

I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to resurrect this Italian Stallion this past weekend.... seemingly many of the Mafioso had a beef with this baby and wanted her on ice - Many a hit later and absolutely no regard had been shown for her paintwork and out of all the cars I have detailed, this one was by far the most abused, and was quite difficult to correct. Che peccato! Packing my DA and armed with a bucket load of pads/polishes/cloths, I set out to restore her to her former glory :lol:

Ok so onto the detail itself.... on arrival the car was covered in the usual surface dirt and some bird bombs and had terribly faded plastic trim and many deep scratches

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Arthur%20Alfa%20GT/IMG_3677_zps94c201c2.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Arthur%20Alfa%20GT/IMG_3687_zpsb2f23e2a.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Arthur%20Alfa%20GT/IMG_3685_zps75b2567f.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Arthur%20Alfa%20GT/IMG_3693_zps073c99da.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Arthur%20Alfa%20GT/IMG_3706_zps8af97903.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Arthur%20Alfa%20GT/IMG_3711_zps71417d70.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Arthur%20Alfa%20GT/IMG_3712_zps52f643bc.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Arthur%20Alfa%20GT/IMG_3708_zpsf9b90c8c.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Arthur%20Alfa%20GT/IMG_3686_zps1321eea1.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Arthur%20Alfa%20GT/IMG_3694_zps4863dc8a.jpg

I began as always by cleaning up the wheels. Products used were Cyclo CM30 and Sonax Extreme Wheel Cleaner, Smartwax Smart Dressing and Collinite #845. Tires were scrubbed clean, arches cleaned, wheels cleaned and sealed and tires dressed.

Before
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Arthur%20Alfa%20GT/IMG_3678_zps23013148.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Arthur%20Alfa%20GT/IMG_3679_zps482c1ba0.jpg

During
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Arthur%20Alfa%20GT/IMG_3716_zpsb8af527d.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Arthur%20Alfa%20GT/IMG_3726_zps8c9e28ef.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Arthur%20Alfa%20GT/IMG_3727_zpse1a4ff2f.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Arthur%20Alfa%20GT/IMG_3733_zps7c6a78cd.jpg

I then set about cleaning up the door jambs, boot jamb, petrol cap, badges and in all the panel gaps, around all window seals etc using Cyclo CM30
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Arthur%20Alfa%20GT/IMG_3700_zpse788bcf8.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Arthur%20Alfa%20GT/IMG_3735_zps840f8997.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Arthur%20Alfa%20GT/IMG_3744_zps05001fee.jpg

Evidence of a 'job' in the desert maybe? :lol:
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Arthur%20Alfa%20GT/IMG_3745_zps56764b2e.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Arthur%20Alfa%20GT/IMG_3747_zps4f1f4374.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Arthur%20Alfa%20GT/IMG_3748_zpsa686053c.jpg

Once that was completed the car was pre-washed washed using a foam cannon and a mix of Chemical Guys Maxi Suds II and Cyclo CM30, followed by a full 2 bucket wash using Meguiars Gold Class shampoo mixed with ONR
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Arthur%20Alfa%20GT/IMG_3753_zpsf200cfae.jpg

Claying then revealed some contamination however it was not as bad as I had been expecting.
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Arthur%20Alfa%20GT/IMG_3773_zps09bbe673.jpg

However, once claying was complete I was then confronted by what must be the worst looking paint I have seen to date. Besides the gazillions of swirl marks, there was also evidence of 'tick marks' and 'pigtails'. Both of these defects are caused through poor technique - using an overly aggressive polish or not working the polish correctly, and working 'dirty' respectively. In discussions with the owner it was established that the passenger side of the car had received some body work previously and I therefore assume that the above defects were inflicted by the bodyshop who obviously attempted to polish out the car :mad: :cry: There were also multiple RIDS, some of which were deep enough to have penetrated the base coat and primer :cry:
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Arthur%20Alfa%20GT/IMG_3757_zpsd09172ed.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Arthur%20Alfa%20GT/IMG_3761_zps3dfffd34.jpg

[lawrenceSA]

If you look carefully on the edge of the door and under the door handle you will see how faded the paint is.

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Arthur%20Alfa%20GT/IMG_3769_zps84a98dcf.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Arthur%20Alfa%20GT/IMG_3771_zps8b3a033f.jpg

A close up of these sections reveals the tick marks
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Arthur%20Alfa%20GT/IMG_3767_zps83bb3a39.jpg

And pigtails
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Arthur%20Alfa%20GT/IMG_3812_zps08527c32.jpg

The onset of clear coat failure?
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Arthur%20Alfa%20GT/IMG_3821_zps34614751.jpg

More damage
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Arthur%20Alfa%20GT/IMG_3778_zpsce803b85.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Arthur%20Alfa%20GT/20130301_190341_zpsfebf99ee.jpg

After multiple test spots I eventually settled on Menzerna FG400 on a LC Orange pad for the heavy hitting and followed this up with Menzerna SF4000 on a Black Menzerna finishing pad to restore gloss. Despite spending 14 hours correcting and refining the paintwork there were unfortunately some battle scars which remained and were not worth trying to remove given how deep they were. Nonetheless I would say that 90% correction was achieved - more than enough to make the owner fall in love with his Comare again.

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Arthur%20Alfa%20GT/IMG_3797_zps1062b925.jpg

After 1 pass with FG400
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Arthur%20Alfa%20GT/IMG_3798_zps02ca1bd7.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Arthur%20Alfa%20GT/IMG_3817_zps2e05a3eb.jpg

Working on some of the deeper RIDS
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Arthur%20Alfa%20GT/IMG_3829_zpsfbd0ebea.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Arthur%20Alfa%20GT/IMG_3830_zps6c4d875b.jpg

The car was then washed again in order to remove any polishing dust/residue before being dried in preparation of LSP. I then laid down a coat of Chemical Black Light and V7, followed by 2 coats of Collinite #845. Windows were clayed, polished using Autoglym Glass Polish, cleaned using Autoglym fast glass and sealed using C-Thru. The exhaust tips were then polished using Meguiars NXT All Metal Polish. The interior was then vacuumed and dash wiped clean. All exterior plastic was treated with Chemical Guys Bare Bones.

Onto some after shots - unfortunately the sun was nowhere to be seen

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Arthur%20Alfa%20GT/IMG_3843_zps0aa09522.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Arthur%20Alfa%20GT/IMG_3856_zps41bdca9e.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Arthur%20Alfa%20GT/20130303_084713_zpsf53a0298.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Arthur%20Alfa%20GT/IMG_3879_zps1084a50e.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Arthur%20Alfa%20GT/IMG_3904_zpse06160cc.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Arthur%20Alfa%20GT/IMG_3953_zps985335c1.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Arthur%20Alfa%20GT/IMG_3964_zps8955d74d.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Arthur%20Alfa%20GT/IMG_3988_zpse01189af.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Arthur%20Alfa%20GT/IMG_3889_zpsa4db9895.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Arthur%20Alfa%20GT/IMG_3895_zps050d1712.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Arthur%20Alfa%20GT/IMG_3846_zps1cbf6c5a.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Arthur%20Alfa%20GT/IMG_3981_zps42bbb0e4.jpg

The clock on the left is evidence that the 3.2l V6 24v baby has the go to match the show. :hurray:

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Arthur%20Alfa%20GT/IMG_3852_zps63953834.jpg

Total time spent = 26 hours

Thanks for looking

[jdmj0]

Wow, this was a beautiful save!

[CarolinaShine]

Great work! That paint was horrible, glad you were able to save it.

[steamshooter]

Magnifico! Fantastico!

When I saw the condition in the first few photos, I thought this was going to be a waste of time.

Impressive!

[cartman57]

Amazing turnaround, i can imagine owner was stunned at how it looks now.
Great work as usual.

[donb]

Very impressive. Nice save!

[lawrenceSA]

Thank you all for your kind words - much appreciated.

And yes, the owner was absolutely delighted with it. In fact the first words out of his mouth were not suitable for a public forum :laughing:

No matter how tough the detail is at the time, it is the customers' reactions when they see their corrected car for the first time that makes it so worth it :dblthumb2:

It is part of why I love doing this!

[cartman57]

Thank you all for your kind words - much appreciated.

And yes, the owner was absolutely delighted with it. In fact the first words out of his mouth were not suitable for a public forum :laughing:

No matter how tough the detail is at the time, it is the customers' reactions when they see their corrected car for the first time that makes it so worth it :dblthumb2:

It is part of why I love doing this!

Watching eyes pop out, jaws drop, holy #%€£ come out of their mouth, need to get the reaction on video just one time.....priceless!
Your work is a finish restoration not just a detail.

[Pinpoint_Precision]

Amazing work!

[TheCougarGuy]

Excellent work! That thing was trashed!

[dertoLearN.]

Whoaa great job!!!:goodjob2:

[vet]

Great job, as usual, Lawrence!

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

That was a complete overhaul!

Nice work!

[Pureshine]

Great work! FG400 FTW!